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Planning Tips for an ERP Implementation
Is this your first time implementing an ERP system, or is the idea of migrating to a new ERP system a daunting prospect? Proper planning can reduce the stress commonly associated with an ERP implementation.
Get your users involved.
You are going to want to create a team of in-house users whose responsibility it is to plan
and implement your new ERP system. The team should consist of at least one user from
each area of your business that will be using the new ERP system. These users will be
responsible for the steps that need to be taken in regards to evaluation, planning, and testing
before the system goes live. You will need to assign both managerial personnel and front
line workers to the project to address both the overall big picture and the minute details that
are important to your company.
If your users are inexperienced with an ERP implementation, or if they do not have the skills
to successfully determine the needs and processes, do not go it alone. It is worth it to find a
trustworthy ERP expert to assist your team in figuring out what needs to be done and how
your current business practices can be incorporated into the new ERP solution. NDS has a
nationwide Partner Program which includes expert ERP Professionals who can assist your
company in any phase of an ERP implementation. See our website at
www.ndsapps.com/partners to find an ERP Professional in your area.
Examine and map out your business processes.
Now that you have your team assembled, start looking at your business processes. Link
each process to your business strategy. This is a fresh start for your company so it is a good
time to determine the goal of each process and its effectiveness for your company and users
as a whole. If you have automated systems, you will need to examine them as well to
understand the role that the process plays in your business plan.
A key part to a NDS ERP implementation includes a Business Operations Analysis that
effectively maps out the business process prior to configuring the system to ensure an
understanding of the customer's data, business processes, goals and objectives.
Create the project plan and stick to it.
The project plan needs to include your goals, objectives, and timelines. Each team member
should have clearly defined responsibilities. You will also need to consider training and
testing procedures for your users before the ERP system goes live. Make sure that everyone
knows what they need to get done and by when it needs to be done.
Once you've defined your project plan, don't keep adding to it. In many instances, as people
discover the capabilities of the ERP system, they want to try them out, which adds both cost
and time to the project. Stick to what you've planned or you'll never finish. You can always
expand at a later date, which is another great feature of the NDS ERP Solution. Employ
additional modules or features with NO additional license or product support cost.
ERP Implementations do not have to be a nightmare. With proper planning your company can
benefit greatly from an ERP Solution. Call us 727-538-2250 or fill out our online form for more information on how NDS Systems ERP Software can solve your business needs and help with your implementation.
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