Looking for a Partner in Automation? 6 “Non-negotiables” That Will Point You in the Right Direction

We’re all looking for the right partner is life. And often times, that search for the right fit turns into a journey … or a saga, in some cases. However, when you know the most important things you’re looking for in a partner — the non-negotiables that you aren’t willing to compromise on — it’s much easier to narrow down your options and make the best choice for you.

Wait, you didn’t think I was talking about romantic partners … did you? I apologize. I should have been clearer. I’m talking about picking out the right solution partner for automating your business’s back-office processes. Choosing an automation solution is about more than analyzing technology performance — it’s about finding a tool that addresses your unique needs and having a proactive, supportive partner that makes sure you’re getting exactly what you need out of the solution. So, with it being Valentine’s Day and all, it seems like the perfect time to talk about what Esker feels are six “non-negotiable” characteristics of a best-in-class solution and partner.

1. Intuitive interface

No matter how to slice it, learning a new tool or solution can be overwhelming. The best way to make sure your managers and staff are able to learn the technology quickly, and without extensive training, is to have a solution that’s simple, intuitive and easy to figure out on one’s own. Likewise for your customers and suppliers: onboarding them to use your automation solution will be much less of a hassle when they can understand its functions without any (or very little) training. You should always make sure to try a demo of a solution before committing to one partner … (kind of like how you should Google someone before a first date).

2. Security and compliance

The rules are always changing. Whether that be federal regulations, state regulations or just internal compliance for company employees. To make sure you’re not left in the dust every time one of these rules or regulations morphs, you need a solution that ensures compliance both internally and externally.

3. Ability to consolidate into one platform

Complexity is the bane of existence for all relationships, including the relationship with your solution provider. Having several different solutions for all of your procure-to-pay (P2P) and order-to-cash- (O2C) processes may seem exciting to some … but it mostly just sounds stressful. When you find a solution that can automate all of your P2P and O2C processes in a single platform, you reap the benefits of getting to look at the performance of all your P2P and O2C processes in a single pane of glass. There’s no jumping around to different screens and technologies: it’s all right there for you on a single screen, in a single automated platform, delivering end-to-end standardization, collaboration and consistency.

4. Scalability and multi-ERP integration

It’s safe to say that most businesses have the goal of growth, amirite? In today’s highly competitive business environment, many organizations are expanding through mergers and acquisitions (M&As). Unfortunately, success comes at a cost. Growth via M&A activity often involves absorbing disparate ERP applications, which, over time, can create significant inefficiencies. Solutions that integrate with any/multiple ERPs make it easy to grow through M&A activity while enabling businesses to handle demand fluctuations without having to add headcount.

5. Agile methodology

There’s nothing worse than getting months into a relationship and realizing that the end product is not at all what you were hoping for. That’s why you should always look for a partner that uses an agile approach. Agile methodology allows customers to make decisions on priority, re-evaluate their priorities at iterative stages in the project, and then adjust priorities as their perception of value changes with the use of the software/SaaS solution being implemented and new features are considered. It makes it so much easier to make adjustment as you go, and ensure that your team is getting all the functionalities it needs to achieve best results.

6. Customer support

This one applies for both romantic and solution partners: you need a partner that’s reliable, consistent, patient, will listen and understand you fully, help you through your most stressful times, and be there to celebrate your victories. Customer support is a major factor in choosing a solution partner. Their dedication to you and your company should be obvious, and if it’s not, then it’s time for you to move on to the next option! (That’s also what I tell all my single friends.)

Good relationships take time

Partner relationships are important — no matter what kind. Take the time you need to evaluate your options and choose what’s best for YOU, no one else! (More great dating advice from Esker, you’re welcome.)