ERP selection: why choosing the right partner is just as important | Advice from selection experts

Choosing an ERP platform is just the beginning. The implementation partner largely determines whether your project will be a success. The wrong choice can lead to delays, budget overruns, and low employee adoption.

During the annual Cegeka Advisory Event, we sat down with independent ERP selection experts such as Dot to Dot, TriFinance, and Horsum. Their message was clear: choosing the right partner is at least as important as choosing the technology. Why? Because a good partner doesn't just implement; they guide your organization toward sustainable value.

Why AI expertise is becoming a decisive factor

While selection criteria used to focus on industry knowledge, track record, and local support, one criterion is increasingly moving to the forefront: AI expertise.

Your ambition and maturity determine the extent to which AI plays a decisive role, but the topic is relevant in almost every ERP selection. 

The experts advise vetting partners with questions such as:

• How does this partner translate AI into concrete value for your business?

• What experience do they have with AI projects within ERP?

• How do they ensure data quality as a foundation for AI?

• How do they guide your employees in the adoption of new technology?

From implementation to sustainable value

A good partner does more than just implement. They help you see through the hype and focus on real value creation. According to selection experts, you can recognize a strategic technology partner by:

1. Continuous Information
   Your partner keeps you informed about relevant technological evolution, such as Cloud, AI, and regulations (e.g., CSRD or NIS2) ensuring you are always prepared. Think of webinars, newsletters, and AI hackathons.
2. Translating trends into concrete steps
   Your partner helps turn buzzwords into feasible actions that align with your business goals. A Hyperautomation Assessment, for example, can assist you here.
3. Supporting change management
   New systems require new ways of working. A good partner guides you and your employees through that transition to ensure adoption actually succeeds.
4. Considering maturity and ambition
   Your partner doesn’t push a single platform out of necessity but helps you make a choice that truly fits your needs. Independent partners offer multiple options, such as Dynamics 365 Business Central and Finance & Operations, so you don't get stuck with a system that is too limited or a platform that is too complex.

Your next step?

Ready to get started? During a Solution Assessment, we answer all your questions regarding the implementation of or transition to Dynamics 365.