How do you continuously improve your business with ERP software?

The implementation of the ERP system has been completed and the new system is fully operational. The job is done, right? That is what many companies believe. But in fact, the go-live of your ERP system is the starting signal for continuous improvement!

Define sub goals

During the ERP implementation, it is impossible to meet all wishes and requirements of the software. Therefore you focus on the most important goals. After the go-live, most of your processes should function properly and you should be able to directly benefit from the new system. You then define sub goals for further optimization of the software. Think for instance of refining a business process, automating a manual process or implementing an additional module or solution. Keep setting new goals for optimization, that way you work on continuously improving your system.

Change brings new requirements

The go-live of your ERP system is just a moment in time. The setup of the system is based on the requirements and wishes on that particular moment. But it is very likely that changing conditions over time lead to new requirements to the ERP software. That may be changes within the organization, such as growing business or new activities, but also changing external conditions. For instance new legislation (SEPA, tax rates), new technologies (digital invoicing, mobile working, web portals) or new wishes of third parties (suppliers, customers, partners, accountants). Changing circumstances that call for new features in the software.

Follow these principles

If you opt for the approach of continuous improvement, let yourself be guided by these principles:

  • Improvements are not the result of necessity (system end of life, technology no longer working), but the result of the urge to work more efficiently and successfully by continuously implementing small changes.
  • Employees are encouraged to bring up new ideas for optimizing the ERP system to make their own job easier and to increase the productivity of the entire organization.
  • Improvements are supported by the entire organization and specifically by the department that is affected the most. Change management plays an key role; employees are not left to their fate, but actively helped in the improvement process from beginning to end.

 

Teun Arts is Service Manager at Dysel and it is his job to ensure that customers make optimal use of the software, now and in the future.