ERP Selection and Vendor Choice: What The Shortlist Report Finds ================================================================ Question: Who helps choose between ERP systems? Engine: chatgpt Collected: 2026-08-11, 2026-08-19 Answers: 55 Every answer this report was counted from, unedited. --- ANSWER 1 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Who can help us choose between NetSuite, Sage Intacct and Dynamics? If you’re trying to choose between NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and Microsoft Dynamics 365, I’d strongly recommend bringing in an independent, vendor-neutral ERP advisor rather than asking any one of the three vendors or their implementation partners to make the decision for you. That distinction matters: independent advisors can run requirements discovery, build a shortlist, manage an RFP/demo process, and compare total cost and fit; implementation partners are generally aligned to a particular platform. Who I’d look for 1. Independent ERP selection consultant — best option No financial incentive to sell NetSuite, Sage, or Dynamics. Interviews finance, operations, sales, IT, etc. Documents your requirements and pain points. Runs standardized demos so you compare the same scenarios across vendors. Builds a weighted scorecard and TCO model. Can negotiate with vendors on your behalf. 2. Large accounting/consulting firm — good if the project is substantial Firms such as RSM, BDO, and similar middle-market advisors can be useful if you need accounting/process expertise as well as ERP selection. For example, RSM has practices spanning NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and ERP advisory. The important question is whether the specific team is genuinely vendor-neutral during selection, rather than steering you toward the platform they implement most. 3. Vendor implementation partner — use after you've narrowed the choice Once you've decided, bring in 2–3 implementation partners for the chosen ERP and have them compete for the implementation. I would not let a NetSuite-only, Sage-only, or Dynamics-only partner determine which ERP you should buy. The three are actually quite different A current independent comparison characterizes the choice roughly this way: If your priority is…I'd investigate first Strong financial management, reporting, multi-entity accountingSage Intacct Broad ERP covering finance + inventory + operations + CRM/e-commerceNetSuite Deep Microsoft ecosystem, complex operations, flexibility/customizationDynamics 365 NetSuite is generally the broader operational ERP, while Intacct is more finance-centric. If you want, I can help you find the right advisor If you tell me (1) your industry, (2) approximate annual revenue, (3) number of entities/users, (4) current accounting/ERP system, and (5) where you're located, I can research 5–10 independent ERP-selection firms that have experience with all three and narrow them down based on your situation. --- ANSWER 2 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Which consultants run an independent ERP selection process? Yes. If by “independent ERP selection process” you mean a consultant who works for the buyer, is vendor-neutral, and can run the process from requirements → RFP → demos → scoring → recommendation without being paid to sell a particular ERP, there are several firms worth considering. Strong candidates ConsultantBest fitIndependence / selection workPanorama Consulting GroupMid-market to enterpriseVendor-neutral ERP selection, requirements, evaluation, implementation oversight. Panorama Consulting GroupThird Stage Consulting GroupMid-market & enterprise, complex transformationsIndependent, vendor-agnostic ERP selection and implementation advisory. ERP ResearchUltra ConsultantsManufacturing & distributionIndependent ERP selection specialist, particularly strong in manufacturing. ERP ResearchLightbridge ERPMid-market & enterpriseExplicitly vendor-neutral; no vendor kickbacks, reseller quotas, or partner incentives. Runs needs assessment and ERP selection. Lightbridge ERP+1John Hannan LLCManufacturing, distribution, life sciencesSpecifically offers independent selection: requirements, RFP, shortlist, scripted demos, scoring, TCO and implementation-partner selection. John Hannan LLCJanvoriaMid-market, multiple industriesClaims vendor-neutral advisory with selection, evaluation and implementation management. Janvoria A broader directory currently identifies 24+ independent/vendor-neutral ERP advisory firms, including firms such as Panorama, Third Stage, Ultra, Nucleus Research, ERPFocus and others. ERP Research The ones I'd investigate first If you're actually buying an ERP, rather than just researching consultants, I'd narrow it to: Panorama — established, relatively comprehensive selection methodology. Third Stage — particularly attractive if you want strong executive-level advice and implementation-risk management. Lightbridge ERP — interesting if strict independence is your primary criterion; they explicitly state they take no vendor kickbacks or referral fees. John Hannan LLC — worth a look if you want a more hands-on RFP/dem/scoring/TCO process rather than a large consulting engagement. The key distinction I'd make when interviewing them is “independent selection” vs. “implementation partner that also helps you select.” The latter can look independent while ultimately having a commercial interest in getting the implementation work. If you tell me your company size, industry, geography, and ERP candidates you're considering (e.g. SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Dynamics 365, Infor, Acumatica), I can narrow this to the 5 best-fit independent firms and compare their selection methodologies, likely fees, and conflicts of interest. --- ANSWER 3 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Who advises on ERP requirements gathering before we buy? Before buying an ERP, you generally want an independent, vendor-neutral ERP selection/advisory consultant—not an implementation reseller. They can help with: Mapping your current business processes Running stakeholder requirements workshops Separating must-haves vs. nice-to-haves Documenting functional and non-functional requirements Building an RFI/RFP and demo scripts Creating a vendor shortlist Running fit-gap evaluations and scoring Comparing total cost and implementation risk Supporting negotiations and the final selection That distinction matters: independent advisers work for you during selection, while vendor-aligned partners typically make their money implementing a particular ERP. ERP Research+1 Firms worth looking at A few established examples of independent ERP-selection advisers include: Panorama Consulting Group — vendor-neutral ERP selection and implementation oversight. Third Stage Consulting Group — independent ERP selection and digital-transformation advisory. Ultra Consultants — particularly strong for manufacturing/distribution. ERP Advisors Group — mid-market ERP selection and advisory. Technology Evaluation Centers (TEC) — ERP/software evaluation and selection. EGroup — requirements analysis, RFP development, demos and vendor selection. ERP Research You can also look at Ultra Consultants' ERP selection services to see what a typical engagement actually covers. My recommendation: hire the adviser before talking seriously to ERP vendors. Ideally, they produce a requirements/scorecard package that vendors must respond to, rather than letting each salesperson define the requirements around their own product. If you tell me your company size, industry, approximate users, and which ERP systems you're considering (if any), I can narrow this to 3–5 advisers that are a good fit and explain what you should expect to pay. --- ANSWER 4 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Which firms are vendor-neutral on ERP selection? If by vendor-neutral you mean an advisor that does not earn referral fees, commissions, or implementation revenue from the ERP vendor it recommends, there are several credible firms worth considering. Strong candidates FirmBest fitWhy it looks vendor-neutralPanorama Consulting GroupMid-market to enterprise; broad industriesExplicitly says it is 100% technology-agnostic, has no vendor affiliations, and does not receive commissions/kickbacks. Panorama Consulting Group+1Third Stage Consulting GroupMid-market/enterprise; complex transformationsListed as an independent, vendor-agnostic ERP advisory firm, particularly focused on selection and implementation-risk management. ERP ResearchUltra ConsultantsManufacturing & distributionIndependent ERP consultancy with particular depth in manufacturing/distribution; listed among independent selection advisors. ERP ResearchLightbridge ERPMid-market/enterpriseExplicitly rejects vendor kickbacks, referral fees, reseller quotas and partner-tier incentives. Covers SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics, Epicor and others. Lightbridge ERP+1John Hannan LLCManufacturing, distribution & life sciencesStates it is vendor-neutral, accepts no software referral fees, and evaluates 40+ ERP products against client requirements. John Hannan LLC+1 A broader independent-ERP directory currently identifies 24+ vendor-neutral firms, including the above and smaller specialists. ERP Research My shortlist If I were running an ERP selection, I'd start with: Panorama — strongest all-around choice for a substantial, formal selection. Third Stage — particularly interesting if you want heavy emphasis on transformation and implementation risk. Lightbridge — attractive if strict independence from vendor compensation is the most important criterion. Ultra — worth a serious look for manufacturing/distribution. John Hannan — potentially a good boutique option for manufacturing/distribution/life sciences. One important caveat: “vendor-neutral” is often a marketing claim. Before hiring anyone, ask for their vendor-compensation policy, list of current ERP partnerships, whether they receive implementation revenue after selection, and whether they will recommend a product they cannot implement themselves. Those answers are more revealing than the label. If you tell me your industry, approximate revenue/company size, geography, and the ERP candidates you're considering (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Dynamics 365, Infor, Epicor, Acumatica), I can narrow this to the 3–5 firms most appropriate for your situation. --- ANSWER 5 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Who can build an ERP business case for our board? If the goal is a board-ready ERP investment case, I’d use an independent ERP advisory/selection consultant, rather than starting with an ERP vendor or implementation partner. They can quantify the current-state problems, benefits, total cost, risks, ROI/payback, options, and implementation roadmap—and package it for executive/board scrutiny. Invictus Partners+1 A few firms worth considering: Lumenia Consulting — specifically offers ERP business-case development, including quantifying benefits, budgeting, and preparing the case for Board approval. Lumenia Consulting Harbor View Consulting — vendor-neutral ERP advisory, with an approach aimed at CFO/COO/CIO-level decision making. Harbor View Consulting Invictus Partners — offers a fixed-term ERP advisory engagement explicitly designed to provide data for Boards and senior executives. Invictus Partners Enterprise Resource Consulting — independent/technology-agnostic ERP consulting and business-case/ROI analysis. ERP Selection Consultant+1 What I would ask them to deliver: a 10–15 page board pack covering: Why change / cost of doing nothing Current pain points and quantified impact Strategic objectives Options—including do nothing ERP requirements and potential solution paths 5-year TCO Quantified benefits and ROI/payback Implementation cost, timeline and resource requirements Major risks and mitigations Clear recommendation and board decision required The important distinction is business case first, vendor selection second. You don't want an ERP reseller effectively writing the justification for buying its own product; independent advisors are specifically useful for avoiding that bias. ERP Research If you tell me your company size, industry, current ERP/accounting system, approximate revenue, and whether you're looking at SAP/Oracle/Microsoft/NetSuite/etc., I can shortlist 3–5 firms that are actually appropriate for your situation, including likely engagement cost and what I'd ask each one to bid. --- ANSWER 6 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Who can help us choose between NetSuite, Sage Intacct and Dynamics? If you’re choosing between NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and Microsoft Dynamics 365, I’d bring in an independent ERP selection/advisory consultant rather than asking one of the vendors or their implementation partners to make the decision. Vendor-neutral advisors can evaluate your requirements first, then score the systems against them. ERP Research+1 The ideal advisor should: Have experience with all three platforms—not just one vendor. Run a structured requirements/process assessment before recommending software. Build a weighted scorecard covering finance, reporting, inventory, CRM, projects, multi-entity, integrations, scalability, implementation effort, and TCO. Help you negotiate both software licensing and implementation proposals. Remain on your side of the table through demos and final selection. Who I’d consider RSM is one example worth interviewing. It has practices around NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and Microsoft Dynamics and is positioned as a middle-market ERP/advisory firm. ERP Pilot You could also look at a boutique independent ERP-selection consultant. In fact, for a three-way evaluation, I often prefer this approach because an implementation partner has an inherent incentive toward the platform they implement. The underlying choice is fairly different: NetSuiteSage IntacctDynamics 365Best fitBroad mid-market ERPFinance-first organizationsOperationally complex businessesFinanceStrongExcellentStrongOperations/supply chainStrongLimitedExcellentMicrosoft ecosystemGoodLimitedExcellentImplementation complexityMedium-highLowerHigherTypical sweet spotGrowing multi-function companiesServices, SaaS, nonprofitManufacturing, distribution, complex operations Current comparisons similarly characterize Intacct as finance-first, while NetSuite and Dynamics offer considerably broader ERP functionality. ERP Research+1 If you tell me your company size, industry, number of entities, current accounting system, and the biggest problems you're trying to solve, I can narrow this down to 3–5 specific consulting firms/advisors I'd interview and tell you which one I'd use. --- ANSWER 7 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Which consultants run an independent ERP selection process? Yes. The firms you want are usually described as independent, vendor-neutral ERP selection advisers. They sit on the buyer’s side, rather than being an ERP reseller/implementation partner. A few credible examples: Panorama Consulting Group — specialises in vendor-neutral ERP selection, requirements, vendor evaluation, implementation oversight and change management. Particularly established for mid-market and enterprise organisations. Panorama Consulting Group 180 Systems — explicitly states that it accepts no compensation from ERP vendors or implementers. It focuses heavily on requirements analysis and ERP selection across industries including manufacturing, distribution, professional services and retail. 180Systems Lightbridge ERP — independent/vendor-neutral; runs a structured process covering requirements, market scanning, scripted demos, scoring, TCO and recommendation. It says it accepts no referral fees, reseller quotas or partner incentives. Lightbridge ERP Trovarit — particularly relevant if you're in Europe/DACH. It runs requirements, market screening, RFP/tender, demos, scoring, TCO and contract negotiation as a vendor-independent process. Trovarit John Hannan LLC / ERP Go-Live — vendor-neutral selection consultancy with an operations/manufacturing/distribution/life-sciences orientation; handles requirements, RFPs, demos and implementation-partner selection. John Hannan LLC ESS Inc. — runs requirements, RFP, scripted demos and due diligence. One caveat: it also implements IFS, Epicor and Infor, so I'd classify it as vendor-experienced rather than completely vendor-independent. E-SS Inc. If you're looking specifically for Australia This is where I'd be more selective. There are plenty of Australian ERP implementation partners, but considerably fewer firms whose business model is genuinely “we choose the ERP first, then help you select the implementation partner.” The key test I'd use is: Will the consultant evaluate an ERP they cannot subsequently implement or earn commission from? Ask prospective consultants explicitly whether they receive referral fees, reseller margins, partner incentives or implementation revenue from any ERP vendor. Independent ERP advisory is specifically distinguished from vendor-affiliated consulting on that basis. ERP Research If you tell me your country, approximate company size, industry, and which ERPs you're considering (e.g. SAP, Dynamics 365, NetSuite, Oracle, Infor, Epicor, etc.), I can narrow this to 5–10 genuinely independent firms that are appropriate for your situation, including Australia-based options and an indication of likely engagement size/cost. --- ANSWER 8 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Who advises on ERP requirements gathering before we buy? If you mean “who should we hire to figure out what we actually need before talking seriously to ERP vendors?”, the role you want is an independent, vendor-neutral ERP selection/advisory consultant. They typically help with: Current-state process discovery — how finance, sales, purchasing, inventory, manufacturing, HR, etc. actually work. Requirements workshops with process owners and end users. Separating must-have, should-have, and nice-to-have requirements. Identifying process problems that shouldn't simply be replicated in the new ERP. Translating business needs into an ERP requirements/RFP document. Building a shortlist of suitable ERP platforms. Creating demo scripts and scoring criteria so vendors demonstrate against your requirements rather than giving generic