What is a longlist?
Eine Longlist ist eine erste, unverbindliche Vorauswahl potenzieller ERP-Anbieter oder Lösungen innerhalb eines Entscheidungsprozesses. Sie dient dazu, eine breite Auswahl an Optionen zu sammeln, die anhand vorab definierter Kriterien bewertet werden. Die Longlist wird anschließend durch weitere Analysen und Ausschlussverfahren zu einer Shortlist verdichtet.
Importance of the longlist for ERP projects
Im B2B-Umfeld, insbesondere bei der Auswahl von ERP-Systemen, IT-Dienstleistern oder Softwarelösungen, spielt die Longlist eine entscheidende Rolle. Unternehmen, die eine neue Software oder einen IT-Partner suchen, beginnen meist mit einer langen Liste potenzieller Anbieter, auch Longlist genannt. Diese umfasst eine größere Anzahl von Kandidaten, die anhand spezifischer Kriterien – etwa Funktionsumfang, Skalierbarkeit, Branchenerfahrung oder Kosten – bewertet werden.
The longlist also helps to identify market trends and technological developments at an early stage. This is particularly important as the IT landscape is constantly changing and new innovations need to be taken into account. A well-founded longlist enables companies not only to include established providers in the selection process, but also to consider up-and-coming companies with innovative solutions. This makes it easier to make strategic decisions and implement future-proof solutions.
Advantages of a longlist
- Systematic market overview: A longlist helps to analyze the market in a structured way and identify all relevant providers.
- Reduction of misjudgments: No potential solutions are overlooked thanks to a broad pre-selection.
- Increased efficiency in the selection process: The longlist enables a well-founded narrowing down before in-depth analyses are carried out.
- Transparent basis for decision-making: The systematic reduction to a shortlist is based on comprehensible criteria.
Creation of a longlist for ERP projects
- Definition of the requirements: Identification of mandatory and optional criteria for the solution or provider.
- Market research: Collecting providers via specialist portals, trade fairs, expert networks or company directories.
- Initial assessment: Rough analysis after fulfillment of the main requirements.
- Creation of the longlist: Compilation of a selection of potential candidates.
- Transition to the shortlist: Detailed evaluation and exclusion of less suitable providers.
Longlist for ERP systems
ERP longlist blank template
| Criterion | Description | Rating (1-5) |
| Company data | Provider name, website, contact person | |
| Industry focus | Is the ERP system optimized for your industry? | |
| Range of functions | Does the system meet your core requirements? | |
| Scalability | Can the software grow with your company? | |
| Integration capability | Compatibility with existing systems? | |
| User friendliness | Is the system intuitive to use? | |
| Cost structure | Acquisition costs, license model, running costs | |
| Support & Maintenance | Availability of support and services | |
| References & Reviews | Experiences of other companies | |
| Legal & safety aspects | GDPR compliance, security standards |
Conclusion
The longlist is an essential part of the structured selection process in ERP projects. It enables well-founded decision-making by creating a broad market overview and gradually filtering the most suitable solutions for a shortlist. IT decision-makers and ERP project managers benefit from a methodical approach to identifying the optimal solution for their company.
In addition, a carefully compiled longlist reduces the risk of bad investments by ensuring that only solutions that really meet the defined requirements are shortlisted. This structured process not only saves time and resources, but also contributes to the long-term efficiency and competitiveness of the company.
Another decisive advantage is that the longlist creates a strategic basis for future IT decisions. Companies can draw on the findings from the selection process to continuously optimize their digitalization strategy and take technological innovations into account in good time. This allows the company to remain flexible and respond to changes in the market environment with agility.
