ERP software selection made simple with Rand Group
Selecting new ERP software is a high-stakes decision, and the ERP selection process can feel daunting and complex. However, with the right approach, it becomes an opportunity to transform your operations. At Rand Group, we simplify ERP software selection by guiding you through a structured journey, from understanding your business needs to choosing the ideal solution so that you can move forward with confidence.
Choose your next ERP software with Rand Group as your partner
ERP software selection is a critical business decision that directly impacts your company’s growth, productivity, and user satisfaction. Selecting the wrong solution can lead to stalled growth, increased expenses, and employee frustration. With countless platforms, features, and software providers competing for your attention, navigating the ERP software landscape can become overwhelming, making informed decisions even more challenging.
Rand Group combines decades of business software experience with a proven selection methodology to help you find an ERP system that truly aligns with your goals. Our team will work alongside you to evaluate your unique requirements, compare ERP software options objectively, and ultimately recommend a solution that fits your organization’s needs before you invest. With Rand Group as your partner in ERP software selection, you can be sure you’re making a well-informed decision that sets you up for long-term success.
Tailored, business-focused approach
Rand Group begins by learning the ins and outs of your business. We assess your current processes and challenges so that any ERP recommendation is grounded in solving your specific problems, not a one-size-fits-all checklist.
Unbiased, multi-platform expertise
As a certified partner for Microsoft, NetSuite, and Sage, we bring deep knowledge of leading ERP systems without a bias toward one product. You’ll receive honest guidance on the pros and cons of each option, so you can choose based on your needs and fit.
Commitment to long-term success
Our goal isn’t just to sell you software; it’s to ensure your ERP selection leads to measurable improvements. We consider factors like integration, user adoption, and scalability to help you pick a platform that will support your growth for years to come. We also offer implementation, training, and long-term support services to carry your project through to success.
Ready to start your ERP software selection?
Work with Rand Group for a guided ERP selection engagement that takes the guesswork out of choosing the right system. In this focused engagement, our experts will help identify your requirements, research the best-fit solutions, and present an unbiased recommendation.
Rand Group’s ERP software selection methodology
Choosing a new ERP is a complex undertaking, but our ERP selection methodology breaks it down into a clear, step-by-step process. We focus on understanding your business, defining what you truly need from a new system, and then finding the software that best meets those needs. Here’s how our structured approach works:
The impact of selecting the right ERP system
%
faster month-end close process
%
decrease in accounts payable processing
%
reduction in reconciliation time
Common mistakes companies make when choosing ERP
Choosing an ERP solution is a significant decision that affects your entire organization. To ensure success, it’s crucial to be aware of and avoid common pitfalls that can derail your ERP software selection process.
- Choosing based on price, not fit: Selecting the cheapest option often leads to higher costs down the road if the ERP doesn’t fully meet your needs.
- Letting software publishers drive the process: Relying solely on software publisher sales pitches can skew your perspective. A multi-platform partner helps keep the focus on your specific business needs, offering objective guidance across multiple solutions.
- Underestimating integration and data migration needs: Neglecting to plan how the new ERP connects to existing systems and how you’ll migrate historical data can cause significant problems later.
- Ignoring user adoption and change management: Even the best ERP system can fail if users don’t embrace it. Involving your team early and planning for training is essential.
- Over-customizing instead of aligning with best practices: Excessive customization to replicate old processes is costly and risky. Adapting your workflows to proven software best practices often yields better results.
White Paper
Download the top 10 ERP software selection checklist
Make your ERP software selection process more focused and effective with our expert-developed checklist. This resource outlines the ten most important steps to take before choosing your next ERP system, helping you avoid common pitfalls and align your selection with long-term business goals.
Key factors for successful ERP selection
A successful ERP selection isn’t just about choosing software; it’s about making decisions that support your long-term strategy. The most effective evaluations are grounded in clear planning, cross-functional alignment, and an objective view of the options.
- Clear business process mapping: Document current workflows and identify specific areas for improvement or automation.
- Executive and stakeholder alignment: Ensure that leadership and key users agree on goals, budget, and requirements to avoid conflicts.
- Software provider-agnostic evaluation: Fairly evaluate multiple ERP solutions without bias, looking beyond brand reputation to find the best fit.
- Realistic timeline and budget expectations: Set achievable timeframes and budgets, including contingency plans for unexpected complexities.
- Change management readiness: Prepare your team thoroughly through clear communication, training, and support to promote smooth user adoption.
- Work with a multi-platform partner: An experienced, software-neutral partner can offer a broader perspective and help match solutions to your specific business needs.
The level of care, thoughtfulness, and in-depth knowledge provided by Rand Group exceeded our expectations. We now have a partner who not only understands ERP but also comprehends the intricacies of accounting and finance.
Rand Group has become an extension of our internal technical team, providing invaluable support as we continue to grow.