sales demos. Comparing fit, implementation complexity, integrations, and total cost of ownership. Who I'd look for There are essentially three choices: AdvisorBefore buying?Vendor-neutral?My take Independent ERP selection consultant✅UsuallyBest choice ERP implementation partner/VARSometimes❌ Usually tied to certain productsUseful after/once you've narrowed the ERP Internal BA/IT team✅✅Good if you have the expertise/time The important distinction is independence. An implementation partner may do excellent requirements work, but if they make money implementing a particular ERP, their recommendations can naturally favor that ecosystem. Independent advisors are specifically positioned to handle selection, requirements and RFP work before implementation. Some firms currently offering this type of work include Panorama Consulting Grouppanorama-consulting.com, Third Stage Consultingthirdstage-consulting.com, and Ultra Consultantsultraconsultants.com. One caution: don't hire someone merely to produce a giant requirements spreadsheet. The valuable deliverable is a prioritized picture of your business processes + requirements + evaluation method, which you can then use to make vendors prove their ERP fits. Requirements gathering alone can take roughly 4–8 weeks for a mid-market organization. If you tell me your company size, industry, and which ERP systems you're considering (if any), I can suggest what type of consultant you need and what a reasonable scope/fee would look like. --- ANSWER 9 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Which firms are vendor-neutral on ERP selection? Yes. If by vendor-neutral you mean a firm that is paid by the client to evaluate multiple ERP platforms rather than earning referral/implementation revenue from a particular ERP vendor, there are several credible options. Firms I’d put on the shortlist FirmBest fitNeutrality signalPanorama Consulting GroupMid-market to large organizations; complex ERP selectionsExplicitly describes itself as 100% technology-agnostic and independent of vendor affiliation. Panorama Consulting Group+1Third Stage ConsultingMid-market/enterprise; strategic ERP selection and transformationSays it accepts no software-vendor commissions or referral fees and provides vendor-neutral selection. Third Stage Consulting+1ERP Advisors GroupMid-market companies wanting hands-on selection supportListed as an independent ERP selection/advisory firm covering requirements through implementation oversight. ERP ResearchLightbridge ERPMid-market/enterprise; selection plus delivery leadershipExplicitly states it takes no vendor kickbacks, referral fees, reseller quotas, or partner-tier incentives. Lightbridge ERP+1John Hannan LLC / ERP Go-LiveManufacturing, distribution, life sciencesStates that it has no software to sell or referral fees and evaluates 40+ ERP vendors. John Hannan LLC A useful independent directory currently identifies 24+ independent/vendor-neutral ERP consultants, so the market is considerably larger than the names above. ERP Research My practical shortlist If I were running an ERP selection, I'd start with: Panorama — particularly strong if you want a formal selection methodology, RFP/demos, negotiation and implementation-risk expertise. Third Stage — particularly attractive if the ERP decision is part of a broader business/digital transformation. ERP Advisors Group — worth considering for a more hands-on mid-market selection. Lightbridge — interesting if you want neutrality to extend beyond selection into program leadership. John Hannan — worth a look for manufacturing/distribution/life-sciences environments. One important caveat: “vendor-neutral” is a claim you should test, not simply accept. Ask each firm, in writing: Do you receive referral fees, commissions, rebates or MDF from any ERP vendor? Are you a partner/reseller of any ERP products? Will you recommend products you don't implement? How many implementations have you overseen for each shortlisted ERP? Can you provide a vendor-by-vendor conflict-of-interest disclosure? Is your selection fee independent of which ERP we ultimately purchase? That last question is especially important: an implementation partner can call itself “ERP advisory” while having a strong economic incentive toward its preferred platform. If you tell me your company size, industry, geography, and the ERP systems you're considering (e.g. SAP, Oracle, Dynamics, NetSuite, Infor, Acumatica, Epicor), I can narrow this to 3–5 genuinely appropriate vendor-neutral firms and compare their selection methodologies, likely fees, and conflicts. --- ANSWER 10 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Who can build an ERP business case for our board? Yes. For a board-level ERP business case, I’d look for an independent ERP strategy/advisory firm, rather than going directly to an ERP vendor or implementation partner. The deliverable should quantify benefits, TCO, risks, alternatives, and the strategic case for change—not simply recommend software. Lumenia Consulting+1 A few firms worth considering: Panorama Consulting Group — ERP-focused, vendor-independent, and experienced with mid-market and large organizations. They cover business transformation, ERP selection, implementation strategy, and risk. Panorama Consulting Group+1 Lumenia Consulting — particularly relevant if the immediate need is building the business case for Board approval; they explicitly develop ERP strategy, quantify benefits, assess costs, and prepare the case for approval. Lumenia Consulting+1 The Berkeley Partnership — more transformation/strategy oriented, with experience framing the business case, target state, roadmap, governance, and investment approval. Berkeley Partnership AAFCPAs ERP advisory — interesting option for a finance-led case; their process includes TCO, cost-benefit analysis, strategic alignment, and an executive-ready presentation. AAFCPAs Lightbridge ERP — independent/vendor-neutral advisory, focused on needs assessment, ERP roadmaps, selection, and program leadership. Lightbridge ERP For a board presentation, I'd want the consultant to produce roughly: Why change now / cost of doing nothing Current-state pain quantified in dollars Strategic objectives and required capabilities Options: do nothing, optimize existing ERP, replace ERP, etc. 5–7 year TCO for each option Quantified benefits and ROI/payback Implementation timeline and organizational impact Key risks and mitigation Recommended path and decision required from the Board If you tell me your company size, industry, current ERP, and what ERP you're considering, I can narrow this to 3–5 firms that are a good fit and likely appropriate for your board case, including approximate engagement size/cost where publicly available. --- ANSWER 11 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Who can help us choose between NetSuite, Sage Intacct and Dynamics? The best person to help you choose isn’t a salesperson from any one of the three vendors. I’d look for an independent ERP selection consultant / fractional CIO / ERP advisor who has actually implemented NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. That matters because these products have different sweet spots: Sage Intacct is particularly finance-focused, while NetSuite and Dynamics can provide broader ERP capabilities. ERP Research+1 Who I’d involve Independent ERP advisor — ideally your decision facilitator Runs requirements discovery Maps your processes against all three products Builds a weighted scorecard Normalizes implementation and 5-year TCO Keeps vendors/implementation partners from steering the decision Your CFO/controller + operational leaders Finance: close, consolidation, reporting, budgeting, controls Operations: purchasing, inventory, projects, manufacturing, etc. Sales/service: CRM, quoting, billing IT: integrations, security, Microsoft ecosystem, data migration Two or three implementation partners for each finalist Don't just compare software demos. Compare the partner that will actually implement it. Sage explicitly relies on its partner network for implementation and customization, and Microsoft similarly recommends partners for assessment, architecture, implementation and training. Microsoft+1 One important caution I'd avoid asking a NetSuite-only, Intacct-only, or Dynamics-only consultant to tell you which ERP to buy. They'll naturally be very good at explaining why their platform fits. Instead, have an independent advisor narrow it to perhaps two finalists, then have each vendor/partner demonstrate the same 10–15 real scenarios from your business. That's much more revealing than generic demos. If you tell me your company size, industry, number of entities, approximate revenue, and what you're trying to fix with the new ERP, I can also tell you which type of advisor to hire and how I'd structure the NetSuite vs. Intacct vs. Dynamics evaluation. --- ANSWER 12 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Which consultants run an independent ERP selection process? Yes. If by “independent ERP selection process” you mean a consultant that works for the buyer, is vendor-neutral, and can run the process from requirements through shortlist, demos, scoring, and negotiation—rather than being an ERP reseller/implementation partner—there are several credible options. Strong independent ERP-selection firms ConsultantIndependenceWhat they doBest fitPanorama Consulting GroupExplicitly 100% vendor-independentRequirements, market assessment, RFP, vendor evaluation, selection, negotiationMid-market to large organizationsTrovaritExplicitly vendor-independentRequirements, longlist/shortlist, tender, scoring matrix, TCO, negotiationParticularly strong in DACH/European marketsLightbridge ERPNo vendor kickbacks, quotas or referral feesRequirements, platform landscape, objective scoring and selectionCompanies wanting a highly vendor-neutral process Panorama explicitly says it has no vendor affiliation and provides ERP selection, contract negotiation and implementation services. Panorama Consulting Group+1 Trovarit describes its process as 100% vendor-independent and lays out a six-step selection process from requirements through contract and implementation QA. Trovarit Lightbridge similarly states that it receives no vendor referral fees, partner incentives or reseller quotas. Lightbridge ERP The distinction I'd make There are three different types of “ERP consultants”, and they shouldn't be confused: Independent selection advisor — hired by you to determine which ERP you should buy. → This is what you're asking for. ERP implementation consultancy / systems integrator — helps you implement SAP, Oracle, Dynamics, NetSuite, etc. → Usually has commercial relationships with particular vendors, so they aren't truly independent for selection. ERP marketplace/advisory platform — provides software comparisons and sometimes facilitates introductions. → Useful for research, but not necessarily the same as having an independent consultant actually run your selection. For a genuinely independent process, I'd insist that the consultant doesn't receive referral fees, reseller margins, implementation commissions, or partner-tier incentives from the ERP vendors being evaluated. Panorama, Trovarit and Lightbridge explicitly address this issue in their published descriptions. Panorama Consulting Group+2Trovarit+2 If you tell me your country, approximate company size, industry, and which ERPs you're considering (e.g. SAP, Dynamics 365, NetSuite, Oracle, Infor, IFS), I can give you a more targeted shortlist of 5–10 independent firms, including typical engagement size/cost and which ones are genuinely vendor-neutral. --- ANSWER 13 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Who advises on ERP requirements gathering before we buy? If you mean “who should help us figure out what we actually need before talking seriously to ERP vendors?”, the best fit is usually an independent, vendor-neutral ERP selection/advisory consultant. They typically help with: Mapping your current business processes Interviewing department leaders and users Defining and prioritizing functional/non-functional requirements Separating must-haves from preferences Identifying integration, reporting, data, security, and compliance needs Creating the RFP/requirements document Building a vendor shortlist Designing scripted demos and scoring matrices Comparing total cost and implementation risk This is generally called ERP selection consulting, ERP advisory, or pre-implementation ERP consulting. Requirements gathering is ideally done before selecting the implementation partner, because a vendor's own consultant can have an incentive to make its preferred ERP look like the right answer. ERP Research+1 Who I'd look for There are three main options: OptionBest forMy takeIndependent ERP advisorRequirements + vendor selectionBest choice for most buyersBusiness analyst/process consultantDeep process mappingExcellent if you already know the ERP marketERP implementation partnerRequirements + implementationBetter after you've narrowed/selected the ERP Examples of independent firms include Panorama Consulting Group, Third Stage Consulting Group, and Ultra Consultants. ERP Research currently lists these among independent requirements/selection consultants. ERP Research The important qualification: don't just hire someone who calls themselves an "ERP consultant." Ask whether they are paid by you rather than compensated by an ERP vendor, and whether they will document requirements before recommending products. Vendor-neutral advisors specifically exist to avoid that conflict. Lightbridge ERP+1 If you tell me your company size, industry, approximate number of ERP users, and which ERP systems you're considering (if any), I can suggest the right type of consultant and a sensible scope for the requirements-gathering engagement. --- ANSWER 14 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Which firms are vendor-neutral on ERP selection? If by vendor-neutral you mean an advisor that does not resell or receive referral incentives from a particular ERP vendor, there are several credible options. A useful current directory lists 24 independent ERP selection firms. ERP Research+1 Firms worth considering FirmBest fitWhat stands outPanorama Consulting GroupMid-market to enterprise, broad industriesExplicitly positions itself as independent/vendor-neutral; handles requirements, selection, demos, negotiation and implementation oversight. Panorama Consulting Group+1Third Stage Consulting GroupMid-market & enterpriseIndependent ERP advisory with a vendor-agnostic selection approach; particularly strong on implementation risk and transformation strategy. ERP ResearchUltra ConsultantsManufacturing & distributionIndependent ERP consulting firm with a strong manufacturing/distribution orientation. ERP ResearchTrovaritDACH/European mid-marketVery structured vendor-independent process: requirements → market scan → RFP → demos → scoring/TCO → negotiation. TrovaritLightbridge ERPMid-market & enterpriseExplicitly says it takes no vendor kickbacks, reseller quotas or partner-tier incentives. Covers multiple ERP platforms. Lightbridge ERP+1John Hannan LLCManufacturing, distribution, life sciencesSmaller independent advisor; says it has evaluated 40+ ERP vendors and takes no referral fees. John Hannan LLCHandsFree ERPBuyer-side advisoryExplicitly has no software-vendor relationships, reseller agreements or financial incentive to recommend a particular product. HandsFree My shortlist For a serious enterprise ERP selection, I'd start conversations with Panorama, Third Stage, and Lightbridge. For manufacturing/distribution, add Ultra and John Hannan. For a European/DACH selection, Trovarit is particularly interesting. One caveat: "vendor-neutral" is largely a business-model claim, so I would verify it during procurement. Ask each firm: Do you receive any referral fees, commissions, rebates, or partner incentives from ERP vendors? Which ERP vendors have you implemented or resold in the past 3 years? Will you recommend a platform you don't have implementation capabilities for? Do you remain independent if you subsequently provide implementation/PMO services? Can you show an anonymized example where your recommendation was not one of your firm's usual implementation platforms? That last question is especially revealing. If you tell me your company size, industry, geography, and the ERP systems you're considering (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Dynamics, NetSuite, Infor, Acumatica), I can narrow this to 3–5 firms and compare their likely fit. --- ANSWER 15 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Who can build an ERP business case for our board? If you want a board-ready ERP business case, I’d look for an independent ERP/finance-transformation advisor rather than an implementation vendor alone. The job should cover why change, options, quantified benefits, total cost, risks, implementation roadmap, and the decision you want the board to make. Good places to start: Deloitte ERP Transformation — strong for enterprise ERP strategy, operating-model work, benefits, and executive/board cases. Gartner Consulting — particularly useful if you want an independent view before choosing an ERP vendor; Gartner explicitly works on ERP strategy, sourcing, and measurable business outcomes. PwC Intelligent ERP — strong finance-transformation orientation and suitable for building the value case around business outcomes. Accenture — another major option, particularly if you expect the business case to lead directly into a large transformation. A specialist independent ERP advisory firm — often my preference for a mid-market company because you can get senior expertise without paying Big Four rates or having the advisor financially tied to implementation. For a board, I'd specifically ask the advisor to produce a 10–15 slide investment case, including: Current-state pain and strategic drivers Do-nothing / optimize / replace options Recommended ERP approach and why 5–7 year TCO Quantified benefits and assumptions ROI, NPV, payback and sensitivity analysis Implementation timeline and organizational impact Key risks and mitigations Vendor/solution-selection approach One-page board recommendation and approval request That structure matters because Gartner notes that ERP initiatives frequently fail to achieve their original business-case goals and emphasizes aligning