180 Systems- Independence

Independence

| 513 Comments | Michael Burns

Let’s assume you’re looking for an independent consultant to assist you in selecting a new ERP system. One question to answer is how do you know they are independent. Take a look at a Blog from the Enterprise Spectator or some insights which include:

Conflicts of Interest per Enterprise Spectator

  • Does the firm offer services to tech providers?
  • Do they have a partner or alliances page? If so, are tech providers listed?
  • Does the consultant also offer implementation services for specific vendors?
  • Are their blog posts and white papers truly thought leadership reports, or are they mostly puff pieces for specific vendors?

Litmus Test per 180 Systems

These are good, but we would suggest a couple more:

  • Does your firm receive any financial benefit from any of the vendors?
  • What systems have your clients selected over the last 2 years? If they are independent, there should be a wide variety of systems included.

Not Just the Top 10 ERP Systems

Our approach to independence is to consider all potential vendors in our software selection projects – not just what some consultants call the top 10 ERP Systems. Some of the vendors will be well-known companies and others will be relatively unknown except to the specific industry they serve.

Independence is critical in life and in software selection.

513 thoughts on “Independence”

  1. I would wager that no firm is completely independent and that would include 180 Systems.

    Each of us has experience with systems we have either used, sold or implemented in our past lives. For instance, I have deep experience with 5 ERP systems. These systems influence how I view the credibility or fit of a given solution.

    Am I open to other alternate, industry specific solutions. Of course.

    But to suggest your decision making is completely independent is, well a stretch. I would say less dependent or less influenced but not independent.

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