Multi-platform expertise: We align with top ERP software publishers
Rand Group is uniquely positioned as a multi-platform ERP solution provider, partnering with industry-leading publishers Microsoft, Oracle NetSuite, and Sage. We offer unbiased expertise to help you choose the best-fit ERP software for your specific business objectives, industry requirements, and long-term goals. Our consultants deeply understand the strengths and nuances of each platform to provide clear, vendor-neutral guidance.
Business Central
Business Central is a comprehensive, cloud-based ERP solution ideal for companies seeking flexibility and streamlined operations. Rand Group helps you evaluate how Business Central’s intuitive features can integrate seamlessly with your existing tech stack and support your growth objectives.
Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations
Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations is a robust ERP built for scalability and complex operations. Our experts will determine if this powerful solution is the right match for your business processes, enabling efficient financial management and operational excellence.
NetSuite
NetSuite ERP offers flexible, unified business management that covers finance, CRM, inventory, and e-commerce in one cloud platform. Rand Group evaluates whether NetSuite’s proven capabilities align with your business, ensuring smooth integration across your entire organization.
Sage Intacct
Sage Intacct delivers intuitive financial management and reporting capabilities, designed specifically for growing businesses. Our consultants will assess if Sage Intacct’s streamlined, cloud-based financial management aligns effectively with your organizational strategy and processes.
Why partner with Rand Group?
Trusted industry expertise
Our team includes certified public accountants (CPAs), engineers, and functional experts with decades of real-world experience. We understand the operational and regulatory challenges you face and tailor ERP solutions that align with your industry’s best practices.
Long-term partnership and support
We’re more than just software selection consultants—we’re committed to your success long after go-live. With a 90% client retention rate, our focus is on building lasting relationships and delivering continued value as your business evolves.
Top North American ERP partner
Rand Group is recognized as a leading partner for Microsoft, NetSuite, and Sage solutions across North America. With advanced specializations and a long-standing track record of success, we bring deep product knowledge and proven methodologies to every ERP engagement.
Multi-platform solution provider
As a trusted partner for Microsoft, NetSuite, and Sage, Rand Group offers objective, unbiased guidance to help you select and implement the right ERP system for your unique business needs. Our platform-agnostic approach ensures the technology fits your strategy, not the other way around.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does ERP software selection take?
The timeline for an ERP selection engagement varies depending on the complexity of your business and how many solutions are being evaluated. For a mid-market company, a thorough ERP software selection process typically takes around 4 to 8 weeks from kickoff to final recommendation. Simpler projects can be faster (a few weeks), while more complex evaluations (multiple locations or very specialized requirements) might take a couple of months. Rand Group will work with you to outline a timeline that fits your needs, and we’ll keep the process efficient and focused.
Do I have to implement with Rand Group if I select with you?
No, there is no obligation to proceed with Rand Group for implementation after the selection engagement. Our ERP selection service is offered as a standalone engagement to help you make the best decision. We certainly have the expertise to implement the solution if you’d like us to, and there are advantages to continuing with the same partner, as we’ll already be familiar with your business and the chosen software. However, the primary goal is to equip you with the right choice; whether you have us, your internal team, or another firm carry it forward is completely up to you.
What if I already have a preferred platform in mind?
If you have a front-runner platform or a short list of favorites, we will incorporate that into the evaluation. Rand Group can help validate whether your preferred ERP truly meets your requirements and identify any potential shortcomings before you commit. We’ll objectively compare your preferred choice against other viable options to ensure it’s the right fit. If it indeed turns out to be the best solution, we’ll confirm that decision with confidence. Our process works with your preferences, not against them, to ensure you end up with the best-fit software.
Which ERP systems does Rand Group evaluate or support?
We evaluate all leading ERP solutions that could be a good match for your needs. As a multi-platform partner, we have in-depth expertise in Microsoft Dynamics 365 (including Business Central and D365 Finance & Operations), Oracle NetSuite, and Sage Intacct, among others. During the selection, we typically focus on a handful of top candidates that align with your industry, size, and objectives. Our broad expertise ensures that whether the best fit is a Microsoft, NetSuite, Sage product, or another platform, we can effectively assess it and guide you through the pros and cons.
Related Insights
Best ERP systems for small businesses
More and more small businesses are adopting ERP systems to optimize operational efficiency and manage growth. Choosing a new ERP system for your business can be daunting, this article highlights the best solution for small businesses including key features and capabilities. Plus, discover Rand Group's tailored ERP selection services to help guide your ERP implementation journey.
3 things to consider when choosing an ERP for your construction business
Companies in the construction industry know the challenges of juggling numerous moving pieces such as job costs and budgets, progress reporting, managing subcontractors, scheduling field crews, tracking materials and equipment, rescheduling due to delays, and much more. An all-in-one business management solution, such as an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, can help streamline and automate various tasks.
Should you choose a hosted or cloud ERP software solution?
When it comes to selecting the right Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software to manage your critical business processes, you are presented with several purchasing and access models to choose from. Information accessibility is a big advantage that you need to consider when choosing the right solution to invest in. If this is the avenue you want to pursue, then you need to understand the difference between hosted ERP systems and cloud ERP systems. Even though they are both delivered over the Internet, they are very different from each other.