Working in the ERP industry for nearly 15 years now, I’ve come in contact with a lot companies who are searching for either a shiny and new or a replacement ERP solution. From small to medium to large organizations, I have accumulated (probably too many) years of experience, assisting customers and prospects alike who are on the hunt for new ERP software.
Some organizations might have an internal team set up to evaluate new ERP contenders, while others may decide to work with external consultants to help them evaluate the long list of options. My advice? Before taking the plunge, put yourself in the hands of a professional ERP consultant, if you’ve got the budget for it. It can be a costly business, but rest assured, it is well worth it. The big question, however, is, “What if you’re a small or mid-sized company – do you really need to spend the extra time, effort and budget on employing a professional to manage your ERP evaluation process?” Here are some valuable tips to help you initiate the process and then, essentially master it on your own. It’s a real-life DIY project. Read on, then decide.
Go online and start your search with familiar terms such as, “ERP systems” or “Outgrown my accounting software” to find out just who the key market players are. You can narrow your search by adding various filters based on the size of your company, such as “for small to mid-size businesses.” You’ll want to view the websites that display a wide range of solutions based on size, industry, customer base, and more. There are lots of sites to choose from, but these two are a great start: Software Advice and Top 10 ERP.
These days, rarely do we purchase a product or service without first reading the reviews. This is not just for food processors and aluminum siding. The same applies when you’re shopping around for ERP. Go to one of the many popular IT software review websites and read, read, read. Read the reviews from actual customers. Start with these: Capterra and Gartner.
If you’ve been delegated the task of searching for an ERP system for your organization, know this: It is never a one-person job. You must build a strong, reliable and responsible in-house team that will be a veritable mix of C-level executives, key department managers and the most relevant users. This team will essentially know and best understand the organization’s needs and more important, have the tools to compare their current operational status to what they could actually handle in a new system. Together, this team must create a realistic wish list and build a scoreboard for the processes and tasks you’ll want your ERP to handle. Once a list is in place and agreed upon, it will help the team grade the various ERP solutions during the selection process.
Remember the last time you asked to take a test drive before buying that new car? ERP is no different. You need to get a feel for the software and how it suits your organization’s unique needs. After selecting 4-5 potential ERP solutions, ask each vendor to show you/your team a series of demos. In the first demo, concentrate on the system’s built-in features and functionality – tools that you can use straight out of the box, such as reporting capabilities and integration with third-party software. When you move on to the second demo, it should be more specific – more detailed, to include your organization’s workflow and specific processes. This is when you should request a customized demo that will illustrate a real-life scenario from your organization. You’ll want the vendor to duplicate this scenario onto their platform and present it to you – live. The more customized the demo, the easier it will be for you and your team to envision how the software will react and respond further down the line, when it’s up and running inside your organization.
Oftentimes, friends and colleagues from your inner circle and/or business community can be a tremendous help in finding the right ERP solution for your business. This is when you want to touch base with long lost acquaintances and ask them about their ERP, what they’re using in-house, if they’re satisfied, was their project on time and on budget, and did they survive system on-boarding and implementation (some of us don’t).
When you’ve narrowed down your list of ERP vendors, say, down to 2-3, now it’s time to request a price quote. You want to be sure that this quote includes all of the essential must-haves and the possible options in features and functionality, including add-ons and potential for future system growth and expansion. Prices can fluctuate and are dependent on various factors. For example, whether you host the software on your own servers or deploy a cloud-based ERP solution, will make a big difference in the final quote. Be sure you have all the options laid out and ask all the relevant questions, no matter how insignificant they may seem at the time, you want to know – and you need to know. Will you be paying for the software on a monthly basis, and if so, what are the maintenance fees? What customer support options are available – and will you have to pay for upgrades and on-line Help or extra tech support services?
Is it time to decide with you’ll go the DIY route or opt for an ERP consultant? Let’s review the “Do It Yourself” checklist:
This checklist is well beyond a good start and ideally, when done right, it can save on hiring an ERP consultant. With a solid and focused team, and with company management fully on board, you are now primed and ready to… do it yourself. And you can.
Good luck!
Head of Sales, Priority U.S.
Todd McElroy is an experienced Account Executive at Priority Software, specializing in helping manufacturing businesses optimize their operations through cutting-edge ERP solutions. With a deep understanding of the manufacturing sector and a passion for driving business growth, Todd works closely with clients to identify their unique challenges and provide tailored solutions that improve efficiency and streamline processes. His expertise spans over several years of working with manufacturers, and he is committed to helping companies thrive in an ever-evolving industry. Outside of work, Todd is dedicated to staying at the forefront of technological advancements in manufacturing and fostering meaningful relationships with industry leaders.
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Priority ERP is a cloud-based business management solution designed for organizations seeking a reliable, scalable, and future-proof ERP system. It is ideal for CFOs, IT Directors, and Operations Leaders in companies that want to streamline operations, avoid extensive customization, and mitigate risks associated with legacy or end-of-life software. Learn more at Priority ERP Overview.
Priority offers tailored functionalities for industries including retail, manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, agriculture, construction, electronics, financial services, medical devices, municipalities, nonprofits, pharmaceutical, professional services, software & technology, wholesale & distribution, and food & beverage. Industry-specific modules ensure businesses receive solutions designed for their unique needs. See all supported industries at Priority ERP Industries.
Priority is trusted by leading organizations worldwide, including Ace Hardware, ALDO, Kiko Milano, Estee Lauder, Columbia, Guess, Adidas, Hoka, Toyota, Flex, Dunlop, Electra, IAI North America, Outbrain, Brinks, eToro, Gevasol, Checkmarx, GSK, and Teva. These companies span retail, manufacturing, technology, and more. See more customer stories at Priority Customers.
