The integration of an ERP system is a significant project for a company. This management tool concerns all the departments of an organization and will impact employees in the performance of their tasks.
ERP will play a central role in optimizing both
commercial efforts and production processes and achieving better performance
for the company. To carry out a transformation project of such magnitude, the
industrial company must have a solid vision of what the software solution will
bring to its organization.
Beyond an in-depth assessment of business needs and
the choice of management software, the implementation of certain practices
guarantees a successful implementation for the organization. Discover 6 tips to
lead the deployment of an ERP project to success.
Do not underestimate the planning of the software
solution project
Embarking on the implementation of an ERP without a
clear and precise plan does not guarantee the success of the project. One of
the good practices to adopt is not to rush the preparatory phase. Jumping into
development as soon as possible can be tempting, but planning helps create a
solid foundation for the whole project.
Although planning an ERP project is not easy,
establish a solid estimate of the schedule, to ensure that the budget and
resources necessary for the project are allocated to it. It is essential to
have a precise plan to deploy, configure and optimize the management system
according to its working environment and the activity load.
You may also want to plan your data migration
carefully. Businesses can make the mistake of simply migrating all data to the
new application. And yet, some of this information may be outdated or
incorrect. The deployment of a new management tool is an opportunity to
rationalize and clean up data, by eliminating old customer accounts or by
looking for inaccuracies in the data.
Make employees adhere to the ERP project
The company's employees are the first to be affected
by this change. To ensure the success of the implementation of an ERP system,
the company must inform them transparently of future changes and make them
aware of internal needs.
Throughout the deployment phase, it is essential that
the team in charge of the ERP project regularly communicates to employees the
reasons for setting up a new system, the objectives, and what to expect at each
deployment stage. Users must be aware of the advantages offered by an ERP tool
such as time savings, better productivity and smoother communication.
It is also necessary to involve and involve the users
most impacted on a daily basis in the implementation of the ERP project. The
team dedicated to the project must organize times for discussion and listening
with employees to continuously collect their feedback. The expectations and
problems of future users must be taken into account in order to integrate the
tool in the best possible way and to make the necessary corrections.
Do not neglect the test phase during integration
The deployment of an ERP project involves a succession
of steps such as framing, configuration and possibly the development of
specific functionalities. To check the compatibility between the
functionalities developed and the needs framed at the beginning of the project,
it is important to carry out test phases. To do this, centralize user feedback
and criticism to make adjustments if necessary.
Your collaborators are essential to the success of the
implementation since they will provide an informed view of the applications
they need to perform. Because the implementation of an ERP can involve its
share of difficulties, the test phase determines the proper deployment of the
tool in the company.
Integrate specific developments into the ERP system
The customization of the management tool is very
important in the deployment of an ERP project. Although the software is
designed to help companies apply industry best practices, some activities may
require specific developments in order to optimize results.
These specific developments are generally additional
adjustments proposed by the publisher in order to adapt the ERP to the company
and its business needs. By integrating specific functionalities, the company
will have all the necessary means to successfully use the ERP and will have the
ability to maintain the application over time.
Provide comprehensive training and support to change
The deployment of an ERP project may seem like the
culmination of the integration effort, yet for users it is only the beginning.
Indeed, training your employees in this new tool is an essential success factor
for the ERP project.
Once the software solution has been configured and the
new processes deployed, the necessary time must be taken to train the
employees. For this, it is essential to invest in both individual and group
training in order to use the system to its full potential.
All users should feel comfortable with the software
and quickly familiarize themselves with new workflows. Your service provider,
publisher and/or integrator must be able to provide training, technical
support, updates and problem solving. Particular attention paid to user support
will allow the company to take full advantage of the benefits of its management
tool.
Knowing how to surround yourself with and benefit from
the expertise of the editor-integrator
The success of an ERP project also relies on the ability
of the publisher-integrator to deploy and maintain the solution over the long
term, both on upgrades and on fixes. One of the advantages of surrounding
yourself with a publisher-integrator is his perfect mastery of the software he
is going to integrate. By accompanying you throughout the ERP project, this
expert collects valuable information on the needs of your various departments
in order to integrate more easily into its standard tool the specificities
inherent to each business.
By using this service provider, the company benefits
from comprehensive services and a specific team that ensures the proper
functioning of the tool, the settings and adjustments necessary for its proper
implementation. To gain in agility, just like for a company, the ERP system
needs to be constantly evolving. For this, long-term support with your service
provider will maximize your investment. You will have the opportunity to take
advantage of the latest technological innovations such as the updating of
certain areas, new modules, additional training, for more efficient processes.
The deployment of ERP software is a project that
requires time, energy and necessary resources. To maximize the chances of
successful integration, it is essential to keep in mind the reasons and needs
that led you to embark on an ERP project. This software will become your
reference tool for several years. During this time, your market will evolve,
maybe you will diversify your activity or increase your workforce, various
scenarios are possible. Faced with this long-term challenge, you must ensure
that the software solution is constantly aligned with your business objectives.
Involve your collaborators, communicate, create a relationship of trust with
your service provider and you will have put all the chances on your side to
succeed in the deployment of your ERP.