In business, there often comes a time when, whether we like it or not, we are forced to terminate various types of partnerships. This applies to collaborations with partners, subcontractors, as well as clients. Such situations also occur in the field of ERP systems, including changing implementation partners. But why does this happen?
An ERP system is a modern IT solution designed to improve the daily operations of a company. It aims to facilitate faster and easier work for users, provide real-time access to data for informed decision-making, optimize costs, and generate savings. However, regardless of its rich functionality, an ERP system is still just a tool. The key to its effective utilization lies in the successful implementation by the implementation partner. This partner should understand the processes within your company, translate them into system functionality, train you on how to use it, and provide ongoing support. One would think this is obvious. So, the question arises: why do companies change their partners? There are several reasons for this.
Changing Organizational Needs Over Time
As your company develops, its needs often change. Perhaps, during the initial ERP implementation, the decision was made to adopt an on-premises ownership model. However, over time, technology evolves, and cloud-based solutions like Dynamics 365 Business Central emerge. These cloud solutions easily integrate with other tools such as Power Apps and Power BI, eliminating the need for maintaining in-house IT infrastructure. If you want to take advantage of these advancements, upgrade your system, and suddenly find out that your current partner exclusively focuses on on-premises implementations and cannot support your ideas, such as developing custom applications, you have no choice but to look for another partner.
Insufficient Support
Microsoft solutions are among the best on the market. However, it is essential to keep up to date with all the new features and changes introduced by the Redmond giant, as they can have an impact on your company's operations. This includes changes in licensing or functional updates. Likewise, new capabilities in the ERP system can allow for optimization, such as eliminating modifications because the desired functionality is now supported by the standard system.
As a business owner, your focus is on the proper functioning and continued growth of your company. It is challenging to stay updated with the latest Microsoft developments. However, it often happens that clients are more knowledgeable about these updates than their partners. This can lead to awkward situations. Not to mention the lack of support in daily operations, where it may turn out that the partner's employees do not possess sufficient competencies. If such issues occur, the current partner is at a disadvantage.
Lack of Time from the Current Partner
Your implementation partner is also a company that aims to grow. They acquire new clients, undertake new implementation projects, and provide support to an increasing number of business partners they have. However, this can often be achieved at the expense of their human resources, pushing them beyond capacity without hiring new staff. Consequently, the partner prioritizes certain clients, while others receive insufficient attention. As we know, no client can afford to have something not working in their IT system. Any system failure directly affects their time and finances.
Lack of Industry-Specific Knowledge
On one hand, effective sales efforts, approach, and financially attractive offers can work wonders in favor of a partner. Clients might opt for the cheapest proposal without verifying whether the chosen partner has knowledge of their specific industry. Regret often follows. On the other hand, our own company may have developed to such an extent in a particular industry branch that our current partner is no longer capable of providing adequate assistance. Without understanding the industry's specifics, the partner cannot advise on how to efficiently utilize Dynamics 365 Business Central in daily operations.
Lack of Partnership with Third-Party Solution Providers
The standard ERP system, Dynamics 365 Business Central, must be flexible enough to meet the needs of as many companies as possible. However, some industries require modifications or additional functions not available in the standard solution. This, however, is not a straightforward process and can generate significant costs. Nevertheless, there are many Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) on the market. These companies offer solutions, often referred to as add-ons, which complement Business Central with industry-specific features. Leveraging these add-ons allows you to achieve two goals at once: you obtain a ready-made solution, and its cost is usually much lower than the cost of custom development. You can find examples of such add-ons in the Business Central Extensions tab.
Having ISV solutions available on the market is one thing. However, for your company to benefit from them, your implementation partner must be a partner of the ISV provider. This aspect varies, and it often determines the need to search for a new partner in terms of ERP system utilization.
Partnership Is Worth Its Weight in Gold
Although an ERP implementation project in a company is a costly investment, nothing lasts forever — not even a collaboration with a partner who carried out the implementation. The world changes, your company's needs change, and your technology partner should be able to adapt to those changes. It all comes down to business and mutual agreements. For example, if your partner is unable to make modifications, they should have an ISV partner with a solution that covers the required process. Additionally, if your current partner lacks time, resources, and competencies, you can always rely on subcontractors or consultants who have in-depth knowledge of your industry. However, if you feel that any of the situations described above are happening in your company, it is probably time to consider changing your current Microsoft partner.
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