Today’s firms rely heavily on enterprise resource planning solutions. Any organization may benefit from the agility provided by a contemporary ERP system supported by refined business processes in today’s business climate, which has been badly disrupted by supply chain and COVID disturbances.
Your company may need a major shift in how it runs if you’ve been relying on point solutions or an outdated ERP platform.
1. Lay the organizational ground work
An organization’s first step in selecting an ecommerce web development company should be an assessment of its current organizational structure and its ability to adapt to future changes.
Power conflicts and political challenges arise from the varying mandates and pressures that each of an organization’s distinct factions faces. Can you think of one? It’s a battle between IT security experts and “shadow IT,” in which lines of business use technology without the express authority of IT staff. While some people attempt to push evolutionary advances in the company while others fear new technology will disrupt their daily routines or perhaps take away their jobs, there is also human nature at play.
It is critical for organizations to overcome any political concerns before from now on with an ERP deployment since it has such a significant influence on the company. Put in place methods for change management and deal with staff issues via openness and training. Who owns ERP? What happens to your internal IT if you go to a SaaS model? Before bringing in new suppliers, you must address such questions.
2. Overhaul your processes
Rethinking and improving the way your company operates is a tremendous opportunity provided by a new ERP system. An ERP system should not be implemented based only on a list of existing business processes.
As a result, firms should employ ERP adoption or migration as a critical component of their digital transformation initiatives. Design thinking and journey mapping may find innovative and creative methods to improve company processes, says Liz Herbert, a Forrester analyst. In addition, include departments, consumers, and ecommerce web development services in the brainstorming process, not just the top brass.
3. Get your data ducks in a row
Organizations that are merging a range of point products, homegrown applications, or a legacy ERP system into a contemporary, comprehensive ERP platform should assess if their data collecting capabilities are up to date.
For example, according to ABI Research analyst Michael Lerner, “how resilient is the source of information from which the solution may get information in order to give a single version of the truth?” Particularly critical now, as businesses grapple with supply chain issues and require real-time insight into systems that can encompass a wide range of functions such as ecommerce websites and sales and billing, manufacturing, inventory management, delivery, support, and customer service, among others.
4. Focus on critical business requirements
Even while companies are eager to get up and running with their new ERP system as soon as possible, LMA Consulting Group president Lisa Anderson warns that it’s best to take your time when selecting an ecommerce app development company than to hurry into something you could regret later on down the line.
Large corporations frequently have a long list of business criteria when looking for a new provider. Vendors will convince you they can fulfill all of your needs. Anderson advises to focus on a few essential business operations that have unique functionality or are a significant commercial advantage. She recommends organizations should demand specifics from suppliers on how much it would cost. How long it will take to implement the new system, and how much training will be required.
5. Plan for the future
That being said, Larner stresses how important it is to find an ecommerce web development company that will deliver the same functionality that you now have while moving to the cloud. Using sophisticated data analytics and simulations like digital threads or digital twins, for example, is a fantastic chance to predict future demands and concerns, adds Larner.
Inquire about the platform’s features to guarantee that your organization will continue to grow when it is implemented. Does it assist me in grasping what is occurring now and what is going to happen in the future? The ability to foresee supply or demand issues is essential. Larner explains the ERP update “moves from a basic procurement tool to a strategic instrument” in this way.
6. Conduct a demo at the beginning of the process
Most times, businesses go through the entire vendor selection process before bringing in the winning bidder for a demo to show to staff how the new system would function. In Herbert’s view, the best strategy is to bring in at least one or two vendors to perform a demo early on. So that employees can see the potential of the new system. There is still time for feedback and, from a political perspective, it doesn’t come across as a fait accompli that is being imposed on employees without advance notification.
7. Partner for the long haul
Because of time restrictions, lack of IT human resources, or a lack of capabilities, most firms will need outside help with the move to a new ERP system. If you choose to work with the ERP vendor directly, a reseller, or a systems integrator that have linked with the ERP vendor, make a critical decision.
Look for a partner with extensive industry knowledge, a thorough understanding of your company processes. And a proven track record of process excellence. The ERP provided and third-party partner should also have a worldwide reach to satisfy your needs. The moment you decide to go with ERP, you’ve made a commitment.
8. Make the user experience a priority
What matters most is how simple it is for end-users to understand and run new systems. Not simply the program itself. If you don’t want people to avoid using your program until they’re forced to, don’t put it out there!
See whether the seller provides any templates, online manuals, training resources, communities, or discussion boards to help you get started. What is onboarding? Is there a way for end-users to get up and operate on their own without IT help?
9. Make sure the new ERP integrates with other apps
The ERP system is not a closed system that operates in a vacuum. The information technology department is still in charge of ensuring the efficient operation of all Ecommerce business operations. ERP programs communicate with databases, legacy applications, other SaaS applications such as customer relationship management (CRM). And industry-specific applications, such as quality management systems in manufacturing. The ability of the new ERP system to interact with the rest of the company’s IT infrastructure is something that must be consider by the company. Learn about the many sorts of APIs that are available.
10. Resolve the customization vs. standardization debate
There is a perpetual battle going on in the ERP industry between customization and standardization. Organizations have frequently tempted to create their own ERP applications in order to better their business processes or user experiences. As more and more customized applications developed. They may pose issues in terms of consistency and adaptability in the long run. Herbert recommends standardization to remain on the vendor road and take advantage of SaaS provides innovation.
Businesses need standards and processes in place to ensure they don’t stray too far from the vendor road while yet being able to customize when it’s in their best interest to do so. In Herbert’s opinion, a split of 80/20 is a valuable benchmark.
