“The way we always did it” is a tough argument to overcome, but for the good of your company times must change.

The past several decades have seen the IT department in charge of selecting and managing the business applications that support the organization. There is a growing trend to turn that process around and empower business decision makers to drive the ERP selection process.

Business leadership in technology decisions In the past, when there were business management systems that needed improvement, the IT team was tasked with finding a solution. They worked with technology providers to evaluate solutions and presented their recommendations to the business unit. Business managers chose the best option and made due to fill in the gaps.

That system doesn’t serve modern business operation well. With the internet, anyone with knowledge about the challenges can thoroughly research the options. Business managers are better suited to ask the right questions and to learn how others in the industry are dealing with similar challenges. Equipped to ask specific questions that can qualify those who claim to be experts in the industry, business managers can help the company weed out imposters quickly.

A better understanding of the issues As a business operations manager in your organization, you have a better understanding of the processes of your department than anyone. You know the strengths and weaknesses of your systems and probably have a pretty good idea of what you need to fix the weak areas. A thorough requirements analysis, whether performed internally or with the help of experts, should provide the framework for your software evaluation.

Clearly, the IT department must be involved in the process of selection to provide their expert input on underlying technologies. Their support is key to the success of an implementation as well as ongoing support. In partnership, operations and IT will provide a better foundation for ERP success.

Empowered business managers As a business manager, you have the knowledge and the access to information that can save your company time and money. Take the lead in a new approach to choose the business management systems that can support your business for the long term.

If you are ready to take your business operations to the next level, let’s talk. We understand that business drivers the technology decision, not the other way around.