At this point in the process, you know your business can be improved with a new software solution. However, there are many things you need to keep in mind to reach a successful ERP implementation.
First and foremost, you must know what results you want at the end of the implementation. You cannot create a roadmap to reach the right solution without knowing what you will need to get there. Do you want great reports? What about business process automation? Or business intelligence? Whatever you think the software will be able to improve, write it down! Once your needs are documented, make sure they and their role in the future of your business are understood.
With this in place, you should gather your core team and communicate the needs to key players who will be impacted by the software the most. This is an opportunity to collaborate, ensuring they are understood and agreed upon by the group.
Now that your needs are identified, you must look at the type of software solution your business will need. Businesses do not just upgrade their ERPs; they upgrade or integrate other solutions across all departments. Many need new financial systems, while others need reporting tools or maybe the solution they have is too complicated to continue to maintain. Regardless, you need to take a close look at the types of solutions in the marketplace for what you are trying to solve.
Whether it is financials, corporate performance management, budgeting and planning, or industry-specific requirements like inventory or warehouse management, the identification of the solution type will guide your path forward. Armed with this knowledge, you can start calling ERP software vendors that offer that type of software.
Finally, you must pay attention to the implementation people who are going to be running your project. This might be the vendor’s internal implementation team, an implementation partner, or industry specialists, but whoever it is, you should get to know them very well. Why? Because when there is a problem during your implementation, which there will be, you need to be able to call your partner, anytime, day or night. Developing a relationship with a VP or SVP who is important enough to make change happen if your project is in need is especially helpful. Additionally, you need to ensure that the lead person on your project is committed to your success. With all these pieces in place, any problem you have during your implementation can be worked through.
ERP selection can feel daunting but with the right plans in place, you can ensure that you choose the right solution, every time. Are you struggling with an ERP selection? Download the “Questions to Ask an ERP Vendor” guide, below!