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Common mistakes ERP softwareWe’ve all heard our fair share of nightmare stories when it comes to new software, more specifically Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), implementations. What we don’t often hear, however, are the mistakes that were made during this project that could have been avoided. In many of these stories, the blame is put on the Software Provider or on employees who resist change and the system. However, there are some mistakes that business executives make that can affect the outcome of an ERP software implementation.

Here are 5 common mistakes that business leaders make throughout a new software project;

  1. They opt out of End User Training and After-Sales Support

Before any implementation project begins, a Software Provider will approach the management team with various support plans to choose from. These discounted plans will include billable hours for end user training and post-implementation support. It is up to the customer to choose which plan they’d like to have, depending on the amount of hours they request for support and training for themselves and for all their system users. In many cases, however, in order to keep costs down, executives will opt out of any support plan (which in turn opts them out of end user training for their employees). This is a huge mistake that many business leaders make. Without proper user support and thorough end user training sessions, the chances of user resistance and low productivity increase. If employees don’t fully know how to use the system to its full potential, then companies won’t realize the full benefits of an ERP system, but rather will experience decreased individual performance and thus decreased overall productivity.

In the end, by saving on the support plan, they are losing out more in the long run. End user training and proper support can alleviate stress and combat fears of employees, associated to using a new system, and allows them to accept this big change. It also teaches them the necessary skills to prevent any problems in the system and to efficiently handle unexpected issues with confidence. Never forget that a software system is nothing without its users. System users are the key to unlocking the benefits and improvements that a good software system can bring to a company. Invest in your end users and never pass up on support and training plans. It’s an investment you’ll be happy you made in the long run.

  1. Lack of participation from business leaders

In our very own ‘Process to Succeed’ guideline that we share with customers prior to any new ERP software implementation, we stress the importance of top-level management participation during the planning process as well as throughout the implementation phase. This is a prerequisite to any of our large software implementations, in order for our customers to achieve a successful implementation. What does this participation include? We understand that business owners and executives are extremely busy with their day-to-day tasks and therefore won’t have the time to constantly be working on the implementation project (and we don’t expect them to). Normally, companies will put together a small internal team of about 5 (or less) employees, from various departments, to manage and overlook the ERP implementation project. This is great! The participation that we require from top management comes more in the form of support, motivation and encouragement. Company owners, executives and managers need to have their own confidence in using the system and share their excitement and knowledge with their team, especially when they see them frustrated or afraid of the new changes ahead. Management should remain unified in support of the project and should continuously encourage their employees to not give up and learn all they can about new processes and the new system. During the end user training periods, it would also be helpful if management can alleviate their team, for a short period of time, from regular responsibilities, in order to take the necessary time to get properly trained by the Software Provider.

  1. Leaving it all in the hands of the IT Software Provider

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again and again and again…a software implementation, especially one as large as a full ERP implementation, is only successful if ALL parties participate since everyone in a company will be affected by the change. Similar to mistake #2 above, every team member, even the leaders, needs to have some sort of involvement in the implementation project. It requires synchronous collaboration, which involves the IT team and the business team working together simultaneously and remaining in constant communication as the project progresses, to ensure everything internally is running smoothly and everyone’s needs are being met. Employees are the ones that know the business processes inside out; the IT team is there to help streamline, automate and integrate those processes. It’s important to explain to employees how their participation and role in the project will influence its success. This will give them a sense of commitment to the project and hopefully instil a positive attitude towards the system and implementation process, which is definitely welcome.

  1. Having unrealistic expectations of timelines and costs

Every software implementation is unique. During a new project, Software Providers deal with a new company, new business people, new processes, new requests and new expectations. The business as a whole may be similar to other companies but an implementation is never the exact same from company to company. It’s absolutely critical to share all of your expectations and assumptions you have of the new system and the implementation phase. This includes any timelines, costs, benefits, project roles, etc. By sharing all of this with the IT Provider, they’ll be able to set things straight right from the start. For example, if you were expecting an implementation phase to only last 1 month, the IT Provider, from experience and expertise in the field, may come back to you with a more realistic timeline of 3 months. Therefore, you won’t be disappointed and frustrated when the implementation lasts longer than your 1-month expectation. The Software Provider will also share all of their expectations from your team and of the project as a whole. Together you’ll come up with realistic goals and expectations for your specific case, allowing everyone to be on the exact same page.