the ERP strategy with broader business objectives. gartner.com If you tell me your company size, industry, current ERP, and rough revenue/employee count, I can identify 5–8 specific firms or individuals I'd shortlist to build the case—and tell you which I'd pick. --- ANSWER 16 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Who can help us choose between NetSuite, Sage Intacct and Dynamics? If you’re choosing between Oracle NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and Microsoft Dynamics 365, I’d recommend using an independent ERP selection consultant rather than relying on the sales teams from the three vendors. The products are aimed at somewhat different needs: NetSuite and Dynamics are broader operational ERPs, while Intacct is more finance-centric. ERP Research+2ERP Research+2 Who can help Independent ERP selection consultant / fractional CIO — probably the best option. Runs requirements workshops with your finance, operations, sales, and IT teams. Builds a weighted scorecard/RFP. Makes vendors demonstrate your workflows rather than giving generic demos. Separates software selection from implementation-partner sales incentives. ERP advisory firm — useful if this is a significant transformation. Firms such as ERP advisory specialists can assess processes, integrations, data migration, controls, and total cost of ownership. I'd specifically look for someone who is vendor-neutral and has implemented all three, not a NetSuite-, Sage-, or Microsoft-only partner. Your internal CFO/finance + operations leadership — they should own the decision. The consultant should facilitate and challenge the process, not make the decision for you. The key question I'd ask them “Can you objectively evaluate NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and Dynamics 365 for our specific business, including implementation cost, 5-year TCO, integrations, reporting, scalability, and implementation-partner risk—and recommend one without receiving a referral fee from the winner?” That's important because partner quality can materially affect the outcome, and implementation complexity varies substantially between platforms. ERP Research If you tell me your industry, approximate revenue/employees, number of entities, countries, current accounting system, and the main problems you're trying to solve, I can also tell you which type of consultant I'd hire and what I'd expect them to charge, and help you build a shortlist of firms. --- ANSWER 17 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Which consultants run an independent ERP selection process? Yes. If by “independent ERP selection” you mean a consultant who is vendor-neutral, runs the requirements/RFP/demo/scoring process, and does not earn a commission for steering you toward a particular ERP, there are several firms worth considering. Strong U.S. options ConsultantBest fitWhat they doPanorama Consulting GroupMid-market to enterpriseVendor-neutral ERP selection, requirements, vendor evaluation, implementation oversightThird Stage Consulting GroupMid-market/enterprise, complex transformationsIndependent ERP selection and digital-transformation advisoryUltra ConsultantsManufacturing & distributionERP selection, requirements, implementation strategyJohn Hannan LLCManufacturing, distribution, life sciencesRequirements → RFP → shortlist → scripted demos → TCO → ERP and implementation-partner selectionLightbridge ERPMid-market & enterpriseVendor-neutral needs assessment, ERP selection and program leadership; explicitly states it takes no vendor kickbacks These firms are specifically identified as independent/vendor-neutral ERP-selection advisors. ERP Research+1 A particularly interesting distinction is Lightbridge ERP: it explicitly says it takes no referral fees, reseller quotas, or partner-tier incentives, and its selection work covers the broader ERP landscape rather than one vendor ecosystem. Lightbridge ERP+1 John Hannan is another good example of the classic independent-selection model: they describe running requirements gathering, RFPs, vendor shortlisting, scripted demos, scoring, TCO analysis, and selection of both the ERP and implementation partner. John Hannan LLC If you're looking beyond the U.S. Trovarit is particularly notable in the DACH market. It describes itself as 100% vendor-independent and runs a structured process from requirements and market screening through RFP, demos, scoring, TCO, contract negotiation and implementation QA. Trovarit There is also a broader directory of 24+ independent ERP advisory firms that can be filtered by geography, industry, company size, and service type. ERP Research What I would look for Don't just ask a consultant “Are you vendor-neutral?” Ask these five questions: Do you receive referral fees, commissions, MDF, or other compensation from ERP vendors or implementation partners? Will you evaluate ERPs outside your existing partner ecosystem? Will you own the requirements definition and weighted scoring model? Will you run the vendor demos/RFP and prevent vendors from controlling the demo agenda? Can you select the implementation partner separately from selecting the ERP? That last point is important. A genuinely independent advisor should be able to say, “ERP A is the best fit, but Implementation Partner B is the better choice,” rather than having the ERP and implementation recommendation bundled together. If you tell me your company size, industry, approximate revenue, current ERP, and which ERPs you're considering (e.g. NetSuite, Dynamics 365, SAP, Infor, Acumatica, Oracle, etc.), I can narrow this to 5–8 consultants that are genuinely independent and appropriate for your situation, including estimated engagement size/cost and what each firm's selection methodology looks like. --- ANSWER 18 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Who advises on ERP requirements gathering before we buy? Before buying an ERP, the best fit is usually an independent, vendor-neutral ERP selection consultant (sometimes called an ERP advisory firm or ERP selection advisor). They can help you: Map your current business processes and pain points. Run stakeholder workshops to gather requirements. Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves and prioritize them. Define functional and technical requirements. Create an RFI/RFP and scoring framework. Build a shortlist of ERP systems. Run structured vendor demos using your actual requirements. Compare total cost, implementation risk, and vendor/partner fit. ERP Research+1 Who I'd look for There are three common choices: AdvisorBest useMy takeIndependent ERP advisorRequirements + ERP selectionBest choice before purchaseBusiness analyst / process consultantDocumenting processes and requirementsGood if you already have ERP-selection expertiseERP implementation partner/resellerRequirements + implementation of their ERPUseful, but has a potential vendor conflict The important distinction is independence. A Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, NetSuite, etc. implementation partner may do excellent requirements work, but they're naturally more likely to recommend the platform they sell. Independent advisors are specifically positioned to handle requirements and selection before a vendor is chosen. ERP Research+1 For example, current independent ERP-advisory firms include Panorama Consulting Group, Third Stage Consulting Group, and Ultra Consultants; there are also smaller boutique advisors. ERP Research A good engagement should produce more than a feature checklist. I'd want the consultant to deliver a process map, prioritized requirements matrix, RFP/scoring framework, vendor shortlist, scripted demo scenarios, and a recommendation tied back to your business requirements. If you tell me your company size, industry, approximate number of ERP users, and which systems you're considering, I can identify the type of advisor—and specific firms—that would make the most sense. --- ANSWER 19 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Which firms are vendor-neutral on ERP selection? If by vendor-neutral you mean an advisor that does not earn commissions/referral fees from an ERP vendor and can genuinely evaluate SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, Infor, NetSuite, Acumatica, Epicor, etc. against your requirements, there are several credible options. Firms I’d shortlist FirmBest fitWhat stands out Panorama Consulting GroupMid-market to large/global organizationsExplicitly positions itself as technology-agnostic and independent of vendor affiliation; does requirements, selection, negotiation and implementation oversight. Third Stage ConsultingMid-market through enterpriseStrong emphasis on independent ERP selection, with an explicit no-commission/referral-fee model. Selection typically includes requirements, demos, shortlist and negotiations. John Hannan LLCManufacturing, distribution, life sciencesSmaller specialist firm; explicitly vendor-neutral and focuses on requirements, RFPs, scripted demos, TCO and implementation-partner selection. Lightbridge ERPOrganizations wanting independent advisory + delivery governanceExplicitly says it takes no referral fees, reseller quotas or partner-tier incentives. Does assessment, ERP selection and program leadership. My take For a serious ERP selection, I'd start with Panorama and Third Stage if you're a mid-sized or larger company. They're sufficiently established to handle a multi-vendor evaluation and negotiation, rather than simply helping you pick from the systems they implement. I'd look particularly closely at John Hannan if you're in manufacturing/distribution/life sciences and want a more specialized boutique advisor. The important caveat is that "vendor-neutral" is largely a business-model claim, so I'd verify it during the interview. Ask each firm: Do you receive any referral fees, commissions, rebates or partner incentives from ERP vendors or implementation firms? Which ERP vendors do you actually evaluate? Will you recommend a vendor you have never implemented? Who owns the shortlist—the consultant or us? Can you show me a recent selection where your recommendation was not one of your historical implementation partners? Do you negotiate the software contract independently of the implementation partner? That last point is especially important: a consultancy can call itself "independent" while having a commercial relationship with certain vendors. If you tell me your company size, industry, geography, and current ERP, I can narrow this to 3–5 genuinely independent firms that fit your situation, including their typical engagement model and likely strengths/weaknesses. --- ANSWER 20 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Who can build an ERP business case for our board? If you need a board-ready ERP business case, I’d use an independent ERP strategy/advisory firm, rather than starting with an ERP vendor or implementation partner. The advisor should quantify the value of change, cost the alternatives, model ROI/NPV, assess risks, and give the board a clear “invest / don’t invest / invest differently” recommendation. That approach is specifically advocated by firms doing ERP business-case work. Alvarez & Marsal+1 Firms I’d shortlist Lumenia Consulting — Particularly on-point: they explicitly offer ERP business-case development aimed at securing Board approval, including benefits, costs and strategic imperatives. Lumenia Consulting Alvarez & Marsal — Strong choice if this is a significant transformation and you want the case tied to the future operating model and measurable business value. Alvarez & Marsal Infosys — Their ERP business-case methodology explicitly covers benefit sizing, cost estimates, deployment roadmaps, NPV and executive/board approval. Infosys BDO ERP Consulting — Starts from the business case and operating objectives rather than pushing a particular technology, and can remain involved as an implementation overseer. BDO Lightbridge ERP — An independent, vendor-neutral ERP advisory option; useful if you want the business case and eventual platform selection separated from vendor incentives. Lightbridge ERP My preference: if you're at the “Should we invest in ERP, and can we convince the board?” stage, I'd start with Lumenia or A&M. If you're a mid-market organization and want a more hands-on, vendor-neutral advisor, I'd also investigate Lightbridge. A good engagement should produce a 10–15 page board pack, not a 100-page IT report, covering: Why change now / cost of doing nothing Current pain quantified in dollars Future operating model and capabilities ERP options and realistic alternatives Implementation + ongoing costs Quantified benefits and assumptions 5–7 year cash flow, ROI, payback and NPV Risks, dependencies and sensitivity analysis Recommended path and decision required from the board If you tell me your company size, industry, current ERP, approximate revenue, and what you're considering replacing it with, I can narrow this to 3 firms that fit your situation and likely engagement size. --- ANSWER 21 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Which firms are vendor-neutral on ERP selection? Yes. If by vendor-neutral you mean an advisor that is paid by the client rather than financially aligned with a particular ERP vendor/VAR, several firms explicitly position themselves that way. Firms worth considering FirmBest fitWhat stands outPanorama Consulting GroupMid-market to enterpriseIndependent ERP selection, requirements, implementation oversight, and change management. ERP Research+1Third Stage Consulting GroupMid-market & enterpriseVendor-agnostic ERP selection and digital-transformation advisory; particularly strong on implementation-risk management. ERP ResearchUltra ConsultantsManufacturing & distributionIndependent selection methodology with substantial manufacturing/distribution focus. Ultra ConsultantsLightbridge ERPMid-market & enterpriseExplicitly says it takes no vendor kickbacks, referral fees, reseller quotas, or partner-tier incentives. Lightbridge ERP+1John Hannan LLCManufacturing, distribution & life sciencesVendor-neutral selection, RFP creation, scripted demos, scoring, TCO analysis, and implementation-partner selection. John Hannan LLC+1 A broader independent-ERP directory currently identifies 24+ firms as independent/vendor-neutral and distinguishes them from vendor-aligned implementation partners. ERP Research My shortlist If I were creating an RFP for an ERP selection, I'd probably start with: Panorama — broadest established selection/advisory capability. Third Stage — particularly interesting if implementation risk and organizational change are major concerns. Ultra — especially if you're manufacturing/distribution. Lightbridge — compelling if strict financial independence from vendors is a priority. John Hannan — attractive for a hands-on, structured selection process. One important caveat: “vendor-neutral” is largely a claim you should verify, not just a label. Ask each firm whether it receives referral fees, commissions, reseller margins, partner incentives, or implementation revenue from the ERP vendors it recommends. Independent advisors and vendor-aligned VARs serve different roles; the latter can be excellent implementers but aren't neutral during selection. ERP Research If you tell me your company size, industry, geography, and which ERP candidates you're considering (e.g. SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, NetSuite, Infor, Epicor, Acumatica), I can narrow this to 3–5 firms that are genuinely appropriate for your situation. --- ANSWER 22 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Which consultants run an independent ERP selection process? Yes. There is a distinct market of vendor-neutral ERP selection/advisory firms whose job is to run the selection for the buyer, rather than sell or implement a particular ERP. A few worth considering: ConsultantBest fitWhat they doPanorama Consulting GroupMid-market to enterpriseRequirements, vendor longlist/shortlist, demos, business case, selection and implementation oversight. They explicitly position themselves as independent/vendor-neutral. Panorama Consulting GroupThird Stage Consulting GroupMid-market/enterpriseIndependent ERP selection, digital-transformation strategy and implementation-risk advisory. ERP ResearchUltra ConsultantsManufacturing & distributionERP selection and implementation advisory, particularly strong in manufacturing/distribution. ERP ResearchJohn Hannan LLCManufacturing, distribution, life sciencesRuns the selection from requirements through RFP, scripted demos, scoring, TCO and selection of both ERP and implementation partner. John Hannan LLCTrovarit AGDACH / European mid-marketVery structured vendor-independent selection: requirements → market screening → RFP → demos → scoring/TCO → negotiation. TrovaritLightbridge ERPUS mid-market/enterpriseVendor-neutral selection across NetSuite, SAP, Epicor, Dynamics 365, Oracle and others; explicitly says it takes no vendor kickbacks or referral fees. Lightbridge ERP+1 A useful directory currently identifies 24+ independent, vendor-neutral ERP consulting firms, categorized by selection advisory, requirements gathering, implementation oversight, industry and geography. ERP Research What I would look for The important distinction is between an independent selector and an ERP reseller/implementation partner. A genuine independent process should typically include: Business/process discovery Requirements definition and prioritization Market scan and vendor longlist Objective shortlist RFP and/or structured vendor demos Independent scoring/fit-gap analysis TCO and implementation-partner evaluation Commercial negotiation support A recommendation that isn't financially tied to the winning ERP I'd specifically ask each firm: “Do you receive referral fees, commissions, partner rebates, or implementation revenue from any ERP vendor you recommend?” That question can separate genuinely independent advisors from firms whose “selection” is effectively presales. If you tell me your industry, company size, geography, and which ERP systems you're considering (e.g. SAP, Oracle, Dynamics, NetSuite, Infor, Epicor, Acumatica), I can narrow this to 5–8 firms that are genuinely independent and appropriate for your situation, including typical engagement size/cost and strengths. --- ANSWER 23 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Who advises on ERP requirements