Choosing the right ERP system for your building materials business is no small task. With multiple vendors, features, and promises on the table, it’s easy for teams to get overwhelmed—and worse, waste valuable time and money on a solution that doesn’t fit.
That’s where a demo checklist becomes a game-changer.
- Keeps the Evaluation Focused
A well-structured checklist helps your team stay focused on the features that matter most to your operations—whether it’s inventory tracking for bulk materials, pricing flexibility for quotes, or logistics integration for deliveries. It filters out the noise and ensures every demo stays on track.
- Ensures Apples-to-Apples Comparisons
ERP vendors love to highlight their strengths, but not every demo shows you what you really need. A demo checklist ensures each vendor is asked the same questions, making it easier to compare solutions side by side—objectively and fairly.
- Identifies Hidden Costs Early
Without a checklist, it’s easy to overlook questions about implementation timelines, support costs, or customization fees. By including these items upfront, you help your team uncover potential deal-breakers before signing a contract.
- Involves the Right People at the Right Time
A checklist encourages collaboration across departments—sales, operations, procurement, accounting—ensuring everyone’s needs are represented. This avoids last-minute surprises and rework down the line.
- Saves Time in Decision-Making
When the demos are done and the notes are in, the checklist becomes your team’s decision-making cheat sheet. You’ll have a clear record of how each vendor performed on the criteria that matter most, speeding up consensus and reducing analysis paralysis.
- Helps You Plan for the Future
Good checklists go beyond just the “now”—they include considerations for future growth, integrations, and scalability. This forward-thinking mindset prevents costly ERP replacements or overhauls down the road.
Final Thought:
In a fast-paced industry like building materials, time is money. A demo checklist isn’t just a tool—it’s your team’s guardrail to making a smart, strategic ERP investment.
