Turn Shortlists Into Confident Decisions
Selecting enterprise software and an implementation partner is one of the most consequential decisions your organisation will make. Select & Negotiate gives your leadership team confidence in that decision, ensuring progress and value, not rework, waste or disruption.
We run an independent, data-driven evaluation of software and delivery partners, grounded in your business requirements and future-state processes. We then negotiate commercial agreements that reflect how your organisation will actually operate, scale and change over time.
The result is a defensible selection, stronger commercial outcomes, and fewer surprises once delivery begins.
Working with SMC during our ERP vendor selection at Luxury Escapes was a genuinely smooth and well-run experience. They coordinated multiple vendors seamlessly, kept communication clear and efficient at every stage, and acted as a strong partner throughout the evaluation process. Their support during vendor negotiations was particularly valuable, helping us navigate commercial discussions with confidence and clarity. SMC made what could have been a complex process feel structured, calm, and well controlled.
Michael Brockway
Head of Finance Transformation
We engaged SMC to support us through the selection of a new ERP system during an exceptionally demanding period for our organization. With a very tight timeline, limited internal availability, and a high degree of uncertainty around our future ERP needs, this was not a straightforward process. Thanks to SMC's structured approach and readily available templates, we were able to navigate the selection process efficiently and arrive at a well-informed decision. Beyond the immediate outcome, this work has given our team greater confidence in our direction, and a clearer view of how our ERP will support our growth moving forward. We highly recommend SMC to any organisation facing a complex ERP decision.
Agnes Schaffer
Director, Financial Planning and Projects
My experience with SMC has been positive. The RFP and market research were well executed, with a solid understanding of our business requirements.
Mat Wraith
IT Manager
We found the entire SMC team to be responsive, professional and friendly. It was a great team to work with and we would definitely consider SMC again in the future.
Nicola Cowley
Group Manager, Business Improvement
For Organisations Selecting Software or Partners
If your organisation is experiencing:
- Too many software options and conflicting vendor advice
- Difficulty comparing proposals on a like-for-like basis
- Limited internal experience with enterprise software selection or negotiation
- Concern about long-term cost, contractual exposure or delivery risk
- Pressure to commit before confidence is established
Select & Negotiate can help you achieve:
- Objective, defensible software and partner decisions
- Clear alignment between business requirements and solution fit
- Reduced commercial and implementation risk
- Stronger outcomes across licence and implementation costs
- Confidence before major contracts are signed
From Best Option to Best Value
Software Selection
Software Selection turns your prioritised business requirements and future-state processes into a clear, objective selection decision. Scope is confirmed upfront, typically covering ERP, CRM, HRIS or other core enterprise systems and their delivery partners.
We run a structured evaluation to identify a best-fit shortlist, assess functional and delivery fit, and compare commercial proposals at a high level. The outcome is an independent, evidence-based recommendation, supported by SMC’s SelectionCoach platform, that leadership can approve with confidence.
Vendor Negotiation
Vendor Negotiation secures commercial agreements that reflect how your organisation will operate now and in the future. We define negotiation priorities and leverage, then represent your interests throughout discussions.
Negotiations focus on subscription pricing, implementation fees and scope clarity, where most long-term cost and delivery risk sit. We apply market insight to identify gaps and risks before contracts are signed, so implementation begins with clear expectations and control.
An Integral Phase in Digital Transformation Success
Select & Negotiate is a core phase in the SMC Services Model. Its purpose is to ensure decision quality and commercial outcomes are protected before implementation begins.
This phase connects strategy to delivery by aligning software, partners and contracts to your operating model, priorities and risk appetite, setting the conditions for controlled execution rather than recovery.
Strategy & Roadmap
Set clear direction and priorities before committing to change.
Select & Negotiate
Make critical vendor decisions with confidence and achieve optimal commercial outcomes.
Plan & Implement
Plan and ready your organisation the right way, minimise disruption and realise the expected benefits.
Review & Optimise
Improve performance and extract more value from what’s in place.
The Independent Insights You Need Before Committing to Change
Once contracts are signed, options narrow and leverage reduces. For organisations operating in complex, regulated and resource-constrained environments, a poor selection or weak contract can shape outcomes for years, sometimes decades.
SMC’s Select & Negotiate phase ensures clarity, independence and commercial discipline before commitment, so software, partners and agreements support delivery, adoption and long-term value.
The industries and sectors SMC works across.
In-depth, practical guides developed by SMC experts to support informed decision-making.
Explore independent insights and practical guidance on leading ERP and enterprise platforms.