The recipe to a successful ERP deployment

As in all other aspects of today’s business environment, there is a specific way to get the maximum benefit from an ERP solution. There are numerous advantages, but there are many challenges as well. A successful ERP deployment, although sometimes intimidating as an endeavor, is actually something that can be achieved; you simply have to follow certain rules and best practices, so as to avoid any potential risks.

While most businesses acknowledge (in theory) that an ERP solution can be beneficial for their operations, they rarely have a clear understanding of how this can be achieved or why it is true. They lack purpose and focus, as they have not determined which exact processes will benefit from the deployment on a first level. Therefore, it would be useful to address some very specific, best practices.

Start by having senior management in your corner. If you get senior managers to support the project, then not only will you have the resources you need, but they will also act as decision makers, if and when this is necessary. Typically, when senior managers agree to something, so do all the other persons involved. Of course, this does not mean that senior management’s consent is enough to guarantee success. It is imperative to bring onboard all employees who will be using the system on a daily basis. Thus, after taking into consideration all business needs as a whole, you can select the most suitable ERP system to meet them.

Make sure to have in place a proper training program. Training employees to use the new ERP solution is an essential part of the process, as it helps identify potential problems in advance. No business wants to have a new system that none of its employees can use effectively! Furthermore, it is not uncommon for businesses to invest time and money on installation, testing and system configuration, but be rather unwilling to do the same for importing and migrating important business data to the new system. In this case, it is best to plan the migration process along with testing, so that you can ensure all your valuable data has been checked within the ERP solution, before actually start using it.

If you have a “dream team”, now is the time to put them in the game. If you don’t, you should consider start building one. A successful ERP system deployment requires the active participation of highly skilled personnel. Make sure to include the best people from every department; people who have a wider understanding of all business aspects. Having a dedicated project manager overseeing the entire process is also really valuable, not only at the early stages, but to offer the necessary support and management during the steps that follow and are equally important.