What does a software selection consultant do?

A software selection consultant documents your requirements, builds a shortlist, runs structured demos and scores each option, so you choose based on fit and total cost, not on the best sales pitch.

How much does a software selection consultant charge?

It depends on how many systems and teams are in scope. A single-system selection usually takes about 4 to 6 weeks and an ERP selection about 6 to 10 weeks. We scope it with you before we start.

How long does ERP selection take?

Usually 6 to 10 weeks from kickoff to recommendation, depending on how many options are evaluated and how quickly teams are available.

Are you independent from software vendors?

Yes. Our recommendations are vendor-neutral and based on your requirements, total cost and how well each option fits the way you work.

What do you need from our team?

Time with the people who do the work in each department, access to your current systems, and a decision owner.

Can you help with implementation after selection?

Yes. We can lead the implementation, or support the partner you choose with requirements, data migration and reporting.

How many vendors should we evaluate?

Usually three to five on the shortlist. Fewer leaves you without a real comparison, and more makes the scripted demos hard to run well.

What should be on our software selection criteria list?

Functional fit against your documented workflows, total cost over the contract term, integration effort, security and compliance, scalability, vendor viability and support for the automation you plan to add.

Should we build custom software instead of buying?

Buy when a product covers most of what you need. Build when your workflows, data or rules are what set you apart. Our build vs buy decision framework walks through the trade-offs.

Software Selection Consulting

Choosing an ERP, CRM or reporting platform is a decision you live with for years. Alphabyte gives you vendor-neutral software selection: we define what your business needs, score the options against it, and give you a shortlist and a plan you can defend.

This service supports organizations replacing legacy systems, planning a modernization project, or choosing a first ERP.

Success Stories

Abstract blue wavy lines on a dark background

What We Do

Vendor-neutral software and ERP selection, from requirements to recommendation.

Our software selection consultants connect technology decisions to real business needs. Each engagement looks at people, processes, data and systems together, so the software you choose fits the way you work, not just the demo.

A good selection starts with requirements, not demos. We document how each team works today and what it needs, then turn that into scripted demos so every vendor shows your workflows instead of their best features.

You get a recommendation you can explain to leadership, with the reasons behind it and the risks to manage.

ERP Selection

ERP and core systems judged on how they run your real workflows.

Requirements

What each team needs, documented before any vendor demo.

Process Fit

How each option supports daily work, not surface features.

Integration Planning

How each option connects to the systems you keep.

Data Readiness

Support for the reporting and data quality you need.

Security & Privacy

Access, privacy and compliance needs reviewed for each option.

Cloud Strategy

Cloud, hybrid or on-premises, judged on cost, scale and governance.

AI Readiness

Room for the automation and AI you plan to add later.

Close-up of a glowing teal circuit board

Our Approach

Assessment
In the first week we review your current systems, processes and data to understand the pain points and constraints. This shows what the new software must fix and what it must not break.
Scope of Work
We agree on the objectives, the systems in scope and the decision deadline, so the work stays focused. We also agree who signs off, so the decision doesn't stall at the end.
Business Discovery
Over 1 to 2 weeks we work with each team to capture the workflows and requirements the software must support. Requirements are written in plain language and agreed by each team.
Options Analysis
We score each shortlisted option on functional fit, total cost, integration effort, security, scalability, vendor viability and AI readiness. Scripted demos make sure every vendor is judged on the same tasks.
Recommendation & Roadmap
You get a clear recommendation, the reasons behind it and a phased roadmap with the risks to manage. The roadmap covers data migration, integration and training, not just the licence.

Digital Advisory Success Stories

E-Commerce

Annmarie Skin Care’s challenge is common and is experienced by e-commerce shops across the spectrum: while relying on 3rd party applications provides quick access to the functionality necessary to run its shop, it creates scattered environments of data that make it difficult to gather meaningful insights.

Hotels & Hospitality

360° Hotel Group relied on their existing Financial and CRM system to generate reporting that was inefficient and lacked the analytical depth to help them make informed decisions. Realizing their analytics and reporting infrastructure required a makeover

Subscription Retention

For Muscle Innovations, this challenge results in an inability to answer some core questions about its subscription offering 1) How long does it take for its subscriptions to become profitable? 2) What is their subscription retention rate? 3) What is their subscription Lifetime Value?

Your Software Selection Partner

Most software decisions go wrong the same way: demos before requirements, one department choosing for everyone, and data migration left until after the contract is signed. A structured selection process avoids all three.

Our recommendations are vendor-neutral. We are a Microsoft Solutions Partner and know that stack in depth, and we evaluate the alternatives on the same criteria so you can see why one option wins.

When the decision is made, we can carry on as your ERP implementation consultant, or support the partner you choose. Related: data migration, requirements and business analysis and our build vs buy guide.

Get Started

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a software selection consultant do?
A software selection consultant documents your requirements, builds a shortlist, runs structured demos and scores each option, so you choose based on fit and total cost, not on the best sales pitch.
How much does a software selection consultant charge?
It depends on how many systems and teams are in scope. A single-system selection usually takes about 4 to 6 weeks and an ERP selection about 6 to 10 weeks. We scope it with you before we start.
How long does ERP selection take?
Usually 6 to 10 weeks from kickoff to recommendation, depending on how many options are evaluated and how quickly teams are available.
Are you independent from software vendors?
Yes. Our recommendations are vendor-neutral and based on your requirements, total cost and how well each option fits the way you work.
What do you need from our team?
Time with the people who do the work in each department, access to your current systems, and a decision owner.
Can you help with implementation after selection?
Yes. We can lead the implementation, or support the partner you choose with requirements, data migration and reporting.
How many vendors should we evaluate?
Usually three to five on the shortlist. Fewer leaves you without a real comparison, and more makes the scripted demos hard to run well.
What should be on our software selection criteria list?
Functional fit against your documented workflows, total cost over the contract term, integration effort, security and compliance, scalability, vendor viability and support for the automation you plan to add.
Should we build custom software instead of buying?
Buy when a product covers most of what you need. Build when your workflows, data or rules are what set you apart. Our build vs buy decision framework walks through the trade-offs.