Hello All, We are a small manufacturing company looking to get some proposals for some consulting and implementation help. I have no idea where to start other then to start drafting a SOW, requirements, etc. Does anyone have any tips on what to include for this? Once it’s completed I’d like to post it here for some labor rates and project estimates so we can move forward on hiring some help.

Generally, the SOW and requirements is a collaborative effort with the clients of my firm. Meaning we establish estimates of how long each aspect is going to take, and then client decides what they want to proceed forward with. The advantage of doing it that way - is we can help guide you in rough approach so that it's being estimated the right way instead of estimating something based on a description typed up by someone who doesn't really understand what the system can/does do and how to customize where it can't for processes that are needed.

Where is your company located?

So one of the most important things in the market is picking the right tools (ERP,CRM, integration platforms) and you do not want to go by what the salesman says for those, cuz like any other great salesman they will try to sell you on stuff that does not exist in a system (has happened more times than i can count) What you need is a partner who will come in and help you identify the right system for your needs (do a discovery). Its crucial that this partner is system agnostic to give you the right feedback. (This is where 20-30% of the companies fail in identifying the right tool) Then you need someone to implement the system. It does NOT have to be same as the partner who recommended you the system but would be great if it was. Then they help you do a discovery of your business with a few sessions and help determine the estimated effort and best path forward with the SOW. Most SOW’s are Time and expenses but some partners offer fixed project based pricing as well. Now its both approaches its good to have as much identified as possible in the discovery phase for an accurate estimate but fixed bid allows a little less flexibility than T&E in general if you dont have 100% requirements clearly documented or someone as a stakeholder from your side dedicated to this project. Then you start your implementation with the right partner. Picking the right partner is 50% of the battle but it impacts the other 50% gravely. Its important to get a partner who will not only listen to your requirements but also EDUCATE YOU on the industry best practices In both ways partners can do the SOW and REQUIREMENTS gathering. So i would tell you to focus on the right partner and have them document the details as they help you pick the right vendor

If you have already chosen NetSuite I can refer you to someone that used my last referral. Coast Products in Portland OR was delighted by the last guy. He liked them too which was nice.