Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is the binding force of different computer systems for a large organization. Putting it in simpler words; an ERP system connects different systems and allows access to their data through a central location. However, before you reap the benefits of this source of truth, your business needs to undergo an ERP implementation.
The process of ERP implementation involves installing the software, configuring the users and processes of your system, moving the financial data of your company over to the new system, and training your users on the software.
There are steps that you can take before you begin an ERP implementation project and just like any other activity in business, readiness and preparation are the key factors to the success of an ERP implementation.
ERP implementation, if incorporated in the right way, can ensure that your firm benefits from it from multiple angles. Most importantly the right ERP implementation can help your firm with Accounting and Financial management.
Here are the best strategies to prepare your business for an ERP implementation
Identify the problems, and set objectives accordingly
Present enterprise resource planning systems can provide a variety of solutions to many issues faced by your organization. An ERP implementation fails if you fail to identify the scope and objectives imperative for your implementation.
The business needs to identify the problem or the core necessity and later focus the organization on solving these specific problems and necessary issues. The precision of your implementation will be based on how upfront, detailed and specific you can be.
A phased ERP implementation process should be chosen as an approach over the sudden big band style that was favoured in the past. This way the process is less risky and is a good way to approach the cutover while rendering benefits like allowing to work out glitches and flaws before going company-wide.
Align teams before the time
You can designate an internal project or team lead to the forefront of your efforts of implementation and ensure clear and concise goals, objectives, and scope are documented as well as communicated. Ensure that the support for these goals, scope, and objectives align with the corporate decision-makers of your business.
It is important to have the right people engaged in this process as it proves to be a significant contributing factor to the success of the project. You cannot settle for average players on your team rather bold and brilliant team players who make the best team possible. You must give members the authority, the time, and the autonomy to ensure that the project is completed with precision and correctly.
Change Management Strategy
An ERP implementation comes with extensive change. While employees of any company are accustomed to the same set of activities or their routine, these changes might not be accepted easily. This is when a change management strategy comes into the picture and must be implemented.
A change management strategy involves the employees in preparing a captivating business case for change which includes the goal, scope and objective, and reason as to why you are doing this project.
Every team member must be familiar and aligned with the business case, as well as its particulars of vision and objectives of the project. This is a crucial and foundational step, one that is often missed. The management must confer upon themselves the responsibility to be the evangelists of the new ERP system that imprints a positive outlook in the users about the same.
Training, documentation, and the human factor
A failed ERP project section is a testament to the fact that end-user training is a critical factor for success just as end-user documentation is critical to set expectations for the ERP rollout.
Your employees need to adapt to the new software, navigation, technology, and changes in the processes and for that to happen you will need to prepare your employees for this change if you want them to adjust to all this. Preparing employees for a change is an abstract concept but it is not one you can afford to neglect only because you can’t measure readiness. Neglecting user training and readiness can derail an ERP implementation even before it gets to a pace.
Know your vendor’s process
ERP vendors know exactly what it takes to implement their software and build specific implementation methods to organize and kick-start their implementation process.
Work with the ERP vendor to fine-tune it to work within your required circumstances.
Developing a core understanding of your vendor’s philosophy and making sure it aligns with your goals can set your business on the path to success. An important part to note as a part of this is the kind of data that would be shared by your vendor. What is the form of data, is it raw or structured, because data processing cycle can help businesses grow in multiple ways.
Have a post-implementation plan
A post-implementation plan is also known as post-go-live wherein ERP implementation projects fall over. When the implementation team handles the post-go-live support to the external and internal support, several things can change.
It is important to have a clear post-deployment support strategy that will ensure users know how to report issues and the vendor also knows what is expected of them post-deployment. It is important to have sufficient technical support in place even after the go-live so you can resolve any user issues and render client satisfaction.
Conclusion:
Ensure you do the right preparation for ERP implementation and utilize what we have shared as important aspects a company must take into consideration for getting ERP implementation ready methodically and systematically. If you follow these guidelines, you can pave your way for a successful and smooth ERP implementation.