When looking to invest in ERP software, what it the best course to choose for your business?  Here we discuss the pros and cons of ERP software vendor or partner.

Buying directly from the ERP software vendor

 

The Pros

• Technical expertise – Having developed the software, the development team is well equipped to resolve all software issues, including bugs and defects.
• Working with a recognised brand – Many customers prefer to buy directly from the well-recognised brand expecting consistency in the product and service quality.
• Best Value – without the perceived Partner margin, prospective clients feel they are likely to negotiate a better price.

 

The Cons

• You are just a number – You may find you deal with a different advisor each time you contact the software company, which can mean you need to repeat yourself when explaining the issue.
• Call queues – As a customer of a global software company you may face call queues and ticketing systems before you reach an advisor. This is usually due to the volume of calls that hit the vendor, who deal directly with customers and partners. This can be very frustrating when you need to resolve issues quickly.
• Business experience – whilst the implementation consultants really know the way through the software features and process flows, they are often young and lack real business experience.

 

Purchasing Software through a Channel Partner

 

 

The Pros

• Dedicated account manager – You are assigned a single point of contact who will take time to get to know your business and your ways of working. This will help them provide you with personalised advice and recommend solutions to suit your needs.
• Personalised support – You have a dedicated support contact to liaise with for the resolution of issues. As a result, when you have an issue that cannot be resolved in the first call, you can call back and speak to the same technician, ensuring consistency and removing the need to repeat information.
• One-stop-shop – Many partners offer complimentary software and services, such as support, development and specific industry knowledge, providing a ‘one-stop-shop’.
• Software endorsement – Software vendors appoint business partners to resell and service their products because of the added value they can offer for the end users.
• Local – the channel partner could be more local in Geography meaning you can meet face-to-face or they could be industry experts enabling them to provide you with the solution that fits your needs.
• Business knowledge – Partners often specialise in chosen sectors, and are highly qualified and experienced, such as Chartered Accountants helping to implement Finance, and former Service Managers implementing Service Resource Planning.

 

The Cons

• Can’t provide bug fixes – Software defects and bugs in the core software cannot be fixed by the Channel Partner, and have to be escalated to the vendor.
• Difficult to choose – Because there are many Channel Partners it can a challenge to identify and select the best reseller for your needs.

 

Finding the right supplier is just as important as finding the right software. This is a very important step that can make or break the success of your project!

 

Download our guide – Everything You Need To Know About Buying Business Software