A business that's contemplating a move to a more comprehensive accounting system has the difficulty of thinking beyond the boundaries of what exists today. That's not to say that companies can't make an informed choice. There are many successful examples where selection has been done in-house without external assistance. However, if you want to use the systems change to act as a catalyst for the extension of business information, then there's a clear case for considering the use of consultants. VARs often represent more than one vendor and can offer impartial advice, but might not be skilled enough to provide you with the analysis necessary to make the correct applications choice.
Some vendors are prepared to offer consultancy services themselves.
While this will ensure a clean installation from experienced engineers, it won't provide you with an unbiased view. On the other hand, professional independent consultants are extremely expensive, and their cost can add 100 per cent or more to the cost of the software. There are many 'boutique' consultants who specialise in this marketplace, and it's worth seeking out firms that offer a full selection and implementation service. However, there are two factors that will almost guarantee failure. Application system failures are far more common than people imagine, the primary reason being management buy in.