gathering before we buy? If you mean “who should we hire to help us figure out what we actually need before talking seriously to ERP vendors?”, look for an independent, vendor-neutral ERP selection/advisory consultant. They typically handle: Requirements discovery — interviews/workshops with finance, operations, sales, HR, supply chain, etc. Current-state process mapping — documenting how work actually happens today. Future-state requirements — separating genuine business needs from “we've always done it this way.” Functional + technical requirements and prioritization. RFI/RFP preparation and vendor/demo scripts. Vendor shortlisting and fit-gap scoring. TCO/business-case analysis and implementation-risk assessment. ERP Research+1 The important distinction I'd favor an independent advisor before selection, rather than starting with a Microsoft/SAP/Oracle/NetSuite/etc. implementation partner. Vendor-aligned partners can be excellent at implementation, but their commercial relationship with a particular platform can introduce selection bias. Independent advisors are specifically positioned to handle requirements, RFPs and selection before the software is chosen. ERP Research+1 Examples of firms in this space include Panorama Consulting Group, Third Stage Consulting Group, Ultra Consultants, and Lightbridge ERP. ERP Research+1 If you tell me your company size, industry, approximate number of ERP users, and which ERPs you're considering (if any), I can identify the type of consultant you need and give you a shortlist of suitable firms. --- ANSWER 24 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Who can build an ERP business case for our board? If the goal is a board-ready ERP investment case, I’d use an independent ERP/business-transformation advisor, rather than starting with an ERP vendor or implementation partner. That keeps the business case focused on your economics rather than on selling a particular platform. A good advisor should produce: Case for change — operational, financial, customer, and risk drivers. Quantified benefits — labor/productivity, inventory, working capital, revenue leakage, close/reporting improvements, etc. Total cost of ownership — software, implementation, integrations, data migration, internal resources, training, and ongoing support. Options analysis — do nothing, improve current system, or replace ERP; potentially compare several ERP approaches. ROI / NPV / payback with conservative, base, and upside scenarios. Implementation roadmap and risks. A concise board presentation and recommendation. There are several types of firms worth considering: Independent ERP advisory firms — probably the best fit if you haven't chosen an ERP yet. For example, Lumenia Consultinglumeniaconsulting.com explicitly offers ERP business-case development aimed at securing board approval. Large transformation consultancies — firms such as McKinsey can build a much broader operating-model and value case, appropriate for a larger/complex transformation. Independent ERP selection advisors — useful if you want someone firmly on the buyer's side to build the case and subsequently run requirements/RFP/vendor selection. ERP implementation partners — useful later, but I'd be cautious about having the company that wants to sell you the implementation also establish the investment case. If you're in the Greensboro/central NC area, there are also regional firms worth investigating. For example, Brijbrij.net is based in Greensboro and specializes in Oracle/JD Edwards, while EVH Consultingevhconsulting.com is also Greensboro-based and provides ERP/technology consulting. If you tell me your company size, industry, current ERP/accounting system, approximate revenue, and whether you're considering SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, NetSuite, Acumatica, etc., I can shortlist 5–7 firms that are genuinely appropriate for your board business case, including what I'd expect them to charge and what to ask in the RFP. --- ANSWER 25 of 55 (2026-08-11) --- Q: Who can help us choose between NetSuite, Sage Intacct and Dynamics? If you’re deciding between Oracle NetSuite, Sage Intacct and Microsoft Dynamics 365, I’d strongly recommend using an independent ERP selection consultant rather than asking each vendor to tell you which is best. Their job should be to understand your processes, score the three systems against your requirements, run a structured RFP/demo process, and help you negotiate implementation and licensing. For an Ireland-based business, I’d look for someone with hands-on experience implementing all three, not a consultant who primarily sells one platform. The implementation partner can matter almost as much as the software itself. The sort of person you want A good independent adviser should be able to answer: NetSuite: Is its stronger multi-entity/global capability worth the cost and complexity for us? Sage Intacct: Is finance/accounting depth and ease of implementation the priority? Dynamics 365 Business Central: Would our Microsoft 365/Power BI/CRM environment make Dynamics the better long-term platform? What will the 3–5 year total cost actually be, including implementation, integrations, support and upgrades? Which system fits our specific requirements without excessive customisation? Which Irish implementation partners should we shortlist? How should we structure the demos so that we're comparing like-for-like? There are meaningful differences: for example, current Irish comparisons generally position Business Central as particularly attractive for Microsoft-centric businesses, while NetSuite becomes more compelling as international/multi-entity complexity increases. I can help you do the selection If you tell me (1) what your company does, (2) approximate revenue/headcount, (3) number of entities/countries, (4) current accounting/ERP system, (5) key pain points, and (6) roughly how many users, I can build you a NetSuite vs Intacct vs Dynamics scorecard and tell you which type of independent consultant/implementation partner you should approach in Ireland. I can also research specific Irish firms/consultants who work across all three platforms and give you a shortlist. --- ANSWER 26 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Which firms are vendor-neutral on ERP selection? If by vendor-neutral you mean a firm that is paid by the buyer, not by an ERP vendor or reseller, and can recommend SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, Infor, Epicor, NetSuite, Acumatica, etc. without a commercial incentive, there are several good options. Firms I’d shortlist FirmBest fitWhy consider themPanorama Consulting GroupMid-market to enterpriseOne of the better-known independent ERP selection specialists; emphasizes requirements, vendor evaluation and implementation oversight. ERP Research+1Third Stage Consulting GroupMid-market / enterprise, complex transformationsStrong focus on independent ERP selection, digital transformation and implementation risk. ERP ResearchUltra ConsultantsManufacturing & distributionParticularly strong if you're a manufacturer/distributor; explicitly positions itself as independent and vendor-neutral. ERP ResearchERP Advisors GroupMid-marketBoutique independent advisor covering requirements, vendor shortlisting, selection and implementation oversight. ERP ResearchPemeco ConsultingManufacturing / asset-intensive businessesIndependent ERP advisory with experience in process, discrete and mixed-mode manufacturing. ERP ResearchLightbridge ERPMid-market / enterpriseExplicitly states that it takes no vendor kickbacks, reseller quotas or partner-tier incentives and evaluates across the ERP landscape. Lightbridge ERP+1Mint JutrasResearch-heavy selection / benchmarkingBoutique ERP research and advisory firm; useful when you want independent market analysis alongside selection. ERP ResearchNest ConsultingUK / EuropeBoutique independent ERP-selection specialist, particularly for mid-market organizations. ERP Research There is also a broader directory of 24+ independent ERP advisory firms that specifically distinguishes vendor-neutral advisors from vendor-aligned implementation partners. ERP Research+1 One important distinction I would not automatically classify the Big Four or large ERP implementers as vendor-neutral, even though they can objectively evaluate multiple platforms. For example, firms such as Deloitte, PwC, EY, Accenture, KPMG and IBM Consulting have substantial ERP implementation practices and vendor relationships. Gartner's 2026 Cloud ERP Services research, for example, evaluates these firms as ERP service providers. Gartner For a genuinely independent selection exercise, I'd favor a specialist whose contract explicitly says: no ERP referral commissions or license margin; no reseller quota; no requirement to implement the selected ERP; ability to recommend not replacing the existing ERP; requirements and scoring established before vendor demonstrations; compensation comes from you, the client. My first three to interview: Panorama, Third Stage, and Lightbridge. For a manufacturing/distribution company, I'd add Ultra and Pemeco. If you tell me your company size, industry, geography, and ERP candidates (e.g. SAP vs. Oracle vs. Dynamics vs. NetSuite), I can narrow this to 3–5 firms and compare their selection methodologies, likely engagement model, and potential conflicts of interest. --- ANSWER 27 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Which firms are vendor-neutral on ERP selection? If by vendor-neutral you mean a firm that is paid by the client rather than by an ERP vendor/VAR, and can credibly recommend SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, Infor, Epicor, NetSuite, etc. against the same requirements, there are several good options. Strong candidates FirmBest fitWhy consider itPanorama Consulting GroupMid-market to large organizationsExplicitly describes itself as 100% technology-agnostic and independent of vendor affiliation; does ERP selection, implementation oversight and contract negotiation. Panorama Consulting Group+1Third Stage Consulting GroupMid-market/enterprise transformationIndependent ERP advisory firm specializing in selection and implementation-risk management. ERP ResearchUltra ConsultantsManufacturing & distributionIndependent selection specialist with particularly deep manufacturing/distribution experience. ERP Research+1ERP Advisors GroupMid-marketSoftware-agnostic ERP selection and demo facilitation. ERP Research+1Lightbridge ERPMid-market/enterpriseExplicitly says it accepts no vendor kickbacks, reseller quotas or partner-tier incentives and evaluates platforms across the broader market. Lightbridge ERP+1John Hannan LLCManufacturing, distribution, life sciencesExplicit no-referral-fee/no-quota model; runs requirements, RFPs, demos, scoring and contract review. John Hannan LLCAvalon CSCSupply chain-heavy organizationsVendor-neutral ERP plus WMS/TMS/YMS selection; useful where ERP selection is intertwined with logistics technology. Avalon CSCMint JutrasIndependent research/advisoryBoutique firm focused on ERP benchmarking, evaluation and strategic advisory. ERP Research A current independent directory lists 24+ vendor-neutral ERP advisory firms, so this isn't an exhaustive list. ERP Research+1 My shortlist If I were running an ERP selection, I'd probably start with: Panorama — strongest general-purpose independent selection option. Third Stage — particularly good if the project involves significant transformation/change-management risk. Ultra Consultants — especially compelling for manufacturing/distribution. ERP Advisors Group — good mid-market alternative. Lightbridge ERP — interesting option if you want an explicitly no-kickback/no-quota model. One important caveat Don't equate "doesn't sell ERP licenses" with genuine neutrality. Some firms call themselves independent while maintaining substantial implementation partnerships with particular vendors. I'd ask every candidate: Do you receive referral fees, commissions, rebates, MDF, or partner incentives from any ERP vendor? Are you an implementation partner for any ERP vendor? Can you recommend a vendor for which you have no implementation capability? Show me the last 10 ERP selections and what systems were ultimately chosen. Who gets paid if your recommended ERP is selected? Will your contract prohibit vendor compensation during our selection? That last question is particularly useful: genuine independence should be demonstrable in the commercial model, not merely in marketing language. ERP Research similarly recommends checking for referral fees and vendor partnerships when testing whether an advisor is genuinely independent. ERP Research If you tell me your industry, approximate revenue/employee count, geography, and which ERPs you're considering, I can narrow this to the 3–5 firms I'd actually invite to an RFP. --- ANSWER 28 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Which firms are vendor-neutral on ERP selection? If by vendor-neutral you mean an advisor that does not earn software commissions, resell a particular ERP, or limit the shortlist to its implementation partners, there are several credible options. Strong vendor-neutral ERP selection firms FirmBest fitWhy consider themPanorama Consulting GroupMid-market to large organizationsExplicitly describes itself as 100% technology-agnostic and independent of vendor affiliation; strong in ERP selection, implementation oversight, and contract negotiation. Panorama Consulting+1Third Stage Consulting GroupMid-market/enterprise, complex transformationsIndependent ERP selection and digital-transformation advisory; particularly strong on selection methodology, organizational readiness, and implementation risk. Third Stage ConsultingERP Advisors GroupMid-market companiesSays it does not sell software or take vendor commissions and focuses on client-side ERP selection and implementation guidance. ERP Advisors GroupUltra ConsultantsManufacturing & distributionIndependent selection and process-improvement specialist with particular depth in manufacturing/distribution. ERP ResearchMint JutrasResearch-heavy evaluationBoutique ERP research/advisory practice useful when you want independent market analysis and vendor benchmarking rather than an implementation partner. ERP ResearchTechnology Evaluation Centers (TEC)Structured RFP/feature evaluationIndependent software-selection firm with detailed ERP comparison and decision-support capabilities. ERP ResearchLightbridge ERPMid-market/enterpriseExplicitly states that it accepts no vendor kickbacks, referral fees, reseller quotas, or partner-tier incentives. Lightbridge ERP+1 A current independent-consultant directory identifies 24+ firms as vendor-neutral, including the firms above. ERP Research+1 My shortlist If you're actually preparing for an ERP selection, I'd narrow it to: Panorama — best all-around choice for a formal, independent selection. Third Stage — particularly good for a transformational/complex ERP program. ERP Advisors Group — attractive for a mid-market company wanting hands-on selection support. Ultra Consultants — move this to #1 if you're manufacturing/distribution-heavy. Lightbridge ERP — worth considering if strict independence/no vendor compensation is your primary criterion. One important caveat: "vendor-neutral" is partly a matter of business model and disclosure, not just marketing language. Before hiring anyone, ask them to disclose all ERP vendor partnerships, referral fees, commissions, reseller relationships, implementation revenue, and whether they will recommend vendors outside their existing ecosystem. An independent directory likewise recommends explicitly testing for referral fees and vendor partnerships. ERP Research If you tell me your company size, industry, geography, and which ERPs you're considering (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Dynamics 365, NetSuite, Infor, Epicor), I can narrow this to the 3 best-fit vendor-neutral firms and compare their likely strengths.Log in for advice and recommendations tailored to you.Log inSign up for free --- ANSWER 29 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Which firms are vendor-neutral on ERP selection? If by vendor-neutral you mean the advisor does not resell an ERP, take vendor commissions/referral fees, or have a quota tied to a particular platform, there are several credible options. Strong U.S. options FirmBest fitWhy consider them Panorama Consulting GroupMid-market to enterpriseOne of the better-known independent ERP selection specialists; does requirements, vendor evaluation, selection and implementation oversight. Third Stage Consulting GroupMid-market/enterprise, complex transformationsStrong emphasis on vendor-agnostic selection and implementation-risk management. Ultra ConsultantsManufacturing & distributionIndependent selection consultancy with particularly deep manufacturing/distribution experience. ERP Advisors GroupMid-marketSoftware-agnostic selection, requirements, demos and implementation oversight. Mint JutrasResearch-heavy selectionBoutique advisory/research firm focused on ERP benchmarking and vendor evaluation. John Hannan LLCManufacturing, distribution, life sciencesExplicitly positions itself as vendor-neutral and handles requirements, RFPs, demos, TCO and partner selection. Lightbridge ERPMid-market & enterpriseExplicitly states it takes no vendor kickbacks, referral fees, reseller quotas or partner-tier incentives. Also worth considering For DACH/European organizations, Trovarit AG is particularly interesting. It explicitly describes itself as 100% vendor-independent and uses weighted requirements, scoring matrices and TCO analysis through the selection and contracting process. For very large enterprises, analyst/research firms such as Gartner, Forrester, and Nucleus Research can provide independent market research and vendor evaluation, although they're somewhat different from a hands-on ERP selection consultancy. My shortlist If you're actually hiring someone to run an ERP selection, I'd start with: Panorama — broadest established ERP-selection specialist. Third Stage — particularly good if transformation/implementation risk is a major concern. ERP Advisors Group — good mid-market option. Ultra Consultants — especially if you're manufacturing/distribution. Lightbridge ERP — interesting if strict independence/no vendor economics is your primary criterion. One important caveat: “independent” is not enough by itself. Ask each firm to disclose every ERP vendor relationship, referral fee, reseller agreement, implementation revenue, and certification/partner status. A consultancy can be “multi-vendor” while still having economic incentives around particular products. Independent advisors generally distinguish themselves from VARs precisely because they don't receive license margin or referral commission. If you tell me your company size, industry, geography, and the ERP candidates you're considering (e.g. SAP vs. Oracle vs. Dynamics vs. NetSuite), I can narrow this to 3–5 firms that are genuinely appropriate rather than just “vendor-neutral.” --- ANSWER 30 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Which firms are vendor-neutral on ERP selection? If by vendor-neutral you mean the firm’s primary commercial relationship is with the buyer—not an ERP vendor or reseller—I’d shortlist these: FirmBest fitNeutrality signalPanorama Consulting GroupMid-market to enterprise; broad ERP landscapeExplicitly says it is 100% independent of software vendors and provides vendor-neutral selection. Panorama Consulting+1Third Stage Consulting GroupIndependent ERP selection, transformation and implementation oversightListed as an independent, vendor-agnostic ERP adviser. ERP ResearchUltra ConsultantsManufacturing & distributionFocuses on vendor-neutral ERP selection and implementation management. ERP ResearchERP Advisors GroupMid-market companiesIndependent selection adviser covering requirements, vendor shortlisting and implementation oversight. ERP ResearchLightbridge ERPMid-market/enterprise; finance-heavy organizationsExplicitly states it takes no vendor kickbacks, reseller quotas or partner-tier incentives and evaluates multiple platforms. Lightbridge ERP+1Mint JutrasIndependent research/benchmarking and ERP evaluationBoutique ERP research/advisory firm providing independent vendor evaluation. ERP ResearchPemeco ConsultingComplex/asset-intensive manufacturingIndependent ERP advisory, particularly strong in manufacturing environments. ERP ResearchNest ConsultingUK mid-marketIndependent, vendor-neutral selection through requirements, shortlist and contract negotiation. ERP Research My practical shortlist For a serious ERP selection/RFP, I'd start with Panorama, Third Stage, and Ultra. If you want a smaller/boutique adviser, ERP Advisors Group or Lightbridge are worth considering. One important distinction: Gartner and Forrester are vendor-independent research/advisory organizations, but they're not the same thing as an independent ERP-selection consultancy that will run your requirements, demos, RFP and commercial negotiation. ERP Research Also, don't take "vendor-neutral" at face value. Ask every firm: Do you receive referral fees, commissions, MDF, or partner incentives from any ERP vendor? Which ERP vendors do you have implementation partnerships with? Can you recommend a platform you don't implement? Will you disclose all vendor relationships in writing? Who pays you—the client or the software/implementation vendor? Those questions are more meaningful than the firm's marketing language. ERP Research's current independent-consultant guidance specifically recommends checking for referral fees and vendor partnerships when testing genuine independence. ERP Research If you tell me your company size, industry, geography, and which ERPs you're considering (e.g. SAP, Oracle, Dynamics 365, NetSuite, Infor, Epicor), I can narrow this to the 3–5 firms I'd actually invite to an ERP-selection RFP. --- ANSWER 31 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Which firms are vendor-neutral on ERP selection? Yes. If by vendor-neutral you mean the firm is paid by the buyer rather than earning software-license commissions/reseller margins, there are several credible ERP-selection specialists. Firms I’d shortlist FirmBest fitWhy consider it Panorama Consulting GroupMid-market & enterpriseStrong ERP-selection methodology, vendor-neutral positioning, implementation oversight, and change management. Third Stage Consulting GroupComplex transformationsIndependent advisory firm focused on ERP selection, digital transformation, and implementation risk. Ultra ConsultantsManufacturing & distributionParticularly strong if you're an industrial/manufacturing company; selection is business-process driven. ERP Advisors GroupMid-marketFocused on ERP selection and advisory rather than selling a particular ERP platform. Mint JutrasERP research/benchmarkingBoutique analyst/advisory firm useful when you want deep ERP-market knowledge and independent vendor evaluation. TEC (Technology Evaluation Centers)Structured software evaluationParticularly useful for requirements, feature comparisons, RFPs and quantitative evaluation across many ERP products. Lightbridge ERPMid-market & enterpriseExplicitly states it takes no vendor kickbacks, reseller quotas or partner-tier incentives and evaluates platforms across the landscape. John Hannan LLCManufacturing, distribution & life sciencesRuns requirements, RFPs, scripted demos, scoring, TCO analysis and implementation-partner selection. TrovaritEurope/DACHVery explicit 100% vendor-independent model, with weighted requirements, TCO, RFPs and contract support. A current independent-consultant directory identifies 24+ firms meeting its vendor-neutral criteria, including the firms above. My practical shortlist If you're in the U.S., I'd start with: Panorama — strongest all-around option for a substantial ERP transformation. Third Stage — particularly good when executive-level transformation/risk management is important. Ultra — my first look for manufacturing/distribution. ERP Advisors Group — attractive for a conventional mid-market selection. Lightbridge ERP — worth considering if strict independence from vendor compensation is your primary criterion. One important caveat: "vendor-neutral" needs to be tested, not just accepted as a marketing claim. Ask every candidate, in writing: Do you receive referral fees, commissions, rebates or MDF from any ERP vendor? Are you an official partner/reseller of any ERP vendor? Can you recommend a platform that you cannot implement? Do you receive implementation revenue after making the recommendation? Will you disclose all vendor relationships and economic incentives? Who owns the selection scorecard and final recommendation—the client or the consultant? That distinction matters because a consultancy can call itself "independent" while having a substantial economic relationship with a subset of ERP vendors. The cleanest model is an advisor whose only commercial relationship for the selection is with you. If you tell me your industry, company size, geography, and which ERP products you're considering (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Dynamics, NetSuite, Infor, Epicor), I can narrow this to 3–5 firms and compare their likely fit. --- ANSWER 32 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Which consultants run an independent ERP selection process? Yes. There is a distinct market of independent, vendor-neutral ERP selection advisors whose role is to sit on the client side, run the requirements/RFP/demo/scoring process, and recommend the ERP separately from whoever eventually implements it. Some of the more credible firms to investigate are: ConsultantBest fit / positioningIndependence Panorama Consulting GroupMid-market and enterprise; ERP selection, implementation oversight, change managementIndependent / vendor-neutral Third Stage Consulting GroupEnterprise and mid-market; particularly strong in ERP strategy, selection and implementation riskSays it accepts no vendor commissions or referral fees Ultra ConsultantsManufacturing and distribution; ERP selection and implementation advisoryIndependent Lightbridge ERPMid-market/enterprise; structured selection across NetSuite, SAP, Dynamics, Oracle, Epicor, etc.Explicitly says no referral fees, reseller quotas or partner incentives John Hannan LLCManufacturing, distribution and life sciences; hands-on RFP, scripted demos, TCO and implementation-partner selectionVendor-neutral Trovarit AGParticularly strong in Germany/DACH; formal tendering, scoring, TCO and contract negotiationExplicitly 100% vendor-independent ESS Inc.Manufacturing/distribution; especially IFS, Epicor and Infor environmentsPositions its selection work as vendor-neutral DEBCOR EngineeringERP evaluation with deep SAP experience; useful where SAP is one of several candidatesSays its evaluation is vendor-neutral ERP Research currently lists 24+ independent ERP advisory firms, including Panorama, Third Stage, Ultra, Citrin Cooperman, RightPath, Constellation Research and Ephor Group. If you're specifically looking for a truly independent selection process I'd distinguish these firms from the big ERP implementation partners such as Accenture, Deloitte, PwC, IBM, KPMG, RSM, Avanade, etc. Those firms can absolutely run a good selection, but many have substantial implementation relationships with particular ERP vendors. An independent advisor's economic model is different: you pay them for the selection; they don't make money from the ERP license or implementation partner you choose. For example, Lightbridge explicitly describes its model as having no vendor kickbacks, referral fees, reseller quotas or partner-tier incentives, while Third Stage similarly states that it doesn't accept commissions or referral fees. What I would expect the independent consultant to run A good independent selection process should look roughly like: Current-state/process assessment Business and technical requirements ERP market scan and longlist Shortlist RFP / structured vendor questionnaires Scripted vendor demonstrations Fit-gap scoring Reference checks TCO/business-case comparison Implementation-partner evaluation Commercial negotiation Board/executive recommendation That's substantially different from having three ERP vendors come in and "demo their software." Trovarit's published methodology, for example, explicitly runs from requirements through market screening, RFP, demos/scoring, contract negotiation and implementation QA. If you tell me your company size, industry, geography, and which ERPs you're considering (e.g. SAP vs. Oracle vs. Dynamics vs. NetSuite), I can narrow this to 5–7 independent firms that are genuinely appropriate for your situation, including typical engagement size/cost and which ones I would shortlist. --- ANSWER 33 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Which consultants run an independent ERP selection process? Yes. If by “independent ERP selection process” you mean a consultant who sits on the buyer’s side, defines requirements, runs the RFP/demo/evaluation process, and recommends among multiple ERP vendors—not a reseller trying to sell its own platform—there are several credible options. Firms worth considering ConsultantBest fitIndependence / selection approach Panorama Consulting GroupMid-market to enterprise; complex transformationsVendor-neutral ERP selection, requirements, implementation oversight Third Stage Consulting GroupMid-market/enterprise; broad ERP landscapeIndependent, vendor-agnostic selection and implementation-risk advisory Ultra ConsultantsManufacturing & distributionVendor-neutral selection with strong manufacturing expertise ERP Advisors GroupMid-market companiesSelection from requirements through shortlist and implementation oversight Pemeco ConsultingManufacturing, asset-intensive industriesIndependent selection and implementation advisory John Hannan LLCManufacturing, distribution, life sciencesVendor-neutral requirements, RFPs, scripted demos, scoring and TCO Lightbridge ERPMid-market/enterprise; finance-led organizationsExplicitly no vendor kickbacks, quotas or referral fees; runs selection across multiple platforms Nest ConsultingUK / European mid-marketIndependent selection through requirements, shortlist and contract negotiation Mint JutrasOrganizations wanting analyst-level market evaluationIndependent ERP research, benchmarking and vendor evaluation ERP Research currently maintains a directory of 24+ firms it characterizes as independent and vendor-neutral, including many of the above. A few are particularly explicit about how they maintain independence. Lightbridge ERP, for example, says it takes no vendor kickbacks, referral fees, reseller quotas or partner-tier incentives and scores platforms against the client's requirements. John Hannan LLC describes a process covering requirements, RFP, scripted demos, fit scoring, TCO and selection of both the ERP and implementation partner. My shortlist If I were hiring an independent firm to actually run the selection, rather than simply provide market research, I'd start with: Panorama — strong all-around choice for a substantial ERP program. Third Stage — particularly good if you want rigorous independent advice and implementation-risk perspective. Ultra Consultants — strong choice for manufacturing/distribution. ERP Advisors Group — attractive for a mid-market company wanting a hands-on selection process. John Hannan — worth a look if you want a relatively focused, structured selection/RFP engagement. Lightbridge ERP — particularly interesting if genuine vendor neutrality/no referral economics is your primary criterion. The important distinction is that “independent” should be tested contractually, not accepted as a marketing label. Ask every candidate: Do you receive referral fees, commissions or rebates from ERP vendors? Are you a partner/reseller for any ERP platform? Will you evaluate platforms you don't implement? Will you recommend the implementation partner separately from the ERP? Will you run scripted demos using our requirements? Will you provide a weighted scoring model and documented recommendation? Can you provide references where you recommended an ERP that the consulting firm didn't implement? That last question is especially revealing. If you tell me your company size, industry, geography, and the ERP systems you're considering (e.g. SAP, Oracle, Dynamics 365, NetSuite, Infor, Epicor), I can narrow this to 3–5 consultants that are genuinely independent and appropriate for your situation, including their likely engagement model and strengths. --- ANSWER 34 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Which consultants run an independent ERP selection process? Yes. If by “independent ERP selection” you mean a consultant that sits on the buyer’s side, defines requirements, runs the RFP/demo process, evaluates multiple ERP vendors, and doesn't earn a commission or implementation margin from the selected ERP, there are several credible options. Strong independent ERP-selection firms FirmBest fitWhat they do Panorama Consulting GroupMid-market & enterpriseVendor-neutral ERP selection, requirements, implementation oversight and change management Third Stage Consulting GroupMid-market & enterpriseIndependent ERP selection, digital transformation and implementation-risk advisory Ultra ConsultantsManufacturing & distributionERP selection, process improvement and implementation oversight Pemeco ConsultingComplex/asset-intensive businessesERP selection and implementation advisory, particularly manufacturing Mint JutrasResearch-heavy selectionsIndependent ERP benchmarking, vendor evaluation and strategic advisory ERP Advisors GroupMid-marketERP selection and implementation advisory EGroupMid-marketRequirements, RFPs, vendor demonstrations and contract negotiation Lightbridge ERPMid-market & enterpriseVendor-neutral selection across SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Epicor, NetSuite and others John Hannan LLCManufacturing, distribution, life sciencesRequirements → RFP → shortlist → scripted demos → scoring → TCO → implementation-partner selection Technology Evaluation Centers (TEC)Data-driven software evaluationVendor-neutral ERP comparisons and software-selection decision support These firms are identified as independent/vendor-neutral ERP selection advisors by the current ERP Research directory, which lists 24+ such firms. A few I'd put on a shortlist 1. Panorama Consulting Group — probably the best-known specialist if you want a formal, structured selection process rather than simply ERP advice. It covers requirements, vendor evaluation and selection, and can remain involved through implementation. 2. Third Stage Consulting — particularly interesting if you want an advisor that is strongly focused on avoiding vendor/implementation-partner bias and managing ERP risk. 3. Lightbridge ERP — worth considering if you specifically want an advisor that explicitly says it takes no vendor kickbacks, referral fees, reseller quotas or partner-tier incentives. It evaluates the broader ERP landscape rather than starting with one vendor. 4. John Hannan LLC — a more boutique option. Its stated process is particularly close to what I'd call a true independent selection: requirements, RFP, shortlist, scripted demonstrations, scoring, TCO comparison, and selection of both ERP and implementation partner. 5. Ultra Consultants — especially worth looking at if you're in manufacturing or distribution. One important distinction I'd be careful with the word “independent.” Some consultancies describe themselves as independent while simultaneously being implementation partners for SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, NetSuite, Infor, etc. That doesn't automatically make their advice bad, but it means you should ask: “If you recommend ERP X, will your firm receive any license commission, referral fee, partner incentive, or implementation revenue from that recommendation?” A genuinely independent selection advisor should be able to answer that very clearly. ERP Research specifically defines independence in terms of having no reseller/commission arrangement with an ERP vendor. If you tell me your company size, industry, geography, and which ERP(s) you're considering (e.g. SAP S/4HANA, Dynamics 365, Oracle, NetSuite, Infor, Epicor), I can narrow this to 5–7 firms that are genuinely independent and suited to your situation, including typical engagement scope/cost and which ones I'd interview first. --- ANSWER 35 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Which consultants run an independent ERP selection process? Yes. There is a distinct market of vendor-neutral ERP selection consultants whose role is to work for the buyer—not an ERP vendor or implementation partner. They typically handle requirements, market screening, RFPs, scripted demos, scoring, TCO analysis, negotiations, and sometimes implementation oversight. ERP Research+1 Firms worth considering ConsultantBest fit / distinctionPanorama Consulting GroupLarger independent firm; broad ERP selection, implementation oversight, and change management. Strong for mid-market/enterprise. ERP ResearchThird Stage Consulting GroupVendor-agnostic ERP selection and risk/implementation advisory; particularly strong for complex transformation programs. ERP ResearchUltra ConsultantsIndependent selection specialist with particular depth in manufacturing and distribution. Ultra ConsultantsERP Advisors GroupBoutique/mid-market advisor focused on independent selection and implementation guidance; explicitly says it doesn't sell software or take vendor commissions. ERP Advisors Group180 SystemsVendor-independent ERP selection, with requirements analysis based heavily on business processes and KPIs. Covers industries including manufacturing, distribution, services, retail and logistics. 