What Every CEO Should Know When It Comes To An ERP Implementation

When it comes to directing the future of a company, CEOs have to understand the necessity and difficulty in choosing the right ERP solution for their business. Not only does the solution need to fit the industry, but it must be one that a workforce can adapt readily to avoid any lull in services being delivered to customers.

The Implementation Journey Is An Exhaustive One And The More Preparation In Place, The Better.

The journey is an exhaustive one and the more preparation that can be put in place prior to an implementation, the more likely your success. To help avoid banging your head against the office wall in frustration, here are a few suggestions that will help ensure you make the right decision when it’s time to upgrade to a quality ERP solution.

Understand The Problem And The Process

Being an executive in-the-know certifies that your positive influence regarding an implementation reaches every level of the organization. A CEO needs to be the first one who knows what the business needs and how the ERP solution addresses those needs. These details need to be clearly articulated to the upper-management, management, and ground-level employees to make certain everyone is on the same page.

Be Involved, Own The Effort

This really can’t be stated enough, as a leader in the company’s direction a forward-thinking CEO should be on board and support the project from day-one with regular check-ups on progression. This doesn’t just ensure your workforce and additional help are on task with implementation, but that the business is in the mindset that this change is happening, it’s good for the future of the company, and everyone is committed to its success. Whether you’re entrusting the stewardship of your implementation to vendors, VARs, consultants or none of these, ownership still needs to come from the heart of the organization.

Know ERP Is A Solution, Not A Magic Wand

While ERP systems can make running an enterprise infinitely easier, these solutions are not a magic wand. ERP systems require users to put in the effort to get the benefits. Realistic expectations are essential when faced with replacing fractured systems and poor data utilization. ERP can streamline your methods and make every process, from quote to cash, a breeze. However, this is true only so long as your enterprise puts the tools to work properly.

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Maintain Focus

It may seem like a no-brainer, but ERP implementations are tricky things in that they can easily sprawl into larger projects as time goes on and needs are constantly added to the list of things to address. Being clear about what must happen from day one will ensure that only mission-critical components of an implementation consume your precious time, capital, and labor resources.

Partner With Experienced ERP Professionals

Partnering with a vendor, VAR or consultant can make the difference between a successful implementation and a failure, as they’ve directly participated in several implementation projects. An ERP professional can help guide your business to greater success than if you went alone into the implementation. That’s not to say it can’t be done. However, projects that don’t incorporate at least some level of experienced consultation into the process generally end up costing far more in the long term than they save up front.

Know Your Partners

If you do choose to bring on outside help for the implementation process, it’s important to be realistic about the timeframe and how well your solution provider understands your goals. After all, the implementation process can span several months, depending on the size of an enterprise, and your organizations will be spending a lot of time working together. An implementation is more than a transaction, it’s a business relationship.

Encompass Solutions Can Help

Encompass Solutions specializes in business consulting, project management, and software implementation. As a result, we are positioned to enable enterprises of every size to take full advantage of the tools available to them in growing their business. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems or addressing the emerging challenges in corporate and operational growth, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. As experts in identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of Industry.