In 2020, the HubSpot business toolkit platform reported that almost 50% of companies failed to complete their ERP projects within the planned time. A year later, SelectHub, an enterprise software product evaluation company, found that 45% of ERP system implementation projects exceeded their budget. While there are many recommendations to help organizations avoid these unwanted scenarios, it is also worth considering cooperating with a professional implementation partner. How can you choose the best one? This article will provide you with the necessary recommendations.
Start by defining your requirements
It may be tempting to begin your research by browsing potential implementation partners. Yet, it is necessary first to assess the current business needs of your company and define clear expectations for the implementation project.
One critical point is to identify business goals for the Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation. Another is to have a clear understanding of the scope of your project, with a particular focus on customizations, integrations, and processes.
Additionally, keep in mind essential points such as the budget and timeline for the implementation effort. This might be confusing, especially if this is the first time your company is implementing ERP or CRM software. However, it is essential to set limits on both the funds and the time you are ready to invest in the process.
Conduct thorough research
You can easily find numerous implementation service providers on the Internet, but it will take a lot of work to verify the trustworthiness of each manually. The best place to start is the Microsoft Partner Network, which lists official implementation partners. You can focus on the most noteworthy of them, titled Gold Microsoft Partners, such as XPLUS. These partners have extensive and long-standing experience in successful implementations. With the Microsoft Partner Network, you can also verify the implementation specialists’ competencies, certifications, and levels of partnership with Microsoft.
Note that this part of your research is only the beginning. Below are more criteria to consider when choosing an implementation partner.
Industry experience
While it may not always be possible, it is crucial to prioritize implementation partners who have experience relevant to your industry. Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a very flexible suite that can be adapted to virtually any business sector, but to get the best setup, you need an assistant who has already worked on projects similar to yours.
Technical expertise
In addition to the knowledge of your business area, an implementation service provider must have sufficient technical skills to complete essential tasks such as integrations, data migration, and customizations. Note that customizations require particularly high competency, and not all implementation partners may have the necessary skills to complete such complex tasks.
Provided services
As mentioned above, if your company needs customizations, it is necessary to ensure the selected implementation provider offers such services. It is also recommended to check the following forms of assistance:
- Upgrade planning;
- Data management, including performing a backup of existing data and configurations, data cleansing, and data migration;
- Testing and quality assurance;
- User training and promoting software adoption;
- Creating implementation documentation, including process workflows, technical manuals, and user guides;
- Go-live and post-upgrade support.
Pricing
Undeniably, the price of the services offered by an implementation partner plays a crucial role in making a final decision. However, while you should ensure to stay within your budget, you should be careful not to opt for an implementation partner just because their services are cheap. As noted in this article, the scope of services provided by Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation partners is very diverse, and it is crucial to choose the partner who will meet all your implementation needs. Experts offering the most comprehensive services may come at a higher price.
Regardless of the price you are willing to pay, ensure it is transparent, and your implementation partner provides you with a clear outline of all costs.
Regulatory compliance
For many industries, regulatory compliance plays a significant role. If your company operates in one of these sectors, it is essential to determine whether the selected implementation partner is ready to configure your new software in a way that will facilitate meeting relevant regulatory and compliance requirements.
Review references
Remember to check the track record of satisfied clients who have worked with the selected implementation partner in the past. Consider asking the implementation service provider for references from previous customers.
If you have a chance to get in touch with the previous clients of the Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation service provider you would like to work with, ask specifically about their experience of communication with these specialists. The complexity of the implementation process requires a lot of collaboration and smooth communication, and these skills are particularly valuable for such a project.
Implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365 with XPLUS
If you are looking for a top expert in implementing CRM and ERP systems from Microsoft in diverse business environments, XPLUS will be a sensible choice. This company has been present in the market for twenty-one years, completing over 300 projects in more than 30 countries. There are more than 5,000 users supported by the specialists from XPLUS, who offer nearly 500,000 consultancy hours every year.
In addition to its extensive experience, XPLUS, which was a member of the 2022/2023 Inner Circle for Microsoft Business Applications, continuously develops its own products aimed at facilitating the implementation and usage of Microsoft Dynamics 365.
With a deep understanding of Microsoft Dynamics 365’s technology and capabilities, as well as the business needs of its customers, XPLUS ensures projects are completed accurately, on time, and within budget.
