7 questions to ask your Vendor during ERP software demo

 Demonstrations of ERP software are important in the purchase process. They allow the client’s implementation team to learn more about how the software works, its main features, and any special features that set it apart from its competitors. In order to get a full and accurate picture of the ERP software, ERP implementation team members must ask the right questions during the demo.

It is important for implementation team members to ask about topics such as the frequency of software updates and downstream costs. This can reduce the chances of encountering unexpected problems after purchasing ERP software.

7 Questions to ask during ERP software demo

To ensure that the ERP vendor can meet the needs of their organization, IT team members should ask these questions during the demo.

1. What is your company’s background?

• Implementing ERP software is a major undertaking, so the implementation team should learn more about the vendor.
• Implementation teams should ask about the vendor’s track record, longevity, its executive team, ownership structure, recent acquisitions, and anything else that can provide insight into whether the vendor can meet the organization’s long-term needs.

2. Is there any more information you can provide about the implementation?

• Employees from either the vendor or a third party who will be involved in the implementation may attend the demo and answer questions.
• During the implementation, the implementation team can inquire about the length of the implementation, the vendor’s experience with implementations, and how much time and resources the buying organization will need to devote.

3. How do your customers rate your features?

• Members of the ERP implementation team can gain insight into features they may not have considered by asking about the software’s most popular features.
• It is important for vendors to be willing to discuss weaker features, as well as what they are doing to address them.
• The team can use this insight to decide whether third-party software should be incorporated or if the implementation schedule needs to be adjusted if multiple phases are planned.

 4. When are your updates released?

• The implementation team should find out how often the vendor releases minor and major patches.
• Some features may be unavailable for a year or more between major releases.
• If a company wants to get new features quickly, multiple small releases can be beneficial, but they can also introduce a lot more testing once the upgrade has been deployed.

5. Can this software be easily integrated with developing technologies?

• In case the ERP software does not offer a needed feature or the organization wants to use another software for a specific purpose, it will likely need to integrate it with other applications.
• It is important for implementation team members to be aware of what the vendor offers for current and future integrations.

6. How much do downstream cost and long-term maintenance cost?

• Before selecting a vendor, the client’s team needs to understand the long-term costs of ERP software.
• Costs should be discussed before the demo to ensure that the vendor’s prices are within the organization’s budget.
• Depending on the ERP software or the vendor’s partner, these costs may be incurred.

7. Would you be able to provide some specifics about support?

• A vendor’s support policy should be understood by the implementation team before signing a contract.
• A service-level agreement can be provided by vendors and options can be highlighted.
• Furthermore, the project team should understand who will resolve the issue when the source of the problem is unclear if the vendor uses third-party software or hardware.

Conclusion

In conclusion, thorough questioning during ERP software demos is essential for successful implementation. By asking about the vendor’s background, features, update schedule, integration capabilities, long-term costs, and support policy, organizations can make informed decisions that align with their goals and ensure a smooth transition