Independent ERP Selection, RFP & Due Diligence
Choosing a new ERP is a multi-year, high-stakes decision — and the vendors aren't neutral. ESS is. With 25+ years implementing IFS, Epicor Prophet 21 and Infor, we run your requirements, RFP, scripted demos and due diligence so you pick the right ERP the first time. We sit on your side of the table.
We implement IFS, Epicor and Infor — so our recommendation is the best fit for you, not the easiest sale for us.
Why ERP Selection Goes Wrong
The most expensive ERP mistake is made before implementation even starts — in how the ERP was chosen.
The vendors aren't neutral
Every demo is a sales pitch tuned to hide the gaps. Without an independent guide, you compare marketing, not fit.
Choosing wrong is expensive
A poor ERP fit means years of workarounds, blown budgets and a re-implementation no one wants to fund twice.
Requirements are fuzzy
Teams jump to demos before agreeing what they actually need — so the decision rides on who demoed best, not what fits.
TCO surprises after signing
Licensing, infrastructure, integration and support costs that weren't on the table emerge once the ink is dry.
A Structured Selection That De-Risks the Decision
Every step has a clear output — so you move faster and decide on evidence.
Requirements & Fit
We define and prioritize your real requirements across operations, finance, service and IT — the basis for an objective comparison.
Shortlist & RFP
We build a realistic shortlist and run an RFP that forces comparable answers — no vague brochure responses.
Scripted Demos & Scoring
Vendors demo your real processes on a consistent script; we score every criterion so the ranking is evidence-based.
Due Diligence & TCO
Total cost of ownership, references, implementation risk and contract terms — so there are no surprises after you sign.
Decision & Roadmap
A clear recommendation and an implementation roadmap — and, if you choose, the same team to deliver it.
Neutral Because We Know All Three — Not Just One
Most "independent" advisors have never implemented the systems they recommend, and most implementers only know one product. ESS is the rare combination: 25+ years actually delivering IFS, Epicor Prophet 21 and Infor. That means our selection advice is neutral and grounded in what each system really takes to run — including where they break.
- Independent advice — we implement IFS, Epicor and Infor, so we don't force-fit one
- 25+ years on both sides of ERP projects
- Requirements, RFP, scripted demos and objective scoring
- Due diligence on TCO, references, risk and contract terms
- Selection advice grounded in real implementation experience
- Seamless path into implementation if you choose ESS to deliver
Neutral
Best fit, not easiest sale
Hands-On
IFS · Epicor · Infor
De-Risked
TCO & due diligence
Continuity
Same team can deliver
Already leaning toward a platform? Explore IFS, Epicor Prophet 21, or Infor — and we'll help you confirm it's the right fit.
ERP Selection — FAQ
What does an ERP selection consultant do?
An ERP selection consultant helps you choose the right ERP before you commit to a multi-year investment. ESS defines and prioritizes your requirements, builds a realistic shortlist, runs the RFP and scripted vendor demos, scores the results objectively, and performs due diligence on cost, fit and implementation risk — so the decision is evidence-based, not sales-driven.
Are you really independent if you also implement these ERPs?
Yes — and it's actually our advantage. Because ESS implements IFS, Epicor Prophet 21 and Infor, we have no incentive to force-fit one product; we recommend the best fit for your business. We've sat on both sides of ERP projects for 25+ years, so our selection advice is grounded in what implementation really takes — not a brochure. Some engagements end with a recommendation we don't implement, and that's fine.
Do you help write the RFP and run vendor demos?
Yes. We translate your requirements into an RFP that gets comparable answers, shortlist vendors, and run scripted demos built around your real processes (not the vendor's canned script) so you compare apples to apples. We score everything on a consistent rubric so the shortlist ranks on evidence.
What does ERP due diligence cover?
Total cost of ownership (licensing, implementation, infrastructure and ongoing support), implementation risk, reference checks, fit-gap analysis, and a review of contract and licensing terms. The goal is no surprises after you sign — on cost, timeline or capability.
How long does ERP selection take?
ERP selection is a deliberately careful process — typically weeks to a few months depending on scope and stakeholders — because the cost of choosing wrong is high. A structured process compresses it and, more importantly, de-risks it: you move faster because every step has a clear output and decision.
What if we already know which ERP we want?
We can validate that choice with a focused fit and due-diligence review — confirming it's right and surfacing risks before you commit — or move straight into implementation. Once you've chosen, the same ESS team can deliver it, with no handoff to a stranger.
Choose Your Next ERP With Confidence
Tell us where you are — just starting to look, or down to a shortlist. We'll bring an independent, experienced eye and a structured process to get you to the right decision.