From SCM (supply chain management) to HR to accounting, ERP software specialists can help you streamline the flow of information throughout your organization, keeping everyone on the same page.
So how do you hire ERP software specialists? What follows are some tips for finding top ERP software specialists on Upwork.
How to shortlist ERP software professionals
As you’re browsing available ERP software consultants, it can be helpful to develop a shortlist of the professionals you may want to interview. You can screen profiles on criteria such as:
- Industry fit. You want an ERP software specialist who understands the nuances of setting up business processes within your industry.
- Project experience. Screen candidate profiles for specific skills and experience (e.g., experience working with SAP Business One for small businesses).
- Feedback. Check reviews from past clients for glowing testimonials or red flags that can tell you what it’s like to work with a particular ERP software specialist.
How to write an effective ERP software job post
With a clear picture of your ideal ERP software specialist in mind, it’s time to write that job post. Although you don’t need a full job description as you would when hiring an employee, aim to provide enough detail for a freelancer to know if they’re the right fit for the project.
An effective ERP software job post should include:
- Scope of work: From business intelligence dashboards to process automation, list all the deliverables you’ll need.
- Project length: Your job post should indicate whether this is a smaller or larger project.
- Background: If you prefer experience with certain industries, business processes, or ERP software, mention this here.
- Budget: Set a budget and note your preference for hourly rates vs. fixed-price contracts.
Ready to integrate and automate your business processes? Log in and post your ERP software job on Upwork today.
ERP Software Specialists FAQs
What is ERP software?
ERP (enterprise resource planning) software provides businesses with a single integrated system for managing and automating common business processes such as CRM (customer relationship management), HR (human resources), and accounting.
Here’s a quick overview of the skills you should look for in ERP software professionals:
- ERP software (e.g., SAP ERP, Microsoft Dynamics, Odoo)
- Business analysis
- Project management
- Business process expertise (e.g., HR, sales, IT)
Why do you want to hire ERP software specialists?
The trick to finding top ERP software specialists is to identify your needs. Are you trying to integrate information workflows between IT, sales, and marketing to enable better business intelligence reporting? Is there a particular ERP software you need help implementing such as Microsoft Dynamics? The cost of your project will depend largely on your scope of work and the specific skills needed to bring your project to life.
How much does it cost to hire an ERP software specialist?
Rates can vary due to many factors, including expertise and experience, location, and market conditions.
- An experienced ERP software specialist may command higher fees but also work faster, have more-specialized areas of expertise, and deliver higher-quality work.
- A freelancer who is still in the process of building a client base may price their ERP software services more competitively.
Which one is right for you will depend on the specifics of your project.
How long should you contract an ERP software specialist to complete your project?
As difficult as it is to estimate how long it takes to implement an ERP solution, budgeting time is very important to keeping your project on track.
Be prepared to budget more time for more-demanding ERP software projects. For example, setting up ERP for a single business process such as CRM will typically take less time than mapping your entire business to a comprehensive ERP solution.
What are the steps involved to hire ERP software specialists?
Here’s how to hire ERP software consultants in four simple steps:
- Identify your project needs, whether it’s business intelligence reporting or IT automation.
- Define the scope of work and write a detailed job post. Be specific about deliverables (e.g., building an automated onboarding workflow through SAP HR).
- Review proposals and shortlist potential ERP software specialists for unique skills needed to bring your project to life (e.g., test automation with Oracle ERP Cloud).
- Interview ERP software talent to gauge whether they’re the right fit for your project. Here are some sample interview questions.