ERP Implementation Mistakes That Organizations Make, But Better Be Avoided

ERP software implementation is a crucial process for any organization. The software you use is going to affect the way your organization operates. It is certainly a crucial investment. If you fail to implement the right ERP software for your enterprise, you’re most likely to suffer losses than profits. Hence, it is crucial that one follows the right ERP implementation process by avoiding these mistakes:

1. Open to The Brands only.

Many organizations tend to go for brands. They make a whole list of known market names and products and simply choose the one they find is good or more popular or more purchased. These big names do offer many choices in terms of features and deployment models. However, just because the features are of a prime quality does not mean your organization needs them.

As a smart organization, you want to spend your capital in a way that offers productivity to the work. A customizable solution that can fulfill your objectives would be better for you even if the vendor is not a brand. In a changing business environment, you surely want something that can be molded as per the changing needs of the business.

2. Not Choosing the ERP Solution Based on Business Goals

The software selection process is the right time when you need to make sure your business goals are set. And then you try to map them to the solution you should buy. For example, if your objective is to minimize the operation costs or make your workflow more accurate. Then you should go for a solution that primarily focuses on these things. Narrow down your objectives and choose ERP accordingly.

3. All ERP Solutions Are the Same

Any product in the market can be similar but it is hardly the same. The same rule applies to the ERP industry. All the vendors want to make sure that their software is offering all the required features. However, I’m as an enterprise you need to choose the one that is needed for you. Know that not all ERP software is the same. Take a demo of every software you shortlist and you will know what is the most suitable for you.

4. Taking Decisions Without Stakeholders

As a smart enterprise, you do not want to make crucial decisions on your own. It is always recommended to consider different viewpoints from all the stakeholders of your business. Know their expectations and then map them to select the perfect ERP software. Such software will be benefitting all the stakeholders of the business and it would be easier for them to understand and use it too. Gather a team of the stakeholders that may get affected or use the software, know what they are looking for, what problems they are facing at the moment, etc. Accordingly, you can choose the ERP. Such sections add to productivity.

Apart from the above mistakes, here are a few more mistakes that enterprises make, but should not. Avoiding these mistakes can positively impact profits and business flow.

5. Poor planning

Installing an ERP solution will impact every department/staff in your organization, be it accounting, purchasing, engineering, or operations. So up-front planning is needed. You do not want to disturb the whole business flow just to install one ERP software. Plan for the changes the software is going to make, spread awareness, conduct advance training if needed. This will help in tackling confusion and delays after ERP implementation.‍

6. Avoiding the Testing Process to Save The Time

The best way to ensure that you are buying the right ERP is to test it before installing it. Check the speed, accuracy, integration abilities, flow of data, and user-friendliness. Don’t go by the impressive sales pitch of manual or friendly vendors. Check the product and then decide. When testing makes sure all the needed stakeholders are present.‍ Allow them to share their queries and opinions.

7. Not having a maintenance strategy.

Just like every other software, ERPs need maintenance too. Conductive regular maintenance will ensure maximum performance and add to the ROI too. Buy software that is easy and cheaper to maintain.

These are the basic ERP mistakes that enterprises must avoid to get the best out of ERP software and to hope for a positive ROI.