How to Effectively Implement an ERP
What may already look like a massive undertaking can have an even larger impact on your business. Through diligent research, careful planning, strong leadership and a reputable implementation partner, your company can improve productivity and decrease costs through a successful ERP implementation.
Review and Evaluate Your Business Processes
Whether implementing an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution for the first time or upgrading from an outgrown system, your team and the Logi-Solutions experts must have a clear understanding of the project requirements. With a clear comprehension of the processes that run your business, how they work and how the ERP will facilitate those processes, we will configure the solution that will deliver the most effective results or your organization.
Additionally, we will spend time to review these processes with your team to ensure that everyone on the team, both internally and externally are fully informed and nothing is missed. Once the review process is complete, the Logi-Solutions team will apply these findings to create the best and most cohesive solution.
Define Project Ownership and Project Management Responsibilities
It is critical to clearly define and delegate responsibilities at the beginning of the implementation process. Your internal team and the Logi-Solutions implementation team will be required to fulfil key responsibilities for the project to be a success. It’s important to carefully examine and understand the roles of the project manager and project coordinator within the context of the ERP system implementation. Ownership of each step in the process will help ensure that the new system will achieve the desired results.
Factor in Change Management
It is also important to manage personnel during the implementation of an ERP. Change Management should be recognized as a primary process for leveraging the return on your investment. The best practices in your new ERP system will require that your employees are well informed and motivated to take on the new system. There are many different approaches to Change Management. Some have their roots in simplicity, while others insist on complex formulae to achieve the best results. The key is to be aware of the options and select what is best for your organization.
If this is the first time you are trying to proactively manage change, don’t worry because Logi-Solutions will review and reinforce that the processes created are valid and effective for your business.
Educate Your Users
The users are at the heart of your ERP. Your company can optimize workflow, re-define processes and implement a new system but if your employees lack the knowledge and understanding necessary then the system will not reach its full potential. Education will help overcome any fear staff may have, increase user buy-in, and improve the productivity and adoption of the new system.
There are many other factors that contribute to successfully implementing an ERP. Clearing defining the match between business processes and software functionality, keeping open communication channels, clearly defining roles, managing changes, and educating your users on the new system are a few key steps that will put your business on track for a successful implementation project.
Here at Logi-Solutions, we have the knowledge and years of real world experience to help make your business leverage ERP to its maximum potential and make it your competitive advantage.