Get ERP Demos from Top Vendors and Learn What to Look For
ERP demos provide a chance to experience firsthand how an ERP system aligns with your specific business needs and industry-specific requirements.
While spec sheets, brochures, and sales pitches do provide valuable information, they don't capture the reality of working with the software. Demonstrations offer valuable insights into the intuitive nature of the user interface, the system's handling of real-world scenarios, and how it integrates with your existing management system.
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In this guide, we outline exactly how to get the most from your ERP demos: You’ll learn about the different types of demos available to you, why demos are so important, and receive practical advice on how to prepare effectively.
Understanding the Importance of ERP Demos
ERP demos are structured presentations that showcase a system’s features, functionality, and user experience. They serve as a window into how the software operates in real-world scenarios, rather than just how it is described in marketing materials.
Five Important Reasons to Not Skip ERP Product Tours
- Product tours provide a hands-on experience that specs and feature lists cannot convey. The demo phase offers concrete evidence of whether a solution truly addresses your business needs or not.
- What makes demos particularly valuable is their ability to uncover the intangible aspects of ERP systems. While feature comparisons can tell you what a system does, demos reveal how it performs these functions.
- You’ll gain insights into user interface design, screen navigation logic, process flow, and its learning management system. These elements significantly impact daily usage and user adoption, but they rarely appear in product documentation or sales presentations. A demo lets you evaluate these crucial factors before making a financial commitment.
- Rushing through or skipping the demo phase carries considerable risk. Organizations that fail to evaluate ERP systems through demonstrations often discover critical limitations only after implementation begins, at a time when changes become exponentially more expensive and disruptive.
- A comprehensive demo process helps identify potential deal-breakers early, such as missing functionalities, workflow misalignments, or technical limitations.
Types of ERP Demos Available
Selecting the correct type of ERP demo can significantly impact your decision-making process. Each demo style offers distinct features and benefits suited to different evaluation stages and organizational needs. ERP vendors may not always offer all of these options, so you will need to discuss with them what they can provide.
Pre-recorded Video
Pre-recorded video demos are scripted presentations that showcase an ERP system’s interface and basic functionality. They typically follow a predetermined path through the software, highlighting key features and workflows that appeal to a general audience.
These demos serve as an initial introduction to the system, providing a quick overview without requiring scheduling or commitment. They’re often produced by the vendor’s marketing team and designed to present the product in the most favorable light.
Primary Advantages
- Available on demand, allowing for convenient viewing at any time
- Provides a quick visual introduction to the system’s interface and look-and-feel
- Easy to share with multiple stakeholders
- Useful for initial screening of multiple vendors
Potential Drawbacks
- Marketing-focused, often glossing over software limitations
- No opportunity for questions or customized exploration
- Limited to predetermined scenarios that may not reflect your specific needs
- Unable to test software responsiveness or performance
Live Webinar
Live webinar demonstrations are scheduled online sessions where a vendor presents the ERP solution to multiple attendees. These sessions include real-time demonstrations of the software, followed by a structured Q&A period.
Webinars typically focus on industry-specific functionality or particular modules, making them more targeted than generic marketing videos. They allow for some interaction while still maintaining an efficient format for reaching multiple prospects simultaneously.
Primary Advantages
- More interactive than pre-recorded videos
- Opportunity to ask questions in real-time
- Often includes industry-specific examples and use cases
- Provides insights into the vendor’s expertise and approach
Potential Drawbacks
- Scheduled at specific times, requiring calendar coordination
- Less personalized than one-on-one demonstrations
- Limited time for questions and exploration
- May include other attendees with different priorities
Interactive Simulation
Interactive simulations provide a guided, hands-on experience within a controlled version of the ERP environment. Users can navigate through the solution by following predetermined paths, while also having the ability to click buttons, complete forms, and interact directly with the interface.
These simulations offer more engagement than passive videos while maintaining the convenience of on-demand access. They typically include sample data and predefined scenarios designed to showcase specific features and workflows.
Primary Advantages
- Hands-on experience without requiring system access or setup
- Self-paced exploration allows users to spend time on relevant areas
- More engaging than passive video demonstrations
- Available on-demand without scheduling requirements
Potential Drawbacks
- Limited to predefined scenarios and sample data
- Restricted functionality compared to the actual system
- May present an oversimplified version of complex processes
- Unable to test customizations or specific business workflows
Traditional Vendor-Led
Vendor-led demonstrations are personalized sessions where a representative guides your team through the ERP software system, focusing on your specific requirements. These demos are typically conducted either virtually or on-site, following initial qualification and discovery conversations.
The representative customizes the presentation based on your industry, company size, and stated challenges. This format enables in-depth exploration of relevant functionality and facilitates real-time discussions about how the solution can address your unique needs.
