Need a new ERP solution? Avoid these mistakes for a more successful implementation
Whether you’re replacing an outdated legacy system or if you’ve outgrown your current system and need a new solution that can keep up, implementing an ERP solution is an exciting business decision that will help you unify your business processes, modernize outdated processes, and prop yourself up for success and advancement.
Replacing a system that no longer meets the needs of your organization is vital to support your continued growth, and it can be a serious undertaking. The road to your new solution could be bumpy and may come with an unnecessarily hefty price tag if the project is not meticulously planned and executed.
Here are ten do’s and don’ts to keep in mind whether you’re still in the research phase or already in the beginning phases of an implementation project.
DON’T:
Rush the Discovery phase
The Discovery phase is the pre-planning step in the implementation journey, and it’s meant to put you and your implementation partner on the same page which sets the entire rest of the project up for success. In this phase, it’s imperative that your partner become acutely aware of your business needs, goals, nice-to-have’s, and anything else that will impact how your solution will be designed specifically for you.
Leave end users as an afterthought
Although the ERP system should address company-wide objectives, it’s essential that it also adds value to your end users’ experience while using on a daily basis – of course there may be a slight learning curve, as with any new software being introduced, but a new ERP shouldn’t make the day-to-day work of end users harder. Since they’re the ones who will have the most routine interaction with the system, it should be designed in a way that sets them – and in turn, your entire organization – up for success.
Focus on short-term fixes
Implementing a new ERP solution shouldn’t be thought of as a quick fix to short-term issues but should instead be considered an investment in the future of your business and the backbone of achieving long-term goals. Not having business goals in mind shorts you in the end, since the best ERP is one that reliably meets your precise requirements and encourages improvement as time progresses – not just immediate fixes that end after the initial implementation.
Cut corners to save time
The project timeline shouldn’t be rushed, so it’s more advisable to prepare for unexpected costs related to timeframe and scope than skimping and rushing the project process. Instead of cutting corners and missing out on quality, understanding why each step of the project takes as long as it does gives you newfound insight into the work your partner is doing behind the scenes to ensure your ERP is top-notch and checks all your boxes.
Transparency from both sides of the project is key and keeping an open line of communication between you and your partner will better keep the project on schedule and adhering to the budget.
Skip customizations
Although lots of great ERP solutions are completely usable out of the box, decisionmakers shouldn’t settle for a software as-is before looking into custom processes. The best ERP is one that feels like it was designed for your needs, and since no two business processes are exactly alike, no solution is completely one-size-fits-all. Taking the time to add custom reporting, configurations, vendor/item/customer numbers and number series, invoices, etc. will make your system work for you and your processes – not the other way around.
DO:
Embrace digital transformation
Flexible and growth-minded companies know that implementing a best-fit digital service is the fastest way to keep their operations running smoothly and on the cutting edge of forward advancement. Embracing change and taking steps toward digitization is a catalyst for digitally transforming your organization – or, using digital tools to connect people, data, processes, and outcomes.
The right digital solution impacts the success of your organization on every level by unifying processes, implementing substantial changes, and empowering each and every member of your organization to improve efficiency, accuracy, and drive results without needlessly expending time and energy.
Know how to measure success
Success isn’t a one-size-fits-all metric for everyone. Some organizations love their ERP because it saves them time with process automation, and other organizations champion a quick ROI as their marker of success. When you have specific goals in mind, it’s easier to understand how your implementation process was successful. Comparing pre- and post-implementation levels of human error, turnaround times, manual entries, downtime, etc. is one great way to see the difference your new ERP is making in your day work.
Look to long-term goals
Of course, you want this new solution to address problems with your current process, but the right ERP can also broaden the horizons of your organization and introduce features that can deeply invigorate your old processes and consolidate fragmented processes into one well-oiled, cohesive machine. Investing in an ERP is investing in the future of your organization, and an implementation project lays the groundwork for your action plan toward these goals.
Find an industry-specific solution
Look into options that meet the needs of your industry, and see what customizations can be made to fine-tune your system. Someone using an ERP for manufacturing will need different functionality than a finance or supply chain organization. Finance organizations won’t need pick slips and BOMs, but manufacturers will absolutely need that kind of functionality as a core component of their ERP solution.
Put in the work now with thorough documentation
A proactive partner will thoroughly document each step of the process with you, especially the pre-planning and design phases where every feature, custom process, and report, and necessary function will be laid out for you to review before building and migrating data begins. And speaking of data, having all your data, processes, and documents—think invoices, packing lists, G/L accounts, etc. —accurate and up to date will make the initial stages of your implementation project easier.
Cleaning up unwanted or unnecessary data will cut down on the time it takes to migrate your data to your new system, and your partner will have the clearest view possible in terms of your current processes and how to best improve them in your new ERP system. That way, you reap the benefits not only of a great new system, but have a faster turnaround time and a head start on your ROI with more benefits in the long run.
Our team has developed a detailed implementation process that has helped businesses of all sizes find an ERP solution that meets their needs, and we’ve gotten the method down to be as efficient, expedited, and cost-effective as possible. Our method includes extensive, custom documentation from the top down and bottom up, so we get a complete 360 view of your system needs to help us build the best solution possible.
Get started with your implementation
We know the impact that the right ERP solution has on your business processes. If you’re ready to take the next step, let us know. Our skilled team of consultants can answer all your questions and provide a system demo – for free.