Every one claims to be an expert in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software best practices, but it’s also important to know about the pitfalls to avoid during implementation.

  1. Planning After the Fact – When businesses start planning too late or even once the project begins, they’re already at high risk of a failed ERP implementation.  Planning should not be underestimated for a project like this and and requires aligning ROI projections, getting stakeholders on board, evaluating the right software and hardware, developing a training program for all departments, and ensuring all users are continually updated and consulted throughout the implementation.
  2. Choosing the Wrong ERP Partner – With our years of experience helping companies find the right ERP software as well as getting them up and running, we have run across those clients who chose the wrong partner first.  If you don’t do your due diligence in researching your software partner, you run the risk of starting over from scratch, wasting valuable dollars and resources.
  3. Not Identifying Specific Needs – Without completing a needs assessment to figure out what you need your ERP system to do, how can you find a good fit?  Your business is unique and with the scalable solutions available today, you can find one that closely fits your needs.  This might include a combination of solutions or choosing a different deployment method such as the cloud, but make sure your software works for you and you’re not changing processes to simply fit the software.
  4. Forgetting About Ongoing Maintenance Needs and Costs – Budgeting for an ERP implementation project is important, but you should also understand there are future costs outside the initial implementation.  One important cost to remember is the ongoing maintenance and support of your software.  Many ERP partners will scope this out for you in their project plan, but if not, make sure to ask about it.  It’s one thing to get up and running and a completely different thing undergoing updates and upgrades a year or two down the road.
  5. Not Allocating Enough Time and Resources – The number one pitfall I see is underestimating the time and resources needed to launch an ERP system successfully.  It’s important to create a strong partnership with your software partner and work together throughout the implementation process.  Your software partner should provide you with a timeline detailing the resources needed throughout your entire implementation.

I hope this article helps you to be aware of the pitfalls that can happen in and ERP implementation and helps you feel better prepared to begin the process.  If Sage ERP is on your short list of ERP solutions to consider, please contact us at DWD Technology Group for more information.

Register for our Sage 100 newsletter today!