ERP system: three steps to avoid unpleasant surprises

What to do to make the implementation of an ERP does not turn into a big headache and loss? The process of implementing an ERP is composed of three steps: 1) Selection; 2) Implementation; 3) Support and Maintenance. If you take some precautions in these steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of an unsuccessful deployment.

Selection: The most common mistake companies make is to consider only the price and functionality of the system. The mistake is to let the vendor completely in the background.

It is very common for people telefonarem asking how much it costs, as if you were buying a banana. Only the price and the technical qualities of the system end up determining the choice. The attributes of the supplier and the quality of it is of little importance at the time of the decision.

To find a more adherent system to the needs of the company, just take the next step. Before you begin to evaluate, develop a list of requirements that the system must have to meet your business. Rate the questions in order of importance. Highlight the essential, fundamental features without which your company does not work.

The demonstration system is the most important time where you need to spend as long as possible. Prepare a list of what I would like to see the system based on the list of business requirements. Be prepared to question and focus on business needs. Assign a grade for the reporting questions is how to be able to compare with other providers later.

Perform a system test simulating real situations of company. Take a tour of the headquarters of the supplier, meet the team of analysts. Visit a company or chat with users of the system. Are these procedures before completing the deal. If not satisfy 100%, make sure that it can be customized to suit your needs. This is fundamental to evaluate the service provider’s point and procedures.

Implementation: This is the most critical stage which hosts the main problems that lead to failure. The main cause of failure is the lack of communication between the client and the consultant system deployment. The failures happen because the company’s managers are not involved in the deployment process, nor the changes of internal routines.

You understand your business and the rules of your company. The vendor understands the functionality of the system, it can do and how to get the system to perform certain functionality. You do not know the system in the same way that the supplier does not understand your business.

This way, the only way of implementing the system is to be successful with active participation by people who represent the company. The consultant can and should know their line of work, but think you know all the details are too trusting the saint.

Support and Maintenance: This stage is virtually ignored by most companies that deploy the system for the first time. The priority focuses on price and current features. Forget that after deploying the system needs to keep running for many years.

The investment in ERP is for long-term partnership. This is not simply buying and using the product. It is necessary that the system can grow with the company and meet the new demands. Also need to constantly evolve due to technological developments. If you do not, it soon will be obsolete. Have to buy another system.

The company is a living organism made up of people, so the solution is in the hands of the people. However the system is good, to be operated by people. Useless to buy an F1 car if you can not fly. No point in buying the racquet from Roger Federer did not know how to play tennis. The ERP system alone will not solve all the problems of the company.

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