You have decided which enterprise software solution is the right one for your business, but did you know that your choice of Implementation Partner is just as important, if not more important?
There are many implementation partners in the market and this guide provides insight and assistance in finding the one that gives you the greatest chance of success, offering value for money and a track record in Australian and New Zealand.
ORACLE NETSUITE
IMPLEMENTATION
PARTNER GUIDE
ABOUT
THIS GUIDE
THE CHALLENGE OF SELECTING AN
IMPLEMENTATION PARTNER
In many cases, vendors may have dozens, even hundreds, of certified third- party implementation partners, each with their own mix of these capabilities.
Determining which partner has the required mix of the above capabilities that are relevant to your business can be time-consuming to ascertain given some of these characteristics and capabilities only become clear once you have formally engaged with them. By then, it is often costly or too late to change course should their capability not meet with your needs.
Some of the well-known software providers occasionally have long partner lists, with some detail on their websites, but the information provided can be incomplete and they rarely recommend or even point you in the right direction. Instead leaving the market research and due diligence up to you. It is important to note that vendors also find it difficult to recommend just one sole partner from their long list of partners.
Selecting the right implementation partner and navigating the associated risks can be a challenging task. Understanding what an implementation partner's role is and how it differs from the vendor's is an important part of the process.
SMC's DIGITAL TRANFORMATION MODEL
ASSESSMENT
CRITERIA
In addition to the key considerations, you should consider establising an “assesment criteria” that represents the minimum qualifications or parameters that your business requires before considering a suitable implementation partner. Typically some of these criteria encompass the following:
Implementation partners are put through a rigorous process to ensure our clients understand the pros/cons/trade-offs of each of the short-listed implementation partners, so a selection can be made with confidence. Some of the key elements of our approach involve:
- Documenting unique requirements and focussing on potential differentiators
- Defining a set of 'knockout' criteria to qualify/disqualify implementation partners
- Weighting and evaluating criteria and requirements
- Conducting comprehensive market research
- Tailoring the selection process to what our clients see as important in the future relationship
- Managing the engagement with the implementation partners including:
1. Organising Non-Disclosure Agreements
2. Running Screening Sessions
3. Producing Modern Go-to-Market Documentation (RFP's, Requirements, Demo Scenarios, etc)
4. Assessing and Normalising Quotes
5. Moderating Demonstrations
6. Negotiating Vendor/Partner Commercials
From our Digital Transformation Model, the impact of implementation partner characteristics plays a significant role in implementation partner selection and subsequent interaction in Phases 3-5, based on the outputs of Phases 1 and 2.
Outcome and value
One of the key deliverables for SMC clients is a de-risked approach in selecting the correct partner. The outcome is an alignment of requirements with capabilities, resulting in clarity for the prospective implementation partners, but more importantly, the ability for our clients to hold partners accountable. This benchmarking allows organisations to make a choice with confidence and subsequently results in a positive commercial outcome.
SMC'S APPROACH
OUR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION MODEL COMPRISES OF PHASES AND WORKSTREAMS
In many instances, companies needing new enterprise systems think first and foremost about the product itself and the vendor that develops, maintains, and supports that software solution. In some cases, those vendors do offer implementation services for their solutions, but more commonly, they rely on third party businesses called ‘Implementation Partners’ for that task.
Implementation Partners provide important capabilities and skillsets, including:
• Industry specialisation beyond the vendor’s offering.
• Servicing regions with local resources to undertake the software development and configuration for your specific needs.
• Providing implementation teams that deliver to your requirements beyond potentially more generic capabilities provided by the software provider.
• Providing additional product features above and beyond what the solution provides ‘out of box, potentially filling gaps in the solution’s functionality.
• Providing you with ongoing support for your solution with resources potentially located within your geographical region.
• Providing you with deeper ‘practical’ application of the software.
There are five discrete phases:
- Review and Strategise
- Analyse and Blueprint
- Select and Negotiate
- Plan and Prepare
- Implement and Embed
A SELECTION OF IMPLEMENTATION PARTNERS SPECIFIC TO ORACLE NETSUITE
Solution Providers
NetSuite Solution Providers are business application experts who deliver complete NetSuite cloud computing solutions, from selling NetSuite licenses to implementation and support. Solution Providers have demonstrated accounting/ERP, CRM or e-commerce expertise delivered with proven methodologies that ensure your success.
BPO Partner Program
NetSuite Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Partners provide BPO services and Business Process as a Service (BPaas) solutions based on NetSuite’s leading cloud business management platform. Partnering with NetSuite equips BPO Partners with a single, flexible solution to manage clients of any size, from small businesses and fast-growing start-ups to Global 2000 corporations.
Alliance Partners
NetSuite Alliance Partners provide business transformation consulting services as well as integration and implementation services that help get more value from NetSuite software. Alliance Partners are experts in their field and have a deep and unique understanding of NetSuite solutions.
NetSuite provides Alliance Partners with a robust set of resources, certified training, and tools, enabling them to develop expertise around specific business functions, product areas, and industries, so they can efficiently assist customers, differentiate their practices, and grow their business.
Referral Partners
NetSuite Referral Partners introduce NetSuite to prospective clients and in return receive a referral fee. Many Referral Partners also come to be seen as NetSuite experts and generate additional revenue by providing services around their customer’s NetSuite accounts.
Developers
Members of the SuiteCloud Developer Network extend NetSuite’s fully integrated suite for financials/ERP, CRM, and ecommerce with third party ‘Built for NetSuite’ applications for vertical industries or specific business processes, such as shipping EDI, HR, marketing electronic signatures, sales tax automation and more.