180 SystemsMint JutrasBoutique research/advisory firm; particularly useful if you want strong independent ERP market knowledge and benchmarking. ERP ResearchLightbridge ERPExplicitly vendor-neutral; runs the needs assessment and selection and says it accepts no vendor kickbacks, reseller quotas or partner incentives. Lightbridge ERP+1John Hannan LLCBoutique, client-side selection advisor for manufacturing, distribution and life sciences; handles requirements, RFP, demos, scoring, TCO and implementation-partner selection. John Hannan LLC+1Enterprise Resource Consulting (ERC)Smaller independent firm that describes itself as 100% technology-agnostic and offers ERP selection project management, including a fixed-fee selection option. ERP Selection Consultant+1TrovaritParticularly established in the German/DACH market; offers a highly structured requirements → RFP → demos → scoring → TCO → negotiation process. Trovarit There are 24+ firms currently identified as independent/vendor-neutral ERP advisors, so this isn't an exhaustive list. ERP Research If you're looking for a truly independent selection I'd distinguish between three models: Pure independent advisor — gets paid only by you and has no reseller/referral economics. This is the cleanest model. Independent selection + implementation oversight — still vendor-neutral, but stays on your side after selection to manage the implementation partner. Vendor-neutral selection + implementation — potentially useful, but you need to scrutinize the firm's vendor relationships. For example, some firms say they are independent while also implementing particular ERP products. E-SS Inc. For a selection engagement, I'd require every consultant to disclose all ERP reseller/partner agreements, referral fees, implementation revenue, and vendor incentives before you shortlist them. That's a better test of independence than simply asking whether they call themselves "vendor-neutral." ERP Research If you tell me your industry, approximate revenue/company size, number of users, current ERP, and whether you're considering SAP/Oracle/Microsoft/Infor/NetSuite/etc., I can narrow this to 5–7 consultants that are genuinely appropriate for your situation, including smaller boutiques that may be more economical than Panorama/Third Stage. --- ANSWER 36 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Which consultants run an independent ERP selection process? Yes. If by “independent ERP selection” you mean a consultant that works for the buyer, evaluates multiple ERP platforms, and doesn't earn reseller/referral fees from the selected vendor, there are several credible firms. Strong U.S. options ConsultantBest fitIndependence / selection approach Panorama Consulting GroupMid-market to enterprise; complex transformationsVendor-neutral selection, requirements, implementation oversight and change management. Third Stage Consulting GroupMid-market/enterprise; organizations wanting rigorous selection and implementation-risk analysisPositions itself as independent and vendor-agnostic; runs ERP software selection and strategy. Ultra ConsultantsManufacturing & distributionIndependent selection process focused on business requirements and vendor comparison. ERP Advisors GroupMid-market companiesSays it does not sell software or take vendor commissions and provides client-side selection advice. 180 SystemsManufacturing, distribution, professional services, retail and other industriesExplicitly says it accepts no compensation from vendors or implementers; selection starts with business-process analysis. Lightbridge ERPMid-market/enterprise; finance-heavy organizationsVendor-neutral, cross-platform selection; explicitly states it accepts no vendor kickbacks, quotas or partner incentives. John Hannan LLCManufacturing, distribution and life sciencesVendor-neutral selection from requirements through RFP, demos, scoring, TCO and implementation-partner selection. Enterprise Resource ConsultingSMB through larger manufacturers/distributorsStates it is 100% technology-agnostic with no financial ties to vendors/resellers and offers fixed-fee selection. There are also firms outside the U.S., such as Trovarit in Germany/DACH, which explicitly describes a six-step vendor-independent process covering requirements, market screening, RFP, demos, scoring, TCO and contract negotiation. The ones I'd put on an RFP shortlist If you're looking for a true independent selection process rather than an ERP implementation partner wearing an advisory hat, I'd start with: Third Stage — particularly strong if the project is strategically important and you want an advisor focused on avoiding implementation failure. Panorama — good choice for a larger, formal transformation/selection. Ultra — especially compelling for manufacturing/distribution. 180 Systems — interesting if you want a smaller, process-oriented independent advisor. Lightbridge ERP — worth considering if you want a modern, cross-platform process with explicit separation from vendor incentives. A useful distinction: “vendor-neutral” isn't necessarily the same as “independent.” Some consultants implement the products they recommend. For maximum independence, ask each candidate to disclose reseller agreements, referral fees, vendor commissions, implementation revenue, and whether they will bid on the implementation after making the selection recommendation. ERP Research specifically recommends testing those points rather than relying on the word “independent.” If you tell me your company size, industry, geography, and approximate ERP budget, I can narrow this to 5–7 consultants that are genuinely appropriate for your situation, including which ones I'd invite to an RFP. --- ANSWER 37 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Which consultants run an independent ERP selection process? Yes. If by “independent ERP selection process” you mean a consultant who sits on the buyer’s side, evaluates multiple ERP platforms, runs the requirements/RFP/demo/scoring process, and doesn’t make its money from selling a particular ERP, there are several credible options. U.S. firms worth considering ConsultantBest fitWhat they doPanorama Consulting GroupMid-market to enterpriseVendor-neutral ERP selection, requirements, implementation oversight and change management. ERP Research+1Third Stage Consulting GroupMid-market/enterprise, complex transformationsIndependent ERP selection, digital strategy and implementation-risk management. Third Stage Consulting+1Ultra ConsultantsManufacturing & distributionIndependent ERP selection and implementation advisory, with particular manufacturing/distribution expertise. ERP ResearchJohn Hannan LLCManufacturing, distribution, life sciencesRequirements → RFP → shortlist → scripted demos → scoring → TCO → ERP and implementation-partner selection. They explicitly state they take no software referral fees. John Hannan LLC+1Lightbridge ERPMid-market/enterpriseVendor-neutral selection across SAP, Microsoft, Oracle, Epicor, NetSuite and others; explicitly says it takes no vendor kickbacks, referral fees or reseller quotas. Lightbridge ERP+1Avalon CSCOperations-heavy organizationsERP plus WMS/TMS/YMS selection; requirements, RFP, demos, objective scoring and TCO. Avalon CSCEphor GroupMid-market/enterpriseERP selection, vendor evaluation, business-process design and program governance. ERP Research There are also smaller specialists. John Hannan is particularly interesting if you're looking for a true selection specialist rather than a large transformation consultancy. Lightbridge is another strong example of a firm explicitly separating its economics from the ERP vendor. John Hannan LLC+1 One important distinction I would not automatically classify a consulting firm as independent simply because it says “vendor-neutral.” Ask each candidate: Do you receive referral fees, commissions, MDF, rebates, or partner incentives from ERP vendors? Do you have reseller/implementation agreements with any of the vendors? Will you recommend an implementation partner separately from the ERP vendor? Can you put SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, Infor, Epicor, NetSuite, Acumatica, etc. on the same evaluation matrix? Who pays you—the client or the eventual ERP vendor? Will you provide the weighted scoring model, TCO analysis, RFP, scripted demos and final recommendation? The strongest definition of independence is structural: the consultant gets paid by you, not by the ERP vendor, and has no financial reason for you to select one platform over another. ERP Research's current independent-consultant directory identifies 24+ firms using essentially this definition. ERP Research+1 If you tell me your company size, industry, approximate revenue, geography, and which ERPs you're considering, I can narrow this to 5–7 firms that are genuinely independent and appropriate for your situation, including estimated engagement costs and which ones I would interview first. --- ANSWER 38 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Who can help us choose between NetSuite, Sage Intacct and Dynamics? If you're choosing between NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and Microsoft Dynamics, I’d strongly recommend using a vendor-neutral ERP selection advisor rather than asking each vendor/VAR to tell you which system is best. Independent advisors can document requirements, run a structured evaluation, compare total cost, and then help you select an implementation partner. ERP Research+1 A few options worth considering: ERP Research — has a vendor-neutral selection/advisory service and specifically covers NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and Dynamics. ERP Research ERP Research — independent ERP selection Lightbridge ERP — explicitly evaluates NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and Dynamics 365 without tying the recommendation to one platform. They produce requirements, weighted scoring, TCO, risk assessment, and an implementation roadmap. Lightbridge ERP Lightbridge ERP Rand Group — interesting if you want one firm capable of working across Microsoft, NetSuite, and Sage, although I'd specifically ask how they handle independence and compensation during selection. Rand Group OTT, Inc. — a Wisconsin/Midwest option that works with NetSuite and Dynamics 365 Business Central. It's more of a platform/implementation partner than a truly vendor-neutral advisor, so I'd use them more for a second opinion or implementation evaluation. OTT, Inc What I'd do For a meaningful ERP purchase, I'd separate the process into two roles: 1. Independent advisor: Helps you answer "Which ERP should we buy?" 2. Implementation partner: Once you've chosen, helps answer "Who should configure and implement it?" That separation matters because a reseller has an inherent incentive toward the ERP they sell. ERP Research If you tell me your industry, approximate revenue/company size, number of entities, employees/users, and the main pain points with your current system, I can also narrow this down to 3–5 specific firms I'd interview and tell you whether I'd lean NetSuite vs. Intacct vs. Dynamics for your situation. --- ANSWER 39 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Who can help us choose between NetSuite, Sage Intacct and Dynamics? If you’re choosing among NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and Microsoft Dynamics 365, I’d strongly recommend using a vendor-neutral ERP selection consultant, rather than letting one of the software vendors or a single-platform reseller run the evaluation. A good advisor should: Document your business processes and requirements before seeing demos. Build a weighted scorecard covering finance, reporting, operations, integrations, scalability, usability, and total cost. Make all three vendors demonstrate against the same scripted scenarios. Compare licensing + implementation + integrations + ongoing support over 5 years. Evaluate the implementation partners separately from the software. Help negotiate the final software and implementation contracts. Firms worth considering Rand Group is one of the more directly relevant options. They explicitly evaluate and implement Dynamics 365, NetSuite, and Sage, and describe their selection process as platform-agnostic. Rand Group ERP selectionrandgroup.com RSM US is another strong candidate if you're a middle-market company. It has practices across all three platforms and can provide accounting/advisory expertise in addition to technology implementation. Lightbridge ERP is worth looking at if you want a particularly independent selection exercise. It says its selection work produces requirements, weighted scoring, TCO analysis, risk assessment, and a recommendation, and it evaluates NetSuite, Dynamics, and Sage Intacct. Lightbridge ERP selection serviceslightbridgeerp.com There are also independent ERP-selection services such as ERP Research, which can match you with partners across NetSuite, Sage, and Dynamics rather than starting with one vendor. The important distinction Very roughly: If your priority is…I'd investigate first Finance/accounting, dimensional reporting, relatively finance-centric operationsSage Intacct Broad ERP + multi-entity + inventory/order management + potential CRM/e-commerceNetSuite Microsoft 365 ecosystem + finance/operations + strong valueDynamics 365 Business Central Complex enterprise finance/supply chainDynamics 365 Finance & Operations Sage itself positions Intacct heavily around multi-entity accounting and dimensional reporting, while Business Central has particularly strong integration with Microsoft's ecosystem. If you tell me your company size, industry, number of entities, approximate revenue, current accounting system, and what isn't working today, I can narrow this down and recommend 3–5 specific consultants/partners that would be appropriate for your situation. --- ANSWER 40 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Who can help us choose between NetSuite, Sage Intacct and Dynamics? If you’re trying to choose objectively between NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and Microsoft Dynamics, I’d recommend using an independent ERP selection/advisory firm, rather than asking one of the vendors or their implementation partners to make the decision. Implementation partners naturally have an incentive to recommend the platform they sell. Who can help Independent ERP advisor/selection consultant — best if you genuinely want an unbiased answer. They should document requirements, run demos/RFPs, score the three systems, and help negotiate implementation proposals. ERP Research — has a vendor-neutral partner-matching service and specifically offers selection support across NetSuite, Dynamics 365, Sage and independent advisors. Vendor implementation partners — useful after you've narrowed the field. Sage, for example, maintains a formal Intacct partner network, while Dynamics and NetSuite have extensive partner ecosystems. The short version of the choice If your priority is…I'd investigate first Broad, all-in-one ERP, multiple entities, inventory/order management, CRM/e-commerceNetSuite Finance, accounting, dimensional reporting and multi-entity managementSage Intacct Microsoft 365/Excel/Teams/Power BI integration, flexibility and potentially lower TCODynamics 365 Business Central Complex enterprise/global operationsDynamics 365 Finance rather than assuming Business Central Those distinctions are broadly consistent with current comparisons: NetSuite is positioned as the broadest suite, Intacct as the finance-focused option, and Business Central as the Microsoft-centric ERP. My recommendation: don't start by requesting three sales demos. Hire an independent advisor for a short ERP selection assessment, have them establish your requirements and weighted scorecard, then make NetSuite, Intacct and Dynamics compete against the same requirements. That substantially reduces the risk of choosing the best salesperson rather than the best ERP. If you tell me your industry, approximate revenue, number of entities/users, current accounting system, and the biggest problems you're trying to solve, I can narrow this down to the type of advisor/consulting firm you should look for—and tell you which of the three I'd put on the shortlist. --- ANSWER 41 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Who can help us choose between NetSuite, Sage Intacct and Dynamics? If you’re choosing between NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and Microsoft Dynamics 365, I’d strongly recommend using a vendor-neutral ERP selection consultant rather than asking one of the three vendors to make the comparison. Vendor-neutral advisors can evaluate all three against your requirements instead of steering you toward the product they sell. Lightbridge ERP+1 Who can help Independent ERP selection/advisory firm — best choice if you genuinely don't know which platform fits. They should run requirements gathering, weighted scoring, scripted demos, TCO analysis, and implementation-partner evaluation. ERP Research — offers vendor-neutral partner matching across NetSuite, Sage Intacct and Dynamics 365, and has directories for each ecosystem. ERP Research+3ERP Research+3ERP Research+3 Lightbridge ERP — specifically advertises vendor-neutral selection covering NetSuite, Sage Intacct and Dynamics 365, with requirements, weighted