TECHNOLOGIES FOR
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
TECHNOLOGIES FOR
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
How to make an ERP project successful?
The one similar question that I had to encounter in my everyday schedule, is the ERP really help companies achieve anything better? It is not just possible to give a straight answer to this question. Because it depends on many factors.
From my experience, an ERP tool is just one piece of business performance instrument. Many factors jointly contribute to the success of an ERP system. A well designed business processes, establishing and measuring performance level, efficient working of your workforce and the well designed business structure of your organization and effective employee training to use the new system are just a few aspects that can have a huge impact on the success of your ERP system.
For me the most thrilling part of an ERP project is its Go-Live session. Because it is the most exciting, difficult and confusing moment as far as an ERP project is concerned. It the first step towards a long and challenging journey ahead.
From our past experience we are fortunate to complete all our projects on time and our dedicated and hardworking team members have made it possible to Go-Live all our projects on time. Most of the companies that we have dealt with are from the SME segments and it makes me happy that we could implement all these ERP projects within their limited budget that too in a limited time period.
Responsibility of an ERP vendor just doesn’t end with a successful implementation alone. It is also our responsibility to oversee the effect of the new system has on the organization. We must make sure the users are using the system effectively and perfectly that would bring the desired result of the system.
Attending these issues carefully and honestly is the responsibility of the vendor and any negligence in the part of a vendor could be a reason for failure of the system.
User training is one of the most important part of a successful ERP usage. During the training session senior project team members should be leveraged to provide general support and answer simple, process and system focused questions. Even after go-live, there may be a possibility of confusion and lack of complete understanding of the system among the users. This lack of understanding of the system should not be attributed to a problem with the system and the senior project team members should be available to resolve any confusion.
Training session must provide training tools, such as flow chart sheets and training documentation. This will make employees more comfortable with the system more quickly and thoroughly. Refresher training should also be provided as needed on an on-going basis.
All the above aspects are equally contribute to a successful implementation and operations of an ERP system. A clearly defined go-live and on-going support processes as part of an ERP project, can better leverage the ERP technology to realize real business benefits and ROI from the ERP project.
Best Wishes
Sudheer Nair.