This is how you get the most out of a new ERP software

Is your organization ready for a new ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) package, and are you currently exploring your options? Perhaps your old software is due for an upgrade, or your organization is using ERP for the first time. In either case, you naturally want to get the most out of the capabilities of the new package. But how can you best approach this? This week, we would like to provide eight tips to get the most out of your new ERP software.

1. Look closely at which ERP software suits your organization

You may have already noticed that various ERP software packages are available. Please realize that not every package will fit your organization. For installation technology, for example, there is special ERP software for installation companies. We advise mapping your processes and seeing which ERP software aligns with them. It will not work if your organization adjusts its processes to the software’s capabilities. Moreover, it looks at both the present and the future. What do we need now, and what are our ambitions? And does the ERP package I currently have in mind include all the functions?

2. Choose an implementation partner who knows your processes

Choose an implementation partner who knows your processes. Some software partners operate in a specific industry and often know which work processes you face daily. They usually already have a particular solution on the shelf, so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Additionally, these implementation partners have already carried out ERP implementations for similar organizations often and know where the bottlenecks are, so these can be avoided as much as possible.

3. Choose a flexible software package

You should not only look at the present but also the future. Once you have chosen new ERP software, the idea is that it will last for several years. Of course, you probably already have a reasonable picture of the future, but no one can predict the future. Moreover, your organization may become smaller, and you want to simplify processes. Consider the flexibility of the software you currently have in mind. Which functions will I use now, and which can I add or remove later? What happens if my work processes change? And what if I need to add extra processes?

4. Be open to working in a renewed way

People are creatures of habit and generally do not like change. One of the biggest pitfalls in an implementation process is that people want to work as they always have, but only in a new guise. Especially in recent years, the digital world has rapidly evolved, and new ERP software and systems have gained countless features. If your organization continues to work in the old way, that is a terrible waste. On the other hand, be open to working anew and seek advice from your implementation partner. This way, you can make optimal use of the new knowledge of the software package, and your organization will work smarter and more efficiently.

5. Support and train your employees

During the implementation process, it is essential not to forget your employees. Those who have worked with the old system for years and are satisfied often do not look forward to new software. Therefore, guide your employees through this transition. Explain to them what the latest ERP software does and why it is vital to your organization. Additionally, it is essential to provide them with good training to understand how the system works and minimize frustrations. Do not forget that the knowledge gained often partially fades over time, and people revert to old habits. Therefore, it is best to provide a refresher training annually and review all processes together again.

6. Test thoroughly after the implementation of your new ERP software

We cannot emphasize this enough: test everything thoroughly after implementing your new software. Does everything work as you envisioned and as it was intended? Are there any error messages popping up? What do your employees, who work with the system daily, say? Testing is more important than many think. Don’t forget this to ensure that everything works as intended.

7. Stay critical and be open to further optimization

Even if you have thoroughly tested everything after the implementation, it may still happen that, over time, you realize that specific processes are not achieving their maximum effect. Always remain critical in this regard and communicate this to your implementation partner. Together, you can look at where the issues are and what can be done to optimize further. Also, do not forget to involve your employees and check with them if there are any bottlenecks and if they can be improved further.

8. Analyze and review the results of your new ERP software

The last tip is to remember to look at the actual results of your new ERP software. What does it yield for your organization daily? What are you delighted with, and where can it be improved? Sharing these results with the employees creates opportunities for further optimization and ensures organizational support. Employees will then know what the new package delivers and will thus be aware of the added value.