That's it: you have moved past the question of investing in business management software, and you have even chosen the solution that meets your expectations. The road was long and full of pitfalls. Internally first, because not everyone was ready to accept change, and then it was not easy to identify the tool able to meet all your needs. Several weeks or months were needed to clarify your requirements and validate the fit with the ERPs (enterprise resource planning software) you had shortlisted. Today you have made your choice, and perhaps you feel the hardest part is behind you. You are reassured by the potential of the chosen ERP. Your discussions with the software vendor were satisfying. All the lights seem green to start the implementation project. The question of hiring an integrator came up, and you chose to do without one: you are in direct contact with the vendor, which reassures you completely. And from a budget standpoint, you are saving money. Everything is green, you think? Not so sure.
First, let's understand the role of an integrator and that of a vendor
Their trade is different from, and complementary to, that of the vendor. The vendor designs and develops software solutions intended to meet the needs of companies and users. Sometimes generalist, sometimes specialized in a given trade or sector, the vendor strives to offer, through its software, the features it considers most relevant to the needs to be met. At a pace it sets itself, the vendor releases new features and minor or major improvements, tied to a roadmap, that is, a plan and forecast of future developments.
The integrator, for its part, supports its clients in deploying and customizing the solution designed by the vendor. It must have in-depth knowledge of the ERP it installs for its clients (steer clear of integrators of multiple solutions!). It must be able to understand its clients' needs and specificities and define precisely the gaps between the vendor's standard (that is, the software developed by the vendor) and its clients' requirements. If there are gaps, it will be able to develop the missing features. It will also handle training and skills transfer to users, and will support the teams throughout the project.
But sometimes the vendor is also an integrator
This is quite common, and understandable. The vendor can get direct customer feedback and stay "connected" to the market. Others, like Odoo for example, offer to be the integrator of their own solution when customers are certain they will accept a 100% standard answer, with no interface to other tools, and be able to become autonomous quickly. It is a choice you will have to own. There is no right or wrong answer on whether or not to use an integrator; it depends on your context. But the REAL question to ask is why you might need an integrator in the first place.
What can you expect from an integrator like Auguria?
Admittedly, once you have chosen your ERP, you have crossed a threshold. But a crucial step remains: installing and configuring the software so that it is functional and meets your needs. Installation does require expertise: that of your integrator. If you are already familiar with the Odoo application suite, you are probably already won over by its accessibility and ergonomics. But while Odoo is easy at first sight, it is much less so when it comes to advanced configuration choices, given the many possibilities and subtleties on offer. There are several ways to meet a stated need, and good knowledge of Odoo makes the difference. It is also because Auguria's consultants know your business well that they will naturally suggest the most appropriate configurations, taking into account the specificities of the French market, which is useful alongside Odoo, which knows them less well (Odoo is a Belgian vendor). Managing environments (test databases, pre-production and production) also requires an integrator's expertise. The Auguria team is made up of experienced Odoo consultants, both technical and functional, and therefore has an overall mastery, reinforced by close ties with the vendor, Odoo.
Your integrator will follow you during the project, but also afterwards, as a true partner. You will choose it by assessing its level of know-how, its experience, its references, etc. Also think about the partnership you are going to build with your integrator, because it is a long-term partner that will support your growth. Our clients appreciate the trust and close relationship we establish from the start of a project, and which continues in "day-to-day" mode when we support users with software changes or the choice of new features. In our view, the integrator is an essential link between the company and the vendor, serving business performance.