5 Key Questions to Ask Before Choosing an SAP Platinum Partner

The stakes are always high when it comes to selecting an SAP Platinum Partner. The right partner can make your business more agile and digitally mature. Choose the wrong one and it can stall progress, introduce unnecessary complexity and tie you into solutions that don’t meet your long term goals.

So how can you distinguish a truly strategic partner from a standard implementer? Here are five critical questions to ask before making your choice.

1. Do they Understand Your Industry or Just the Software?

Industry expertise should be one of your non-negotiables. Ask for specific case studies of past projects in your industry. Don’t settle for general SAP experience and look for a partner that can bring insights and solutions tailored to your domain.

That includes knowledge of industry specific best practices, regulatory requirements and how SAP can be configured to support them.

Be wary of vague answers like “we work across all sectors.” That often signals a generic approach. You need a partner who can add value from day one, not learn the job at your expense.

2. Can They Support More than Just the Initial Implementation?

The best SAP platinum partners think beyond implementation. They help you shape your target operating model and keep improving it long after deployment. A true partner works across advisory, solution architecture, change management, optimisation and support

When you ask about post-implementation services, dig into the detail:

• Do they run structured programmes for continuous improvement?
• Are they proactive in identifying opportunities for enhancement?
• Will you have a dedicated team focused on your long-term success?

3. How do They Approach Business Change and User Adoption?

Even the most technically sound SAP deployment can fail if it doesn't bring your people along for the ride.

To make adoption easier, it’s smart to see how other organizations handle similar challenges. Exploring SAP-based software solutions shows how the right approach to business change can smoothen the transition and improve overall success.

Change management is often the silent deal-breaker in transformation programmes. A top tier SAP partner knows this and will have a people centred approach to change. That means integrating user training, communication and stakeholder engagement into every phase of the project.

Here are some key questions to ask:

• How do they manage resistance to change?
• What strategies do they use to drive user adoption?
• Do they offer leadership coaching or internal capability building?

Digital transformation is both technical and behavioural, and a partner that understands both is worth their weight in gold.

4. Are They Pragmatic and Outcome Focused or Just Ticking Boxes?

Plenty of consultancies promise transformation. Only a few deliver it with clarity and real accountability.

A strong SAP platinum partner is clear on what’s possible and not afraid to challenge assumptions. They give straight answers, even when those answers are uncomfortable. They ask tough questions about your processes. They set timelines that are realistic, not just polished for a slide deck. And they design delivery plans that focus on measurable business value.

Watch out for the warning signs:

• Buzzword heavy presentations without real world examples.
• Over-promising on scope or timelines.
• A one size fits all methodology.

Digital transformation should feel like working with an experienced team that’s walked this path before and knows how to get it right the first time.

5. What Does Partnership Really Mean to Them?

This is the question that gets past capability and goes straight to character.

Ask how they define partnership. Is it just a contract or is it a genuine commitment? The right SAP platinum partner works as an extension of your team. They stay accessible, responsive and invested in your success. They are present when challenges hit, not just when the dashboards are green.

Look for signs that back this up:

• A history of long term client relationships
• References that highlight responsiveness and flexibility
• Shared success metrics that go beyond delivery KPIs

Real partnership is built on shared ambition. It is knowing that when things get tough, your partner will stand with you, not step aside.

Wrapping Up - Choose with Clarity, not Urgency

Selecting an SAP platinum partner is more than a procurement decision. It is a strategic investment in the future of your operating model.

Take the time to ask the right questions. Look beyond credentials and examine mindset, values and ways of working. The strongest partners bring competence and collaboration, backed by both expertise and energy.

The right choice will not only modernise your systems. It will create a foundation for agility, innovation and long term success.

In a market crowded with fast talkers and glossy slides, finding a partner who delivers with honesty and outcomes is rare. That rarity is worth holding out for.

Business Technology