Get Your FREE Guide To Selecting Business Software Today

Your business needs new software. You have figured out that QuickBooks and Peachtree probably won't work anymore. What do you do now? Data Guidance Group has help.

Our Guide to Selecting Business Software is the solution. More than just an outline, the Guide steers you in the right direction before you begin the selection process. You may ask, "Why do I need a book to tell me how to select software?" "I know what I need."

ERP (manufacturing, distribution, service, CRM, MRP, and accounting) software is complicated. There is a lot of confusion and misinformation regarding its features and functions.

This guide helps businesses control processes and make a profit. It allows you to take inventory of your current process by examining your needs. Based on your needs you select and implement software and redesign your processes.

Needs Analysis is the first step to improving your business through progressive implementation of your new software features.

It will even answer some questions you never thought to ask or forget to ask. You should want your business processes to run smoothly. Having the right software in place will make doing business easier. The Guide explains to you in detail what is needed, what to look out for and why it is a good investment.

What Is Needed

No matter how large your business, your operating software will be a large investment. Most businesses do research before making a significant investment. Research helps you make an informed decision.

The Guide provides you with the reliable information you need to select software for your business. In order to choose the best fit for your company, you need to know your needs. So what do you do?

I'm glad you asked. You should expect a professional firm to understand your business needs before discussing a solution. A "consultant" that recommends software before thoroughly understanding your business isn't saving you time or money. Nor are they doing you a favor. Prescription without diagnosis is malpractice!

Data Guidance Group developed a process of ERP Needs Analysis to help you. It collects data on the needs of distribution, manufacturing, service, and other companies.

We go beyond the accounting software needs of accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll and general ledger to the specifics of inventory, sales orders, production orders, sales process, purchase orders and serial numbers. You haven't been asked the DGG Needs Analysis questions if you have only been asked, "Do you pay sales commission?" We want to know, "What is your formula for calculating commission? Is it based on gross sales price or net? Do you pay when you invoice or when you collect the cash?"

When we feel like we've got enough of a grip on how you do what you do to sit down and implement software, or help you do the process, then we've done a DGG Needs Analysis. At the end of the process, we may understand some of your processes better than your employees.

All-in-all, this gives you an opportunity to communicate what you need your software to do. And what you'd like for it to do.

Once we're there, a detail report which echos your needs is prepared. This is a Needs Analysis. And once you have it, you're on the right road to selecting the best possible software for your company.

The Guide has a section called Six Reasons You Must Do A Needs Analysis. In this segment it shows you how to:

• Write down all your needs, including minor needs. If it is not recorded it is guaranteed that the new system won't perform any better than the old.
• Get everything you can from ERP. You should ask questions and learn about all the features available.
• List all your choices and pick what you can live with and without. No product does everything so you can give up some features to get others that will help in the long run.
• Be able to calculate and increase your return on investment during the needs analysis.
• Prepare your employees for issues that may come up during the implementation
• Be able to plan implementation in stages. Preparation makes implementation and future software purchases more effective.

What to Look Out For

The number one thing to look out for in selecting software is the process. If the main goal of your consultant's process is to get you to invest in software, run the other way.

We tell clients to watch out for the salesperson who comes to the first meeting ready to show you what their software can do.

Suppose your doctor said, "Look, Jack, I've just gotten in this great new drug. Why don't you take a few dozen of them and see how you feel? Let me show you all the features..." Wouldn't you run? Would you buy medicine that way? Then why do so many companies buy software that way?

ERP systems are complex computer programs that touch every area of your business. You have to be careful when you ask for specific things. Programmers always do things in specific.

You may get what you asked for, but it may not be what you need. A good process will help you think through decisions. In the Guide, a segment entitled, Nine Mistakes That Cause ERP Implementation Failure, lists the top reasons why software does not fulfill its promises.

• Senior management is not aware of the process and implementation issues
• Poor needs analysis. The company did not list all current and future needs when listing features in software
• Lack of planning and arranging the stages causes items to be incomplete which increases cost and frustrates users.
• Poor setup. Choosing the wrong options limits the functions and features of the system
• Ineffective training. Training should be done in stages with basic training and plenty time of practice before go-live. This is done to prevent the frustration after go-live and the training is completed. Final training should be as close to go-live as possible.

What Should You Do Now?

Ok, so you know already that we're going to say you should order the Guide. The real question is should we put another request box and button after this paragraph or make you scroll up to get to the last one.

But, seriously, the Guide is information our clients tell us they wish they'd had months earlier. It lays out the key reasons you should...and should not...invest in ERP software they way companies always have.

Here's the question: suppose you decide that you are going to order the Guide. Suppose that you read it. Suppose it convinces you that you should do a Needs Analysis. Then what?

Most of our clients just ask at this point, "How much do you charge for a Needs Analysis?" And you're going to like the answer.

For us at DGG, this isn't about adding another client to our client list. Yes, we'd love to have you as a client if...and this is a big if...if there is a fit between us. You see, when DGG engages with a client, our plan is for a long and mutually beneficial relationship. Bob Palmer still has clients that he worked with in the mid-80s when he worked for a local CPA practice.

For you to make a decision about whether you want to work with us...and for us to make the same decision about you, we need to get to know one another. We want to learn about your business. And since you're going to invest a significant amount in the software that you get involved with, we believe it's only reasonable that we invest in your business. So...if you qualify for a DGG Needs Analysis it--like the Guide--is FREE. It's our investment in your business.

Now here's that box to order the Guide. Go ahead...you've read this far.