4 Ways To Get the Most Out of Your New ERP System
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When we enter a partnership with a client we take a look at their business needs. Our team of specialized consultants pinpoint the organizational needs and obstacles that are preventing success. With that information, our team implements an ERP system such as NetSuite and other organizational tactics to help our client leap forward with their business goals.
We maintain our partnerships with clients after the initial implementation to ensure our clients will have success with their ERP sytem. This success comes from several contributing factors and we want to share the top five that will help our clients get the most out of their ERP systems.
1. Understand why you need an ERP sytem
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Maybe you’re a small or medium sized business and think there are cheaper ways to navigate your business goals. You might figure only big companies are running ERP systems.
We want our clients to pin-point their business objectives and understand what they wish to achieve with an ERP system. With this understanding and having everyone on board, an ERP system will be more successful for your business. Identifying, communicating and planning for certain goals will improve the outcome of those goals.
On the technical front, it is also important to primarily understand your business needs. The various technical capabilities and software features of an ERP system are not the most vital components to your business success. What really matters is how you want your business operations to run and what your key business requirements are. Once you have this defined, you can more effectively choose the software that fits your unique business needs and customize your unique features to support your mission.
2. Commitment from company executives
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When you’re implementing an ERP system for your business it is crucial to have everyone on board. Your CEO, CIO, IT director, IT staff and all other staff have to adopt this new system for optimal success. Even with the best system, plan and support consultants you could fall short on your goals if you don’t have top-management support because there are conflicting business needs and interests. Unanimous support of a core set of goals is critical for seeing success with a new ERP system.
3. Back up your new ERP system with a strong support team
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A new ERP system requires strong project management support and resource commitment. An ERP system isn’t a one-time project that thrives without support. An ERP system needs a project manager and other participating roles in the project. Here at TPI we have specialized consultants that assist in those roles for our clients by providing VIP support. A strong project implementation plan and execution is key to ERP success.
4. Support your staff with adequate ERP training
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With a new ERP system, you’re not just forcing change on your IT folks- you’re impacting everyone. Investing time and money into training and change management is necessary for ERP system success. If you’re working with consultants from TPI or another company this training could easily be outsourced. Ask your ERP consulting team about different available methods for on-boarding your staff.