Pre-Purchase Consultancy
from itas

Supporting better decisions during business transformation. For many organisations, business transformation is both a necessity and a challenge.

Sage Customer Success Partner of the Year 2024
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Transformation doesn't begin with technology. It begins with clarity.

Whether you're rethinking how you operate, exploring new systems, or responding to growth and complexity, one thing is clear: good decisions taken early can make or break the success of your transformation. 

At itas, we understand that choosing a new system - particularly one as critical as your finance platform - is rarely just an IT exercise. It’s a strategic step that impacts your people, processes, reporting, and ultimately your ability to make informed business decisions. That’s why we offer Pre-Purchase Consultancy: a structured, vendor-neutral advisory service designed to help you make sound choices before you commit to a solution. 

Why Pre-Purchase Consultancy Matters

Transformation projects often falter for familiar reasons:

Unclear
requirements

Mismatched expectations between departments
Overpromised vendor capabilities
Lack of internal alignment or business case support
Choosing the wrong system or implementing the right one, poorly
These issues typically don’t surface at go-live. They stem from assumptions and oversights in the early planning stages. By the time they’re recognised, budgets are strained, teams are frustrated, and delivery is at risk.

Pre-purchase consultancy mitigates that risk. It’s not about selling software. It’s about building confidence in the direction you’re taking- before you spend a penny on licensing or configuration. 

What is Pre-Purchase Consultancy?

Think of it as due diligence for your transformation.
Our role is to help you ask the right questions, evaluate your readiness, and define what ‘good’ looks like for your business. We bring structure, insight, and independence to what can otherwise feel like a complex or political process. 

Clarify business needs and transformation objectives

We work closely with you to identify and refine the true drivers behind your transformation plans. This ensures that every step taken is anchored to genuine business value rather than being led by trends or superficial requirements.

Clarify business needs and transformation objectives

We work closely with you to identify and refine the true drivers behind your transformation plans. This ensures that every step taken is anchored to genuine business value rather than being led by trends or superficial requirements.

Gather and validate user and stakeholder requirements

We engage your teams to capture, test, and confirm what is genuinely needed from the new system. By ensuring these requirements are fully validated, you avoid costly missteps and manage expectations early.

Gather and validate user and stakeholder requirements

We engage your teams to capture, test, and confirm what is genuinely needed from the new system. By ensuring these requirements are fully validated, you avoid costly missteps and manage expectations early.

Assess gaps in existing systems and processes

We analyse your current operations to uncover where systems and processes are falling short. This gap analysis forms the foundation for a targeted, effective transformation rather than simply replacing what already exists.

Assess gaps in existing systems and processes

We analyse your current operations to uncover where systems and processes are falling short. This gap analysis forms the foundation for a targeted, effective transformation rather than simply replacing what already exists.

Explore system options and prepare for vendor engagement

We help you navigate the market, assess suitable technology options, and approach vendors with confidence. By preparing thoroughly, you maintain control of the selection process and avoid being led by sales pitches.

Explore system options and prepare for vendor engagement

We help you navigate the market, assess suitable technology options, and approach vendors with confidence. By preparing thoroughly, you maintain control of the selection process and avoid being led by sales pitches.

Build a credible business case for investment

We support you in developing a strong, evidence-based business case that secures leadership buy-in. A well-founded business case is crucial to ensuring that investment decisions are robust and stand up to scrutiny.

Build a credible business case for investment

We support you in developing a strong, evidence-based business case that secures leadership buy-in. A well-founded business case is crucial to ensuring that investment decisions are robust and stand up to scrutiny.

Align leadership around outcomes, not just features

We work to bring your leadership team together around shared goals and priorities, focusing on the business outcomes rather than the allure of technical features. True transformation happens when the entire leadership team pulls in the same direction.

Align leadership around outcomes, not just features

We work to bring your leadership team together around shared goals and priorities, focusing on the business outcomes rather than the allure of technical features. True transformation happens when the entire leadership team pulls in the same direction.

This service is equally valuable for organisations new to ERP or those moving off legacy systems like Sage 50 or spreadsheets. We also work with businesses that have experienced failed implementations and are looking to reset with better structure.

What is Pre-Purchase Consultancy?

