5 KEY PHASES OF AN ERP IMPLEMENTATION PLAN: - Vittakosh
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5 KEY PHASES OF AN ERP IMPLEMENTATION PLAN:

The implementation of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system can be a challenging project with implications for many areas of the company. A well-thought-out implementation strategy is essential for any significant undertaking. To achieve the greatest amount of success, divide your implementation into stages, each with distinct goals.

What is an ERP Implementation Plan?

An ERP system integrates a company’s financial management, human resource management, sales, and manufacturing operations to offer advantages including increased production and efficiency. ERP implementation is the process of planning, establishing, and putting an ERP into use. The process typically takes a few months and is challenging because an ERP system supports and automates a wide range of tasks.

In order to ensure a successful installation, the business must carefully define its requirements, choose how to restructure operations to benefit from the system, configure the ERP system to support those processes, and thoroughly test it before making it available to users. To accomplish each of those stages properly and on schedule, it involves careful preparation and a staged implementation strategy.

Six phases with corresponding goals make up a typical ERP installation plan. The phases may vary slightly from one another and perhaps overlap due to the differences between every company. The discovery and planning phase, design, development, testing, deployment, and support phases make up the six-part ERP implementation phase timeline.

1. Research and Preparation:

What is the first stage of implementing an ERP system? This includes choosing and researching the best systems, putting together a project team, and describing the precise system requirements.

The project team will be in charge of a wide range of implementation-related tasks, such as developing the project plan and goal dates, making, sure enough, resources are allotted, choosing products and designs, and managing the project on a day-to-day basis.

Getting a thorough grasp of present problems, such as system failures and requirements for the ERP system, will be one of the team’s early objectives. A speedier financial close, a better understanding of operations or getting ready for an IPO are just a few examples of the broad business concerns and implementation goals that may have been outlined if the firm has previously created an ERP business case. These can be used to focus system development and guide additional in-depth study, including documenting of current routines.

During this stage, the team may decide on and buy an ERP system as the company solidifies a clear grasp of its requirements. Making the decision between an on-premises and cloud-based ERP solution is important. You purchase and install hardware and software for an on-premises system in your company’s data centre. The adoption of cloud-based ERP, on the other hand, is simpler and requires less internal IT experience because it is often provided as a subscription service accessed online.

2. Styling

A thorough design for the new ERP system is created during the design phase using specific needs and knowledge of existing procedures. This entails creating brand-new, more effective workflows and other business procedures that utilize the technology. Users should be involved in the design process because they are the ones that know the existing business processes the best. Involving them in the design process also increases the likelihood that they will embrace the new system and make the most of it.

Gap analysis can be used to find process nuances and peculiarities that might call for ERP software modification or adjustments to workflow or processes to better fit the ERP system itself. The group can discuss the shortcomings with its implementation partner or supplier and request that they provide potential fixes.

3. Expansion

The setup and deployment of the standard solution must be completed at this stage, along with the development and completion of the custom code required to operate the solution and the creation of the documentation for user training.

Goals

Executing the application upgrading procedure is the goal of the development phase. Additionally, it involves system testing to guarantee that the application and data upgrade to the latest version of Microsoft Dynamics has been accomplished. To ascertain the resources required to support the new benchmarks for the enhanced data, performance benchmarks are examined.

To manage risks and concerns, communicate, respond to change requests, and update the project plan, there are ongoing project management tasks during the development period. Additionally, as part of the project planning efforts, the deployment plan that was started during the design phase should be updated. The client is now shown the finished training materials for their review.

The consulting team then completes the necessary configurations based on the design, including the security role setup. For the customer to purchase the necessary hardware and software components, the infrastructure team completes and delivers the production environment specification document.

Finally, it is confirmed that all deliverables created during this phase are of high quality and satisfy the client’s quality standards.

4. Testing

Development and testing can take place simultaneously. For instance, the project team might test particular modules and features, make corrections or revisions in light of the findings, and then retest. While one ERP system remains to be built, another could be evaluated. Initial testing of the software’s fundamental features should be followed by thorough testing of all of its features, which should include letting some employees use the system for all of their regular tasks. This step ought to involve end-user orientation training as well as testing of the moved data.

To start user training, the majority of providers can provide pre- and post-deployment solutions. However, the company should utilize the training materials produced during the development process in addition to vendor support. Resources that are specially tailored to the daily tasks of your end users have significant value.

5. Disposition

You’ve been working toward the system’s launch day, which has finally arrived. Despite your best efforts, there may still be a lot of moving parts and some bewildered employees, so be prepared for any issues. The project staff must be reachable to answer questions, walk users through the system, and attempt to fix any issues. Your implementation partner should be able to help with debugging if issues emerge. It could take some time for users to adjust to the system and see the anticipated productivity gains.

Some information can be moved ahead of deployment, while other data, including current transactions, should be moved right before going live.

While some companies aim to implement every module of the ERP system at once, others first focus on a few high-priority modules or activities before progressively introducing others. In order to reduce risk, some companies also temporarily adopt the new ERP alongside the use of antiquated systems, even though doing so can raise project costs and reduce user productivity.

Conclusion

Putting an ERP system into practice with Vittakosh
A list of critical elements for a successful ERP implementation has also been developed by us. This list is a consequence of our extensive industry knowledge and is used as a guide for each project. So benefit from it yourself! We would be pleased to answer any queries you may have and we are confident that you will find it to be a priceless tool!

Through the use of Microsoft CRM and ERP software, our team assists businesses in India with their digital transformation. Our job is to determine how these solutions can successfully grow your company. Our specialists will research how Microsoft Dynamics 365 can boost your success in everything from manufacturing to sales management.

Contact us @Vittakosh for tailored guidance and support with your implementation project.