Talk with your Software Provider first and get their input on timeframes and realistic expectations, as they can provide their expertise on the matter and knowledge from previous experiences.

  1. Beginning the new software project without a plan of action & workflow

It is never a good idea to start ANY project without a plan of action. So why start an ERP implementation without one? What every business leader should do is;

  • Sit down with the Software Provider to discuss and outline the complete process or plan of action for the implementation phase and create a workflow
  • Identify everyone’s role and responsibility throughout the implementation phase
  • Share the plan of action with all involved parties, along with their roles and responsibilities
  • Properly educate all employees (or users of the new system) about any change in business processes that will affect their day-to-day work life.

It’s best if companies have a well-designed plan before starting the project, accounting for minor changes, in order to avoid confusion, frustrations, increased costs, etc. Major software or process changes should all be accounted for during the outline of the plan of action. Inform all employees of the coming changes so they aren’t surprised and can have time to accept these changes.

If you’re a leader of a company, looking to implement a new software system, don’t make these common 5 mistakes. Contact us today for more information.

I truly believe that there is a right and a wrong IT Service Provider for every business. There could be many right Providers and many wrong Providers. It’s not to say that there’s just one right IT Provider for every one company. The tough part is in determining if an IT Service Provider, or as I like to call them, an IT Partner, is right for YOUR company.

IT is a Value Driver

IT-partnershipIn today’s business environment, there’s no denying that IT is a real value driver. We keep finding way too many companies that are still playing “catch up” rather than “getting ahead” of the game, because they are not leveraging technology, as they should be. What business owners don’t realize is that by relying on an IT partner (on the right partner of course!), they can go from just surviving to thriving, due to the benefits they will receive from efficient technologies and helpful IT services. Companies are growing at such a fast rate, industries are evolving and consumer demands are constantly changing. Using technology to solve business and technology-related challenges will provide employees with more time and money to concentrate on what really matters to ensure business growth and success.

Solving Technology & Business-related Challenges with the Right Partner

Therefore, now that we know how important utilizing technology is to a company, it’s time to determine how a business owner can hire the right IT Provider for their company. This Provider should be a good fit for them in every aspect; their software offerings should be flexible, easy-to-use, customizable, within budget and able to integrate with other systems and their support team should be friendly, available, responsive and dependable. On top of this, their IT consultants and developers should be providing expert advice and opinions for the betterment of their customer’s company, NOT to simply make a sale. Many Providers will push customers to buy more systems or services before even solving the customer’s original challenge or issue. At that point, they are adding issue after issue, increasing internal problems for the customer. This is how companies get a real bad taste in their mouth for the IT industry and tend to stick to the wrong IT Provider with the idea that “better the devil you know than the devil you don’t”. It’s unfortunate because not all IT companies out there do this. Namtek Consulting Services opened its doors with the mission to solve business and technology-related challenges of Small & Mid-size companies and to ensure that the IT strategy its team defined for each unique customer supports that customer’s business strategy. The IT services and solutions provided are meant to help businesses find new avenues for growth and to save companies time and money in order to accomplish vital business goals.

So, here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for your next IT Partner;

  • Find out how available and dependable their after-sales Support team is (don’t determine this based on the responsiveness of their Sales team). Are they accessible via phone and/or email? Do they respond back to customers within a 24-hour window? Can you build a good relationship with this team, since they’ll be your “go-to” once you’ve implemented your software systems. It’s also important to know if they’ll also be around even if your company doesn’t experience issues; are they continuously trying to find new and better ways of enhancing your software systems and/or streamlining your business processes? As an IT partner, they should always be willing to do what they can to increase business efficiency for their customers. The relationship you build with your IT partner will be extremely important because together (IT experts + your company’s team), you’ll be able to truly solve all of your business and technology-related challenges.
  • An IT Partner that has developed solutions that can be integrated with other solutions and can work with other vendors. This helps to create a seamless customer experience. At the end of the day, we want what’s best for the customer. It’s tough when we keep seeing other Software Providers refuse to provide access to their customer’s database so they can integrate their system with another solution (like an eCommerce Store). This causes a lot of headaches for the customer and just makes their job that much harder.
  • The IT Partner has the ability to carefully listen to a customer’s challenges, assess their needs and then identify the desired experience for that customer. Every business is different; there may be similar processes and products sold, but every owner has different views for their business or has different expectations. We encounter all sorts of people from companies and each and every one of them has a different view of software solutions and different wants and needs. Therefore, if your IT Partner can identify the right experience that will fit well with your business, they’re a keeper!
  • The software solutions provided are flexible, scalable, user-friendly and affordable, as I mentioned earlier.
  • You can get a real sense that the IT team is honest, reliable and transparent in all of their dealings with you.
  • You feel like a real partner rather than just a sale to the IT Provider.
As a side note:

