When you’ve outgrown QuickBooks, every ERP vendor promises to be your perfect next step. But most of them aren’t actually built for mid-market companies like yours. Here’s how to tell if a system is truly right-sized for your business.
The Questions That Matter
After years of helping companies move from legacy systems to modern ERPs, I’ve learned which questions actually predict success. Not the ones vendors want you to ask. The ones that reveal whether you’ll still be happy with this choice three years from now.
What to Ask
“Can you show me how to add a custom field to an order?”
Custom fields and custom reports are part of what I do. But a simple field shouldn’t take weeks or cost a fortune.
“What happens when we need a report that doesn’t exist yet?”
Custom reports are part of any good implementation. They get scoped and quoted as part of the project. The question is whether the system makes that reasonable or whether every new report becomes a major expense.
“How many of your clients our size use all the modules we’re buying?”
Nobody admits they’re only using 30% of what they bought. But most are.
“What’s the real monthly cost including hosting, support, and the add-ons we’ll actually need?”
The quote is never the real number. Budget for 40% more. And if you’re getting a steep discount for years one and two, ask what the price looks like in year three. That’s the number you’ll be living with.
“Can my warehouse manager learn this in a week?”
If the answer involves “comprehensive training programs,” your people will be in Excel within a month.
“When something breaks at month-end, who do I call and how fast will they answer?”
Support matters more than features. Bad support ruins good software.
“Which of these features do you think we won’t use?”
An honest vendor will tell you. A salesperson will insist you need everything.
The Bottom Line
The right next step should feel like relief, not a bigger version of the problem you already have.
These questions have saved my clients from expensive mistakes. Use them.
Need help figuring out if your current system is right-sized, or what to look for next? Let’s talk. A 45-minute conversation can save you years of frustration.
~Audrey Quick, Founder of AGS Enterprises Consulting LLC
Audrey has spent 35+ years helping businesses manage ERP implementations and accounting software transitions. If you’re evaluating your options, we can book a free 15-minute call