Both big corporations and SMEs are steadily trickling into the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) projects with each passing day. While this presents unlimited opportunities to streamline processes and improve efficiency, it can be disastrous if implemented wrongly.
ERP projects could all be successful if businesses considered the following aspects.
Define the reach of your ERP project
Coming up with a successful ERP project requires you understand that which you would want to achieve with the project. This knowledge helps you to get a few questions answered. These may be the cost, functionality, and benefits of the project upon successful implementation.
Before you head out shopping for the best ERP project for your organization, you should conduct a basic research so that you have a list of requirements from vendors. Also, this enables the vendors to know exactly what you require. You are also in a position to make active decisions based on the proposals from vendors.
Get your stakeholders involved
Because everyone will use the ERP, it is important you get everyone on board. Right from the top-most level of management to the end users, endeavor to make them understand why the company is adopting ERP. Clients, staff, suppliers, and management should all be aware of the ERP project. They should understand why the organization is adopting ERP, and how this seeks to improve their situation.
User-friendliness
With most organizations having their business conducted in various ways, the ERP should be optimized for phone users. While the office workers may find it convenient to use their desktops, other workers, for example, the distribution staff may find the mobile experience as convenient. Taking this into consideration yields a successful international ERP project where each unique need is catered for.
Likewise, customization involves special treatment for each country within which the business has interests. The ERP should be in a language that every single user can understand. This eliminates the inconveniences that may be caused by the language barrier.
Consult widely
While shopping for the best ERP for your business, ask the vendors to provide you with details of clients they have sold to in the past. By enquiring about their experiences, you can be certain whether you are making the right choice or otherwise. Because this the ERP will define most of your business processes, invest a great deal of time to come up with one which fits your organizational needs.
Customization of ERP
Organizations are unique in some aspects. However, most have similar business processes. Depending on the budget and the nature of your organization, you may want to customize your ERP. Remember customization comes at a higher cost. You could simply make do with a regular ERP, but if your organization is large and differentiated, you may want to customize your package.
Time and resources for training
The success of an ERP project anchors on how well it is understood and used. If the stakeholders find it too complicated to use, you may lose on the ultimate results the ERP project was launched to achieve.
Businesses should, therefore, invest time and resources in the training of stakeholders on the new business approach and its usage.
Communicate with stakeholders
Constant communication with the users of this project would go a long way in eliminating the resistance and lethargy that typically comes with change. Likewise, communication with the vendor may also help you to troubleshoot challenges affecting the project. As a general rule of thumb, you should settle on a vendor who offers a 24/7 customer support. This ensures you have a great experience with your new international ERP project.
