ERP Implementation Checklist: How to Choose the Right Partner for Retail and Distribution
A good ERP rollout is more about process discipline than features. Use this checklist to compare vendors and reduce go-live risk.
1) Define measurable outcomes
Target metrics such as inventory accuracy, order cycle time, perfect order rate, and days sales outstanding. Tie every requirement back to one of these KPIs.
2) Map current processes and pain points
Document how you purchase, receive, pick, pack, ship, and invoice today. Identify manual spreadsheets, double entry, and where approvals stall.
3) Verify industry fit
Confirm support for multi-warehouse stock, batches, expiry, barcode standards, GST or local tax rules, and omnichannel orders (store, marketplace, and web) without custom code.
4) Check integrations first
List must-have connectors: POS, ecommerce platforms, marketplaces, payment gateways, and accounting. Ask for native integrations and latency or throughput guarantees for order sync.
5) Demand a data migration plan
Who will cleanse SKUs, map units of measure, and import historical sales? Ensure test migrations are scheduled before UAT with validation reports you can sign off on.
6) Separate configuration from customization
Prefer configuration for pricing rules, approvals, and workflows. Custom code should be limited, version-controlled, and documented with an upgrade policy.
7) Evaluate controls and audit
Look for role-based access, maker-checker for adjustments, audit trails on master data, and alerts on stock or finance variances.
8) Lock in timeline, responsibilities, and change management
Document RACI across discovery, build, UAT, training, and cutover. Ensure a change champion in each department and weekly steering check-ins.
9) Plan training and go-live support
Schedule role-based training, sandbox access, and quick-reference SOPs. During go-live, insist on floor support, rollback triggers, and a stabilization window with rapid fixes.
10) Model total cost of ownership
Price licenses, cloud infra, integrations, migrations, support, and future modules. Compare a 3-year TCO instead of just year one.
11) Track success after launch
Review the KPIs from step one monthly. Create dashboards for fulfillment SLA, returns, aging inventory, and invoice collection so you can adjust workflows.
Questions to ask every vendor
- Show a reference customer in our industry and region.
- What is your average time-to-first-value for companies our size?
- How do you handle version upgrades when customizations exist?
- What SLAs back your support, and how are incidents prioritized?
Red flags
- Custom code required for basic inventory, tax, or order syncing.
- No written migration playbook or sample validation reports.
- Pricing only per user without infra, connectors, or support included.
A good ERP rollout is more about process discipline than features. Use this checklist to compare vendors and reduce go-live risk.
1) Define measurable outcomes
Target metrics such as inventory accuracy, order cycle time, perfect order rate, and days sales outstanding. Tie every requirement back to one of these KPIs.
2) Map current processes and pain points
Document how you purchase, receive, pick, pack, ship, and invoice today. Identify manual spreadsheets, double entry, and where approvals stall.
3) Verify industry fit
Confirm support for multi-warehouse stock, batches, expiry, barcode standards, GST or local tax rules, and omnichannel orders (store, marketplace, and web) without custom code.
4) Check integrations first
List must-have connectors: POS, ecommerce platforms, marketplaces, payment gateways, and accounting. Ask for native integrations and latency or throughput guarantees for order sync.
5) Demand a data migration plan
Who will cleanse SKUs, map units of measure, and import historical sales? Ensure test migrations are scheduled before UAT with validation reports you can sign off on.
6) Separate configuration from customization
Prefer configuration for pricing rules, approvals, and workflows. Custom code should be limited, version-controlled, and documented with an upgrade policy.
7) Evaluate controls and audit
Look for role-based access, maker-checker for adjustments, audit trails on master data, and alerts on stock or finance variances.
8) Lock in timeline, responsibilities, and change management
Document RACI across discovery, build, UAT, training, and cutover. Ensure a change champion in each department and weekly steering check-ins.
9) Plan training and go-live support
Schedule role-based training, sandbox access, and quick-reference SOPs. During go-live, insist on floor support, rollback triggers, and a stabilization window with rapid fixes.
10) Model total cost of ownership
Price licenses, cloud infra, integrations, migrations, support, and future modules. Compare a 3-year TCO instead of just year one.
11) Track success after launch
Review the KPIs from step one monthly. Create dashboards for fulfillment SLA, returns, aging inventory, and invoice collection so you can adjust workflows.
Questions to ask every vendor
- Show a reference customer in our industry and region.
- What is your average time-to-first-value for companies our size?
- How do you handle version upgrades when customizations exist?
- What SLAs back your support, and how are incidents prioritized?
Red flags
- Custom code required for basic inventory, tax, or order syncing.
- No written migration playbook or sample validation reports.
- Pricing only per user without infra, connectors, or support included.