Modern businesses are built on enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Any company can compete in the current business environment, which has been severely impacted by supply chain disruptions as well as disruptions to traditional business operations due to employees working from home as a result of COVID, thanks to the agility provided by a modern ERP system supported by refined business processes.
If your company has relied on patchwork point solutions or a dated, on-premises ERP platform, it might be time to invest in completely changing the way your company conducts business; enterprise resource planning (ERP) software selection isn’t always easy, however.
The prospect of an ERP implementation or migration can be intimidating, especially for businesses that have outdated business procedures that have been tailored to work with the limited functionality of their current enterprise stack. However, by using the following advice, businesses can choose the best ERP vendor and successfully implement the new system with the least amount of hassle.
Lay the Organizational Groundwork
Organizations must first lay the groundwork by resolving the necessary political, organizational, change management, and governance issues before beginning the vendor selection process.
Every organization goes through power struggles and political problems as a result of the various mandates and demands that each of its groups must work under. Who will need what in terms of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software selection?
Then there is the inherent resistance to change in people that comes from their fear that new technologies will disrupt their daily routines at work or even cost them their jobs. Some people try to push business evolution while others are more resistant to change.
Given the far-reaching effects of ERP implementation, companies must resolve political issues before proceeding. They must implement change management procedures, respond to employee concerns with openness and training, and settle governance issues. Before bringing in potential vendors, those queries must be addressed.
Redesign Your Processes
Rethinking and improving the way your organization operates is a great opportunity provided by the implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software selection. The incorrect approach is to simply compile a list of current business processes and attempt to replicate them in a new ERP system.
An ERP deployment or migration should be a key component of a company’s digital transformation efforts, not the other way around. Companies should take into account activities like design thinking or journey mapping as they look for fresh and inventive ways to enhance business processes. Organizations should invite all levels of end users, including customers and partners, to participate in the brainstorming process in addition to department leaders.
Focus on What Your Business Needs
Of course businesses want to get the ball rolling quickly so they can start reaping the benefits of the enterprise resource planning (ERP) software selection, but it’s better to take your time and choose the right vendor than to rush and end up regretting it later.
Big businesses usually have hundreds of demands they need to meet from their vendors. Of course, the majority of sellers will assure you that they can meet all of your requirements. Instead of trying to do everything, it’s better to focus on a select few key business processes that offer distinctive capabilities or serve as a major point of differentiation for the company. Companies should question suppliers about the time, money, complexity, and training required to enhance mission-critical business processes.
Plan for the Future
It’s important to keep in mind that choosing a vendor who will offer the same functionality as you currently have is never sufficient, especially when moving to the cloud. It is a fantastic opportunity to use sophisticated data analytics and simulations, like digital twin technology or threads, to foresee future needs and concerns when implementing a new ERP system.
To ensure that your business succeeds after implementation, be sure to ask vendors what features their platforms offer. Asking questions such as ” Does it aid in my understanding of what is occurring now and what will occur tomorrow?” “Can it foresee shortages or bottlenecks?” “What transforms the upgrade to the ERP system from a basic procurement tool to a strategic tool?” are all ideal.
Make User Experience a Priority
It’s crucial to take into account not just the software itself, but also how simple it is for end users to operate and learn new systems. The last thing you want is to roll out software that people dislike and avoid using unless they have no choice but to.
Look into the resources the vendor provides, such as templates, online manuals, training materials, communities, and discussion forums. How does onboarding take place? Is there a self-service option that would allow end users to launch their applications without requiring assistance from IT? This is all important, and could make the difference in the product you choose when investigating potential enterprise resource planning (ERP) software selection.
See a Demonstration
Decide on three to five finalists from your shortlist of potential vendors before beginning the demo process. Invite the chosen vendors for demos, and feel free to let them know who they are up against. Give a list of the features you want to see in the demos well in advance to maintain control over the demonstrations.
The engineers and salespeople who demonstrate software are very skilled at persuading you to buy their product. No matter how hard they try to sell you on the software, keep your attention solely on the functionality it provides.
Take thorough notes and make sure to address any worries you may have. It’s crucial to conduct thorough research to make sure you comprehend everything you need to know about the system’s performance, underlying technology, and functionality.
Find out if the cloud-based ERP system you are considering is a genuine, native cloud solution that fully utilizes this delivery model. To make sure that their product continues to meet the needs of the digital world of today and tomorrow, consider the amount of R&D, product development, and innovation that each vendor has invested in.
Ask as many questions as necessary to determine whether the ERP system can meet your company’s needs. To thoroughly examine all of the functionality that is significant to the team, you may occasionally need to hold several rounds of demos.
When it comes to selecting an ERP solution, we recognize that there are a lot of things to think about. Strategic Systems Group team is here to assist you. Contact us today and a member of our team will help you to evaluate your alternatives for a modern enterprise resource planning system.
To learn more, please call (310) 539-4645 or click here to schedule a time to speak with one of our experienced consultants.