Are you looking to adopt enterprise software without losing time, money or resources?
Every company that purchases enterprise software has the same goal. A successful rollout that helps them hit real business objectives. However…
The sad truth is that enterprise software projects tend to fail more often than not. In fact, between 55% to 75% of ERP projects are estimated to fall short of their original goals. That is insanity when you think about just how much time and money that companies pour into ERP implementations.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Enter certified technology partners.
Businesses who partner with a reputable software consultant to manage their implementation experience an 85% rate of success. That is over a 30% difference.
The difference is in who you choose as your implementation partner.
Whether you choose to work with a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Partner or another certified technology vendor, picking the right partner to guide you through the process matters just as much as the software you purchase. Certified microsoft partners have the training and experience necessary to ensure your implementation process is structured and predictable.
Without that experience your implementation can go sideways in an instant.
What You’ll Learn
- Why Enterprise Software Implementations Fail
- What Certified Technology Partners Do
- How to Choose The Right Microsoft Dynamics 365 Partner
- Benefits of Working with a Certified Microsoft Dynamics Partner
Why Enterprise Software Implementations Fail
Enterprise software is extremely powerful. When done correctly, these platforms have the ability to revolutionise the way your business operates, from finance to operations to sales and customer service. But as any consultant will tell you, that “if done correctly” part is easier said than done.
Enter poor implementation.
Poor implementation is responsible for the majority of ERP project failures. Take insufficient planning, unsuccessful data migration, and lack of change management. Mix that together with an in-house team that’s going to run the process on their own without any experienced consultancy helping them along. Why wouldn’t it fail?
Picture this…
A company spends close to six figures on a shiny new system. They rush through the process to go live. No one is trained on the new system. Data from the old system isn’t mapped correctly and is left incomplete. What’s the result? Complete chaos a few months down the line.
Sound like your company? Every Microsoft Dynamics Consultant has seen it.
The issue at hand is that a lot of companies approach their ERP adoption like it’s just another IT Project. It’s not. Implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365 is about transforming your entire business.
That is precisely why certified Microsoft partners are available.
What Microsoft Dynamics Partners Actually Do
Partnering up with an experienced Microsoft partner will allow you to focus on running your business whilst they take care of the tough stuff…
Microsoft partners provide services such as:
- Discovery and Planning. They will walk you through every step of the business requirements analysis process and map out your implementation plan before a single line of code is configured.
- Configuring and Customising. Microsoft partners specialise in configuring your new Microsoft Dynamics ERP solution to fit your unique business needs.
- Data Migration. Microsoft Partners will take your old data and implement it into your new Microsoft Dynamics solution.
- Training. Microsoft Partners will work with you to ensure that your team are trained up and ready to go live with your new solution.
- Post-Implementation Support. Even after you’ve gone live with your new solution, Microsoft Partners will continue to provide services such as optimisation and additional employee training.
This is important because if you don’t have support during these key phases of your implementation you’re drastically increasing your risk of failure.
Partnering up with a Microsoft Gold Certified company also means your projects will be handled by consultants who have been trained and certified by Microsoft themselves. They know Microsoft Dynamics ERP inside and out.
You cannot develop that level of expertise in-house overnight.
How Do You Know If Your Microsoft Dynamics Partner Is The Right One?
It bears repeating. All Microsoft Partners are not created equal. The partner you choose can make or break your project.
So how do you know if you’ve found the right partner? Here are a couple of tips…
Check Their Partnerships
This should be the first thing you look at when considering a Microsoft Partner. You want to make sure they have a current Microsoft Solutions Partner status. This means that they have been accredited by Microsoft as a partner who consistently delivers value through solid project management, technical capabilities, and client success.
If they’re hesitant to show you their certifications…
Delete them.
Industry Experience
While certifications are great, experience in your industry trumps all. You want a partner that understands your business. Whether it’s manufacturing or construction, picking a Microsoft Partner that knows your industry will set you up for success.
Here are some questions you should ask:
- How many customers do they have that operate within the same industry?
- Can they provide you recent references?
- Do they have any case studies that display proven ROI?
Assess Their Offerings For Post Implementation Support
Going live with your new ERP solution is just the beginning of your partnership. Microsoft Partners that provide value continue providing value long after you’ve gone live. Whether that be through optimisation, additional employee training, or keeping your system up to date with the latest features from Microsoft. That is what separates a good partner from a great partner.
If they’re not interested in providing you services after you’ve gone live…
They’re not your partner.
Benefits of Working With A Certified Microsoft Dynamics Partner
Still not sure why businesses should work with a Microsoft Partner? Below are benefits that certified Microsoft Partners provide.
Decreased Risk
Microsoft Partners follow set implementation processes. Not only have they helped other businesses succeed, but they’ve been doing it for years. They know what works and what doesn’t. Partnering with a Microsoft Dynamics Partner drastically decreases the chance of failure.
Quicker Time To Value
Time is money. Not only will the project get done quicker by working with a professional, but the business will start seeing value sooner.
Increase ROI
As mentioned earlier, Microsoft Partners increase the chances of success. But they also help businesses monetise their investment. A good partner makes sure the Microsoft Dynamics solution is going to allow for peak efficiency, cut costs where necessary, and scale the business.
Scale Your Business
Speaking of scaling. Microsoft Partners allow businesses to do just that. By working with a partner, any company can ensure that their ERP solution will be scalable enough to allow for growth in the future.
Whether that be expanding to new markets, adding new products, or streamlining new processes.
That is something every business needs.
Wrapping Up
Enterprise software is the backbone of any successful business. But as mentioned before, the software is only worth as much as the people behind it.
Certified Microsoft Dynamics Partners are there to help businesses succeed. Whether that be through implementation best practices, industry specific knowledge, or simply guiding them in the right direction. A good Microsoft Partner will walk you through every step of the process.
To Recap:
- Implementations fail because of inherent risks like poor planning and data migration.
- Certified Microsoft Partners increase the chances of success by 85%
- Look for current and valid Microsoft certifications, industry specific experience, and a willingness to provide value even after going live.
- Certified Microsoft Partners can help achieve business goals faster and provide the ability to scale.
Don’t leave your ERP implementation to chance. Increase the chances of success by working with a Microsoft Gold Partner that specializes in Microsoft Dynamics ERP.
