Article

Smooth Your Dynamics GP Implementation Process with the Best Consultant for You

by Mark Polino
Director of Client Services, Fastpath, Integrated Business Group

Companies spend a ton of money on new hires. They want to get it just right. Candidates are put through a gauntlet of interviews and background checks. Then there are the assessment tests and oddball questions designed to figure out how you think. All of that just for the mail room hire!

When a company decides to improve its ERP package, the approach is similar. Executives build long lists of questions around software functionality. They strive to find the most approprate package, say Microsoft Dynamics GP. They look for a reputable partner with a proven track record of successful implementations. Then they take whatever consultant the vendor sends out. Oops!

The Microsoft Dynamics GP ecosystem is full of great partners and great consultants, but not every consultant is good fit for every business. It's important for companies to understand how to get the best consultant for their needs. You'll notice I didn't say the best consultant, period. Like everything in life, there are trade-offs.

If you're going to court for a traffic ticket, you wouldn't assemble O.J. Simpson's dream team of lawyers. This same logic applies to your Dynamics GP consultant. So how does a company get the best consultant for its needs? Here are a few suggestions:

  • Companies should ask to interview the consultant before a kick-off meeting. Find out if they have the right experience. In an ideal world, a consultant has experience in the company's industry, and while that is not always possible, industry or related industry experience can be a big plus. Even if that's not possible, companies should look for someone with a broad range of experience across multiple industries, since this is often helpful for bringing in new ideas.

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About Mark Polino

Mark Polino is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a former Microsoft MVP (2007-2018) for Business Solutions. He is the author or coauthor of 5 books related to Microsoft Dynamics GP.  Mark also maintains the Dynamics GP focused website DynamicAccounting.net. He speaks and writes regularly about ERP related topics. Mark has been a controller and CFO for a division of a publicly traded company and he has  worked as a consultant implementing ERP solutions. Mark holds additional certifications including Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP), Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) , Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). Dynamics Credentialed Professional for Dynamics GP 2015 (Core Install and Core Financials), Xero Certified. He holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Central Florida and an MBA from Rollins College. Mark lives with his family in Florida.

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