As with any decision, knowledge is power, and in this case, the consultant’s experience is everything. An ERP consultant is there as an advisor and a good consultant, should, in essence, give good advice. The only possible way is if the consultant has the necessary knowledge to make it work. You require an ERP consultant with years of industry knowledge and implementation capabilities that will listen to your needs and provide proper support.For the most part, an ERP consultant has to have the necessary background in the field that is most relevant to you. That is to say that if you are a manufacturer of soft plastic bottles, you will need an ERP solution that differs significantly from that of a company that imports and sells fragrance oil. Both types of companies (manufacturing vs trading) have unique ways of managing inventory, recording sales, procurement process and method of sales. Therefore, ERP projects are notorious for complexity and difficulty in implementation. It is the same reason why some companies opt for hiring an ERP consultant to handle the implementation and integration process for them.The ideal consultant is not necessarily the one that promises to deliver every requirement you put forward. Honesty, especially when something cannot be done is far better than setting yourself down a path of inevitable failure. Always value your consultant’s expertise but at the same time, expect from them the highest standards. Therefore, you should go with a consulting firm with years of experience, a well built, in-house consulting team, development team, and a demonstrated track record with many comparable clients in the same industry as your business.