Think of it as due diligence for your transformation.
Our role is to help you ask the right questions, evaluate your readiness, and define what ‘good’ looks like for your business. We bring structure, insight, and independence to what can otherwise feel like a complex or political process. 

Clarify business needs and transformation objectives

We work closely with you to identify and refine the true drivers behind your transformation plans. This ensures that every step taken is anchored to genuine business value rather than being led by trends or superficial requirements.

Clarify business needs and transformation objectives

We work closely with you to identify and refine the true drivers behind your transformation plans. This ensures that every step taken is anchored to genuine business value rather than being led by trends or superficial requirements.

Gather and validate user and stakeholder requirements

We engage your teams to capture, test, and confirm what is genuinely needed from the new system. By ensuring these requirements are fully validated, you avoid costly missteps and manage expectations early.

Gather and validate user and stakeholder requirements

We engage your teams to capture, test, and confirm what is genuinely needed from the new system. By ensuring these requirements are fully validated, you avoid costly missteps and manage expectations early.

Assess gaps in existing systems and processes

We analyse your current operations to uncover where systems and processes are falling short. This gap analysis forms the foundation for a targeted, effective transformation rather than simply replacing what already exists.

Assess gaps in existing systems and processes

We analyse your current operations to uncover where systems and processes are falling short. This gap analysis forms the foundation for a targeted, effective transformation rather than simply replacing what already exists.

Explore system options and prepare for vendor engagement

We help you navigate the market, assess suitable technology options, and approach vendors with confidence. By preparing thoroughly, you maintain control of the selection process and avoid being led by sales pitches.

Explore system options and prepare for vendor engagement

We help you navigate the market, assess suitable technology options, and approach vendors with confidence. By preparing thoroughly, you maintain control of the selection process and avoid being led by sales pitches.

Build a credible business case for investment

We support you in developing a strong, evidence-based business case that secures leadership buy-in. A well-founded business case is crucial to ensuring that investment decisions are robust and stand up to scrutiny.

Build a credible business case for investment

We support you in developing a strong, evidence-based business case that secures leadership buy-in. A well-founded business case is crucial to ensuring that investment decisions are robust and stand up to scrutiny.

Align leadership around outcomes, not just features

We work to bring your leadership team together around shared goals and priorities, focusing on the business outcomes rather than the allure of technical features. True transformation happens when the entire leadership team pulls in the same direction.

Align leadership around outcomes, not just features

We work to bring your leadership team together around shared goals and priorities, focusing on the business outcomes rather than the allure of technical features. True transformation happens when the entire leadership team pulls in the same direction.

This service is equally valuable for organisations new to ERP or those moving off legacy systems like Sage 50 or spreadsheets. We also work with businesses that have experienced failed implementations and are looking to reset with better structure.

Why This Matters for CFOs

As a CFO or finance director, you’re likely tasked with balancing strategic change and operational continuity. You need financial systems that support - not obstruct - reporting, forecasting, control, and growth. 

But navigating system change is rarely straightforward. Internal teams may want speed, while the board expects certainty. Vendors push for quick decisions, but you're accountable for long-term impact. 
Our consultancy gives you space to make those decisions with confidence, backed by evidence and structured thinking. It also supports your conversations with peers and the board, giving you a clearer view of trade-offs, costs, and benefits.

What the Pre-Purchase Consultancy Journey Looks Like

Every business is different, so we adapt our approach to your goals and capacity. However, our methodology is built around five practical phases.
Image

Enhanced Collaboration with Integrated Communication Tools

Sage Intacct streamlines team collaboration with built-in communication tools. Instead of relying on emails or in-person queries, finance teams can leave comments directly on transactions, ensuring fast and clear decision-making.

1. Discovery and Current State Analysis

We begin with a structured conversation around your current systems, business model, and challenges. This isn’t about software features - it’s about how your finance team supports the organisation today, and what’s holding them back.

We explore:
  • Core business processes and pain points 
  • Existing tools and integrations 
  • Current reporting gaps or compliance challenges 
  • Team structure, skills, and future growth plans
This phase often surfaces latent inefficiencies or assumptions, helping to align stakeholders around shared issues.

