If you are reading this, you have discovered that the process of implementing ERP software, like Dynamics NAV, is full of intricacies and stresses. A Dynamics NAV implementation touches every area of your business, from your employees to your profit margin.
That’s why Dynamics NAV customers hire software solutions partners. Dynamics NAV partners have the in-house talent, knowledgeable resources, and extensive experience to plan, build, test, install, train, and support your new ERP solution.
The trouble is, not every partner is built the same. Dynamics NAV is one of the most installed mid-market ERP systems around the world. It has been on the market for years, and as a result, its partner ecosystem is vast. While every Dynamics NAV partner may sell the same service on paper, not every partner delivers the same outcome.
The Dynamics NAV partner you have chosen to streamline your business processes and improve employee productivity could deliver what they promised – or they could cost you millions of dollars in project delays. Unfortunately, you don’t know you made the wrong decision until the project itself starts costing you more time, resources, and business disruption than projected.
The Road to Dynamics NAV Project Failure
The eye-opening reality is that Dynamics NAV implementations fail all the time. In fact, 99% of our existing Dynamics NAV customers are considered rescues. Although there are thousands of reasons why a project can go askew when the stakes are so high, we’ve noticed a pattern over the past decade.
In one of our recent blog posts, “6 Signs Your Dynamics NAV Implementation is in Trouble,” we outlined the most common signs of failure. Constant delays and missed milestones are a huge red flag, but there are other areas like lack of communication, inconsistent data quality, and unnecessary customizations that also indicate there are major issues happening with your implementation project.
Unless your company is in complete disarray, delayed milestones, cost overages, and general confusion are most often caused by the partner responsible for running the show. Without the product background or experience working with large-scale ERP software projects, you have to rely on a partner for guidance, knowledge, and help. A good partner should be able to tell you when something is running behind and why, working with you to resolve the specific issue. There should be upfront information sharing, and you should feel confident every step of the way.
Now, this is where we get into the stickier part of the conversation. We’re not saying that a partner is the only person to blame in an enterprise software implementation failure. But, in every Dynamics NAV rescue we have been involved in, there is a clear incompatibility between the customer and partner. With so many moving parts, people involved, and money on the line, this incompatibility can stem from anywhere.
5 Signs Your Partner Has Outgrown You
When many of our Dynamics NAV rescue customers came to us in the beginning, they were experiencing similar problems with delays, costs, customizations, and collaboration. The problem was that in their time of need, the partner was nowhere to be found. As a result, many customers often refer to this experience as their partner “outgrowing them.”
When you’re no longer a priority in the eyes of your partner, you’re better off moving on. It’s the only way to complete your project and deploy Dynamics NAV successfully, and to be fully supported with it’s use in the future.
Here are the five major signs that you need to consider a new Dynamics NAV partner:
- They’ve stopped taking your calls and making you a priority.
- They have pushed solutions you don’t need or may not be ready to consume.
- They don’t fix your problems or address your concerns.
- There is pressure to spend more money, extend the project, and customize your solution beyond your budget or need.
- Your implementation has come to a stop without meeting expectations.
Each of these signs can have a devastating impact on your existing Dynamics NAV project. And it’s not just money and time – these issues with your partner can influence the well-being of your employees and the quality of your data.
8 Ways to Know It’s Time for a New Dynamics NAV Partner
99% of our existing Dynamics NAV customer base are considered rescues. From missed deadlines to business disruption, find out how to avoid ERP software implementation failure. This whitepaper will help you identify the signs of failure and decide on your next best course of action in order to successfully implement Dynamics NAV in your business.
Get a Second Opinion of Your Dynamics NAV System
When a person gets the advice of more than one professional, it’s called a second opinion. It’s regularly used in healthcare, when your doctor recommends surgery, or your current treatment is not working. The point is, a second opinion is used to gain confidence in the decision made by an expert. So, why not do the same for your Dynamics NAV solution?
Think about it. Your business has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in a business management solution designed for operational efficiency and enhanced production. You’ve relied on one partner to get you there, but now you’re starting to see cracks in the foundation.
All too often, we meet Dynamics NAV customers who have been having problems with their partner and the system for far too long. Before you get hit with costly delays and overages, we highly recommend getting a second opinion of your Dynamics NAV system. This temperature check will tell you if everything was setup correctly in the beginning and assess how you are optimizing the solution for your business. At the very least, a second opinion will give you the reassuring thumbs up you are hoping for.
And if you’re thinking of upgrading to a newer version, or moving to Dynamics 365 Business Central, you’ll want to be sure that everything in your current system is working and working properly. Don’t port over trouble, solve it with a Second Opinion today!