Every business strives for the smooth rollout of an ERP solution, but not all of them succeed. There are many vital aspects to consider, and a thorough planning process with solid preparations must form the backbone of the implementation process for it to be successful. A reliable implementation partner won’t leave it to you to figure it out. SynergERP will provide the necessary guidance to help you avoid pitfalls and costly mistakes and minimise the disruptions to your business. Here are a few essential considerations for a seamless rollout of Sage’s X3.
Start with a plan
It all begins with a plan, a carefully considered and realistic one. Being realistic is a key challenge because it requires insight and a thorough understanding of the process ahead, but the importance of planning around realistic expectations cannot be overstated. Your plan needs to accommodate variables such as business seasonality and any ongoing projects or initiatives that might disrupt the process.
A key reason for planning is to ensure that adequate resources are committed to the project ahead of, during and after, the implementation of the ERP solution. Smooth ERP software implementations tend to have a clear purpose and a well-defined set of achievable objectives.
Ensure commitment
Once the plan is devised, ongoing management is necessary to ensure that it is adhered to. This is where it’s beneficial to have a dedicated project manager or “champion” who can drive the implementation process, supported by top-level management at all times.
An important aspect of this role is to ensure that relevant stakeholders are engaged throughout the process. This person can coordinate scoping and demo sessions and scope sign-off with the ERP provider, ensuring that key decision-makers are in attendance. Ideally, stakeholders must develop a
sense of ownership of the project.
Data migration
A business’s data is a vital asset and any issues with migrating it from a legacy system to a new ERP system can become a major hurdle. To mitigate any potential problems, it’s best to factor data migration into the implementation plan as early as possible. Start by determining how much historical data needs to be migrated and ensure that all master data is cleaned before migrating it.
Communicate
Communications need to be a core aspect of the implementation plan. All stakeholders must be involved and engaged, and any change in scope should only occur after thorough consultation. Involving all users in the implementation process and adequately preparing them for the change (and the reasons for it) will foster a more receptive attitude.
Make allowances for staff
Staff will need time to get to grips with the new ERP software, and with any new processes or job roles. Be sure to make allowances for this learning phase during the migration and early roll-out stages.
These are just a few important things to remember for a smooth ERP software rollout, but there are many other details to address along the way. SynergERP can equip you with a roadmap to help you navigate the implementation process and make it as pain-free as possible. Contact SynergERP to receive a free assessment based on your unique requirements.
