{"id":30525,"date":"2016-10-10T16:44:55","date_gmt":"2016-10-10T08:44:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/precisebusiness.com.au\/?p=3989"},"modified":"2024-08-05T09:34:57","modified_gmt":"2024-08-05T09:34:57","slug":"uncertified-erp-consultant-risks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/precisebusiness.com\/NL\/uncertified-erp-consultant-risks\/","title":{"rendered":"Uncertified ERP Consultant Risks"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Risks of Using an Unauthorised Software Consultant<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Does this sound familiar?\u00a0 You implemented your business management software a few years ago and you’re now facing a major upgrade or migration that\u2019s going to take time and dollars to make happen.\u00a0 You have some customisations that need to be considered and some new functionality to be implemented (there’s got to be a reason to upgrade, right?).<\/p>\n

The upgrade may also involve upgrading servers and operating systems, or moving to a hosted model.\u00a0 You spoke to your software vendor\/partner who you have had a good business relationship with and they scoped the project and gave you a detailed quote, and when you got that back you nearly fell off your chair or at the very least your jaw dropped to the desk!<\/p>\n

Or maybe it\u2019s just stuff that\u2019s a little more \u2018day to day\u2019\u2026From time to time you want some new custom work done, or reporting enhancements, or to interface to another system.\u00a0 That sort of thing should be easy, right?\u00a0 Especially if you have this great, relatively modern system that\u2019s so flexible \u2013 that\u2019s one of the things you really like about it.\u00a0 But again, a quote for that sort of work comes back and you think to yourself, “It can’t cost this much!”<\/p>\n

So you start sniffing around the internet, asking some colleagues if they know a software consultant or perhaps someone came to you directly offering cheaper rates for what looks like the same services.\u00a0 They are a small company (might even be one person) with no overheads so have a lower hourly rate.\u00a0 They have experience with the software you are using because “they used to work there”.\u00a0 They have that “no worries mate, trust me” persona which you are starting to feel comfortable with, and they give you some great ideas about the sort of things you can do with the system\u2019s technology or outside of it and it shouldn\u2019t be too difficult.<\/p>\n

The reduced hourly rate could save you $10-20K on a big project – it’s looking like a good proposition!\u00a0 Even $1,000 here and there makes a difference \u2013 business is tight and you still want to get more value from your systems and process improvements can be made, so every dollar counts.<\/p>\n

\"Error,<\/h2>\n

Beware the temptation to use an unauthorised software consultant!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Your $15K saving could cost you a further $30K to fix because in the end you had to call your software partner for urgent assistance and bail you out of a terrible situation.\u00a0 The upgrade failed and there were no backups.\u00a0 The system is down and your staff are twiddling their thumbs while you are trying to find a solution.\u00a0 You are already 3 days late on the invoice run which will impact cashflow and end of month is just around the corner.\u00a0 The cheap software consultant has left the building, not taking any responsibility and never to be seen again.<\/p>\n

Certified ERP Software Partners go the Extra Mile<\/strong><\/h2>\n

What went wrong?\u00a0 Your reliable and trustworthy software partner put together a carefully considered upgrade proposal.\u00a0 They understand the importance of using sandbox accounts to test the upgrade, migrate data (if required) and deploy customisations in the new framework.\u00a0 They understand what has changed between versions and know the traps and pitfalls to look out for.\u00a0 They have ready access to the software vendor if any problems occur.<\/p>\n

They know that even little jobs sometimes warrant a little further thinking because just using more of the tools may not be the answer, or the only answer.\u00a0 Maybe how or why the process you\u2019re working around is being done should be looked at and just adding another workflow band aids the symptom but not the underlying cause.\u00a0 Maybe you could just use the system itself a little differently, or tap into that feature you didn\u2019t even know about.<\/p>\n

Your Authorised software Partner wants to keep you as a customer and they want to do what is best for you.\u00a0 That means implementing the project in a controlled way and not cutting any corners.\u00a0 They spend a lot of money investing in their knowledge – becoming Certified and remaining Certified.\u00a0 They have a deep and long bench of not just technologists or knowledge in just one part of the system but real experience, expertise and understanding across the software and what it is capable of.\u00a0 That continuous investment is mandated and audited by the software vendor, and their programs ensure the Partner not only stays as completely current on the new capabilities in the system (as they come out at an increasing pace), but can also advise you on how to best maximise that value from it that you are looking for. \u00a0Yes, they have overheads, but in the end, they provide a much more complete service.<\/p>\n

Key Considerations When Selecting Your ERP Implementation Partner<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you are thinking of using what looks like a lower cost consultant to work on your business system, consider the following:<\/p>\n