Resources
Helping You Make Smarter ERP Decisions
Cut through the noise. Make the right move. Scale with clarity.
ERP decisions are complex. These resources are here to help you lead them with confidence—whether you’re just starting to explore or deep in vendor conversations.
Everything here is written for real operators and decision-makers.
No fluff. No jargon. Just tools to help you move forward.
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The Smart Leader’s Guide to ERP Decisions
What to Know Before You Buy
Avoid the 7 most expensive mistakes companies make when choosing ERP.
ERP is one of the biggest decisions a growth-stage company will make.
Done right? It unlocks scale.
Done wrong? It stalls momentum, drains budget, and derails your team.
Before you talk to vendors, before you sit through demos—get clear.
This guide will help you do exactly that.
What’s Inside:
7 costly mistakes
companies make during ERP selection
The pre-buy readiness checklist
every leadership team should run
Why clarity beats complexity
and how to get it before your first demo
How to spot
vendor pressure tactics before they box you in
Real-world insights
from 100+ ERP conversations and implementations
Who This is For:
Mid-sized companies ($5M–$50M) preparing for growth
Leaders who’ve outgrown QuickBooks and spreadsheets
Teams unsure where to start—but certain they don’t want to get sold the wrong thing
Why It's Different:
This isn’t vendor fluff or a disguised sales pitch.
It’s straight talk from someone who’s sat on both sides of the ERP table.
Michael Wakefield, Founder of Accipiter ERP Advisory, brings decades of experience helping hundreds of manufacturers, distributors, and product-based teams navigate high-stakes software decisions with clarity and confidence.
Instant download. No spam. Just tools to help you scale smarter.
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We’ve Been on the Inside, Now We’re on Your Side: What True ERP Advocacy Looks Like
Let’s be honest. ERP vendors don’t always tell you the full story.They tell you what gets the deal done, not what sets your business up for success. And by the time your team realizes what the software can’t do or how complex the rollout really is, you’ve already signed, spent,
Choosing ERP Isn’t Just About Today, It’s About Who You’re Becoming
ERP software isn’t just a tool.It’s a bet on your future. And yet, too many companies choose systems based on what they need right now, not who they’re trying to become. They ask:🟠 “Can this help us automate invoicing?”🟠 “Does it track inventory better than QuickBooks?” But they’re not asking:🟢
ERP Advisors, Not Salespeople: Why Guidance Without a Commission Makes All the Difference
When you’re choosing an ERP system, everyone has an opinion.Most of those opinions are tied to a quota. ERP vendors want you to buy their platform.Implementation firms want you to sign fast.Even generalist consultants may have behind-the-scenes incentives. That’s not inherently bad. But let’s be honest:It’s hard to get clear
Michael in Conversation .
Hear from Michael and other industry experts on:
ERP trends that matter (and the ones that don’t)
What “success” actually looks like in implementation
Stories from the field: chaos averted, confidence built
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We work with:
- Fractional CFOs & COOs
- Ops consultants & NetSuite integrators
- ERP vendors who want happy clients, not horror stories
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What is ERP, and why does it matter for growing businesses?
ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software helps centralize and streamline operations like inventory, finance, HR, and logistics, so your team can scale with less chaos and more control.
How do I know if we’ve outgrown QuickBooks or spreadsheets?
If your systems require manual workarounds, constant fire drills, or don’t “talk” to each other, it’s likely time to evaluate ERP.
We don’t have an IT team, can we still make smart ERP decisions?
Yes. Most of our clients are operationally strong, but not technical. We help bridge that gap so decisions are strategic, not just tech-driven.
Is ERP only for large enterprises?
No. Many growth-stage companies in the $5M–$50M range benefit from ERP if their operations are complex or scaling quickly.
How long does it take to choose the right ERP system?
With the right guidance, most clients move from initial scan to confident selection in 4–8 weeks.
What exactly does “ERP Strategic Advocacy” mean?
It means we’re on your side, not the vendor’s. We help you define what you need, evaluate options objectively, and make decisions aligned with your strategy.
Do you sell or resell software?
No. We are 100% vendor-agnostic. That’s what makes our guidance trustworthy.
Do you work with specific ERP platforms?
We have deep experience with NetSuite and visibility into many others, but our job is to help you choose the right one for your business.
How are you different from an implementation consultant or vendor sales rep?
We sit before the sale and beside you during implementation. We help you choose smart, plan well, and keep vendors accountable. We don’t disappear after the deal.
Can you help even if we already bought an ERP system?
Yes. We often step in mid-project to stabilize implementations that have gone sideways or lost direction.
What’s the best way to start working with you?
Begin with a Strategic Scan, a 2-week engagement to understand your systems, pain points, and readiness for ERP.
What’s included in the ERP Decision Sprint?
You get help with defining requirements, shortlisting vendors, facilitating demos, and making a confident final choice with no vendor pressure.
How do you support implementation projects?
We offer 3–6 month embedded advisory—keeping your vendors honest, your team focused, and your project aligned.
What if our ERP project is already off track?
We offer a special Rescue & Recovery engagement to help reset the plan, realign the team, and avoid costly mistakes.
Can we work together even if we’re not ready to buy software yet?
Absolutely. We often help clients prepare first, so they don’t rush into expensive tech that won’t solve their problems.
What industries do you specialize in?
Manufacturing, food and beverage, wholesale/distribution, and product-based ecommerce, especially those scaling beyond founder-led systems.
What size companies do you typically support?
We work primarily with companies in the $5M–$50M range who are preparing for significant growth or operational upgrades.
Do you work with startups?
If you’re pre-revenue or early-stage, our work may be too advanced. But we’re happy to refer you to simpler systems if needed.
Do you work internationally?
Yes, though most of our clients are U.S.-based. Time zone compatibility and cultural alignment are key.
Do you support nonprofits or government entities?
It depends on the project. We primarily work with for-profit, growth-stage businesses, but are open to conversations if the fit is right.
Can ERP vendors refer you to their clients?
Yes. We’re a valuable partner when vendors want the client to succeed, not just close the deal.
Are you open to collaborating with fractional CFOs, COOs, or ops consultants?
Absolutely. We often co-advise to bring operational and technical strategy together.
Do you offer white-labeled services through partners?
Not at this time. We operate under the Accipiter brand to maintain integrity and transparency.
How can I refer a client to you?
Just send them to [your site/contact] or schedule a quick introduction call. We make referrals easy and low-pressure.
Do you offer partner commissions or incentives?
No. We believe in clean referrals and mutual trust, not commissions that cloud judgment.
What does a Strategic Scan cost?
It’s a fixed-fee, two-week engagement. Pricing is transparent and shared in the intro call.
Are engagements hourly or project-based?
All work is scoped as project-based with clear milestones, deliverables, and outcomes.
Do you sign NDAs?
Yes. We take confidentiality seriously and are happy to sign NDAs prior to engagement.
Do you offer ongoing retainers?
Yes, especially during implementation phases. Advisory support can be structured as ongoing or project-based.
How do we get started?
Book a quick call. If there’s a fit, we’ll propose a scoped engagement with clear deliverables.
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Reach out anytime, even if you’re not sure what you need yet.
You’ll always get a real answer, not a sales pitch