If you’ve spent some time looking into what an ERP system can do for your business, it’s likely that you’ve encountered stories of unsuccessful implementations. Before you get scared away, let us ensure you that these stories are rare and are often a result of poor preparation.
We’ve had numerous businesses come to us after being stung by poor implementation and they’re always a result of the same reasons. Here is our beginner’s guide on how to implement an ERP successfully sans stress.
1. Define Your Business Needs
Before you jump into making a huge investment you need to know why you’re making it. A general sense of “it will make us more efficient” is not enough. Nor is it enough to say you need it because your competitors are using one. While these are reasons to consider an ERP system, you must look at your business first.
Often when searching for an ERP, business decision-makers will look for features they want. If you look for what you want and not what you need, you’ve already encountered your first mistake that will derail all future efforts.
Break down your business processes and list where the problems exist. What processes need support? Where are the inefficiencies? What are your employee’s pain points?
2. Create An In-House Core Team
Select decision-makers from each of your departments to be a part of your ERP implementation task force. This team will help set out goals and advise what their respective team requires.
Different departments work differently, so you must take count of all the similarities and differences to ensure what you implement and how you implement it works for everyone as best as possible.
3. Pick An Implementation Partner
Preparing for an ERP and all of its moving parts requires an enormous number of resources. Most companies do not possess an IT team large enough to handle the implementation alone. Further, leaving the project with a team with little ERP experience can quickly turn into a costly mistake.
Bring in an IT partner specialized in ERP systems early on into your process. Unbiased consultants in these organizations can even help better direct you to an appropriate solution.
4. Reassess Business Practices
Bringing in your ERP should make your business more productive and free you up from routine tasks. This means business processes must be adjusted to best utilize the system for maximum return on your investment. Your ERP will only be as efficient as the processes you create and task it to do, so this is important to think about!
5. Training For Employees
Your employees will not learn the software overnight and will not inherently know how to use it in the most optimal way for your business.
Make sure to allot time for training and expect continuous training until employees are comfortable with the software.
Evron is an award-winning IT Solutions provider. With over 37 years of partnership with best in breed companies, Evron has helped hundreds of businesses reach their goals. Chat with us about how an ERP can change your business for the better.
