You’ve Chosen Microsoft – Here’s How to Pick the Perfect Partner for Success
When choosing the right Microsoft partner for your digital transformation journey, it’s essential to look beyond certifications and consider their proven track record, expertise, and full range of services.
With Microsoft’s shift to Solutions Partner designations, the stakes have never been higher in ensuring your partner is well-equipped to handle your unique needs.
Research shows that 88% of Enterprise Resource Platform (ERP) projects experience delays, and only 29% of ERP projects implemented are successful, delivered on time, to budget and meet the scope. Our top three tips highlight what to look for before you select a Dynamics 365 (D365) partner and, more importantly, why it matters.
Tip 1 – Look at the partner’s case studies and customer references
Experience counts, and we have a proven track record of success!
When it comes to digital transformations, experience isn’t optional—it’s essential. According to PwC’s Global Digital IQ Survey, 75% of businesses said their partner’s experience was crucial to project success. This aligns with findings from the Harvard Business Review, which noted that companies working with experienced partners are 2.5 times more likely to exceed their transformation goals. The right partner brings the wisdom of past projects, helping you avoid common pitfalls and deliver on ambitious targets.
So, what can you do to ensure you’re selecting an experienced and proven partner?
- Look at their case studies. Most partners have their case studies and success stories on their websites and will often happily provide them if you’re already engaging with partners.
- Ask for references. It’s common to ask for comparable references during the procurement process as this can give insight into previous success and sometimes challenges faced when working with a partner. Organisations like to offer advice and experiences to each other to enable them to select their partners with insight from various sources. The references can be requested directly from a partner’s current customer base.
Check out our track record here.
Tip 2 – Data, data, data. Ensure the partner can articulate their approach to Data migration.
Comprehensive services: from data migration to the power of data analytics
A top-tier partner isn’t just about technology deployment; they’re there to ensure every part of your digital transformation runs smoothly, including data migration, testing, and AI integration.
There have been many occasions in my career that data migration has been underestimated. This can be down to multiple reasons:
- Migration scope complexity
- Lack of tooling and/or accelerators
- Environmental technical issues
- Lack of skillset
Not all partners have proven accelerators, data strategy templates and a team of specialist data consultants like Hitachi Solutions. So, it’s important to ensure that when you’re looking for a partner, ask them the following questions:
- What data migration accelerators do you have?
- Have you done this before?
- What experience do you have migrating from legacy applications to D365?
- What would your approach be to data migration, and how would this be structured and delivered?
According to Gartner, 60% of ERP project delays come from poorly executed data migrations, while companies who partner with experts achieve 30% higher project success rates. Hitachi Solutions ensures a robust and well-executed data migration process utilising prebuilt accelerators and methodologies to ensure success throughout the migration process.
Why is data migration important? No data, no analytics.
In today’s world, data analytics isn’t just a ‘nice to have’- it’s essential for driving business strategy. Research by McKinsey shows that companies using data analytics see a 5-6% increase in productivity and up to a 10% boost in profitability within the first year. Additionally, Bain & Company has found that businesses that make decisions based on data are 1.5 times more likely to exceed financial performance targets. Want to go even further? Deloitte’s Analytics Advantage survey reports that businesses with advanced analytics capabilities enjoy 27% higher profitability. A partner who excels in this area ensures you’re making decisions based on actionable insights.
Tip 3 – Take your people on the journey.
Change management: the human side of transformation
It’s not just the technology that makes or breaks a transformation—it’s how your people adapt. A partner who excels in change management can make the transition smoother and ensure your team embraces the new tools and systems.
I’ve been to many industry events where guest speakers take the stage and talk about their experiences implementing D365. Generally, client project managers and business process owners talk about the highs and lows of their implementation experiences. A common theme I find end-user speakers point out is: “Don’t underestimate change; take your teams on a journey.”
Whilst this might seem cliché and throwaway, I can’t emphasise how important it is to ensure your people are involved and feel heard throughout the change process.
Prosci reports that projects with strong change management practices are six times more likely to achieve their objectives. On top of that, Gartner notes that companies with structured change management see 80% higher success rates and up to 6.5 times better ROI. With numbers like these, you can’t afford to overlook the importance of managing human factors in a transformation.
Make the next step with Hitachi Solutions!
When selecting a Microsoft partner, it’s essential to consider more than just certifications or technologies—it’s about choosing a partner with the right experience, skills, and dedication to your organisation’s long-term success.
At Hitachi Solutions, we could be that partner for you. By collaborating with a certified Solutions Partner, you can confidently drive your business forward, backed by our expertise and proven track record of success.
Ready to elevate your business transformation? Contact us today to learn how we can support your journey!
