Enterprise Resources Planning — Implementation Strategies

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are a collection of software that manage multiple business processes. They bring together the management of human resources, financials, manufacturing, supply chain, commerce and reporting, under one unified umbrella. They Increase Productivity, Provide Updated Information, Reduce Regulatory Risk, Provide Agility, Reporting Services & Simplified IT Services.

Steps in choosing the right ERP software

1. Review and Analysis — Analyse, define and document all current business processes, their strengths and weaknesses; declare what improvements, changes are to be made.
2. Evaluate ERP Consultants & Vendors — Do research on possible ERP vendors or consultants. Ask them for references from other clients and get in touch with them.
3. Evaluate technical & Financial cost — Clarify whether the organisation has the technical skills for ERP and whether it can afford the cost.
4. Measure potential benefits — Research and find ways to measure the changes that are to be implemented. This prevents delays and cost overruns.
5. A realistic implementation plan — This final process, is also the most important. ERP is complex, everything will not go according to plan. One should be flexible and realistic and allow for this while going forward.

ERP implementation process

1. Define the scope of the process as well as the beginning and end objectives.
2. With the ERP vendor create a project plan with clearly defined phases of implementation.
3. Ensure an urgent but achievable project schedule.
4. Create an effective communication plan for all involved.
5. Insist on mid way approvals throughout.
6. Plan and create testing procedures for everything concerned.
7. Plan to migrate all business data.
8. Prepare the employees for a total change in business processes.
9. Plan the Go-Live in steps, allowing for fall backs in case of any problems.

ERP post implementation process

1. Review what was successful, what was not; what was challenging; what could be changed; is there anything pending.
2. Document everything comprehensively for future reference.
3. Start an on-going training plan for moving to the new system.
4. Discuss and decide upon a comprehensive support plan with the ERP vendor/provider.
5. Start planning for future improvements.

As can be seen, ERP implementation is a very complicated process requiring the services of experienced professionals like those at Jaivam Life, a software development and digital transformation company.