Primary Advantages
- Tailored to your specific business requirements and questions
- Opportunity for detailed exploration of relevant features
- Direct interaction with vendor experts who can address concerns
- Often includes demonstrations using industry-specific examples
Potential Drawbacks
- Requires a significant time commitment from your team
- May be influenced by the representative’s sales objectives
- Limited to what the vendor chooses to show or is asked about
- Usually occurs later in the selection process, after initial screening
Self-Run
Self-run demos enable potential users to have complete control over exploring an ERP solution through a trial account. Users can independently test various features and workflows.
Key features include full access to the system, freedom to experiment with different features, and the opportunity to validate specific use cases independently.
Primary Advantages
- Full autonomy to explore the software
- Ideal for detailed technical assessments
- No vendor influence
Potential Drawbacks
- It can be overwhelming without guidance
- Potentially incomplete understanding of advanced functionalities
Why Enterprise Resource Planning Demos Matter
Product tours reveal how well the solution aligns with your actual business processes. Through demonstrations, you will determine whether the system’s workflows align naturally with your processes and can offer the operational benefits you seek.
Feature Verification
Marketing materials often use vague terminology to describe capabilities. Seeing features in action allows you to confirm that a feature exists, how comprehensively it’s implemented, and whether it truly solves your business challenges as promised.
Integration Capabilities
Most businesses rely on multiple systems that must work together seamlessly. Demos show whether integrations are built-in and straightforward or will require complex customization and additional development costs. This visibility helps prevent costly surprises during the implementation process.
Implementation Complexity
By observing how the system handles customization, data migration, and configuration scenarios, you can gauge the technical expertise required. This insight aids in budget planning and resource allocation during the implementation phase.
Customer Service
Learn firsthand how thoroughly vendors prepare, respond to unexpected questions, address concerns, and close deals, all of which provide valuable signals about the support experience you can expect post-purchase.
Security and Compliance
Observing how the software manages permissions, audit trails, and sensitive information can help prevent compliance issues later on. A good demonstration addresses these critical aspects rather than focusing solely on operational features.
Essential Steps to Prepare for a Productive ERP Software Demonstration
Proper preparation is key to getting the most out of your enterprise resource planning demo experience. Follow these essential steps to help you thoroughly evaluate and compare ERP systems:
- Define your objectives. Create a concise list of what you need to learn from the demo and what business problems you need the ERP to solve.
- Document your critical processes. Identify 3 – 5 key business workflows that the solution must support. Be ready to ask how the ERP handles these specific scenarios.
- Prepare a list of must-have features. Distinguish between essential capabilities and nice-to-have options to keep the demo focused on your priorities.
- Involve the right stakeholders. Include employees from all departments. Their specialized knowledge will help spot potential issues you might miss.
- Prepare targeted questions. Prepare questions about functionality, customization, integration capabilities, pricing, support options, and implementation requirements.
- Request customization of the demo. Ask the vendor to tailor the presentation to your industry and specific needs rather than showing a generic demonstration.
- Arrange for recording. Request permission to record the demo for later reference and to share it with team members who were unable to attend.
We invite you to read this article by Timothy Singleton, one of Top10ERP’s advisors on the ERP evaluation process. It expands on the importance of and preparation for ERP demos.
Notable ERP Demo Highlights from Industry Leaders
Every ERP vendor brings something unique to the demo experience. Industry-leading ERP providers each have particular strengths, innovative features, or distinctive demo approaches worth noting.
For instance, SAP’s demos emphasize its comprehensive coverage across manufacturing and supply chain processes, providing highly detailed demonstrations of scenario-based production workflows and advanced analytics.
Oracle Cloud ERP typically offers an interactive demo environment, allowing businesses to experiment with real-time data analytics, financial planning modules, and inventory management tools. Users find value in Oracle’s emphasis on data visualization and integrated business intelligence to manage future growth.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 distinguishes itself by providing robust self-run demonstration options, allowing potential users to explore modules independently, including manufacturing execution systems, financial management, and CRM integration.
Compare and Request Demos Here
At Top10ERP, we offer a range of tools and resources designed to simplify the ERP selection process. Our “Best Fit” comparison tool provides detailed insights into various ERP systems, enabling you to compare their functionalities, features, and industry suitability.
We also provide access to demo requests, personalized vendor connections, and comprehensive, unbiased reviews. Our platform helps eliminate confusion and saves significant time by quickly narrowing down suitable ERP options.
To further enhance your ERP demo process, our advisors can guide you step-by-step in creating customized shortlists, directly scheduling demos, and tracking vendor communications. Contact us here for personalized assistance.