Unsuccessful and painful software implementations can still arise even if you have chose the right IT Partner for your business. How does this happen? As I have mentioned in many previous articles, a software implementation is a joint effort; between the IT Provider and the Customer. Having the right leadership within a business to bring a positive mindset out of the employees (or users of the new system) will allow these employees to accept the new system, accept all the changes that will be coming with this new system and move forward peacefully. Otherwise, employees will resist and refuse to help bring this implementation to a successful end. Common complaints that may be heard are “this system doesn’t work”, “I’m not used to doing it this way”, “I liked the old system better”… Any change is difficult but with the right encouragement and proper training, it can be done successfully.

Therefore, before you decide that you will stick with your current IT Provider, even though you know they aren’t a good fit for your company, contact us to see if our partnership will be right for you. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

business-IT-relationship

In today’s digital age, where we can effortlessly manage various aspects of our personal lives through user-friendly applications, it begs the question: Why can’t businesses also enjoy the benefits of simple, affordable, and flexible software solutions for their operations? Unfortunately, many companies still find themselves dissatisfied with their IT providers and business software systems. In this article, we will explore the common complaints voiced by business managers and offer insights into how to improve the relationship between businesses and their IT providers.

Common Complaints from Business Managers

Business managers frequently express their dissatisfaction with IT providers and software systems. Here are some common grievances:

  1. Lack of Availability: “My IT provider is never available when I need help or simply have a question.”
  2. Lack of Flexibility: “My system is not flexible.”
  3. High Costs: “I am spending way too much money on this system and not seeing improvements.”
  4. Prolonged Implementation: “My system implementation has cost me hundreds of thousands of dollars and has lasted over 2 years – how is this possible?”
  5. Lack of Innovation: “I do not feel I am getting innovative solutions to tackle our business challenges.”
  6. Absence of Relationship: “I do not have a relationship with my IT provider.”
  7. Headaches for the Team: “Our system has caused my entire team too many headaches.”
  8. Integration Hassles: “Integrating my system with a third-party ecommerce site or another software system is a hassle; my IT provider is not making it easy to give me access to the company’s database for integration purposes.”
  9. Hidden Costs: “Prior to the implementation, I was never told there would be all of these additional costs.”
  10. Employee Discontent: “My employees hate using the system.”
  11. Data Extraction: “We have a full ERP system and yet we still need to extract our data into Excel spreadsheets to analyze our data.”
  12. Slow Issue Resolution: “My software issues aren’t being resolved in a timely fashion.”
  13. Reluctance to Switch: “I am not happy with my system but I’ve already spent too much time and money to switch now.”

Improving the Management System

It’s high time that business owners and managers enjoy using their management systems and build positive relationships with their IT providers. To address these concerns, we at Namtek Consulting Services focus on providing high-quality, flexible, and affordable software solutions with accessible support. Our goal is to help businesses overcome challenges and streamline operations.

Choosing the Right IT Provider

Selecting the right IT provider is crucial. Instead of relying solely on brand names or popular choices, consider the following:

  1. After-Sales Support: “Aside from concentrating on the software system itself, companies should also pay attention to the IT company.”
  2. Point of Contact: “Who will be my main point of contact in the sales department as well as in the software support department?”
  3. Responsiveness: “Am I simply given a form to fill out if I have an issue or can I email or call someone directly and get immediate assistance?”
  4. Timely Support: “Looking into the after-sales support service is extremely important because it is not enough to simply assume that the responsiveness of the support team will be the same as the sales team you dealt with prior to your software purchase.”

