ERP Evalutaion and Selection Assistance
Are You Thinking About Changing Your Accounting System?
Ascent Consulting offers comprehensive ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Needs Analysis, Evaluation and Selection assistance. We focus on understanding our clients’ unique needs and help them evaluate, select, and integrate the right ERP system for their business.
Whether your construction company is beginning its ERP journey or needs guidance at a specific stage, Ascent provides expert knowledge and consulting services.
Ascent’s Comprehensive ERP Assistance
Ascent’s Construction ERP experts lead clients through a structured discovery process to understand their current software, processes, procedures, and personnel, as well as their unique accounting, reporting, integration and functionality requirements.
This enables our team to create a shortlist of potential solutions and lead clients through the demo and evaluation process. We then assist clients through the decision-making process, help negotiate with software providers and resellers, and assemble our findings into a turn-over package that facilitates the implementation process.
Accounting Software Evaluation and Selection
We partner with our clients to evaluate and select software that consolidates functions like estimating, accounting, project management, and document control into one cohesive system. Ascent’s recommendations are objective and based solely on what best fits your company’s needs, whether that means one unified ERP solution or a stack of integrated tools. During this phase, we:
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Define desired software functionality and goals.
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Research and assess potential solutions.
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Guide demonstrations and facilitate evaluations.
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Build cost analyses and functionality comparisons.
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Guide clients through the selection process and negotiate pricing with vendors.
Value Added Resellers (VARs) and the ERP Process
What is a VAR?
ERP systems are either sold directly by the manufacturer or through a network of third-party resellers, often referred to as VARs. The Value-Added Resellers (VARs) also provide implementation, customization, and training solutions to end-users.
VARs are typically specialists with a few different systems. They act as middlemen between the manufacturers and the end-users who provide additional benefits, as well as long-term support, often with multi-year contracts.
How can Ascent help your company find the right VAR?
Ascent Consulting facilitates the entire ERP process by guiding construction companies through selection, connecting them with VARs (if requried) for purchase and implementation, and helping optimize the system post-implementation. The software manufacturer and/or a VAR handle the technical implementation, ensuring the ERP system is set up properly to support your operations. Ascent focuses on helping our clients select the right ERP to meet their unique needs and then maximizing its functionality and adoption after implementation.
Software Implementation Advisors
Ascent supports our clients through the implementation process by attending key meetings with the implementation team to support and facilitate the transition. We often assist by designing and refining GL (general ledger) codes and project cost codes for accurate corporate and project accounting, custom reports, and helping to design and define workflows.
By documenting processes and helping to train staff on best practices, we help drive adoption, ensure consistency, and accelerate the efficient use of ERP tools across your organization.
Ascent Guides You Through the ERP Process
Ascent Consulting facilitates a smooth and effective ERP evaluation and selection process. We work with software implementation companies and software VARs to facilitate a structured and strategic implementation that fully aligns with the business’s goals.
From needs analysis to pricing negotiations and a final selection, Ascent provides the guidance and expertise to help you make the best choices for your construction business.
