When Choosing The Right Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner, Size Does Matter

Some are too small, some are too big and some are just right.  Here’s a tip on how to choose a Microsoft Dynamics GP partner or VAR  - make sure you ask 2 questions about size:

1)    What size companies do you typically work with as clients?

2)    What size organization are you?

Neither question has just one right answer – it all depends on what is right for you as the client. For example, say you are a small distribution company in Connecticut looking to upgrade from an old proprietary system to Microsoft Dynamics GP.   It would probably not be in your best interests to choose a large national Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner who is squeezing you in as a small deal in between working with Fortune 500 clients.  Not only will they not give you their full attention, they likely just won’t know the best way to work with a company your size.  Employees at small companies have different roles, different concerns and different work styles.  You need to choose a VAR that understands this. Don’t just ask them if they have experience working with companies in your industry, ask them to prove they have experience working with companies your size.

How many employees does the software reseller/partner have? Again, there is no single right answer here.  A very small VAR organization with just one or two employees might focus on just one project at a time and give you VIP treatment, boutique style.  But then again, what happens when they move on to a new client?  Will you get the attention you want? Will there always be someone in the office to answer your Great Plains support calls?  I think it is better to look for a Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner that has enough employees to have dedicated project managers, an internal support team, and an onsite development team. But not too many people because then there is too much red tape and not enough personal attention. I think a VAR that has about, say, 18 employees (hey, just like CAL Business Solutions) sounds just right! We are small enough to still care about each and every new client, but large enough to support all your needs as the largest Microsoft GP Partner in Connecticut.

A point in this independent Nucleus Research report on the ROI of Microsoft Dynamics GP reinforces this:

“Most companies were very satisfied with the consulting partner they used to implement the solution; however, some companies found their needs would have been better met by an implementation partner that focused on working with customers more similar to them in size. For example, one customer using a large

consulting organization found that although its consultants were able to effectively manage the deployment and deliver results, they weren’t “low end” enough to support ongoing questions or challenges that came up after the initial deployment – so the company switched to a smaller organizations for ongoing needs.

Organizations considering a Microsoft Dynamics GP deployment should keep in mind that their implementation partner requires careful consideration as well. Checking references with similar scale and scope of deployment and establishing how much ongoing support will be delivered before you begin will help you to manage expectations and consulting expenses appropriately.”

If you are a small to medium sized company (10-240 employees) located in Connecticut or Massachusetts, CAL Business Solutions is the right size partner for you.

By CAL Business Solutions, Connecticut Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner.