A process and requirements map
- Finance
- Sales
- Purchasing
- Operations
A free, independent ERP evaluation. Every document stays yours, whoever builds the system.
Before we talk about a system, we talk about your processes. The evaluation and every conversation up to your decision are free. In-depth process workshops are a paid service. We agree the scope before any detailed work starts.
Who builds the system afterwards
Your evaluationYour documents, whoever builds the system
CloudmavenThe team that ran the evaluation
Another partnerWe hand over the documents
Not decided yetThe documents stay with you
- The documents go with you
Why an independent evaluation is necessary in the first place
Most companies choose their ERP system either by gut feel, by whichever sales conversation was most convincing, or by whatever a single vendor is promoting loudest. The result is expensive wrong decisions that only surface after go-live when switching is most expensive.
Cloudmaven reverses that order. We don’t start with the software; we start with your finance and business processes. Only once we’ve jointly understood how your company works today, and how it should work in three to five years, do we talk about specific systems.
Most companies choose their ERP system
ERP system go-live expensive wrong decisions that only surface after go-live
Cloudmaven reverses that order.
your finance and business processes specific systems
How we work
Our approach is built on the Cloudmaven ERP Methodology and its Target Operating Model (TOM) Framework, the same approach we use on large customer projects.
-
Business discussion
We discuss your business, the processes that matter and what you need from an ERP. -
Process workshops
With your finance and business teams we go through your core processes end to end, such as order-to-cash, procure-to-pay and record-to-report. We write the requirements down in a business requirements document. -
IT landscape proposal
We propose how your systems, interfaces and responsibilities should work together.
-
Optional deep dives
Where needed, we examine individual processes and requirements in greater detail. -
Demo sessions
Against the requirements document and our experience from more than 20 years in the market, we assess suitable systems in demonstrations. -
Decision
You choose the next step. If questions remain, we arrange another round.
If you choose to proceed with implementation, the same team supports you through the six phases Initiate, Analysis, Design, Build, Validate and Deploy.
See the structure of the documents you keep
Illustrative structure, not a client document.
A structured vendor comparison
- Strengths
- Limitations
- Investment scope
A target IT architecture (Target Operating Model)
- Systems
- Interfaces
- Responsibilities
- Reporting
You receive all the documents we produce along the way.
A clear recommendation that you can follow and question, rather than one you have to take on faith.
Our illustrative demo follows a subscription business from its requirements to the plan it took away. See what an evaluation produces
Why an evaluation with us
A real implementation partner, not an evaluation shop
We know exactly what matters because we build these systems ourselves, not just compare them on paper.
Often faster than a classic pre-evaluation
Based on your industry and your processes, we can frequently narrow the realistic shortlist down quickly, instead of billing for a long exploratory phase.
20 years of ERP experience
Behind every recommendation.
Where your situation is complex, we go deep. We record your current processes and design the future IT architecture with you, covering systems, interfaces, responsibilities and reporting. Then we test that architecture in a proof of concept, using what we know from our own projects, a step a purely independent consultant cannot take. By that point, choosing the system means confirming which platform can carry the processes and the architecture we have designed and tested together.
Why it is free, and how you check the recommendation
Why free?
We earn our money from implementation, which is why the evaluation is free. You keep every document produced within the agreed scope, whether you implement with us or another partner.
How you check the recommendation
We implement several of the ERPs we compare. So every option comes with its strengths, limitations and investment scope in writing, and you can check the recommendation yourself. Where a requirement is better solved outside our portfolio, we say so. If you choose another partner, we hand them every document and working file.
The platforms we know best
Deep expertise across five core platforms and beyond, when your requirements demand it.
Oracle NetSuite
For software, services and trading companies with recurring revenue.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
For the mid-market within the Microsoft ecosystem.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations
For complex, global enterprise organisations.
Lensing
For companies that want a particularly modern, AI-native architecture.
SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition
For companies with SAP history or deep manufacturing/industrial requirements.
If your needs go beyond these five platforms, we also bring in other vendors for assessment such as Odoo, Sage, Infor, Unit4, Campfire, Rillet, Dualentry and others.
Cloudmaven in Figures
16+
Locations worldwide (Europe, EMEA, America, Asia)
30+
Countries in which we operate
120+
consultants and engineers
350+
satisfied customers
600+
projects
FAQs
What does the ERP evaluation actually cost?
The evaluation and every conversation up to your decision are free. In-depth process workshops are a paid service, and we agree their scope and cost before they start.
Am I obligated to implement with Cloudmaven afterwards?
No. You receive a documented recommendation and can freely decide whether, and with whom, you pursue implementation.
How independent is the recommendation?
We document our assessment in a traceable way, with strengths, limitations and investment scope per option, so you can verify it yourself.
What makes Cloudmaven’s evaluation different from other ERP consultants?
Most ERP consultancies stop at a written comparison. Because we’re an actual implementation partner, we go further and build a real proof of concept grounded in the target architecture we design with you. A purely independent consultant, without hands-on delivery experience, structurally can’t do that.
How long does an ERP evaluation take?
An evaluation typically takes one to six months, depending on the size and complexity of the project. A complete evaluation involves around 40 consulting hours; larger or on-site engagements can exceed 100.
What is the Target Operating Model (TOM)?
The Target Operating Model describes how your processes, systems, data and responsibilities should work together in the future. It’s the foundation on which we then select the right ERP platform, rather than treating the system question in isolation.
Do you only compare your own five platforms?
Our deepest expertise is in Microsoft, SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Lensing and iplicit. Where your requirements go beyond that, we bring in other vendors for assessment as well, for example Odoo, Sage, Infor, Unit4, Campfire, Rillet or Dualentry.
Which finance or business process needs to change?
You receive a documented recommendation and can freely decide whether, and with whom, you pursue implementation.