Te Finance & Business Guide - brought to you by APL Media • Wednesday 22 October 2025


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To go alone or partner


Do companies really need an implementation partner for ERP systems? The short answer is a resounding yes


Today’s ERP systems are designed to give businesses the most leading edge possible. Combining AI- powered automation, flexible cloud scalability, smart analytics, future- proofed evergreen architecture and strong security, they seek to support growth in fast-moving and highly competitive markets. Embracing an ERP system is however a new challenge altogether; one that requires a partnership of expert assistance and guidance as an integral part of seeing the whole as a solution — not as an optional service along the way. It’s easy to be tempted to go it


alone, but this is nearly always a mistake. A business only knows what


it knows, vested interests often result in resistance to change and then there’s the day job of the business to operate and shareholders to satisfy.


SO, WHERE DO YOU BEGIN? Sound advice is to start even before a change of ERP system is on the horizon by securing stakeholder buy-in and fostering and rewarding a transparent culture of innovation and data-driven decisions. At the very least, this will highlight pain points to be addressed when choosing a new ERP system, but it will also set the business up for maximised success with an army of ambassadors and change agents when the time comes. With AI becoming essential to survival — never mind bringing a competitive edge — yet causing increasing anxieties among workforces about their job security,


Start even before a change of ERP system is on the horizon by securing stakeholder buy-in and fostering a transparent culture of innovation


never has such a culture been more important. Sometimes the ability to start


planning so far ahead is a luxury that doesn’t exist, but whether it does or it doesn’t, also setting up the business for maximised success is choosing a partner for the ages; forming a trusted relationship of outside perspective with inside knowledge at all levels of the business. An empowered extension of the in-house team rather than a vendor of services.


THE NEXT QUESTION THEN BECOMES HOW TO CHOOSE SUCH A PARTNER? Here, culture is again the watchword, but this time, four values stand out as those to look for. Proven integrity, sustainability, empathy and empowerment. Four human values that are the foundation of trust and the ability to bring about change. Ask a partner tough questions — the questions you think that it might be uncomfortable answering — and if it answers concisely according to these values, you’ll be off to a good start. Questions don’t stop just with the partner though; don’t be afraid to ask for reference calls or visits with their customers in industries aligned with your own. Look for the same values in these customers. This will tell you a lot about the partner and whether they’re true to what


they say they are or simply out to take any business.


NOW YOU HAVE YOUR PARTNER, WHAT COMES NEXT? Take advantage of their knowledge and experience to start with what you’d like the business to be at a point in the future and then work backwards to today, thinking how process efficiency and effectiveness can be maximised by the intelligent use of tools and people. In today’s world, the talk is of AI as the answer to everything, but the reality is it being an immensely powerful toolset to allow your employees to work more effectively. Those who are smart realise that customer first (which isn’t the same as customer only) leads to enduring success and that AI done properly is a vital component of it. With all this in place, now you’re


ready to think about your ERP system implementation or upgrade, secure in the knowledge that strong foundations exist.


ABOUT PLATNED Platned is a global IFS Gold Services Partner delivering expert support across industries including manufacturing, services, energy, utilities, resources and construction. Whether you require full-scale implementation, managed services or automation solutions, Platned ensures you get maximum value from IFS Cloud (ERP, EAM and FSM) deployments.


For further information


T: 020 3011 5777 E: info@platned.com Visit: platned.com


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