Acumatica ERP Challenges: What You Should Know Before Investing

Are you overwhelmed by conflicting Acumatica Cloud ERP reviews? Are you struggling to figure out which Acumatica issues could impact your team or goals?
 
As an authorized Acumatica reseller, we chose to work with Acumatica Cloud ERP. We believe it's the best all-around ERP platform for small and midsized companies.
 
But it’s not perfect.

Our daily conversations with prospects, members, and Acumatica give us a unique perspective on Acumatica's challenges and how to solve them.
 
In this article, I’ll share the most common concerns about Acumatica and how you can overcome them.

Objection: Acumatica is expensive

For small businesses, choosing an ERP system is a significant decision. It can also be a major investment. It's important to know if it's a tool you can afford.

Or, are you comparing Acumatica to other ERP software, like Sage Intacct or NetSuite? In that case, the perception that Acumatica is more expensive might not be accurate.
 
Before making a purchasing decision, you need a clearer picture of the sustainable value of your ERP options. You can do this by considering both your first year and recurring costs for each solution under consideration. How much is ongoing support? Are there extra fees to apply software upgrades or personalize your system?
 
Some ERP providers offer deep discounts to gain your business. Yet, there are rarely guardrails for what happens to your pricing beyond that.
 
A customer I spoke with recently said he went with a different solution in 2019 because of the low initial quote. Since then, his prices have tripled.


 

Objection: The CRM features in Acumatica are too basic

Acumatica’s CRM features are limited. In some cases, this is precisely what our members need. For others, integration with a separate CRM platform is necessary.
 
The key is to understand what you need from your CRM. If tracking key customer and supply chain details is your main priority, Acumatica delivers. It centralizes contact information, opportunities, and customer service cases so everyone is on the same page.
 
Do your needs include advanced sales pipeline tracking and management, as well as marketing campaigns with robust tracking and analytics? If so, you'll want to integrate with Salesforce, HubSpot, or other best-of-breed marketing automation platforms.

Objection: Acumatica only sells through partners

Customers can’t license Acumatica ERP software from Acumatica. Instead, Acumatica works with a network of value-added resellers (VARs).
 
Customers have two options for finding an Acumatica reseller:

  1. Contact Acumatica. They will serve as your matchmaker by asking a few questions and assigning you to a partner.
  2. Select a partner. You get to pick your preferred partner for Acumatica licensing and implementation.

Some companies feel this creates an unnecessary go-between. But working with the right partner has advantages you should consider.

A good partner knows your business well enough to speed issue resolution. At Stellar One, we work with each member before and after implementation. We know their businesses better than Acumatica so that we can resolve issues faster.

Looking for pricing protection?

Stellar One offers pricing protections that goes even farther than what Acumatica offers. Our members also get unlimited Stellar One support to avoid the fees Acumatica charges

 

Objection: There’s too much reliance on third-party developers with Acumatica

The Acumatica Marketplace offers over 230 connectors and capabilities from third-party vendors. Why doesn’t Acumatica just add these capabilities to their software?
 
If all possible features were included in Acumatica's core product, the development and maintenance costs would also have to be added. The result would be much larger and more expensive software than most businesses need or want to pay for.
 
Instead, they streamline their platform, allowing customers to add capabilities as needed.

Acumatic marketplace toggle-1Acumatica reviews apps and vendors before listing them on its Marketplace. But pricing isn’t always straightforward.

Your partner can help you price products listed as Fulfilled by Acumatica. You can use the available toggle to filter your search.
 
If pricing isn’t readily available, your partner can contact the software vendor on your behalf. In this case, your partner may need extra time to provide your quote.  
 

Objection: Acumatica certification doesn’t mean much

Does Acumatica’s certification of partner resellers and individuals impact your outcomes? The answer isn’t as straightforward as it could be.
 
Acumatica uses individual certifications, total sales, and lead-to-close percentages to determine a reseller’s overall certification level. There aren't guidelines limiting which roles can earn certifications.
 
A reseller's certified people might not work directly with you or Acumatica; they just achieved the certification. That isn’t ideal for customers who want to know what to expect from their reseller or for resellers who do have certified experts implementing and supporting Acumatica, like us.
 
How can you know what skills and expertise you’re getting? Ask to be introduced to your reseller’s team, which will work with you. Ask for their years of ERP experience, certifications, and experience with Acumatica. You can also ask for LinkedIn profiles to check their background.

Acumatica has three partner tiers: Registered, Silver, and Gold.

Ready to go from Acumatica ERP challenges to success?

Now that you’ve gained a deeper understanding of Acumatica Cloud ERP's potential challenges, you can confidently approach your decision.
 
Remember, every ERP solution has its strengths and areas for improvement. The key is to align capabilities with your business needs while ensuring you have the right partner to guide you through implementation and beyond.
 
Ready to explore how Stellar One and Acumatica work for your business? Take the Fit Quiz to see if we’re the right partner for you.