ERP Hiring Guide USA: Functional vs Technical Consultants
Hiring the right ERP consultant can make a big difference to the success of an ERP project. Businesses need people who understand how the system works, but they also need consultants who understand how the business operates.
This is where the difference between functional and technical ERP consultants becomes important.
Functional consultants focus on business processes, requirements and how an ERP system should be used. Technical consultants work more closely with development, integrations, customisation and the technical side of the system.
For businesses hiring ERP professionals in the USA, knowing the difference can make it easier to define the right role and find candidates with the right experience.
What Is an ERP Functional Consultant?
An ERP functional consultant works mainly with the business side of an ERP system. Their job is to understand how a company operates and help configure the ERP system around those requirements.
A functional consultant may work with areas such as:
- Finance and accounting
- Supply chain
- Manufacturing
- Sales
- Purchasing
- Inventory
- Projects
- Customer management
They often speak with managers and users to understand their current processes. They then translate those requirements into ERP solutions.
For example, a manufacturing company may have problems with inventory management. A functional consultant can review the existing process, identify what needs to change and help configure the ERP system to support a better workflow.
Functional consultants may also help with testing, user training, documentation and go-live support.
What Is an ERP Technical Consultant?
A technical ERP consultant focuses on the technology behind the system.
Their responsibilities can include developing custom features, building integrations, managing data and supporting technical changes within the ERP platform.
Depending on the ERP system, a technical consultant may work with:
- Programming languages
- APIs and integrations
- Custom development
- ERP databases
- Data migration
- Reporting
- Workflows
- System configuration
- Technical troubleshooting
For example, if a business needs its ERP system to connect with a third-party warehouse or CRM platform, a technical consultant may be responsible for building or supporting that integration.
Technical consultants are particularly important when a business has complex systems, custom requirements or a large amount of data to manage.
Functional vs Technical ERP Consultants
The biggest difference is what each consultant is responsible for.
A functional consultant focuses on the business side. They work with users, understand business requirements, review processes and help configure the ERP system to support those needs. They may also be involved in testing, training and implementation.
A technical consultant focuses on the technology. They may handle development, integrations, APIs, customisation, data migration, reporting and technical troubleshooting.
The two roles often work together. A functional consultant may identify what the business needs, while a technical consultant works out how to build or connect the required solution.
When Should You Hire a Functional ERP Consultant?
A functional consultant can be useful when a business is implementing a new ERP system or changing the way it uses an existing platform.
You may need a functional consultant when:
- You are starting a new ERP implementation
- Existing business processes need reviewing
- Users need ERP training
- The business is moving from spreadsheets or older systems
- You need help with ERP configuration
- Different departments need to work from the same system
- You are upgrading or changing ERP functionality
The consultant should have experience with the relevant ERP platform as well as the business area involved.
For example, a finance-focused ERP project may require someone with strong financial process knowledge, while a manufacturing implementation may need experience with production, inventory and supply chain processes.
When Should You Hire a Technical ERP Consultant?
Technical consultants become especially important when an ERP project involves development or complex technical work.
A business may need a technical consultant for:
- ERP integrations
- Custom development
- Data migration
- API development
- Custom reports
- Workflow automation
- System upgrades
- Technical troubleshooting
- Third-party applications
The exact skills will depend on the ERP platform.
For example, a NetSuite technical consultant may need SuiteScript and integration experience, while an Odoo technical consultant may need strong Python and Odoo framework knowledge.
This is why the job description should be based on the actual ERP environment rather than simply using a general "ERP technical consultant" title.
Do You Need Both?
For many larger ERP projects, both types of consultants can be useful.
A functional consultant and technical consultant solve different parts of the same problem.
Imagine a company wants its ERP system to automatically send order information to another business application.
The functional consultant can work with the business team to understand what information needs to move, when it should move and what the process should look like.
The technical consultant can then work on the API, integration or development needed to make that process happen.
For smaller projects, one consultant may sometimes cover a wider range of responsibilities. However, employers should still make sure candidates have the right experience for the specific work involved.
What Should US Employers Look for When Hiring ERP Consultants?
Experience with the ERP platform is important, but it should not be the only consideration.
Employers should also look at the candidate's experience with similar projects, industries and business processes.
For a functional consultant, useful areas to assess include:
- ERP implementation experience
- Business process knowledge
- Requirements gathering
- User training
- Testing
- ERP configuration
- Communication skills
For a technical consultant, employers may want to assess:
- Programming experience
- ERP development
- API and integration experience
- Data migration
- Database knowledge
- Customisation
- Technical troubleshooting
Communication is also important for both roles. ERP consultants often have to explain technical or business issues to people who may not have the same level of system knowledge.
Functional or Technical: Which Consultant Does Your Business Need?
The answer depends on the problem you are trying to solve.
If the main challenge is understanding business requirements, improving processes or configuring the ERP system, a functional consultant may be the right fit.
If the project involves development, integrations, customisation or data migration, technical expertise may be more important.
In many cases, businesses need both skill sets. The key is to identify the responsibilities required before starting the recruitment process.
This can also help avoid vague job descriptions that attract candidates with very different backgrounds.
Working With an ERP Recruitment Specialist
ERP hiring can be challenging because the talent pool is highly specialised. A candidate may have years of ERP experience but still not have the specific platform, industry or technical skills required for a particular role.
This is where a specialist recruiter can help.
henleymorgan focuses on ERP recruitment and connects businesses with professionals across different ERP platforms and specialist roles. This includes functional consultants, technical consultants, developers, implementation specialists and ERP leadership positions.
Working with a specialist recruiter can also help employers understand the skills available in the market and create a more focused hiring process.
Final Thoughts
Functional and technical ERP consultants have different responsibilities, but both can play an important role in an ERP project.
Functional consultants focus on business requirements, processes and users, while technical consultants focus on development, integrations, data and the technical side of the system.
Before starting a search, employers should clearly define what the consultant will be expected to do. Looking at the ERP platform, project stage, business requirements and technical environment can help create a more accurate job description.
For businesses hiring ERP professionals in the USA, understanding the difference between functional and technical consultants can make the recruitment process more focused and help attract candidates with the right experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a functional and technical ERP consultant?
A functional ERP consultant focuses on business processes, requirements, configuration and users. A technical ERP consultant focuses more on development, integrations, data migration, customisation and other technical requirements.
Can one person be both a functional and technical ERP consultant?
Yes. Some ERP professionals have experience across both areas. However, larger or more complex projects may require separate functional and technical specialists.
What skills should I look for in a functional ERP consultant?
Look for experience with ERP implementations, business process analysis, requirements gathering, configuration, testing and user training. Experience with the specific ERP platform is also important.
What skills should I look for in a technical ERP consultant?
Technical consultants may need programming, API, integration, database, data migration and ERP development experience. The required skills will depend on the ERP platform and project.
How can a business find ERP consultants in the USA?
Businesses can work with specialist ERP recruitment companies, professional networks and relevant job platforms. A specialist recruiter such as henleymorgan can also help identify candidates with specific ERP platform and technical experience.
