Business Automation and Software Blog

Best Practices for ERP Implementation

Posted by Robert Baran on Wed, Apr 19, 2023 @ 11:00 AM

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Recently, we provided A Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your New ERP Selection. But what happens once your business has chosen a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system? Your organization will benefit from gaining access to sophisticated software that can integrate and streamline your business processes across your entire organization. ERP implementation makes accounting and your other operations run more smoothly. 

ERP Implementation Best Practices

Deploying an ERP can be a complex process, though, and you’ll need to spend some time planning. Continue reading to discover best practices for implementing your companys ERP.

  1. Establish a Core Project Team

The ERP project team is a crucial factor in the implementation process, and the team will ensure the ERP software works appropriately once installed. These people must be given enough time and support to effectively perform an ERP implementation for your company. 

In a perfect world, the team comprises department heads or employees familiar with the companys processes. Bonus points would be awarded to anyone involved in an ERP implementation previously, and a senior manager will be assigned as the project sponsor to deliver the project. When your business doesn’t have this expertise, it is a great time to enlist an ERP implementation partner like PositiveVision.

The team will set goals and requirements for the ERP project and develop key performance indicators (KPIs). The core project team will also analyze daily project management tasks. 

  1. Take Time for Testing and Configuration

Make sure to devote sufficient time to testing and configuring the ERP system. The ERP software must be configured to fit your company’s redesigned processes best. The goal is to integrate seamlessly with other systems the new ERP will complement after installation. 

You will also need to move your old data into the new system. The vendor may be able to assist with this stage.

Once the ERP is configured, it must be tested before it can be deployed across the entire company. The project team will test individual modules and features, make necessary adjustments to configurations as required, and retest until the team achieves the correct results. 

  1. Communicate with Employees About the ERP Implementation Regularly

All employees, from senior managers down, should understand why the ERP implementation will benefit them and the company. The project team should communicate with employees clearly and often about its progress on the ERP implementation project. This communication may be by email, blog posts, or internal newsletters.

At the same time, a steering committee should meet regularly with key project team members, stakeholders, and staff from the vendor partner to discuss crucial concerns. These meetings are critical to resolving any scheduling or other issues. 

  1. Migrate Data to the ERP

Before you migrate your data, examine it with your vendor partner early in the ERP implementation process so they can determine its quality. Show the vendor the reports you produce to indicate how the data should be set up in the system. 

Data can be transferred to the ERP manually or automatically. Automation is a much faster process; however, it needs considerable oversight to avoid issues. Your IT staff, implementation team, and ERP partner will work together to migrate your data successfully. 

  1. Train Employees on the ERP

Employees will need time to become comfortable and confident using the new ERP system. A good training program is crucial to making this possible, and the core project team should be responsible for scheduling employee training.

Some employees should receive extra training to mentor other employees in their departments. Customized training through videos and tutorials should be made available to help users after they have received their initial training. 

  1. Deploy the ERP System

Once the employees have been trained on the new system, its time to have it go live. You may initially decide to deploy a few crucial modules and ensure they run smoothly before moving on to the rest of the system. Another option is to deploy the entire system at once so employees can use the ERPs functionalities immediately. 

Choose the Right Partner for Your ERP Implementation

PositiveVision has proudly served Greater Chicago manufacturing and distribution customers for over three decades. We focus on each customers needs to identify their issues and how they want their financial software to help solve them. Let our experts guide you through your ERP decision-making to help you make an informed choice. Contact us to speak to one of our product experts about a customized software solution for your business.

Topics: ERP implementation