2. Requirements Gathering and Prioritisation

Next, we work with you to identify, shape, and prioritise requirements—across finance, operations, and any dependent functions. This includes not just "must-have" features, but also the operational and strategic needs your new system must support.
We help translate technical and user requests into structured requirement sets suitable for comparison and vendor discussion. This is especially valuable when multiple departments are involved.

3. Options Appraisal and Market Scanning

With clear requirements in hand, we review the solution landscape. This could include Sage products like Intacct or 200, or alternative ERP platforms where appropriate. 
You’ll get:
  • An honest view of your options (and limitations) 
  • A shortlist of solutions worth considering 
  • High-level insight into cost models and licensing 
  • Guidance on integration or data migration complexity
  • Considerations for scalability, compliance, and reporting 
If you need support engaging vendors, we can assist in drafting RFPs or reviewing proposals. Our involvement helps keep conversations focused on business outcomes—not just flashy demos.

4. Business Case Development

A strong business case is essential to secure funding and board-level support. We help you build a case that’s based on tangible improvements in process efficiency, control, visibility, and cost avoidance.
We can help you: 
  • Identify value levers and key metrics 
  • Estimate investment and operating costs 
  • Develop timelines and phasing options 
  • Capture qualitative benefits (e.g. audit readiness, team productivity) 
  • Address change management and training considerations 

5. Decision Support and Readiness Assessment

Finally, we help you make a final decision—or in some cases, delay one. Some clients discover that with better process design or minor system changes, they can defer a full replacement. Others gain the confidence to proceed with clear next steps.
You’ll receive a summary of findings, risks, and recommendations, including: 
  • Go/no-go confidence checkpoints
  • Key stakeholder considerations 
  • Preparation advice for implementation (if proceeding) 
  • Suggested delivery model and phasing (e.g., big bang vs staged rollout) 

Common Use Cases for Our Consultancy

Our pre-purchase work is particularly valuable if:

You’ve outgrown Sage 50 or manual spreadsheets and need to move to a true cloud or ERP platform

There’s internal disagreement about what the next system should do - or who should decide 

You’re planning a wider digital transformation and want finance to act as a credible driver, not a blocker 

Previous implementations didn’t deliver and you want to learn from those mistakes before reinvesting

You’re facing new audit, compliance, or investor scrutiny and need better system controls and reporting

We’ve supported clients across manufacturing, professional services, not-for-profit, and multi-entity organisations. We’re used to balancing technical and commercial considerations, and always speak plainly about what's realistic.

How itas Adds Value Beyond Software

We're proud to be a Multi-Award-Winning Sage partner, but our focus on pre-purchase is intentionally vendor-neutral. Our role here is to protect your interests and ensure you're equipped to make well-informed choices. 
Here’s what sets us apart:
Real-world finance experience: Our consultants have worked in and alongside finance functions. We understand what it means to live with the consequences of a bad system decision.
Business-first, not tech-first: We focus on how systems support your business, not the other way round. We help you keep transformation grounded in operational and strategic priorities. 
Candid guidance: If the solution you’re considering isn’t the right fit, we’ll say so. We’d rather support a client who’s well-prepared than one who’s rushed into an expensive misstep.
Practical deliverables: Our outputs are usable beyond the project—whether it’s for board approval, stakeholder workshops, or implementation planning. 

“Working with itas during the early stages of our transformation gave us the clarity we needed to approach vendors with confidence. Their insight into the finance function made a huge difference. We didn’t just buy a system - we made a strategic investment that’s now paying off.”

Finance Director, UK-based Services Firm

Why choose itas as your transformation partner?

At itas, we understand that choosing a new system is a big decision—and not one to rush. That’s why our pre-purchase consultancy is designed to give you the clarity and confidence you need before you commit.

We don’t start with software. We start with you.

We take time to understand your business, your current challenges, and what you really need—so you’re not just buying a system, you’re investing in the right solution for your team and your future.

Here’s what you can expect:

  • Clear, honest advice from a multi-award winning Sage Partner
  • Experts who speak your language, not just tech talk
  • Straightforward planning to help you map out what success looks like
  • We are good people to work with that genuinely care about your business
  • We are just a phone call away with no automated queues
  • No pressure, no hard sell—just guidance that makes sense
  • Friendly faces who genuinely care about getting it right

We’re big enough to know what works. Small enough to make it personal.