ERP implementation can cause a lot of headaches for people if they aren’t prepared

A lot goes into successfully transitioning over to a new software program, and if you handle it wrong you could be feeling the effects for weeks or months. Imagine something going wrong with data migration and losing important information. Or realizing that your new program causes problems with other important legacy programs. Are you tired of things coming to a stand-still every time you need to introduce a new piece of technology to the office? If you want your next ERP implementation to go smoothly, read on to learn more.

Three ERP Implementation Pitfalls To Avoid
You may dread ERP implementation, but we’re here to help make your next deployment easy. Every implementation process is different. There’s no one right way to handle implementation, but there are wrong ways to do it. When you’re going through ERP system implementation, make sure you avoid these three big mistakes.

Not Properly Timing Implementation
One of the most common reasons why implementations go wrong is because it’s happening at the wrong time. You may be eager to implement a new kind of software or other kinds of technology in your workplace, but you need to time the transition well. Businesses are always going to be busy, but you should still avoid planning an implementation when there are large important projects going on. Check people’s calendars and be sure to talk to project stakeholders so you can get a good idea of how busy everyone is. Try to schedule a big implementation during a “slow” period to avoid scheduling problems. Also be sure to take a look at out of office calendars. Never schedule a major implementation when a lot of people are going to be on vacation, so avoid times around major holidays.

Forgetting To Plan For Maintenance
When people implement new kinds of software or another kind of technology, they assume that everything will go according to plan. Mistakes can be made and problems can arise, and if you don’t plan for them you can have a messy implementation process. When you’re planning the implementation process, allow for time to look for bugs and run tests. Even if things seem to be going smoothly, people should always be performing tests and looking for potential issues. Expect to need to spend a few days or weeks on troubleshooting and testing. If you’re planning a large software rollout, plan for more time.

Neglecting Proper Training

Training should be a big part of any implementation regardless of how big or small the changes are. Employees that don’t understand how to use an important piece of technology can’t be effective or productive. In some cases, they could make mistakes that could cause other problems. Don’t expect people to figure things out as they go, or that they’ll be able to pick it up quickly. Take time to plan a proper training process if you want a smooth implementation. Give people ample time to learn the program, and be prepared to answer questions.

ERP Implementation Next Steps

Now that you know how to make your next ERP implementation easy, it’s time to start talking about what your next implementation can consist of. We’re experts at crafting custom software solutions for businesses. Contact us today so we can talk about what we can do for you. In the meantime, browse our blog for more tech content. Our post on examples of customer software can give you an idea of the work we’ve done in the past, and could do for your company.