Namtek’s Approach to IT Services

Namtek Consulting Services differentiates itself from other IT providers through:

  1. Listening to Customers: “We’ve taken the time to listen to our customers and pay attention to their challenges so that we can be available and responsive to tackle their issues and provide helpful, innovative solutions for them.”
  2. Direct Communication: “Customers can pick up the phone or email a support staff directly when needed. This makes for a better relationship and a happier software user.”
  3. Ongoing Partnership: “We continue to work hand in hand with our customers, even after any software implementation, since we understand that the business world is constantly evolving and technology is continuously advancing, so business and IT must work together to ensure company efficiency.”

Changing the Perception of IT Providers

We aim to change the perception that many business managers have of the IT industry. Our focus is on:

  1. Valuing Partnerships: “We treat our customers like a partner, rather than just another customer.”
  2. Removing the Love/Hate Relationship: “Removing this love/hate relationship between IT and business is the goal.”
  3. Embracing Technology: “Technology in the business world is extremely valuable, and everyone can benefit from implementing innovative, flexible, high-quality software systems that are a good fit for their business.”

Ensuring Satisfaction with Your IT Provider

To ensure satisfaction with your IT provider and their services, consider the following:

  1. Flexible Solutions: “Ensure that the software solutions are flexible, scalable, easy-to-use, and affordable.”
  2. Accessible Support: “Verify that the support team can be reached by phone and/or email, and you have a point of contact.”
  3. Honesty and Transparency: “Make sure the IT team is honest, reliable, and transparent in all of their dealings.”
  4. Valued Partnership: “Expect the IT provider to treat you like a valued partner and take the time to listen to your business and IT needs.”
  5. Continuous Innovation: “Look for an IT provider that continuously offers valuable, innovative solutions to fit with your growing business to ensure continuous efficiency.”

By focusing on these aspects, businesses can build strong relationships with their IT providers, leading to improved operations and greater overall satisfaction.

We know that many of you probably stick with your current IT Provider, even if you aren’t truly satisfied with them and their software solutions. What should you do then when they mention that it’s time to upgrade your existing on-premises ERP system? Should you go ahead with it or should you look into perhaps upgrading to a cloud-based SaaS ERP solution? Read more

Effectively Dealing with Change in the Workplace As we’ve mentioned in previous articles and papers, change in the workplace is inevitable. The business world is constantly evolving and businesses should always be ready to adapt accordingly. As industries grow, businesses have to evolve; as technology advances, businesses have to keep up; as governments pass new […]

Wouldn’t it just be better and more cost-effective to simply hire a full-time in-house team of IT programmers? Unlike what most Small and Medium Enterprise owners believe, this is false. For these companies, finding the right in-house team and retaining them long-term is very difficult. On top of this, running an entire IT department can get expensive. You need to hire the right talent and ensure they are adequately compensated and continuously trained on the latest technologies. Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible in a small organization but it’s important not to disregard IT altogether in that case (which is what many SMEs do – we continuously catch growing companies use Word and Excel to gather and manage their sensitive data). Read more

User Training for New ERP Implementation – Done Right!

In many of my previous articles, I repeatedly mentioned the term “user resistance” when it came to implementing a new software solution at a company (no matter its size). I tend to put quite a bit of focus on user resistance since this happens all too often at companies and it can easily be stopped (with a bit of work of course)! Read more

The Initial Transition to a New Software System

The implementation of any new software system can always seem a little daunting at first. What’s important to remember (and keep reminding yourself) is that this phase of any software project doesn’t have to be so terrible. Typically, what can take the most time is the initial transition from the old system to the new (or in many cases, from NO system to A system – this is when companies have been relying primarily on using Excel Spreadsheets, Word documents and Email). During this initial transition we have a ‘Learning Period’, where, of course, employees need to learn how to actually use the new software application.

Read more

We’ve compiled a list of our most read and shared blog posts. These IT articles cover tons of different topics ranging from EDI communication to Productivity Apps to ERP Implementations to IT Business Tools.

