Selection — Why “Best Fit” Beats “Biggest Name” Every Time

This article is part of our 5-Phase ERP Success series. If you missed the earlier installments, start with Phase 1: ERP Evaluation — How Success Starts Before You Pick a Vendor or check out the summary Why Go-Live Isn’t the Finish Line — 5 Phases of ERP Success for the full roadmap.

Phase 2: Selection

By the time you’ve completed the ERP evaluation phase, you should have a clear, documented understanding of how your business operates and where it needs to evolve. That clarity is your compass for the next step: choosing the right ERP platform and implementation partner.

It sounds straightforward, but in reality, this is one of the most critical — and most mishandled — stages of an ERP implementation. Too many executives treat ERP selection as a feature comparison exercise or a negotiation for the lowest upfront cost. In truth, a poor fit here will cost exponentially more down the line.

What ERP Selection Is Really About 

ERP vendor selection isn’t about finding the system with the most features. It’s about finding the one that’s the best fit for your business today and the business you plan to be tomorrow.

• If your growth strategy involves rapid scaling, you need a platform with flexibility and room for complexity.

• If you operate in a highly repeatable, standardized environment, you may want to prioritize simplicity and automation.

No matter your profile, one truth applies: if you’re big enough to need an ERP, you’re unique enough to require customization, third-party tools, or both. The goal is to choose a platform that accommodates those needs without turning into a Frankenstein of bolt-on workarounds.

Choosing the Right Partner Matters Just as Much 

Selecting your platform is only half the battle — the  ERP partner you choose to implement it can make or break the project.

From our perspective, two traits stand above the rest: honesty and experience.

Honesty means:

• They tell you when something isn’t a good idea.
• They explain trade-offs clearly so you understand each decision.
• They recommend solutions that may even reduce their own role in the project if it’s in your best interest.

If a prospective partner never says “no” or “here’s why that might not work,” that’s a red flag.

Experience means more than project count. The best consultants are those who’ve also worked in the industries they now serve. They understand not just the ERP system, but the business processes surrounding it — allowing them to design solutions that fit your operations, not just the software.

Learn more about our ERP Implementation Services

Why This Matters to Executives 

From the CEO or CFO’s seat, ERP selection is about future-proofing:

• The wrong platform leads to costly customizations, endless workarounds, or even full re-implementation.
• The wrong partner leads to time overruns, budget blowouts, and eroded trust.
• The right combination of both lays the foundation for an ERP that scales with you, not against you.

What Happens When You Get It Wrong 

We’ve been called in to rescue ERP projects that were doomed from day one — not because the client didn’t care, but because they chose the wrong fit. Common patterns include:

• A system chosen for a business model that didn’t match reality.
• An implementer with no industry context, forcing rigid “by the book” configurations.
• Partners defaulting to expensive development instead of leveraging built-in capabilities or trusted third-party tools.

In one extreme case, a client spent nearly three years in implementation purgatory before bringing us in. We had them live in three months — but only after years of wasted investment and team burnout.

How to Stack the Odds in Your Favor 

• Use your ERP evaluation findings as non-negotiable criteria for both platform and partner.

• Ask pointed questions about limitations, not just capabilities.

• Talk to more than one client reference — ideally in your industry.

• Look for partners who focus on outcomes, not just setup.

Bottom Line for Leaders 

ERP selection is not a procurement exercise — it’s a strategic decision. Done right, you’ll have both a system and a partner that evolve with you. Done wrong, and you’ll be back at the starting line before you’ve even recouped your initial investment.

If you’re already in the selection stage and want a second opinion before committing, we can help validate your requirements and vet potential fits. It’s a small step now that can save you years of rework later.

Explore our About Us page to see how we partner with clients through every ERP phase.
See how our Managed Servicesprovide support long after go-live.