Vendor Research

Objectives

Identify a short list of vendors who will help shape business requirements.
Researching all aspects of a vendor package assists companies in determining the total cost of ownership.
Seek input from department managers and subject matter experts in vendor selection.
Include end-users in the selection process to aid change management and build trust for the later stages of implementation.

User Base: Look at other businesses currently using the vendor to gauge satisfaction and reliability.
Vendor’s Financial Position: Assess the vendor’s financial health to ensure stability and longevity.
Implementation Philosophy and Support: Understand the vendor’s approach to implementation and the level of support provided.
Hardware and Software Infrastructure: Review the hardware and software infrastructure that supports the ERP system.
Release and Upgrade Strategies: Evaluate the vendor’s strategies for software releases and upgrades.
User-Base Involvement: Consider how involved the vendor’s user base is in defining future functional changes, which can indicate responsiveness to customer needs.
Development and Maintenance Resources: Analyze the vendor’s resources for development and ongoing maintenance to ensure they can support your needs.