Upgrading an ERP system is an important step for organizations looking to increase their company's productivity and maximize their employee utilization. But many organizations face obstacles that make them reluctant when it comes to upgrading their system.
Self-created barriers
It is true that an ERP upgrade is not always an easy process. The most commonly cited barriers are that it is a time-consuming exercise, fear of losing data, users are happy with what they have, and the current system is still doing its job properly. However, these are self-created barriers that keep business owners or executives from achieving their business goals.
An outdated ERP system not only limits the company's efficiency but also affects the organization's revenue. Ultimately, the old ERP system will not realize the full potential of the end user. Users will no longer be able to integrate data from other systems with the ERP package or support will not be available and it will lead to expensive customizations. Moreover, if the company acquires new hardware due to technological advances, the ERP system will not run properly on this new hardware.
Seamless upgrading
Pay attention to these 3 simple steps and you will experience a seamless upgrade of your ERP system:
1. Plan: Have your ERP partner evaluate the performance of the system every year and discuss the optimization report together. This will help you in analyzing whether in the near future the company needs an upgrade and allows you to respond to this in a timely manner.
2. Design: Evaluate functionality for all departments and focus on potential process improvements. Testing is a crucial part of an upgrade. Again, evaluate the key users and make sure the right people who know all the ins and outs of the system are working on testing. Learn the standard features of the new version of the software that will allow you to minimize customizations.
Involve the end user in the process and provide them with personal dashboards to increase the productivity of each individual.
3. Evaluate: Perform regular checks after a successful transition. Ensure that end users are adequately trained in the new software. Consult all departments to find out if their processes have been affected by the upgrade. Ensure that the new version of the system is set up to meet the needs of the organization.
Noor Shaikh is Marketing & Sales Executive in North America at Dysel and knows all about the ERP software challenges for equipment dealerships.
