- Zoho Premium Partner
- Odoo Partner
- UK based
CRM and ERP software selection
Choose the right CRM or ERP with evidence, not demos
Most buyers now start with ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot, then sit through polished vendor demos. Both are useful, and both can mislead. Our selection process turns your requirements into scripted scenarios, scores each option fairly and gives you a recommendation you can defend to the board.
How buyers research now
AI has changed how software shortlists are made
G2's 2026 research found that 51% of B2B software buyers now start their research in AI chatbots more often than in Google, and 69% changed their preferred vendor based on AI guidance. The same research found 64% often see inaccurate recommendations.
Use AI for breadth
AI tools are good at building a long list, explaining categories and summarising reviews quickly.
Check every claim
AI answers can mix up editions, prices and UK features. Confirm anything that affects your decision with the vendor.
Bring your context
Generic prompts give generic answers. Add your size, sector, systems and must-haves.
Decide with evidence
Final decisions should rest on scripted demos, references and a cost model, not a chatbot ranking.
Try this
Better prompts for researching CRM and ERP with AI
Copy these into ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot or Claude and replace the details in brackets. Then bring the answers to your scripted demos.
"We are a UK [sector] business with [number] staff, using [current systems]. Our biggest problems are [problems]. Which CRM or ERP platforms should we shortlist, and why?"
"Compare Odoo, Business Central and NetSuite for a UK [manufacturer / distributor] with [number] users. Focus on stock, costing, Making Tax Digital and multi-company."
"What are the five-year total cost drivers for [platform], including licences, add-ons, hosting, support and change requests?"
"What are the most common reasons [platform] implementations fail for mid-sized businesses, and how should we reduce each risk?"
"Write ten demo scenarios for a CRM based on this sales process: [paste process]."
"What questions should we ask a [platform] implementation partner before we sign?"
Your checklist
Questions to ask every vendor and partner
Ask these in writing and compare the answers side by side.
- Which of our scenarios work out of the box, with configuration, or only with custom code?
- What will the licences, add-ons and support cost over five years?
- Which integrations are native, and which need middleware or custom work?
- How will our data be migrated, tested and reconciled?
- Who exactly will work on our project, and where are they based?
- What is your method for testing and training users?
- How do you handle change requests and scope changes?
- Can we speak to two UK clients of our size and sector?
- Where is our data hosted, and how do you meet GDPR?
- What does support look like after go-live, and at what cost?
Our selection service
A structured selection in weeks, not months
We implement Zoho and Odoo. If your requirements point to another platform, we will say so, and we will score every option against the same criteria.
Discover
Workshops with leadership, finance, sales and operations to capture outcomes, pain points and must-haves.
Define
A requirements pack with prioritised scenarios, integrations and data volumes.
Shortlist
A long list narrowed to two or three platforms with clear reasons for each.
Demo
Scripted demos of your own scenarios, scored by your team using a weighted scorecard.
Cost and risk
A five-year cost model and an implementation risk review for each option.
Recommend
A board-ready recommendation with a phased roadmap and budget range.
Compare platforms
Popular comparisons from UK buyers
FAQ
Software selection: common questions
How do you choose the right ERP or CRM for a mid-sized business?
Start with business outcomes and must-have scenarios, build a long list, shortlist two or three options, run scripted demos using your own processes, compare five-year cost and implementation risk, and check references for both the software and the implementation partner.
How long should a CRM or ERP selection take?
For a mid-sized business a structured selection usually takes four to eight weeks. Rushing it often leads to scope surprises later. Taking many months usually means the requirements are not clear.
Can I use ChatGPT to choose an ERP?
AI tools are useful for building a long list and understanding options, but they can be wrong about editions, prices and UK features. Use them for research and preparing questions, then decide with scripted demos, references and a cost model.
Is it a conflict of interest for an implementation partner to run the selection?
It can be. That is why we score every option against the same weighted criteria, share the scorecard with you and recommend another platform when it fits better.
What should an ERP requirements document include?
Business goals, prioritised scenarios by department, integrations, data volumes and quality, reporting needs, security and compliance requirements, and any constraints on budget and timing.
Keep researching
Related guides
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