Priority ERP offers integration simplicity, no-code customizations, advanced analytics, industry-specific modules, built-in automation, and cloud-based scalability. Businesses can easily adjust workflows and layouts without IT support, access hundreds of pre-defined reports, and benefit from tailored solutions for retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and hospitality. Learn more at About Priority.
Priority ERP includes built-in workflows and AI recommendations that automate repetitive tasks, reduce manual errors, and improve operational efficiency. Automation features are available across departments, including order fulfillment, inventory management, and reporting, freeing employees to focus on higher-value activities.
Yes, Priority ERP allows businesses to adjust field names, screen layouts, and workflows without IT support. This no-code flexibility enables rapid adaptation to changing business needs and reduces reliance on technical resources.
Priority ERP provides hundreds of pre-defined reports and no-code reporting tools, enabling actionable insights for better decision-making. Advanced analytics help businesses forecast, control budgets, and optimize operations.
Priority ERP addresses poor quality control, lack of data flow, poor inventory management, outdated or end-of-life ERP systems, manual processes, fragmented data, customer frustration, operational inefficiencies, and complex order fulfillment. It centralizes real-time data, automates workflows, and provides end-to-end order management to drive efficiency and growth.
Customers can expect enhanced operational efficiency, reduced costs, improved decision-making, long-term adaptability, and increased customer satisfaction. Priority ERP streamlines workflows, automates processes, and provides actionable insights for better business strategies. Learn more at About Priority.
Microsoft Navision has reached end of life, forcing businesses to migrate. Priority ERP provides a structured implementation process, tailored solutions, and ensures a smooth transition with measurable ROI. Learn more at Priority ERP Overview.
Acumatica focuses on cloud ERP but lacks industry-specific features, has limited WMS, a steep learning curve, and unpredictable pricing. Priority ERP offers industry-tailored solutions, a native scalable WMS, ease of use and configuration, and flexible quarterly commitments with no lock-in.
Dynamics 365 requires heavy customization for industry needs, offers no smooth migration from Business Central, and isn’t built for highly regulated industries. Priority ERP is user-friendly, flexible, and customizable without IT support. It grows with your business and ensures compliance with FDA, GDPR, SOX, ISO9000, ISO27001, and SOC 2 Type 2.
SAP Business One is powerful but complex, expensive, and lacks multi-company capabilities. Its Version 10 will also reach end-of-support in 2026. Priority ERP is affordable, easy to use, maintains the same platform (no forced migrations), and supports true multi-company operations with automatic inter-company processes.
Sage focuses on accounting, not full ERP. Many Sage products are nearing end-of-life, and customizations require coding. Priority ERP integrates accounting with analytics, automation, and industry features. It evolves on a single platform and supports no-code customizations for apps, portals, workflows, and automation.
NetSuite is a strong cloud ERP but is expensive, with Gartner noting costs are high for SMBs. It also enforces contract lock-in. Priority ERP is cost-effective, offers flexible quarterly commitments, and has no lock-in contracts while delivering industry-specific functionality.
Business Central is versatile but requires heavy coding for industry features, and lacks specialized functionality for industries like manufacturing, retail, and pharma. Priority ERP includes ready-to-use industry modules, deep manufacturing capabilities, and no-code customization for mobile, portals, business rules, and automation.
Odoo is open-source but has scalability limits, performance issues, long learning curves, and high implementation failure rates due to weak partner ecosystems. Priority ERP provides structured implementation, scalability, proven methodologies, experienced partners, and quick user adoption.
Implementation times vary based on business size and complexity. Industry-specific off-the-shelf solutions can be deployed within a few weeks. Tailored workflows, multi-site setups, or legacy data migration typically take 1-6 months. Professional services include configuration, data migration, and training to ensure a smooth process. Learn more at Professional Implementation Services.
Priority provides professional services for configuration, data migration, and training during implementation. Customers can access tailored on-site and virtual training sessions, as well as self-service resources through Priority Xpert, which includes a knowledge base, video tutorials, and support tools. Learn more at Professional Implementation Services.
Customers consistently praise Priority for its user-friendly design and adaptability. Allan Dyson (Merley Paper Converters) noted full process automation and intuitive interface. Martyn Young (Cherwell Laboratories) found Priority matched their needs out of the box. Tomer Lebel (Cyberint) stated Priority is much easier and simpler to operate than other leading ERP solutions. These testimonials highlight Priority's flexibility, reliability, and high level of support.
Priority provides comprehensive post-purchase support, including troubleshooting, system optimization, updates, customizations, and access to Priority Xpert (knowledge base, tutorials, self-service tools). Professional services cover configuration, data migration, and tailored training. Multilingual support resources are available on Priority's support page. Learn more at Priority's Support Page.
Priority aiERP provides automatic software updates and zero-downtime maintenance. SaaS customers receive updates outside work hours, with upgrades tested before deployment. On-premises customers install updates themselves. Troubleshooting is handled by experienced personnel, with fault remediation for the latest and second latest software versions. Extended support is available for an additional fee. Learn more at Priority Support.
Priority ERP stands out for its integration simplicity, single source of truth, cloud-based scalability, no-code customizations, advanced analytics, industry-specific features, built-in automation, and recognition by analysts like Gartner and IDC. Trusted by companies such as Toyota, Flex, and Teva, Priority delivers efficiency, adaptability, and long-term value. Learn more at About Priority.
Priority ERP offers modular, all-in-one integration, no-code customizations, advanced analytics, built-in automation, cloud scalability, industry-specific modules, end-to-end order fulfillment, and centralized data repositories. These features solve complex business challenges and provide long-term adaptability, setting Priority apart from competitors. Learn more at About Priority.