The ERP packages come in all sizes and shapes, with all the possible frills, bells and whistles, gizmos and gadgets that you can imagine. So it is a good practice to have selection criteria for evaluating the packages that come out of the pre evaluation screening. The criteria can be in the forrn of a questionnaire and a point system can be implemented. This will help in making the selection process more objectives. The questions should address the company's business needs and concerns and each issue or question should be given a weightage according to how critical that function is for the company. For example, if the company has offices in different countries, then the capability of handling multiple languages and currencies becomes an important criterion. Likewise, the selection criteria should be divided into categories - Vital, Essential and Desirable - and points should be given to each criterion. This point rating system will simplify the evaluation process; but remember that the importance of human intuition (gut feeling) and judgment should never be under estimated.

The best method for preparing the selection criteria is to conduct a requirement analysis - find out what the company needs. The requirements must reflect those factors that the company considers indispensable for the successful running of the business according to the company's work culture and practices. Given below are some examples of the selection criteria:

>The package should have multi language and multi currency support.
> The package should be international and should have installations in so and vendores should also ahve local pressence in those countries.
> The package should have the facility to do an incremental module addition.for example, the company should have the facility to buy the core modules initially and then go in for the additional modules as and when desired
>vendors should provide implementation and post implementation support. vendors should give a commitment on training the company employees on the package
>The package should have the capability of interlacing with the other systems company is dealing with - banks, suppliers, customers, etc.
>The package must be customizable and the customization process should beomething that could be done in-house
>The vendor's policy and practices regarding updations, versions, etc. should be acceptable.