Here is a helpful checklist to assit you as you begin the process of selecting ERP software: Selection Team Form a selection team from various departments of your organization Choose a project lead from the team As a team, define a timeline and a scope of project Requirements Map your current business processes so that you can determine where you have inefficiencies (areas for improvement) Identify where your current system falls short Identify key challenges that you wish to solve with ERP Identify the processes of each department within your organization to best determine the new system requirements Prioritize the requirements for the new system System Specification Identify the total number of users that will require system access Determine the best deployment model for your organization (Cloud, On-Premise, Hosted, Hybrid) Determine the need for mobile access (smart phone, tablet, etc.) Determine requirements for offline system access Determine if multiple languages or currencies are needed Identify any existing systems that will need to be integrated Document existing network and hardware resources Vendor Services Document requirements for support scope and delivery method (phone support, online support etc.) Document requirements for training scope and delivery method (classroom training, on-site training) Document requirements for implementation consultancy Document requirements for external project management Identify data protection and security compliance requirements Identify critical data sets in your legacy systems Document data migration requirements for these critical data sets Identify external requirements for system and network maintenance ROI (Return on investment) Forecast the value of each system requirement Forecast costs for the new system Work with your finance department to produce final ROI forecast figures Vendor Shortlisting Research ERP systems used by similar organizations in your industry Identify ERP solutions that are specific to your industry Compile initial shortlist of vendors Compile your requirements and business processes in a document to distribute to prospective vendors Vendor Selection Define the scope for your ideal software demonstration Organize selection teams to attend the demos Schedule demonstrations with each of the vendors on your shortlist Seek references on each of the vendors on your shortlist Make final selection as a team Contract negotiations Negotiate terms of implementation with the chosen vendor