Live with the new business software, time to sit back, right? No way! Instead, going live is the start of a new phase in which you get maximum benefit from your system and take advantage of enhancements and improvements.
Monitoring the process
New business software brings with it a new way of working. Not only because the system forces you to work differently, but (much more importantly) because that new way of working is more efficient and effective. This does require adjustments from your employees. In the trainings and workshops during the implementation, employees were coached in making the new way of working their own. But will that still go well after going live? A few things can go wrong:
- The new way of working is not understood: Despite explanations during implementation, employees may not be able to follow the new way of working. You resolve this through documentation, front-line support and additional training after go-live.
- The new practice is not accepted: Sometimes users don't want to adapt. Because they don't support the changes or don't see the benefits. Make them see that it makes their job easier and make them see that the change is an improvement.
- The new way of working is not working: While a new way of working may have seemed like an improvement on paper, practice may prove otherwise. When processes do not become more efficient or effective at all, it is important to intervene. Redefine the business process and implement this approach.
"After the go-live there is no time to stand still, it's important to quickly take advantage of more features of the system."
Optimize use of the software
When going live, you set realistic goals. You want the system to function to a certain level. For the vital business processes plus some additional things. But you can't possibly get everything out of the software. After the go-live there is no time to stand still, it is important that you quickly take advantage of more features of the system. A few examples:
- Additional features in use: When going live, you won't use all the bells and whistles yet, but after implementation, you can learn how to use all those handy extra options.
- Optimize reports and analysis: In the areas of reporting, business intelligence and analytics, "the sky is the limit." After the go-live, you will thoroughly utilize the benefits of gaining insights from data and information.
- Document finetuning: You can manage, modify and create internal and outgoing documents largely on your own in most systems.
Apply additional functionalities and solutions
Modern business software is perfectly capable of communicating and integrating with other applications and solutions. For example:
- Additional modules and applications: Does your system vendor offer additional modules for specific processes and departments? Perhaps these will add value for you. Or additional solutions such as a mobile application or web portal.
- External tools: You may gain benefits by linking other programs and tools within your organization with the new business system or by actually deploying new applications that communicate with the business system.
In short, see the go-live not as the end of the project, but as the start of a new phase.
