Every organization begins an ERP installation project with a certain set of expectations. Investments are made with the belief that the new solution will drastically improve efficiency and provide the company with tremendous value. Unfortunately, many of these expectations are going unfulfilled.

That's not to say ERP systems can't add great value to an organization by building new levels of efficiency into daily operations. At their core, that's what ERP systems are designed to do. However, due to a number of factors, many companies aren't seeing the results they expected when they initiated their respective projects.

Recent research reported in the online publication Sys-Con Media suggests organizations that implement ERP software are receiving less than 50 percent of the benefits they believed they would receive prior to the implementation of their solutions. From the customer side, these are chalked up to broken promises of impossible benefits. That's not always the case because, when handled correctly, the benefits of ERP are virtually limitless. Instead, there could be a number of factors that cause customers to be disappointed with their purchases.

Tom Caper, the author of the article, suggests many companies simply aren't buying the right solutions and that they don't do enough research before the procurement process begins. However, while Caper says this is a problem, those who make the best decisions throughout the process will be rewarded with a better system.

"Choosing the ideal ERP software solution for your business isn't necessarily the most cerebrally challenging decision on the planet," he writes. "In fact, a little organized research into your business operation and identifying how an ERP solution can possibly rectify any pitfalls in your current system will make the selection process a lot easier."

Working with an ERP and business systems consultant can help companies obtain solutions such as Microsoft Dynamics NAV to ensure a successful implementation and ownership of the software.