Choosing a new ERP package comes with change. Logically, you let go of the old ERP package and will have to work with the new package. These changes are quickly apparent at the beginning of an implementation: screens look different, terminology is different, the order of operations and the number of operations are different. Yet these are changes that, as a core user (key user), you have to get over very quickly. After all, there is work to do. A lot of work in limited time. Because in a few months you will have to go live. So you will have to focus.
Focus on the problem, not the change
The new package was chosen because it solves a particular problem. So focus on that problem and on the delivered solution that the new package provides. That's where the gains are to be made! So don't dwell too long on an extra step in entering a certain screen. Or at the fact that you have to record certain information somewhere else than you were used to. Or that the terminology is different. These are changes that come with a new package.
Focus on data conversion
A software package is only as good as the data it contains. So get into data conversion early on. Make sure you do a number of trial conversions. Learn from the problems uncovered in checking the trial conversions so that each subsequent conversion is better and the final conversion becomes almost a formality.
Focus on the documents
Outgoing documents are the company's business cards. A wrong invoice will not be paid easily. So start very early in the process with the layout of these documents as well. The desired layout may also affect the layout and way of working, so you need to start on that in time.
Focus on financial reporting
However nice and smooth everything eventually runs, without financial reports you have little use for the ERP package. This steering tool is of course essential. Start as early as possible with the desired reports. Just like the outgoing documents, these reports also influence the organization and way of working.
Standard processes
What about the other processes? Will these also have a place on the agenda? These issues will also be addressed during implementation. But make sure that the most important issues as mentioned above get the most attention. Standard processes as they occur in every company can almost always be supported with a standard ERP package, in this respect companies and the ERP packages hardly differ from each other.
Rely on the implementation partner
Your implementation partner has dealt with this before and will know exactly what is important. He knows the market, he knows the processes and he knows the ERP package. Determine together where the focus should be, stick to it and the ERP implementation will be successful.
Peter Gerhardt is Senior Lead Consultant Logistics at Dysel and helps customers achieve maximum results with its business software.
