ERP Implementation and Training Tips
Once a company has purchased an ERP solution, the next step is to implement the actual system. This can be a somewhat daunting prospect, because there’s so many different things to do and a multitude of problems that can occur.
Here are a few ERP implementation and training tips to keep in mind:
1) Write up a detailed schedule
You should always write up a detailed schedule that describes the many things that need to be done in order for the ERP implementation to take place. This will help keep your project from going over budget and give a much better picture for how long it’s going to take – a step that seems like it should just take a few days may actually require far longer to set up.
2) Don’t implement the whole system at once
You should consider taking a phased approach to ERP implementation instead having the entire system go live at the same time. Your employees will have access to the old system during this time period, providing a higher level of security if something should go wrong. You will also have more time to discover hidden glitches in the system before the ERP solution goes live.
3) Work closely with the IT department
Everyone at the business is going to be affected by the ERP solution, but the majority of the changes will be performed by the IT department. You should thus let them deal with the technical side of the situation and trust them if they say a particular approach is unlikely to work.
4) Use different training methods
Training sessions can get extremely monotonous if you don’t vary the methods. In addition to normal classes, consider using online tutorials, hands-on simulations, periods of self-study, and virtual classrooms for interactive learning. Your employees will be more likely to pay attention and grasp the important concepts that they need to know to properly utilize the ERP solution.
5) Compare business processes
Many small businesses don’t bother to show context to employees when training them on how to use an ERP solution. This is generally a mistake, since you can highlight the benefits of the new ERP systems and discuss the problems with the prior solution. If they’re excited about the coming changes, they’ll probably be more eager to learn the ins and outs of the new solution.
6) Take advantage of your subject-matter experts
There’s a fair chance you’ve got a few people at your company who are technology experts. You should take the time to train them extensively before moving on to the rest of the company. They can then assist others who have difficult questions and help the training process run as smoothly as possible.
