ERP Migration & SelectionFree worksheetPDF, Excel, Word exportDiscrete ManufacturingSouth Africa

ERP Selection Scorecard for South African Manufacturers

Choosing an ERP by brand or the best demo is how plants end up with systems that do not fit. A weighted scorecard forces the team to agree what matters first and then score each candidate against the same criteria. This version is set up for South African manufacturers.

Download:

A weighted	B weighted	C weighted
20	12	16
12	15	9
15	15	9
8	6	8
6	6	10
9	12	12
6	8	10
3	3	5

Total weight

100

System A total

System B total

System C total

Highest weighted score

Gap between System A and System B

Rename the three systems in your own notes. Make weights add to 100 before scoring. The rows shown are examples only and the scores are illustrative, not a ranking of any product.

Shortlist review

Optional: we can sense check your weights and scenarios before demos begin.

Optional. The tool and every export work without this. No spam.

How to use the scorecard

Edit the criteria so they reflect your plant. Set weights that add up to 100, with the most important criteria carrying the most weight. Then score each candidate from 1 to 5 after scripted demos and reference calls. The sheet converts each score into a weighted value and totals it, so the system with the highest total fits your priorities best. Export the sheet to share with your steering committee.

Criteria that matter locally

Beyond core manufacturing features, South African buyers should weigh local VAT and payroll compliance, availability of implementation partners in their region, support hours, and resilience to power and connectivity interruptions. Import costing and multi-currency matter if you buy components in dollars or euros. Include total cost over five years, covering licences, hosting, implementation and annual support, not just year one.

Scoring honestly

Score from evidence. Ask each vendor to run the same scenarios with your own parts, such as a multi-level bill with scrap, a subcontract operation and a foreign currency purchase. Give a 5 only for features shown in the demo, a 3 for features that need configuration or an add-on, and a 1 for custom development. Involve at least one shop floor user in scoring.

Common mistakes

Teams often change weights after seeing the totals, let one executive score alone, or compare list prices without implementation cost. A narrow gap between two systems is a signal to look at risk and partner quality rather than the decimal place. Keep the version of the sheet used for the final decision for your records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ERPs should a South African manufacturer shortlist?

Common candidates include SYSPRO, Sage X3, Sage Evolution for lighter needs, Odoo, Microsoft Business Central, NetSuite and SAP Business One. The right shortlist depends on your size, complexity and partner availability, so choose two or three and score them on the same scenarios.

How many criteria should I use?

Eight to twelve is usually enough. More than that dilutes weight and makes scoring tedious. Group related items so that each criterion can be tested in a demo.

Should price carry a big weight?

Price should matter, but a cheap system that misses manufacturing or compliance needs costs more later. Many teams give total cost of ownership a weight around fifteen percent and let fit carry the rest.

Can I score more than three systems?

Three columns are provided because long shortlists rarely help. If you have more, run a first pass with must-have criteria and drop systems that fail before scoring the finalists.

If you want an independent review of the shortlist or a view on what an AI layer would need from each system, Netray can comment on data access and integration.

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