ERP Implementation Project Plan for Large Organizations

Is an ERP implementation for large and growing organizations really that difficult? Well, it can be, unless each fast growing company develops an ERP implementation project plan that accurately fits its business structure. Before talking about how to develop such a plan, it’s critical to understand why ERP implementation practices have become important to growing organizations.

8 Reasons to Implement an ERP Solution into Your Organization

Most business owners decide to complement their structure with a complex enterprise accounting software solution especially when their accounting systems become outdated. Typically, small- and mid-sized startups prefer basic accounting systems such as QuickBooks and Peachtree, knowing that these solutions are cheaper than more competent alternatives. However, numerous IT specialists admit that these systems are completely inappropriate for a growing company. This means that an organization that continues to grow will need a more robust accounting module, which is able to sustain global financial operations.

Since accounting isn’t the only area that needs adequate support when an organization expands its structure, the best decision is to opt for a truly efficient ERP solution, such as Microsoft Dynamics AX, which can help you manage a variety of operational and administrative processes. Now that you know why implementing a competent ERP solution into your organization is critical if you intend to grow your business, the rest of this article presents the phases that you should follow to develop a comprehensive ERP implementation project plan for your large organization.

Key Phases to ERP Implementation

Most ERP software products promise seamless integration of information flows relating to accounting, financial, operations, logistics, human resources, sales and marketing areas. However, the truth is that seamless implementation of an ERP solution is possible only if you have a detailed project plan in place. The following eight ERP implementation stages can help you develop such a plan.

1. ERP System Selection: To ensure the success of your ERP implementation project plan, you must set new, achievable goals and choose an ERP solution that can help you accomplish those goals.
2. New Hardware: Before installing a new ERP solution, make sure that your hardware meets the minimum software requirements. Test any new hardware you install to make sure that it’s running as expected.
3. Phased Approach: An ERP implementation project plan proposing a phased approach involves a sequential implementation of different ERP modules. The main advantage of opting for this approach is that it allows you to refine and adjust procedures after each stage, helping you achieve a flawless ERP implementation process.
4. Installation: Typically, an employee from the ERP software vendor will install the product you’ve chosen and then, run several tests to ensure proper functioning.
5. Computer Room Pilot Training: Training your employees on software functionality will help them understand how to use specific features in order to make their jobs easier. Most ERP training programs explain the process from the beginning, when an order is received, to the end, when the order is delivered.  
6. User Participation: Your ERP implementation project plan should also include user participation. Critical for streamlining ERP implementation, user participation enables you to assess specific areas, such as the way your employees perceive the usefulness of the new ERP system, its ease of use and your staff’s level of involvement – three factors that affect your employees’ intention to use the new technology.  We recommend recruiting and ERP Project Manager to interview and delegate these tasks.
7. Security: Setting up particular security measures allows you to give or restrict access to certain data. By ensuring that your employees only have access to the information they need to perform their duties, you can keep your business safe – a very important aspect to maintain your competitive advantage.
8. Policies and Procedures: The integration of an ERP solution into your organization should be accompanied by new policies and procedures, which specify exactly how certain goals, will be accomplished.

There’s one more thing you should consider when creating your ERP implementation project plan: continuous change. Similar to any other company, your organization can only manage a finite amount of change during ERP implementation. However, a great aspect about implementing this intelligent business solution into your organization is that it can sustain continuous change, innovation and improvement, offering you the support you need to meet and even exceed your custumers’ expectations.

Since 2004, Clients First has been providing medium-to-large enterprise solutions for the supply chain industry, with a vertical focus in manufacturing, engineer and make-to-order. Clients First Texas has been focused on supporting customers locally within the Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas (TOLA) area with specific software IP developed for the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) industry utilizing the power of Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics NAV and NAV-X.  Clients First US has 8 locations nationwide and supports clients worldwide.   Clients First is a VAR Top 100 Accounting Reseller, 2012 Merchant Circle Award Winner and a Microsoft Gold Enterprise Resource Planning Partner.  For more information about Clients First, Texas visit our page at www.clientsfirst-ax.com/contact_texas.html

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