Implementing an ERP platform is no easy task. Stakeholders from disparate departments must collaborate to design and source a sustainable solution that works for the entire organization. For some, the process can get too overwhelming, at which point external support resources are required. Most companies confronted with this state of affairs turn to ERP adoption consultants, trained professionals who leverage industry knowledge and technical know-how to shepherd clients through implementation, from planning to launch.

Last year, an estimated 68 percent of ERP adopters utilized consultants, according to research from Panorama Consulting Solutions. Businesses looking to take the same approach should carefully consider their options and choose the external advisor that not only understand the software but comports with internal culture. How can prospective ERP adopters go about getting the ideal consultant? These tried-and-true methods usually yield favorable results:

Focus on experience
Organizations that have never used ERP technology before are often amazed by its potential, framing the software as some groundbreaking new discovery. While these platforms do deserve praise, they are anything but new. ERP systems have been around since the 1980s, according to scholarly research from Idea Publishing Group. Consequently, consultants with decades of experience are available for hire – these are the quintessential candidates for businesses looking for implementation assistance.

Truly impactful consultants not only have knowledge of industry-standard ERP software but also understand how it fits into the operation. Additionally, these professionals can tap into sector-specific insights to help clients install and use technology that works with their unique processes. How do organizations go about judging consultant credentials? References are the key, IT Toolbox reported. The experienced can easily talk through successful implementations they have coordinated and provide references. That said, consultants who claim to have overseen strings of projects with 100 percent success rates are most likely bending the truth, as only one-third of all successful implementations fall into this category. Why? It is impossible for even the most seasoned ERP consultants to control all of the variables – they can only control their actions, not those of their clients.

Look for budgetary expertise
Consultants do not simply help install whatever solutions their clients come up with. They actually participate in the system design and selection process, and therefore have a hand in the financial aspects of the project. Ideally, they actively work to create return on investment for the clients. This requires tangible budgetary chops, according to Panorama. Effective ERP consultants should be able to chart out the fiscal impact of the implementation and leverage their experience to look for ways to cut costs – a major concern for most adopters, more than half of which overran their budgets last year, the consulting firm found.

Judge cultural fit
In addition to meeting project-specific skill requirements, the ideal ERP consultant must fit internally. The average implementation unfolds over 12 to 18 months, according to TechTarget. These professionals are not only rendering services but also integrating into the business and closely working with employees in all departments. With this in mind, companies must account for cultural fit just like they might with full-time hires. Organizations that work with consultants who hold similar professional values are more likely to facilitate a smooth implementation and adopt an ERP solution that meets their business needs from an operational and cultural perspective.

ERP consultants can provide valuable assistance to business only just beefing up their internal systems. However, project teams should choose wisely, as the wrong external partner can wreak havoc and catalyze failure.