scoring, TCO and risk assessment. Lightbridge ERP A large accounting/consulting firm such as RSM — potentially useful if you want both selection and implementation. RSM publishes comparison guidance covering all three platforms, but because firms like this also implement ERP systems, I'd ask explicitly about conflicts of interest and how recommendations are scored. RSM US The important distinction You don't necessarily want a NetSuite consultant, Sage consultant, or Dynamics partner to answer this question. Those firms can be excellent after you've selected the platform, but their commercial incentives can make an apples-to-apples evaluation harder. For example, Microsoft itself says its Dynamics partners can help evaluate, implement and optimize Dynamics 365, while Sage similarly describes its partners as helping with purchase, implementation and customization. Microsoft+1 My recommendation: hire an independent ERP advisor for a short 4–8 week selection project, then have the finalists' implementation partners compete for the implementation. If you tell me your company size, industry, number of entities/users, approximate revenue, and what you're trying to fix with the current system, I can also tell you which of the three I'd put on top—and which type of consultant I'd use to validate it. --- ANSWER 42 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Who can help us choose between NetSuite, Sage Intacct and Dynamics? If you’re genuinely deciding between NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and Microsoft Dynamics 365, I’d use an independent, vendor-neutral ERP selection consultant rather than starting with one of the vendors’ implementation partners. That avoids the classic problem where the “advisor” makes money when you buy the system they sell. ERP Research+1 Firms I’d put on the shortlist Lightbridge ERP — Particularly interesting if you want a formal selection process. They say they evaluate NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and Dynamics 365, produce a requirements/weighted-scoring model, TCO comparison, risk assessment and recommendation, and state that they don't take vendor kickbacks. Lightbridge ERP+1 Rand Group — A multi-platform firm with expertise in Dynamics 365, NetSuite, and Sage Intacct. They explicitly offer ERP evaluation/selection and say they can validate a preferred platform against the alternatives. Rand Group Best Practicify — Focuses on mid-market ERP selection and specifically lists Sage Intacct, NetSuite, and Dynamics 365 in its evaluation process. Best Practicify ERP Research's independent consultant directory — Useful if you'd rather compare several independent advisors by industry, geography and project size. ERP Research What I would not do I wouldn't ask Oracle/NetSuite, Sage, or Microsoft to tell you which of their products you should buy. And I wouldn't let a NetSuite partner, Sage partner, or Microsoft partner run the initial selection without making their commercial incentives explicit. The consultant should first document your requirements, then make all three vendors demonstrate the same real-world scenarios, score the results, and build a 3–5 year total-cost comparison. That's much more reliable than comparing sales demos. Lightbridge ERP+1 As a rough starting point, the three tend to have different strengths: Intacct is particularly finance-centric; NetSuite is broader and strong for growing/multi-entity businesses; Dynamics 365 can be especially compelling if you're heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem or have substantial operational/manufacturing needs. Beancount+1 If you tell me your company size, industry, number of entities/users, current accounting system, and the main reason you're replacing it, I can narrow this down to 2–3 consultants I'd actually interview and give you the questions to ask them. --- ANSWER 43 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Who can help us choose between NetSuite, Sage Intacct and Dynamics? The best people to help you choose between NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and Microsoft Dynamics are usually vendor-neutral ERP selection advisors (not just software resellers). They should start with your business requirements, processes, reporting needs, integrations, and growth plans before recommending a platform. Lightbridge ERP+1 Good options include: Independent ERP consultants / selection advisors They run a structured evaluation: requirements gathering, vendor demos, scoring, total cost comparisons, implementation risk assessment, and a recommendation. Firms such as Lightbridge ERP specialize in ERP selection across multiple platforms, including NetSuite, Dynamics, and Sage Intacct. Lightbridge ERP ERP advisory firms with multi-platform experience Firms such as RSM US, Rand Group, and Withum evaluate and implement multiple ERP systems rather than only one product line. RSM US+2Rand Group+2 Your CFO, controller, and key operational leaders (as part of the selection team) An ERP choice affects finance, sales, operations, inventory, projects, and reporting. The right advisor should interview these groups rather than letting IT or a vendor demo drive the decision. A good selection advisor should be able to answer questions like: QuestionWhy it mattersAre you primarily finance-focused, or do you need a broader ERP?Sage Intacct is often considered for strong financial management; NetSuite and Dynamics may fit broader operational needs depending on requirements.Do you need manufacturing, inventory, field service, or complex supply chain?These can heavily influence whether Dynamics or NetSuite is a better fit.How many entities, countries, currencies, and reporting dimensions do you have?Multi-entity complexity is a common ERP differentiator.What systems must integrate (CRM, payroll, ecommerce, BI, tax, banking)?Integration requirements can change the best choice.Who will implement and support it?A good selection does not guarantee a successful implementation. A practical process is: Hire an independent ERP advisor. Document business requirements before seeing vendor demos. Score NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and Dynamics against those requirements. Get implementation estimates from qualified partners. Make the decision based on total cost, fit, and risk—not the most impressive demo. If you share your company size, industry, number of entities, current accounting system, and biggest pain points, I can suggest which type of advisor you need and what criteria should drive the decision. --- ANSWER 44 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Who advises on ERP requirements gathering before we buy? If you mean “who should we hire to figure out what we actually need before choosing an ERP?”, the best fit is an independent ERP selection consultant / business analyst—ideally vendor-neutral. They should lead: Stakeholder workshops with Finance, Operations, Sales, HR, Supply Chain, etc. Current-state process mapping and pain-point analysis. Future-state requirements—what the business should do, not simply what the existing process does. Functional and non-functional requirements, prioritized as must / should / could. Fit-gap analysis and an ERP requirements matrix. RFP/RFQ preparation, vendor shortlisting, scripted demos, and objective scoring. TCO and implementation-risk assessment before you sign anything. That's consistent with current ERP-selection guidance, which recommends an independent BA/ERP consultant rather than letting the ERP vendor define the requirements. ERP Research+1 In the Philippines If you're looking for someone in/around Metro Manila, one interesting option I found is Gardoce, which explicitly offers pre-RFQ/RFP ERP advisory, business-process assessment, ERP readiness, future-state design, and vendor-agnostic ERP selection for Philippine organizations. Gardoce There are also Manila-based ERP functional consultants/BA resources whose work includes requirements workshops and process mapping, but I'd distinguish these from a truly vendor-neutral selection adviser. Indeed+1 My recommendation: don't start by asking SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, Odoo, NetSuite, etc. to tell you what you need. First have an independent adviser produce a requirements and process baseline, then invite vendors to demonstrate against your requirements. If you tell me your company size, industry, number of entities/users, and which functions you need in the ERP, I can identify 3–5 suitable ERP requirements/selection consultants in Metro Manila and compare them. --- ANSWER 45 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Who can build an ERP business case for our board? Yes. For a board-ready ERP business case, I’d look for an independent ERP strategy/advisory firm, rather than having the ERP vendor build the case. The key is that they should quantify the business value and cost of inaction before recommending a platform. A few credible options: BDO — explicitly starts ERP engagements with the business case and strategic objectives rather than technology, and can provide independent implementation oversight. The Berkeley Partnership — specializes in major transformation programs and says its ERP consultants can build the case for change, establish the roadmap, and help secure investment approval and governance. TriVista — particularly interesting for mid-market/complex organizations; they cite a recent ERP selection that obtained PE-board buy-in in 10 weeks, including the board presentation and vendor negotiation. AMIGO — a more specialized ERP business-case option. Their offering explicitly includes TCO, benefits modeling, NPV/IRR, payback, downside scenarios, options analysis, and a board-ready decision deck. Cherry Street Consulting — focuses on manufacturing ERP and lays out a CFO-oriented approach including five-year investment modeling, cost of status quo, benefits scenarios, risk analysis, and sensitivity analysis. What I would ask them to deliver Don't just commission an "ERP assessment." Ask for these six board-level outputs: Cost of doing nothing — quantified over 3–5 years. Options analysis — do nothing, optimize existing ERP, and replace/modernize. Five- to seven-year TCO — implementation, software, integrations, data, internal resources, change management and ongoing support. Benefits model — labor, working capital, inventory, close/reporting, controls, revenue enablement, etc., with assumptions traceable to your data. Risk-adjusted financial case — conservative/base/upside NPV, IRR, ROI and payback, with sensitivity analysis. Board presentation + decision recommendation — ideally a concise executive deck backed by an editable financial model. That structure is consistent with what ERP business-case specialists and CFO-oriented guidance recommend. My preference: if you're still deciding whether you should do ERP at all, use an independent advisor such as BDO, Berkeley, TriVista, or AMIGO first. Don't let SAP/Oracle/Microsoft/NetSuite or your eventual implementation partner be the party that proves you need their product. If you tell me your company size, industry, current ERP, approximate revenue, and whether you're considering SAP/Dynamics/Oracle/NetSuite/etc., I can narrow this to 3 firms that are a particularly good fit and tell you what I'd ask each one to quote. --- ANSWER 46 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Who advises on ERP requirements gathering before we buy? Before buying an ERP, the right person is usually an independent, vendor-neutral ERP selection consultant—not the ERP vendor or implementation partner. They typically help you: Interview finance, operations, sales, HR, supply chain, etc. Map current-state and future-state processes Identify pain points, workarounds, integrations, reporting and compliance needs Turn those into functional and technical requirements Prioritize must-have vs. nice-to-have Build an RFI/RFP and vendor scorecard Run structured vendor demos against your requirements Compare total cost, implementation risk and fit Help negotiate with the shortlisted vendors For a mid-market company, requirements gathering commonly takes 4–8 weeks; larger/enterprise programs can take longer. Who should you hire? Look for titles such as: “Independent ERP Selection Consultant” “ERP Advisory Consultant” “ERP Business Analyst / Requirements Consultant” “Vendor-Neutral ERP Advisor” The key word is independent. A firm that sells or implements SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, NetSuite, etc. has a potential commercial incentive to steer you toward its platform. An independent advisor is paid by you for the selection work rather than by the vendor. There are firms specifically offering this service—for example, ERP Research's current directory lists independent firms such as Panorama Consulting, Third Stage Consulting, ERP Advisors Group, and others. If you're in Pakistan or the wider Gulf/Asia region, there are also regional consultants doing pre-ERP process mapping and requirements work; for example, C2P Group advertises this service across UAE, KSA and Pakistan. My recommendation: don't start by inviting ERP vendors to tell you what your requirements are. First have an independent party help your business define what it needs, then invite vendors to demonstrate how they meet those requirements. If you tell me your industry, approximate company size, countries/entities involved, and which ERP(s) you're considering, I can suggest the right type of advisor and a shortlist of firms to approach. --- ANSWER 47 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Who can build an ERP business case for our board? Yes. If you’re in Pakistan/Karachi, I’d look for an ERP-independent business-case/advisory consultant, rather than going directly to an ERP implementation vendor. The key is that they should be able to tell the board whether you should invest, how much it will cost, what value it creates, and what the alternatives are—not simply recommend the ERP they sell. A few credible options I found: C2P Group — particularly relevant if you’re mid-market. They explicitly offer ERP selection, quantified business cases, requirements analysis and board/owner decision support, and have a Karachi presence. C2P Group+1 RSM Pakistan — larger professional-services firm; offers ERP selection and business-case work, with senior finance/business leadership involved. RSM Global PwC Pakistan / A.F. Ferguson — worth considering if this is a large, complex transformation requiring a more formal board-level consulting approach. They cover ERP strategy, business-process design and the broader ERP lifecycle. PwC Pakistan Siera4 Consulting — Karachi-based advisory option with ERP/CRM advisory, process optimisation and PMO/governance capabilities. Siera4 Consulting What I would ask them to deliver For the board, I'd commission a 10–20 page investment case, supported by an Excel financial model, covering: Current-state pain — duplicated work, errors, inventory issues, reporting delays, control weaknesses, etc. Do-nothing case — what happens if you keep the current systems for 3–5 years. ERP options — ideally 2–4 realistic alternatives, plus "do nothing." 5-year TCO — licenses/subscription, implementation, integrations, migration, infrastructure, training, internal staff and ongoing support. Quantified benefits — working capital, inventory, productivity, finance close, revenue leakage, procurement savings, etc. ROI / NPV / IRR / payback with conservative, base and upside scenarios. Implementation roadmap and risks — including organisational readiness and change management. Board recommendation — a clear "approve / don't approve / approve subject to..." decision. That structure is important: a vendor quote is not a business case. A good independent business case should compare alternatives on the same basis and stress-test the economics. GoAmigo If you tell me your industry, approximate annual revenue, number of employees/entities, current ERP/accounting system, and whether you're considering SAP, Oracle, Dynamics, Odoo or something else, I can shortlist 3–5 firms specifically suited to your situation and tell you what I would ask each one to quote. --- ANSWER 48 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Who advises on ERP requirements gathering before we buy? You’re looking for an independent, vendor-neutral ERP selection consultant/advisor—not an ERP reseller or implementation partner. They typically help before you buy with: Current-state process mapping and stakeholder workshops Requirements gathering and prioritization Business case / ERP strategy RFI/RFP preparation Vendor shortlisting Scripted demos and requirements-based scoring Total-cost and implementation-risk comparison Selecting the ERP and the implementation partner That distinction matters: vendor-aligned partners have an incentive to steer you toward the ERP products they sell or implement. Independent advisors are paid by you and should have no reseller/referral relationship with the vendors. Firms worth looking at A few examples of independent ERP advisors that currently offer requirements/selection work: Panorama Consulting Group — broad ERP selection and transformation advisory. Third Stage Consulting Group — vendor-neutral ERP selection and implementation-risk advisory. Ultra Consultants — particularly strong for manufacturing/distribution. John Hannan LLC — requirements, RFPs, demos, scoring and selection, with a focus on manufacturing, distribution and life sciences. ERP Advisors Group — independent selection/advisory for mid-market organizations. For a typical mid-market organization, requirements gathering itself often takes roughly 4–8 weeks. My recommendation: hire the advisor for a fixed-scope “requirements + selection” phase before speaking seriously with ERP vendors. Make the deliverable your prioritized requirements matrix, process maps, RFP/demo scripts, evaluation scorecard, and shortlist. Then use those same artifacts to force vendors to compete on your requirements rather than their sales demos. If you tell me your industry, approximate company size, location, and which ERP systems you're considering (if any), I can narrow this to 3–5 advisors that fit you. --- ANSWER 49 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Who can build an ERP business case for our board? Yes. For a board-ready ERP business case, I’d look for an independent