The choice for a new ERP system goes hand in hand with change. That is, of course, because you let go of the old ERP system and need to get started with the new system. These changes are already visible at the beginning of an implementation: screens look different, terminology is different, the sequence of process steps and the number of steps are also different. However, as a key user, these are changes that you need to accept quickly because there is lots of work to do in a short period of time. Because in a few months, when you go live, you’ll have to focus.
Focus on the problem, not the change
The choice for the new system was made because it solves an important problem. So focus on that issue and on the solution provided by the new system. That is how you can benefit from the new system! Don’t think about the extra step of data entry, or the difference in terminology and the interface. These are changes you have to deal with when implementing a new system.
Focus on the data conversion
A software system is as good as the data it contains. So get started with the data conversion at an early stage. Make sure you do some trial conversions and learn from the problems encountered in the trial conversion checks, so that every subsequent conversion is better and the final conversion becomes almost a formality.
Focus on the documents
Outgoing documents are the business cards of the company. You might not get paid if you send out incorrect invoices so its important to start working on the layout of these documents at an early stage. The desired layout may also affect the setup and procedures, so you need to get a headstart on that.
Focus on financial reports
No matter how smooth your system will operate, your ERP system will have little value without financial reports. These management tools are of course essential to your business. Therefore, start as soon as possible with the reports you want to have. Just like the outgoing documents, the reports also affect the setup and procedures.
Standard processes
What about the other processes? Are they also set on the agenda? Yes, these topics are also discussed during the implementation. But make sure that the most important issues mentioned above get the most attention. Standard processes that occur in every company can be supported with a standard ERP system, there will hardly be any differences between companies and ERP systems when it comes to that.
Rely on the implementation partner
Your implementation partner has gone through implementations many times before and will know exactly what is important. He knows the industry, he knows the processes and he knows the ERP system. Decide together where to focus on, hold on to that focus and the ERP implementation will be successful.
Peter Gerhardt is Senior Lead Consultant Logistics at Dysel and helps customers achieve maximum results with business software.