Accountants
The NetSuite Accountant program enables accounting firms to provide superior services to their clients who are running NetSuite, at no additional cost to the accounting firm or the joint customer. By joining the program, accounting firms gain significant benefits, including the ability to support clients using NetSuite (at their client’s discretion) securely, easily, and remotely, generous training discounts, referral benefits, and more.
PARTNER
TIERS
The primary classification relevant to implementation partner selection is the Solution Providers classification. This is the base program level for NetSuite ERP licensing, implementation, and support, and is where SMC finds its implementation partners. Alliance partners are typically multi-nationals doing implementations on a global scale.
A sample list of Netsuite implementation partners that service the Australia/New Zealand market is shown below. Each has their own mix of industry specialisations, delivery characteristics, pricing structure, and experience, all of which will affect the selection for your implementation project.
One should also consider Oracle Netsuite’s own implementation division – Netsuite Customer Success. They focus on pure Netsuite implementations and draw on a global team in performing their implementations.
RAPIDLY EVALUATE ENTERPRISE SOFTWARE &
IMPLEMENTATION PARTNERS
We help organisations become more streamlined, modern and competitive for the digital era through improved business processes and modern enterprise platforms.
NUMBER OF YEARS IN BUSINESS WITH THE VENDOR
Implementation Partners with lengthier tenure in Australia and New Zealand will typically have better-rounded experience with the vendor’s offerings.
PARTNER TIER
Higher tier usually indicates the capability to implement for larger, more complex organisations, which is not always suitable, or necessary, for smaller or less complex implementations.
CHOOSING YOUR IMPLEMENTATION PARTNER FOR ORACLE NETSUITE
PARTNER
SOLUTIONS
CHOOSING THE RIGHT SOLUTION IS MORE THAN JUST PICKING THE SOFTWARE
NUMBER OF IMPLEMENTATIONS
Aside from more implementations meaning more experience, it is worth determining whether an implementation partner’s claimed implementation count is for full life cycle implementations, or upgrades or just providing support.
NUMBER OF CONSULTANTS
More consultants typically result in better experience with different types of implementations, and related functionality, but when considering the consultant count of a given partner, one should also determine the proportion of those located in your region vs from their global operations, which can be located offshore.
CUSTOM IP
Some implementation partners have a significant software development capability, either in a specific best-of-breed capability, or where customisation is required to enhance the software. Investigate what, if anything, they offer in addition to what the vendor offers. This IP could come in various forms, such as product extensions, documentation, artifacts, accelerators, etc.
LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION AND SUPPORT
Direct physical access to consultants during the implementation and ongoing support phases can be more effective than remote virtual assistance. A modern approach is a hybrid delivery model with a mix of on-site and face to face vs remote.
INDUSTRY SPECIFICATIONS
Most partners will have experience across a large set of industries however some will have their own set of industry specialisations. It is often the case that implementation partners focus on a subset of industries, sometimes just one. The more specialised the better as they won’t be learning on your project.
HOW CAN SMC HELP?
As 100% independent advisors and consultants in enterprise software, we utilise a proven software and implementation partner selection methodology that has been fine-tuned over the past 17 years.
There are five workstreams that span the phases:
- Technology
- Process Improvement
- People and Transformation
- Data and AI
- Governance
WHAT YOU NEED TO CONSIDER
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN SELECTING AND IMPLEMENTATION PARTNER
To identify the most suitable implementation partners on the market for your unique needs, it’s important to go through an interactive and detailed process with many touchpoints throughout. Consider the following:
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE
Look for a partner who has a proven track record of successful solution implementations, particularly in your industry and/or with similar organisations.
The selected implementation partner should have a team of experts who are knowledgeable about the solution and can offer guidance and support throughout the implementation process.
COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION
Effective communication and collaboration is critical to the success of any implementation project. Select an implementation partner who is responsive, accessible, and willing to work closely with your team to understand your needs and goals. The selected implementation partner should also be able to provide regular progress updates and address any concerns or issues that arise during the project.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT SKILLS
A good implementation partner must have strong project management skills, including the ability to develop a clear project plan with timelines, milestones, and deliverables, as well as considering client-side activities.
This also means that the selected implementation partner has the required experienced consultants with capacity to deliver. An experienced resource pool will be able to manage scope changes and risks effectively and keep the project on track to ensure it meets its objectives.
TRAINING AND SUPPORT
The success of a solution implementation depends on your team’s ability to use it effectively. Picking an implementation partner who can provide comprehensive training and support to ensure your team is fully prepared to use the solution is highly recommended.
Take into consideration the ability of the implementation partner to provide ongoing technical support and assistance as needed
FLEXIBILITY AND SCALABILITY
As your organisation’s needs change, so may your solution requirements.
It is important that the implementation partner is flexible and able to adapt to these changes, whether that means accommodating changes to the project plan or scaling their services to meet your evolving needs.
REPUTATION AND REFERENCES
Before selecting an implementation partner, it is important to learn about their reputation in the industry. Appraise user reviews, testimonials, and case studies from previous clients and ask for references that can be contacted directly.
Speak to contacts in your industry about their specific experience with an implementation partner. This helps gauge their level of expertise, quality of work, and ability to deliver results
Oracle Australia has six partner classifications for Netsuite
The classifications are as follows:
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ OUR GUIDE
For inquiries about enterprise software selection and implementation, contact us