ERP strategy/business-case advisor, rather than going straight to the ERP vendor or implementation partner. The advisor should quantify the economics before you commit to a platform or SI. A few credible options: Deloitte — ERP Transformationdeloitte.com — strong choice for a larger or complex enterprise. They explicitly cover ERP strategy, vendor selection, value realization, and business-case development. KPMG — Technology Strategy & Selectionkpmg.com — particularly suitable if you want an objective assessment of alternatives, costs, risks and benefits before selecting the ERP. PwC — Intelligent ERPpwc.com — good fit where the ERP case is tied closely to finance, operating-model or broader business transformation. The Berkeley Partnership — ERP Advisoryberkeleypartnership.com — more independent/advisory in orientation; they specifically describe helping clients construct the business case, target state and investment-approval case. AMIGO — ERP Business Case Developmentgoamigo.co — a more specialized option. Their stated deliverables are particularly aligned with what a board needs: TCO, quantified benefits, NPV/IRR/payback, options analysis, downside/base/upside scenarios, a financial model and a board deck. What I'd want them to produce The output shouldn't simply be “ERP X will cost $Y.” A good board case should answer: Why change now? — business problems, risks, growth constraints and cost of doing nothing. What are the options? — do nothing, optimize existing ERP, upgrade, replace, different ERP approaches. What does each option really cost? — implementation, licenses/subscriptions, integrations, data, internal resources, change management and ongoing operating costs. What are the measurable benefits? — labor/productivity, inventory, working capital, close cycle, revenue leakage, procurement, reporting, controls, etc. What is the financial return? — NPV, IRR, payback and 5–7 year TCO/ROI. How robust is the case? — downside/base/upside scenarios and sensitivity to overruns or delayed benefits. What does the board actually need to approve? — funding, decision gates, governance and next steps. That approach matters because ERP business cases can otherwise become vendor-driven. Deloitte, for example, emphasizes tying ERP outcomes to corporate objectives and defining measurable value drivers rather than treating the ERP technology itself as the business case. If you tell me your company size, industry, current ERP, approximate revenue, and whether you're considering SAP/Oracle/Microsoft/NetSuite/etc., I can narrow this to 3–5 firms that are the best fit and tell you what I would expect each to charge. --- ANSWER 50 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Who advises on ERP requirements gathering before we buy? Before you buy an ERP, the person you want is usually an independent ERP selection / ERP advisory consultant—not an ERP vendor or reseller. They typically help with: Current-state process discovery: finance, purchasing, inventory, sales, operations, HR, reporting, etc. Requirements workshops: interviewing process owners and translating needs into specific functional and technical requirements. Prioritization: separating must-have, should-have, and nice-to-have requirements. RFP/RFI creation: turning requirements into something vendors can respond to consistently. Vendor shortlist: identifying suitable ERPs without being restricted to one vendor. Scripted demos: making every vendor demonstrate the same real-world scenarios. Scoring and due diligence: comparing functionality, integrations, implementation risk and total cost—not just the sales demo. Who I'd look for Search specifically for “independent, vendor-neutral ERP selection consultant” or “ERP requirements gathering consultant.” The important distinction is independence: a Microsoft/SAP/Oracle/NetSuite reseller can be excellent at implementing that product, but they're not the ideal party to determine which ERP you should buy. Some firms currently offering this type of work include: Panorama Consulting Group — independent ERP selection and requirements work. Third Stage Consulting Group — vendor-agnostic ERP selection and transformation advisory. ERP Advisors Group — requirements through selection and implementation oversight. Technology Evaluation Centers (TEC) — independent software/ERP evaluation and selection. 180 Systems — requirements analysis and business-process review. John Hannan LLC — requirements, RFPs, scripted demos and ERP selection. For a mid-sized company, I'd generally budget for a 4–8 week requirements/discovery phase before inviting vendors to demo. One important hiring test: ask the consultant, “Do you receive any reseller fees, referral fees, commissions, or implementation revenue from the ERP vendors you might recommend?” Get the answer in writing. If you tell me your industry, approximate company size, number of entities/locations, and which ERP you're replacing (if any), I can identify a short list of suitable independent ERP advisors and compare them. --- ANSWER 51 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Who can build an ERP business case for our board? If you want a board-grade ERP business case, I’d use an independent ERP advisory/strategy firm, rather than an ERP vendor or implementation partner. They can quantify the “why,” compare options, model TCO/ROI, and turn it into an executive decision document. Independent advisors are specifically differentiated from vendor-aligned implementation firms for this reason. A few credible options to consider: Alvarez & Marsalalvarezandmarsal.com — strong choice if this is a major transformation and you need a strategic, CFO/board-level case. Their ERP approach explicitly connects capabilities, operating-model changes and business value. TriVistatrivista.com — focused on ERP advisory for mid-market/enterprise organizations, including vendor-neutral evaluation, business-case development and executive governance. AAFCPAsaafcpa.com — particularly interesting if the CFO/finance function needs to own the case; they build TCO/cost-benefit analysis and an executive-ready presentation. ERP Advisors Grouperpadvisorsgroup.com — independent ERP specialists who explicitly offer business-case/cost-benefit analysis, roadmap development and vendor selection. Lightbridge ERPlightbridgeerp.com — vendor-neutral approach with requirements, platform scoring, TCO, risk assessment and implementation roadmap designed to withstand board scrutiny. There are also smaller specialists whose proposition is specifically “build the board business case” rather than sell an ERP implementation—for example AMIGO and Quiet Current. What I'd ask them to deliver Don't commission just a PowerPoint. Ask for: Case for change — business problems and strategic drivers. Do-nothing baseline — what happens if you keep the current ERP. Options analysis — stay/upgrade, replace ERP, best-of-breed, etc. 5–7 year TCO — software, implementation, integration, data, internal resources, change management and ongoing support. Quantified benefits — working capital, productivity, revenue enablement, close/reporting, inventory, error reduction, etc. NPV, IRR, payback and sensitivity analysis — including a credible downside case. Implementation roadmap and risks. A board decision pack with a clear recommendation and the specific investment/approval being requested. That distinction matters: a vendor quote is fundamentally different from a defensible business case with traceable assumptions and downside scenarios. If you tell me your industry, approximate revenue/employee count, current ERP, and whether you're considering SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, NetSuite, etc., I can shortlist 3–5 firms that are a particularly good fit and compare them on likely cost, independence, and board-level experience. --- ANSWER 52 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Who advises on ERP requirements gathering before we buy? If you mean “who should we hire to define our ERP requirements before we talk seriously to vendors?”, the right category is an independent, vendor-neutral ERP selection/advisory consultant. They typically handle: Stakeholder interviews and requirements workshops Current-state process mapping and pain-point analysis Functional and technical requirements Prioritization: must-have vs. nice-to-have RFI/RFP creation Vendor shortlist and scripted demos Requirements-based scoring and fit-gap analysis TCO/implementation-risk evaluation That work is normally done before choosing an ERP implementation partner. A focused requirements/selection engagement often takes roughly 8–16 weeks, depending on complexity. Firms worth considering Ultra Consultants — Particularly strong for manufacturing and distribution; independent ERP selection and requirements work. Panorama Consulting Group — Large independent ERP advisory firm covering requirements, selection, implementation oversight, and change management. Third Stage Consulting Group — Vendor-independent ERP/digital-transformation advisory, particularly for mid-market and enterprise organizations. John Hannan LLC — Vendor-neutral selection from requirements through demos, scoring and contract review; particularly relevant to manufacturing, distribution and life sciences. ERP Advisors Group — Independent advisory focused on mid-market organizations and client-side ERP selection/implementation guidance. The key is independence. I'd avoid having the company that wants to sell/implement your ERP define the requirements from scratch. An independent advisor has less incentive to make your requirements fit a particular product. If you tell me your industry, approximate revenue/company size, number of users, and ERP systems you're considering (e.g. NetSuite, Dynamics 365, SAP, Oracle, Acumatica), I can narrow this to 3–5 firms that fit your situation and budget. --- ANSWER 53 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Who can build an ERP business case for our board? Yes. For a board-level ERP business case, I’d use an independent, vendor-neutral ERP/advisory firm, rather than the ERP vendor or implementation partner. That keeps the investment case credible and avoids having the business case simply justify a product someone is already selling. ERP advisors commonly handle TCO, benefits, options analysis, ROI, and executive approval materials. ERP Research+1 A few credible options: Alvarez & Marsal — strong choice if this is a significant transformation and you want the case tied to operating model, strategic value, and measurable outcomes. Their ERP approach explicitly focuses on defining the transformation and business value, not just technology. Alvarez & Marsal BDO — particularly good if you want a finance-oriented, defensible business case. They describe starting with business objectives and building cost-benefit/TCO analysis before getting into technology. BDO The Berkeley Partnership — good for a board/investment-approval exercise where the case needs to connect the ERP to the target operating model and transformation roadmap. The Berkeley Partnership Aivance Advisory — more boutique; explicitly offers ERP business-case justification, including TCO, ROI, value drivers and an executive-ready case. Aivance Advisory+1 AMIGO — particularly focused on board-ready ERP business cases, with TCO, benefits modelling, NPV/IRR, payback, scenarios and a financial model as deliverables. GoAmigo Lumenia Consulting — another specialist option that specifically describes preparing ERP business cases for Board approval. Lumenia Consulting What I'd ask them to produce Don't just commission a PowerPoint. Ask for: Case for change — what happens if you don't replace the ERP? Strategic benefits — growth, scalability, M&A, customer service, control, reporting, etc. Hard-dollar benefits — labor, inventory, working capital, close/reporting, procurement, revenue leakage. Full 5–7 year TCO — software, implementation, integrations, data, change management, internal resources, ongoing support. Options — do nothing, extend current ERP, replace it, and potentially different ERP approaches. Financial model — NPV, IRR, ROI and payback, with assumptions that Finance can audit. Downside/base/upside scenarios — especially implementation overruns and benefits realization. Board recommendation — ideally a 10–15 slide decision deck plus the underlying Excel/model. That last point matters: a good business case should let the CFO challenge the assumptions rather than asking the board to trust a consultant's number. AMIGO, for example, explicitly separates the board deck, editable financial model and benefits baseline. GoAmigo If you tell me your company size, industry, approximate revenue, current ERP, and whether you're pre-selection or already considering SAP/Oracle/Microsoft/NetSuite/etc., I can narrow this to 3 firms I'd actually shortlist and tell you what I'd expect each to charge. --- ANSWER 54 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Who advises on ERP requirements gathering before we buy? Before you buy an ERP, the person you want is usually an independent, vendor-neutral ERP selection consultant—sometimes called an ERP advisory consultant or ERP business analyst. They can help you: Interview department heads and process owners. Map your current (“as-is”) processes and pain points. Define and prioritize functional, technical, integration, reporting, security, and compliance requirements. Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves. Turn those requirements into an RFP/RFI and vendor scorecard. Run standardized vendor demos and score each ERP against your requirements. Compare implementation costs, licensing/TCO, risks, and implementation partners. ERP Research+1 Who I'd hire Look specifically for an independent ERP selection/advisory firm, rather than starting with an ERP reseller or implementation partner. The latter may have incentives to steer you toward the platform they sell or implement. ERP Research+1 Some examples of firms offering this type of work include: Panorama Consulting Group — independent ERP selection and advisory. Third Stage Consulting — vendor-neutral ERP selection and transformation advisory. Ultra Consultants — particularly strong in manufacturing/distribution. John Hannan LLC — requirements → RFP → vendor shortlist → scripted demos → selection. Lightbridge ERP — vendor-neutral requirements and ERP selection. ERP Research+2John Hannan LLC+2 Independent ERP consultant directory The key phrase when you contact them is: “We need a vendor-neutral ERP requirements and selection assessment before engaging ERP vendors.” For a mid-market organization, requirements gathering commonly takes roughly 4–8 weeks, with workshops involving finance, operations, sales, HR, IT, and other process owners—not just the IT department. ERP Research If you tell me your company size, industry, current ERP/accounting system, and what you're hoping to replace, I can suggest what type of advisor you should hire and what a sensible pre-ERP requirements-gathering engagement should cost.Log in for more personalized help with work, projects, and career goals.Log inSign up for free --- ANSWER 55 of 55 (2026-08-19) --- Q: Who can build an ERP business case for our board? Yes. For a board-level ERP business case, I’d look for an independent ERP/technology-transformation advisor, rather than starting with the ERP vendor or implementation partner. The advisor should be able to quantify the investment, benefits, alternatives, risks, and expected return—and then turn that into a board decision package. Independent advisors are specifically used for this early, vendor-neutral stage. ERP Research+1 Firms worth considering AMIGO — Particularly focused on board-ready ERP business cases. They model TCO, benefits, NPV, IRR, payback, downside/base/upside scenarios, and provide an editable financial model plus board deck. Amigo TriVista — Irvine-based ERP advisory firm focused on mid-market and enterprise leadership teams; offers vendor-neutral ERP evaluation, governance, and executive-level transformation advisory. TriVista Aivance Advisory — Explicitly offers ERP business-case justification, including benefit quantification and true-cost modeling. Aivance Advisory Berkeley Partnership — Strong choice if this is a large, strategic transformation; they specifically work on the business case, target operating model, governance, and securing investment approval. The Berkeley Partnership Alvarez & Marsal — Better suited to a sizable or complex transformation where the board needs the ERP case tied to operating-model and enterprise-value outcomes. Alvarez & Marsal AAFCPAs — Interesting option if you want strong finance/accounting involvement; their offering includes TCO, cost-benefit analysis, system fit and an executive-ready business-case presentation. AAFCPAs What I'd ask them to deliver Don't commission merely an "ERP justification." Ask for a board investment case containing: Case for change — what's broken/opportunity being missed. Strategic outcomes — growth, margin, working capital, control, scalability, M&A, etc. Options — do nothing, optimize current ERP, replace ERP, and potentially alternative architectures. 5–7 year TCO — software, implementation, integrations, data, infrastructure, internal resources, change management and ongoing support. Quantified benefits — with Finance-approved assumptions rather than vendor promises. NPV / IRR / payback / ROI plus sensitivity analysis. Implementation risk — timeline, organizational capacity, data, change adoption and vendor/SI risk. Recommended ERP strategy and roadmap. Board presentation — ideally 10–15 slides, with the detailed financial model behind it. That approach is consistent with what strong ERP advisors describe as a board-quality case: benefits and costs need to be traceable, alternatives compared consistently, and downside scenarios explicitly tested. Amigo+1 My shortlist would be AMIGO or Aivance for a focused business-case engagement, TriVista if you're in the Southern California/mid-market ecosystem, and A&M/Berkeley if this is a major enterprise transformation. If you tell me your company size, industry, current ERP, approximate revenue, and whether you're considering SAP/Oracle/Microsoft/NetSuite/etc., I can narrow this to 3 firms and tell you exactly what I'd ask each one to bid.Log in for more personalized help with work, projects, and career goals.Log inSign up for free