ERP Implementation

Choosing the Right Implementation Partner and Being a Good Client, Too

Written by Nancy Phillippi | Dec 2, 2021 6:00:00 AM

Choosing the right partner or value-added reseller (VAR) for the purchase of your new business software is probably the most important step in the vetting of a solution. That's why we thought it was a great topic to finish off our webinar series: The ROI of Cloud ERP.  We will discuss what to look for in choosing your software vendor, including the good, the bad, and the ugly!

The webinar is scheduled for December 9, 2021, and the agenda is as follows:  

  • Definition of partner (VAR)
  • Difference between software publisher and ERP partner- What is the difference?  Why does it matter?
  • Understanding and communicating your culture
  • Setting expectations
  • Implementation methodology and flexibility of methods
  • What to look for in ERP Technical staff (consultants)
  • Staff availability
  • IP (Intellectual Property) and ISV Partners (independent software vendors or add-on solution providers)
  • Reputation and references
  • Timeline/Project Tracking
  • Project estimates and why they are called estimates
  • Contracts and billing
  • On-going support options: Monthly fee? Contract term? Responsiveness?

If you have other agenda suggestions, please let us know by emailing info@cfbs-us.com

Being a Good Customer is Important, Too

From my perspective after 20 years in the industry, it's easy to spot the clients that will be great to work with.  Why? Because they have reasonable expectations, they let us get to know them and their culture, share their real business pains and goals, and allow us to guide them through the process as a partner, not just a salesperson.  Prospects that seem to know it all, don't share business information, don't allow discussions with other stakeholders, and hold everything close to the vest may not be good clients, and there could be trouble in the future.  If you have been burned by a partner in the past, that does not mean that every partner and salesperson is going to do the same.

Prospects that know a lot about the process from past experiences and are open to communication and ideas can be great to work with and typically be the best references!

We invite you to find out if Clients First has the best software and partner fit for your business.  We sell and implement Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain for large global organizations and are a favorite integration partner for Cleo and Pacejet.  We also sell and implement small to mid-sized companies with Business Central and Acumatica Cloud ERP.  We have IP for the MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) for aviation and heavy equipment industries.  The icing on the cake is that we have a great team with low turnover rates in our customers and consultants.  

Hear firsthand from one of our satisfied clients that has been a pleasure to work with:

Company: Eder Flags

Expertise: Manufacturer and Industry Leader in Large Flags and Commercial Poles

Software Implemented: Acumatica Cloud ERP

“The CFBS (Clients First Business Solutions) team has been outstanding from the beginning. We originally reached out to CFBS for a comparative quote, but they were so impressive we ended choosing them as our partner. Partner is the best word to describe their style. They jumped in, learned our business, and helped us implement a solution that works for our business. We just completed our first month in Acumatica after using GP for nearly 20 years, and I am pleased to say it’s going great.”

Hilary Ehlen

Business Operations Manager – Eder Flag Manufacturing

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