Unlocking ERP Success: Why Choosing the Right Implementation Partner Matters More Than You Think

When gearing up for a new ERP solution, organisations usually zero in on the software. They dedicate months crafting an exhaustive ERP requirements document, sifting through a dozen vendor options, investing days or even weeks in software demos and seeking industry-specific references from vendors. Surprisingly, they often allocate less than 10% of their time to assessing potential ERP implementation partners. 

But is this the winning formula for project success?

Whether we talk about the best possible system or a less effective solution, at the end of the day software is nothing more than software. Even the most expensive ERP solution in the world can’t modernise your business processes, put your customers at the centre of all you do, or update the mindset of your internal teams.

A strong and competent implementation partner is crucial if you want to turn a good ERP solution into a successful implementation.

Here are 7 aspects to consider in your partner selection process.

1 – Industry focus.

Does the partner deliver the rights (industry) add-ons? Do they understand your business? Speak your language? And are they long-term committed to your industry?

2 – Company culture.

Are they proactive or reactive? Transparent or closed? Formal or informal? Centralised or de-central? Does that all fit with your own internal culture?

3 – Quality of employees.

What is the quality of the employees? How experienced are they? Are they familiar with your industry? Remember to check out not only the pre-sales people but also the proposed implementation team – and their support staff!

4 – Courage.

How courageous are the partner’s employees? Are they able to suggest innovative ideas that are relevant to your business? Are they capable of thinking outside the box? Do they inspire you?

5 – Implementation methodology.

Does the partner deploy a structured implementation methodology? If so, what does it look like? What do their existing customers think of that?

6 – Change management.

Does the partner offer structured change management skills? Are they able to also support your management team in this change process?

7 – References.

Does the partner have sufficient existing customers in your industry? Are these customers happy with their choice? Would they select the same partner again?

Remember: a great implementation partner can make your chosen ERP solution a success. If you don’t take the time to choose the right partner for your business, you can expect to have problems!

Need something bespoke for your industry requirements? Better customer-focused support?

Get in touch: https://bit.ly/3k71yLx

March 5, 2024

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It’s valid to ask, “Do I have to use Making Tax Digital for my business?” If you haven’t started exploring how MTD affects you or your business yet, now is the right time to prepare for the shift. In our MTD-readiness guide, you’ll learn if your business will be impacted by the April 2026 deadline and how you can prepare in advance. Making Tax Digital April 2026 - What Does It Mean? From April 2026, MTD for ITSA will apply to: Self-employed individuals Landlords (those with income from UK property or overseas property) Partnerships with self-employed individuals, where the combined turnover crosses the threshold People with multiple income sources. For example, a self-employed individual who also has rental income Thresholds for Compliance: From April 2026: Those with a gross annual income over £50,000 From April 2027: Those with income over £30,000 From April 2028: Those with income over £20,000 These thresholds are for gross business/ trading and/or property income before expenses, not income from profit. What Do the HMRC Making Tax Digital 2026 Changes Mean for Your Business? If these upcoming changes apply to you, you’ll need to: Start Maintaining Digital Records Keeping paper trails or spreadsheets isn’t enough (unless spreadsheets are used via bridging software). You’ll also need to keep digital records of your income and expenses, which is best done with MTD-compatible software in Business Central. Start logging business expenses, sales, income, and bank transactions. Take photos of receipts and upload them to the records. Submit Quarterly Updates Instead of one annual tax return, from April 2026, you’ll need to send four quarterly updates. These updates report your tax position after every quarter, lowering the load and stress of the year-end rush. Remember to submit updates by: August 7 (for quarter ending July 5) November 7 (for quarter ending Oct 5) February 7 (for quarter ending January 5) May 7 (for quarter ending April 5) Create a Final Declaration You’ll also need to send an End of Period Statement (EoPS) and a Final Declaration at the end of the tax year, replacing the traditional self-assessment exercise. Common Making Tax Digital Problems Businesses May Face Ahead of MTD 2026 In the rush to meet the upcoming deadline, your business may face some common Making Tax Digital problems. Here’s how you can resolve them: 1. Using Incompatible or Unapproved Software Making Tax Digital mandates the use of compatible and approved software for submissions. You may be risking non-compliance by relying on outdated accounting systems or spreadsheets for digital record-keeping and quarterly submissions. You don’t need to look for another MTD-compatible software when your Dynamics ERPs, like NAV (some versions) and Business Central, have MTD features built in. If you’re already familiar with BC but want to get started with MTD, connect with our team today. 2. Lacking MTD Integration with ERP Without MTD software integrated with your broader finance and accounting systems, you’re likely to struggle with reporting gaps, errors in data, data duplication, and related issues that can slow down your efforts and make you non-compliant. NAV and BC already unify your operations into one interconnected system, and pull information from various accounting programmes. You gain complete visibility into deadlines, ensuring you meet them on time. Solidify your MTD prep and reduce the chances of errors, duplication, and non-compliance with Dynamics ERPs. 3. 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How to Prepare for Making Tax Digital Before April 2026

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At a Glance From April 2026, HMRC’s Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) becomes mandatory for self-employed individuals and landlords earning over £50,000. Businesses must maintain digital records and file [...]