Understanding the Shortage
The ERP consultant shortage is structural, not cyclical. The generation that implemented the first wave of ERP systems in the 1990s and 2000s is retiring. Universities do not teach ERP configuration—new consultants learn on the job over 3-5 years.
Meanwhile, demand is increasing as companies modernize legacy systems. The Infor ecosystem is particularly affected because its products (SyteLine, LN, M3) are less widely taught than SAP, creating a smaller pipeline of new talent.
- Average age of experienced Infor consultants is 50+, with 30% expecting to retire within 5 years
- Senior Infor consultant rates have risen from $175-$225/hr to $250-$350/hr since 2021
- Average wait time for experienced Infor LN consultants now exceeds 8-12 weeks for engagements
- Junior consultants being staffed on complex projects, increasing implementation risk and rework
Strategies Beyond Higher Rates
Paying more only works until it does not—there are simply not enough experienced consultants to go around. Sustainable strategies include building internal expertise through cross-training programs, leveraging user communities for knowledge sharing, implementing AI-assisted tools that reduce consultant dependency, and structuring engagements to maximize knowledge transfer from consultants to internal staff.
- Dedicate 10-15% of consulting engagement budgets specifically to internal knowledge transfer
- Cross-train 2-3 internal staff members during every consulting engagement as a requirement
- Join and actively participate in Infor User Group, Baanboard, and product-specific communities
- Use AI tools for routine ERP tasks (configuration analysis, testing, documentation) to free consultants for complex work
AI as a Force Multiplier
Netray's AI agents directly address the consultant shortage by automating tasks that traditionally required experienced consultants: configuration analysis, data migration mapping, test script generation, and troubleshooting common ERP issues. The agents make junior staff more effective and reduce the total consulting hours needed for implementations and support.
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OEE Calculator (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)
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