Implementing an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is a huge project that needs to be well-planned and carried out. Selecting the right ERP consulting partner will determine the success of your ERP implementation.
The top ERP solution on the market is Microsoft Dynamics, which has highly functional modules for financial management, supply chain management, manufacturing, and project management, among others. The right Microsoft Dynamics consulting services can provide companies with tremendous benefits from their ERP investment.
Here are the top 5 reasons to choose Microsoft Dynamics consulting services for your next ERP implementation:
1. Expertise and Experience Implementing Microsoft Dynamics
Implementing Microsoft Dynamics is a complex project requiring deep product knowledge and hands-on experience. If you choose a consulting partner focusing on Microsoft Dynamics, you’re choosing them because of their expertise and because they can lead you step by step through the implementation process.
Finding a consulting firm with a long history of completing Microsoft Dynamics projects in your industry is important. They will have the experience to predict risks and shape the configuration to work best for your business. You’ll learn their best practices to help you avoid common mistakes that cause budget/timeline overruns.
The other advantage of working with seasoned Microsoft Dynamics consultants is getting professional developer resources to customize the solution to your requirements. Integrating Dynamics with other systems and applications in your technology infrastructure can prove invaluable, as their expertise can be invaluable.
2. Proven Methodologies for Ensuring Project Success
An experienced Microsoft Dynamics consulting partner will have mature implementation methodologies fine-tuned from years of projects. These structured approaches provide governance for planning, testing, training, and other key implementation activities.
Proven methodologies reduce project risk and increase the likelihood of staying on time and budget. They incorporate industry best practices around configuration, data migration, testing, and change management.
Ask potential consulting firms about their specific methodologies for implementing Microsoft Dynamics projects. Look for detailed steps for requirements gathering, fit-gap analysis, design, development, project management, and quality assurance.
Structured methodologies enable effective collaboration and transparency between your internal team and external consultants. This drives consensus while meeting milestones and delivers better outcomes.
3. Vertical Industry Expertise
While Microsoft Dynamics offers broad functionality, the solution needs to be configured precisely to match each company’s processes. Microsoft partners with vertical expertise to tailor implementations based on the specific needs within your industry.
For example, the manufacturing edition has built-in capabilities like production control, material requirements planning, and capacity management, which need to be tuned. A consultant well-versed in manufacturing can appropriately set up these and other features in Dynamics based on real-world requirements.
Similarly, Microsoft Dynamics’ fund accounting, grant management, and enrollment management capabilities can be optimized for the public sector and higher education institutions. The right consultant provides this fine-tuning based on a deep understanding of your vertical processes.
Choose a partner that has repeatedly delivered Dynamics implementations in your industry rather than generalists lacking vertical expertise. This avoids paying consultants to learn your key business processes from scratch.
4. Alignment with Long-Term Business Strategy
The most successful Microsoft Dynamics implementations align the software capabilities with an organization’s long-term business strategy and objectives beyond automating current processes.
The right consultant becomes an invaluable thought partner in leveraging Dynamics functionality to transform certain business processes strategically over time. This allows you to continually optimize and enhance operations over several years as the organization evolves.
During the business analysis phase, consultants should actively listen and have strategic discussions regarding the company’s vision for using ERP to drive growth, efficiency, and innovation over the next 5+ years. This enables them to strategically configure features, integrations, and data architecture to meet both current and anticipated future needs.
Choosing a Microsoft partner aligned with your long-term strategy and vision ensures you get the most value from Microsoft Dynamics over time instead of just enabling day-to-day operations.
5. On-Going Support Model and Services
The relationship with your Microsoft Dynamics consulting partner should not end after the initial implementation. Find a consulting firm that provides continuing support services and enhances your ERP investment over time.
Ongoing services that leading Microsoft partners offer include:
- Help desk and incident resolution – Having experts available to troubleshoot issues prevents business disruption
- Training – As staff turnover occurs, it helps to have standardized training programs to skill up new employees on Microsoft Dynamics quickly
- Version upgrades – Upgrading to the latest Microsoft releases allows you to take advantage of new features and innovations
- Customizations – Enabling modifications to support new process changes and business requirements
- Integrations – Connecting other updated back-office systems to Microsoft Dynamics to exchange valuable data
- Optimization – Reviewing configurations and processes to identify improvement areas that increase efficiencies
- Managed services – Optional outsourcing services so you can focus resources on strategic initiatives rather than ERP management
Identify consultants that provide flexible support models to match your budget and needs. Leverage their expertise over the years so your Microsoft Dynamics platform continues fueling business growth rather than becoming stale.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Microsoft Dynamics consulting firm is crucial for accelerating your ERP implementation and driving adoption across your organization. Their product know-how, proven methodologies, and vertical expertise reduce project risk, so you achieve your expected return on investment.
Beyond the initial rollout, relationships with the best Microsoft partners become trusted advisors rather than vendor engagements. Their ongoing services and strategic counsel help you continually adapt Microsoft Dynamics and unlock innovation as market dynamics shift.
