Starting the search for new accounting or ERP software can be daunting. Finance leaders need to understand their business’s processes, learn about different software vendors, and then figure out how to best implement the chosen software to suit their individual company; we dive into this further in "A Pocket Guide for Choosing the Right ERP Software". In the midst of so many decisions, choosing a partner who makes implementation look the tidiest can be tempting for leaders who just want the project to be over.
A typical Sage Intacct software implementation costs about 1-2x the amount of the Sage Intacct software package—check out our Sage Intacct pricing page for more information. This upfront project cost makes bundling implementation services seem like a simple way to organize and present project deliverables in a neat package with straightforward pricing. On the surface, bundles appear to be transparent, inclusive, and easy… until you uncover something out of scope or not itemized in the package you’ve selected. Simply stated, service package bundles work until they don’t.
It’s a phrase that started in carpentry but a concept that we apply to all of our client engagements. Your time is your most valuable resource and we respect that by delivering precise, fixed-fee engagements, built on information learned from the early sales discovery stages through detailed scoping. We intentionally introduce our consulting team during this scoping exercise so you know exactly who your project's lead consultant will be. Then, we collaboratively review the SOW preparation with your team before client acceptance. We complete the discovery process through a purposeful transition from sales to services during the project kickoff. Mutual accountability begins here. The Statement of Work that our consultant prepares clearly defines our engagement, effort and fee, including what is in-scope, out-of-scope, and future-phase to avoid surprises and worse yet, dreaded Change Orders.
By documenting all project milestones and achievements in the SOW, our deliverables, roles, and timing are clearly defined. Detailed Statements of Work and fixed-fee engagements share the burden of risk and criticality of success between RKL and your project team, ensuring that we are just as invested in a positive outcome as you are. Here is where bundling often falls short. The cookie-cutter approach to complex software implementation fails to take into account the unique needs and processes of each business, forcing the client to realign their processes to the software rather than the other way around. This puts the majority of the risk on the client and limits the accountability of the partner.
Matt Rohrer, our PMO Manager and Todd Parsons, a Sr. Solutions Architect for Sage Intacct discuss the RKL eSolutions Sage implementation process, sharing tips, common mistakes and their advice on how to ensure that your implementation meets all of your goals.
Finally, when interviewing Sage Intacct partners, always ask about a post-implementation plan. What does training look like? What happens when a problem comes up? What resources does the partner offer to support the long term success of your business? We know your project success and investment at Sage doesn’t end upon go-live. In fact, your Sage Intacct journey is just beginning. As Sage continues its aggressive quarterly release frequency with new usability enhancements, product features, and AI capabilities, our role at RKL is to make sure you are prepared and ready to optimize these new releases. Our consulting team creates quarterly webinars to educate our clients on what’s new in Sage Intacct along with tips and tricks that leverage each new release along with a series of period end close webinars every December for in-cycle first-timers and clients that need a refresher. We also offer subscription-style service plans at three different levels so you’re covered for support, training and growth for the life of our partnership.
Success for our clients starts with our sales process, beginning with the discovery and qualification to proof-of-concept presentation through the detailed scoping and SOW preparation. At each phase, the RKL staff exhibits a clear understanding of your requirements, presenting proven solutions, and focused on your project success metrics.