How to Select the Best ERP: A Complete 2025 Evaluation Checklist

The choice of your ERP will define your business growth for at least the next 10 years to come. And it’s not an easy one to make. Every ERP is different, and choosing the wrong one will not only hinder your growth but can also take you back a few years. You have to look into your industry, processes, data, and structure to find the right ERP that fits like a glove.


That’s why we at Navsoft have created an ERP selection criteria checklist that’ll help you make the right decision with confidence. We have over 25 years of experience providing ERP solutions to clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies. We have leveraged that experience to create this guide, which helps you find the right fit.




Key Takeaways - TLDR

Choosing an ERP is a 10-year commitment. Use this 4-part evaluation framework to get it right:

  1. Functional fit first - The system should handle 80% of your needs out of the box. If you're customizing more than 20%, look elsewhere.

  2. Prioritize capabilities - Look for cloud-native architecture, modern APIs for easy integrations, and AI features that automate decisions (not just analytics).

  3. Calculate true costs - Factor in implementation, training, maintenance, and upgrades over 10 years—not just the sticker price.

  4. Test before you buy - Sales demos show ideal conditions. Request sandbox access to test the software with your actual workflows and data.

Bottom line: Plan for where your business will be in 3 years, not where it is today. And remember—mediocre software implemented well will outperform the best software implemented poorly.

ERP Features That Matter in 2025

Today, almost all ERPs are loaded with features. The number of features isn’t a deciding factor as it was a decade ago. The new factors are:


Agentic AI: Does the ERP act on the data stored in it autonomously?

Composability: Can you integrate the ERP with other apps?

Usability: Will your team actually use the ERP or find it complicated?


The 2025 ERP Selection Criteria Checklist

This checklist on ERP selection will help you evaluate potential vendors and arrive at a definitive answer.


1: Functional Requirements

Start by penning down all the things you expect the ERP system to do. Then check:


  • Can the ERP fit into your specific critical workflows, like order-to-cash or procure-to-pay?

  • Does it have native features for your specific industry or requires customization?

  • Does the out-of-the-box solution cover 80% of your needs? Because customizing beyond 20% makes things complicated.


2: The Tech Stack

What’s under the hood makes a lot of difference when it comes to getting the right fit. Here are the key things to consider when selecting an ERP system:


  • Is it a cloud-native architecture, or is it legacy software just hosted on a remote server?

  • Is the API modern? This will make integrations easier with other systems like Customer Relationship Management (CRM).

  • What AI features are available right now, and what’s coming down the line?


3: User Support

How the ERP vendor vibes with you is also an important point in the ERP selection criteria checklist, as you’ll be using the system for at least a decade. Check the type of support they offer.


  • Do they have training, tools, and accessible documentation to help you use the system?

  • Is there a community of forums and third-party consultants?

  • How will the vendor help you if your team encounters a problem?


4: The TCO of the ERP System

Get an idea of the general ERP implementation cost. And don’t just look at the initial price. Consider implementation, training, annual maintenance, and, more importantly, the cost of future upgrades.


Also, check how the cost fluctuates when you add in more users or increase transaction volume. It’s safe to say that you’ll be using the ERP software for at least a decade, so calculate the cost for that timeframe. 


The ERP Selection Criteria Matrix

To make things easier, we’ve created this ERP selection criteria matrix. It’ll help to keep your decision objective.


2025 Evaluation Checklist


Navsoft - Your Partner From Selection to Implementation

At Navsoft, our ERP consultants can objectively analyze your business processes, identify the gaps, and help you make the right choice.


Our experts can also implement the selected ERP correctly and provide ongoing support, which includes training your team, so you get the most out of your investment.


Get in touch today!

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