An ERP decision lasts years, so the selection deserves a plan. Below: the seven steps we see succeed at manufacturing companies — vendor-neutral, including the questions that matter. At the bottom you can download the full checklist as a PDF.
Start with reality, not with brochures. Where does time leak away — double entry, spreadsheets next to the system, reports that take days? Write down your core processes from quote to invoice, and listen to the shop floor as well as the office.
List your integrations (accounting, webshop, machines), requirements on ISO and traceability, languages and locations. Mark what is truly a must-have: this is your test card for every vendor.
Licence, implementation, training, maintenance ánd hidden costs such as custom work at updates. Ask every candidate what is and is not included. Our pricing guide helps you set realistic ranges.
More than three serious candidates is rarely useful. Filter on manufacturing focus, references in a comparable industry and company size fit — a package for corporates rarely fits an SMB workshop.
Bring your own products, orders and drawings, and put the people who will use it daily — including the shop floor — in front of the screen. A polished standard demo says little about your Tuesday morning.
Ask for a milestone plan: who does what, how does data migration work, is there a parallel test period? And what are the support terms once you are live — response times, SLA, who do you actually get on the phone?
Compare the total: fit, implementation, support and cost over several years — not just the licence price. Put price, planning, extra work and data/exit agreements in writing before you sign.
All seven steps as a practical checklist (PDF) — print it and use it in every vendor conversation. Leave your email address and download it right away.
Count in months, not weeks. The steps up to a shortlist can be done in a few weeks; demos, reference checks and contract talks take the rest. A hard deadline is a bad reason to skip steps.
Shortlist three. Fewer gives no comparison material; more costs a lot of time and rarely changes the outcome.
Management for the goals, administration and planning for the processes, and the shop floor for daily use. The system that only management chose is the system nobody uses.
Choosing on a demo and a price tag. The real costs and the real fit only become visible when you test your own processes and read the implementation and support terms.
In one working session we map your processes and requirements — a flying start for your selection.