False Advertisement: The Truth about ERP Implementations

This article really touched upon the negative experiences of ERP implementations at businesses. It goes on to answer the question: “Why do companies have such terrible software implementation experiences?” Our experts’ conclusion was that either their ERP Provider is only providing them with half-truths about implementations to sell their own products OR business executives make their own assumptions and do not do the proper research required beforehand. Getting the RIGHT and TRUTHFUL information from IT Providers as well as doing your own research on implementations is absolutely critical. Read more to get the real story behind those false statements about ERP Implementations. Read more

There comes a point in time when you’ve finally chosen the right ERP management system for your business but the IT provider asks you whether you also want a BI & Analytics solution as an add-on to the system. What should you do?

Many out-of-the-box ERP software suites do have its own analytics & reporting features but they are not as specialized and complete as a separate Business Intelligence add-on solution. What I always suggest to customers is to properly distinguish between the two – what is your ERP system used for and what is your BI solution used for? Read more

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Who We Are


We are a team of brilliant and passionate software engineers, based in Canada, developing and delivering easy-to-use, flexible and, most importantly, affordable management software solutions, all with a personal touch.

We believe that every business has unique IT needs that can only be truly met by treating each and every customer as a valued partner.


How It All Began


In 2000, Pierre Namroud, Software Engineer, EDI Specialist and IT Business Consultant, started Namtek Consulting Services after realizing the difficulties that Small and Medium Business owners faced when looking to implement a Management Software System at their company.

Namtek Consulting Services – Story


Pierre built this company from the ground up, in a small office in Laval, Quebec.  He had the goal of helping these Small and Medium Enterprises improve and streamline their management processes by leveraging the latest technologies developed by his team of software engineers and business experts.

His main focus was to offer efficient solutions and services at affordable prices, all through a customized experience, so that even the smallest companies are well equipped with powerful systems and ready to tackle any business challenge.

Fast forward to 2016, where our customers are able to grow their businesses and easily meet new challenges with our business solutions. We have also entered into the MENA region with a new business partner in Dubai.

Our Vision


Our vision is to be a company’s go-to when looking to simplify and streamline complex processes.

We want business people to feel like their voice is heard. We handle their business challenges and frustrations efficiently and affordably.

It’s about more than providing innovative software solutions and IT services to companies. It’s about creating a bond between IT and Business, in order to benefit from real efficiency, flexibility, and affordability.

Our Mission

Be there for our customers as their trusted IT Partner

Provide high quality, flexible yet affordable software solutions & services

Offer top-notch IT support

Unique Approach

Our approach is to always integrate, simplify and improve.

We work hard to make sure every business, no matter its size and industry, has the opportunity to leverage the latest corporate technologies.

We don’t just sell you a product; our Team goes on the journey of business improvement with you.  We help you take back control of your business so you can start seeing process improvements and overall efficiencies.

Our customers have seen the following improvements:

  • Reduced operating costs
  • Increased efficiency and profitability
  • Simplified business processes
  • Reduced labor costs and manual data entry
  • Rapid response to new business realities and ease of compliance with changing business rules. That is imposed by partners, clients, or the government.
  • Integrated and exchanged data electronically with business partners
  • Met specific challenges, due to the business world’s ever-changing nature

What Makes Us Special

  • Knowledgeable Experts

    Our Team is made up of brilliant and passionate software engineers, EDI specialists, Business Intelligence experts and Business Consultants, who are continuously growing their skills and expanding their knowledge.

  • Easily Reachable

    You can contact us at any time through email and phone and we can guarantee a response back within 24 hours.

  • Full Transparency

    We provide all details about your IT projects with us and keep you updated throughout; never leaving you in the dark.

  • Completed On-Time

    We keep projects on-time and on-budget by setting realistic timelines and sharing milestones for all involved parties.

  • Support

    Don’t fret, we don’t disappear after your system is live! We provide various support packages that allow us to stay close for any required help and support.

  • User Training

    We make sure your employees are well trained on using the new system.

  • Trustworthy

    By providing full transparency, by being honest and by answering our clients’ calls, we build trusted partnerships with our customers.

  • Dedicated

    We work hard to be your IT partner throughout your business journey – always staying loyal, committed and dedicated to helping you with your IT needs.

LET US HELP 

We’ll call you at your earliest convenience to talk about your IT requirements and see how we can help you achieve your business goals.
Schedule your FREE first-time consultation call today.