BackstageJim,
I work for a VAR and I agree with your assessment. In most projects there is waste - usually, both sides of the equation are responsible. Most consultants feel the need to bill based upon physical time spent rather than the value of the activity performed. In addition, most consultants are involved with multi-projects - while on site at your facility they may be responding to e-mails from other clients, taking calls, etc. Finally, the greatest waste is when the consultant has various custom reports accumulated from various projects that are essentially portable - but the client is expected to pay full value as if they were created from scratch.
On the client side, most implementations I am involved with - the company implementing takes a passive approach - and I end up fishing and then feeding when I should be just teaching how to fish.
If you have three VARS - check references - check with your local Microsoft Rep (they usually know the local VARS and will make recommendations if pressed) - finally, not all VARS have expereince with manufacturing modules - if you are a manufacturer - be certain to find an expereinced manufacturing consultant.
General rule for most manufacturing implementations - services are 1.0 to 1.5 times the software cost and 10% for project management on the VAR side.
Good Luck,
Bron Tamulis, CPIM
Bron Tamulis, CPIM
Great Plains Mfg Consultant