Find the Truth about ERP Solutions from ERP Software Reviews

Implementing enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions is a complicated process, whether your company has elected to implement an on-premise or hosted solution. As you move through the process, you can gain valuable information from ERP software reviews as they capture the real-world experiences of customers just like you. Vendors will promise their solution will meet all of your needs and integrate into your environment, but can you afford to believe their claims? ERP software reviews provide the truth you need to make an educated decision.

ERP Software Reviews Offer More Value than Marketing Hype

Marketing departments are charged with promoting a vendor’s ERP platform to a specific target audience. They are properly trained to use terms like “leading solution”, “innovative technology” and “proven results” without actually substantiating these claims. When constructed effectively, marketing content will have even the most critical buyer believing the claims. Logic will tell you, however, that no company environment is exactly the same and no one solution will work exactly as promised every time. Simply approving the purchase of an ERP solution based on this information without reading ERP software reviews could lead to a costly mistake.

Beware of ERP Software Reviews Offering Only Fluff

There are two different kinds of ERP software reviews that you will come across in your ERP research. One will be a recount of real-world implementations and customer experience. The other includes reviews constructed merely for the purpose of driving you to a vendor’s website and are often created by the vendor, lacking concise representation of the user experience. The information captured in the latter review is promoted by the vendor’s marketing team and doesn’t provide any more value than a vendor’s website. The former is an honest representation of a company’s experience. How can you tell the difference? Honest ERP software reviews will provide reviewer names, company names and even contact information so you can follow up on the review and capture more information.

Measure the Value of ERP Software Reviews

As honest as ERP software reviews can be, they can also be misleading if you don’t dig deep enough. ERP software reviews provided by companies in different industries and different sizes and implementation structures won’t give you an accurate picture of what you can expect from your own experience. Real-world examples are only valuable in your selection process if the company providing the review is similar to your own. You can also pay attention to language, information provided and objectivity of the review. Too many flowery references should be a red flag that the review is not an honest representation.

Check the Source of the ERP Software Reviews

All of the points provided here apply to the source of the ERP software reviews. Reading reviews on a vendor’s site is not an objective approach as vendors won’t share negative feedback. Instead, you want to rely on ERP software reviews on credible sites that only focus on true reporting. A number of online sources are financially supported by vendors, so check the source to be sure you aren’t simply reading marketing material.

To get the best value from your ERP solution implementation, read ERP software reviews that offer an honest representation of ERP success.