By Frontier Digital · Published
Start with business requirements
ERP and CRM decisions affect more than software. They shape how finance, operations, sales and customer service share information. Describe the workflows that need to work together, the reports people rely on and the problems the current systems create. Separate essential requirements from preferences before evaluating platforms.
Check how information will move
Agree where each important record is owned: customers, products, prices and orders. Ask how updates reach connected systems, what happens when a connection fails and how duplicates are resolved. An integration needs clear rules as well as a technical connection. Review data quality before migration rather than expecting a new platform to fix it.
Compare the full operating commitment
Look beyond licence prices. Consider implementation, migration, integration, training, support and ongoing administration. Ask suppliers to demonstrate your actual workflows using representative data. Check how you can export information and what is involved in changing providers later.
Plan adoption in stages
Choose a first phase with a clear outcome, named owners and time for testing. Involve the people who will use the platform every day. Define support arrangements, access permissions and a practical route for feedback. A connected system creates value when teams can use it consistently and the information supports their decisions.