9 tips for selecting and implementing an ERP system

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Experts in ERP and change management share their tips on how to choose and deploy an ERP system to maximize your investment. Plus, they outline steps you can take to improve the chances of workers will actually use the software.

So to help organizations increase the odds of a successful ERP deployment, with the help of dozens of ERP and change management experts, we came up with an ERP selection and implementation tip sheet. Here are nine tips on how to choose an ERP software solution and successfully deploy it.

Get upper management support. “Companies that tend to struggle the most [with ERP] are the ones that lack upper management level involvement,” says Daniele Fresca director of Marketing, IQMS, a provider of industry-specific ERP solutions. “Resources at the lower level tend to not be educated and engaged with the implementation project without senior level involvement,” she says. That said, “executives don’t need to get to the point of knowing every single configuration detail. But [they need to] be aware of the issues that are causing delays to the project.”
Make a clear and extensive list of requirements before you start looking at vendors. “Begin by carefully defining the scope of your project,” says Ed Talerico, director, Industry & Solution Strategy, Infor, a provider of enterprise applications. “Focus on specific business processes and system requirements. The more specific you can be upfront, the more detailed your vendors can be in their proposals.”
“If you get one thing right, make it the up-front requirements gathering process,” says Brian Shannon, principal business process management architect, Dolphin Enterprise Solutions. “Few things derail project budgets and timelines as the ‘assumptive’ or absent requirements.” So make sure you engage with end users, IT and senior management.
“Too often, people select an ERP system based on factors such as price, current technology buzz or the system that is the flashiest,” adds Fresca. “But without a good fit, companies are left with expensive customization and bolted together solutions,” she notes. The solution: “Find an ERP system that is industry-specific, with tools and features designed to solve your business requirements. The ROI and long-term benefits of a good fitting system are extensive.”
Don’t forget mobile users.”As mobility and BYOD increase across industries, accessing ERP systems from desktops only is no longer an option,” says Ilan Paretsky, vice president of Marketing, Ericom Software, a provider of access, virtualization and RDP acceleration solutions. Choose an ERP solution that “allows users to be productive on smartphones and tablets.” Yet at the same time will ensure that sensitive information is secure.
Carefully evaluate your options before selecting your ERP system. “Poorly run and ill-defined evaluation projects can lead to poor implementations,” says Tom Brennan, vice president of Marketing, FinancialForce.com, a provider of cloud-based ERP solutions. “Dicey requirement definitions and vague priorities can lead to the wrong vendor selection.”
In addition, “lack of participation and input from key stakeholders in the evaluation stage can lead to poor acceptance and user adoption. And don’t forget that delays running the evaluation project itself ultimately delay the go-live date and the time to benefit.”
Get references. “First and foremost, when shopping for an ERP solution provider, ask the vendor for at least three references,” says Reuben Yonatan, founder, GetVoIP.com, a VoIP shoppers guide. Then “ask the customers what went right, what went wrong and what they might have done differently. If a vendor can’t provide at least three verifiable, happy customers, they may not have the experience you need.” Similarly, if you are a member of an industry association, ask colleagues for ERP recommendations.
Think before you customize. “Consider the amount of customization required to configure and deploy,” says Steve Bittner, vice president of Professional Services, Unanet, a provider of Web-based software for managing people and projects. “Highly customized systems will generate higher cost, not only in the initial deployment but when upgrading from release to release,” he says.
“Those businesses with unique requirements need to consider whether those requirements can be mainstreamed to eliminate the steep cost curve,” Bittner says. In addition, businesses need “to understand [their tolerance] for longer implementation cycles, longer ROIs, more instability, [which can come with customization],” he says. “A turnkey solution may offer less flexibility but more stability, and less initial and ongoing cost.”

Factor in change management. “Organizational change management is pivotal to the success of your project,” says Matt Thompson, vice president of Professional Services, EstesGroup, an ERP managed services and technology solutions provider. “Typical ERP projects facilitate massive change in organizations that can include changing of day to day job descriptions or eliminating job descriptions in total. [These] changes impact the culture of your company and without careful control and communication plans and workshops you can create an adverse reaction to ERP [resulting in] barriers [to] implementation and adoption.”
Appoint an internal ERP product champion — and surround him or her with good people. “Do not rely on the vendor-appointed project manager only; have someone on your staff for this,” says Morris Tabush, principal, the TabushGroup, a provider of managed IT services. Select someone within the organization, who knows or is comfortable managing software systems, to serve as the project manager,” he advises. “This person will be responsible for “collecting all the end user requirements, learning the new system inside and out, working with the vendor on data conversion, coordinating training and acting as the point of contact for all employees.”
“One of the most common mistakes made by companies during ERP implementation is spending significant time, energy and money selecting the right software and implementation partners, only to assign their own ‘B’ team to the program,” adds Palesano. “This results in numerous issues during design and implementation, slow decision making and delays. While it’s difficult to free up your brightest resources from their full-time jobs, ERP implementations are not simple and they can be extremely expensive,” he points out. So it’s important to “put your best people on the job. Not just your best IT people, your best people, period.”

Provide the necessary time and resources for training on the ERP system. “Learning a new way of operating will require a significant time commitment for everyone, so the project team must take proactive measures to reduce the burden on employees,” says Joel Schneider, cofounder, Liberty Technology Advisors, an IT consulting firm that specializes in ERP, business processes and project rescue. “Identify department-specific needs, allowing for sufficient time to develop and deliver training programs.”
Furthermore, it’s important to “recognize that the most effective training may not come from outside sources. Tech-savvy employees within departments can be given the opportunity for more in-depth instruction to become expert resources for their fellow employees,” he explains. “Having a readily available support contact within an operational group reduces the ‘us vs. them’ dynamic that can poison the implementation process.”

Blog

Experts in ERP and change management share their tips on how to choose and deploy an ERP system to maximize your investment. Plus, they outline steps you can take to improve the chances of workers will actually use the software.

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