6 Key Phases of an ERP Implementation Plan

What Is an ERP Implementation?

An ERP system combines numerous functions in the business, such as economic management, sales and manufacturing, and human resources to deliver benefits such as increased efficiency and productivity. The process of ERP implementation describes the planning, configuring, Testing, and deploying of an ERP process.

The ERP implementation plan can be split up into six phases, each with particular goals. Every occupation is unique, so the phases can be different depending on the company, and they also may overlap.

ERP can be executed only if there is a use of the proper module in a correct sequence otherwise it cannot be worked perfectly.
The main feature of an ERP Solution is to enhance the Customer Relationship. It increases the quality of services, is precise in the delivery time, and improves the performance rate offered by companies. Another objective of ERP implementation is to control errors in an organization.

6 Steps for Successful ERP implementation

We have listed 6 major steps of ERP implementation below.

1. Discovery & Planning

This is the first phase of ERP System Implementation. It includes understanding the client’s requirements, researching and selecting a system, and the project team setting up and determining detailed system requirements.

The team of project will handle the task related to the implementation, including project plan layout and finishing dates ensuring appropriate resources are allocated, making product and design decisions, and day-to-day project management.

The ERP project team typically includes a project sponsor, a project administrator, and representatives from the departmental system user. Senior manager involvement is important to make sure the project gets the expedient it requires and to provide the necessary support to ERP System Implementation change across the organization.

The project team can hire an external adviser or ERP implementation partner to furnish expertise in system designing and configuring.

It had to comprise any internal specialists involved in system implementation, such as an IT Representative and a report writer who will create tailored reports for users over the organization.

These are useful for detailed analysis, including existing workflow the initial goal of the organization will be to develop an in-depth understanding of current issues, including process inabilities and the ERP system requirements.

In case the organization has earlier evolved an ERP business case, it possibly has already determined wide business issues and goals for the implementation, which include a rapid financial package, improved perception into operations, or preparing for a stock launch.

Documentation, and to develop system focus. The team may choose and obtain an ERP system during this primary phase, as the organization built a clear idea of its needs. One major resolution is to use an ERP system that darts on-premises or in the cloud.

For an on-premises system, you purchase and instate the hardware and software in your company data center. Contrary to cloud-based ERP is usually offered as a subscription service through internet access, for a faster implementation process.

2. Analyzing the ERP Software Capabilities

The most important step in the process is to dedicate a full week to analyzing the ERP software for the project team. The reason is it will determine the place where the modifications are required for the software.  Adapt the requirements needed previous to the project employee training.

It is also important that the team takes the correct path to have a better scope to meet the expectations. Training is required on every detail of the ERP software to fully educate the team on capabilities and diagnose the empty spaces.

3. Data Management

Determine which information should be converted through an analysis of current data. Converting 100% of the data is not a good idea as there will be outdated information in the system. Identify the new data and its source, and then check its compatibility with the PMTrackERP software. The goal of this stage is to improve data accuracy and perfectness.

4. Testing

To ensure accurate information and software functionality, the project team needs to practice in a test database.  If there are any queries with the interface design integration it can be modified before the software go live. Once the testing procedure will do, make sure about the in-depth training plan of the team.

Most sellers can provide front and rear-deployment tools to start the user training. For vendor support, the company should make the best use of the training staff created in the development stage. The important factor in the development process is that specifically caters to your user’s day-to-day responsibilities.

5. Deployment

This is the step you were looking for, on the day of the software deployment. You have to be prepared for potential errors, as perhaps a lot of moving parts there and possibly some confused employees, In spite of your best efforts to prepare them for the updates.

The project team should be easily accessible to answer interrogations and help users understand the software system to understand the issues and errors.

Your cooperative partner should be capable to help with troubleshooting if required. The possible user takes a time to understand the system and achieve the expected productivity profits.

Some data can be relocated ahead of deployment, while other information such as present transactions should be migrated instantly before the launch.

Some organizations want to launch all the ERP modules immediately, while other companies focus on particular high-priority modules or processes and afterward add others in further stages. To avoid the risk, some organizations prefer to run older systems alongside the new ERP system implementation for a time; however, this can add to the overall project budget and reduce user productivity.

6. Support & Updates

Taking care of the ERP implementation after deployment helps to keep users satisfied and ensure the business gains the desired benefits. The project team may still be accountable for the ERP system during this stage, but its focus will move to hearing users’ feedback and modifying the system accordingly.

Some axillary development and configuration may be required as new features are added to the system. Also, the system needs newly trained staff.

If you have the Best ERP Software Company the software you are going to launch needs to install regular updates, if you have an on-premises ERP system, as well as the need to upgrade hardware over time. But, in a cloud-based ERP system, the user’s vendor may update the software automatically.

Conclusion

ERPs are an important tool for any rapidly growing business that requires system optimization, keeping up with customer demands, and scaling its workflows. With an ERP system, an organization can boost customer response, reduce repetitive tasks, integrate data, and improve team communication.

A complete ERP system can be said only if there are all the steps are included including Planning, software capabilities analysis, Data management, Testing, Deploying, and system support. Without following these steps of implementation you cannot perfectly launch your software and it won’t work perfectly if you miss following any of the above steps.

PMTRACK ERP provides the Best ERP solution for the manufacturing industry to schedule a free demo, get in touch with our team at info@pmtrackerp.in