Today, more and more companies are choosing to use ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems in their business processes. This solution brings significant efficiencies to the enterprise through savings in cost, workforce, and administration. ERP is software that automates and manages accounting, sales, marketing, and human resources operations. An ERP system connects many business processes in an enterprise and allows them to exchange data, eliminate data duplication and ensure data integrity. This software can help your business save a lot of time and money.
Hybrid and on-premise ERP solutions are available, but more and more companies are opting for cloud ERP platforms. This allows employees to access information regardless of location or device. In addition, this improves data backup and security and will enable organizations to phase out old legacy business software tools.
Starting an ERP implementation is a significant task that opens up many opportunities for your company. But such projects are impressive and can lead to internal resistance.
Top Challenges Faced while Implementing ERP
Although ERP is now ubiquitous and standard for most companies of all sizes, implementing enterprise systems remains challenging as each organization has different needs, processes, and expectations.
ERP implementation challenges depend on several factors, but the main ERP problems are the same across geographies and company sizes. Here are some challenges your organization might face when implementing an enterprise system:
Opposition to Change
Regardless of the size of your business, ERP implementations can be complicated by resistance to change. The introduction of new internal systems always causes anxiety and resistance among employees. A system is a logical, non-living entity that follows analytical procedures and processes as programmed. Still, system users, who are accustomed to the process going in one direction, will find it difficult to switch to a new method, especially if the benefits of adopting the new approach are not immediately apparent. Their biggest fear is losing their job. They fear that this system could replace the previous role entirely.
Additionally, employees fear becoming less valuable and losing control of all business processes and operations. In addition, some groups are unable or unwilling to accept change. All of these reasons lead to resistance to change.
Redoing Processes and Procedures
Installing cloud ERP software gives you an excellent opportunity to reflect on how your work gets done. This allows organizations to scrutinize outdated processes or processes that often use inefficient and obsolete software. An ERP installation is also an opportunity to assess organizational roles and responsibilities. These changes can raise employee concerns, but they are also an opportunity to involve employees at all levels in identifying inefficiencies. Ultimately, an ERP installation is a way to cut costs and eliminate bottlenecks.
Customization Issues
If the ERP system is not flexible enough, the company may need to adapt its processes to ERP to work. This may seem a little outdated. The time and resources it takes to reorganize a business and retrain a naturally reluctant team don’t seem worth it.
However, choosing the right software for your specific needs will ensure seamless integration and eliminate the inflexibility and other challenges of ERP implementations.
Lack of Skills
Once an ERP system is implemented, employee frustration becomes commonplace and can lead to lost productivity. Therefore, no unskilled or semi-skilled employees are allowed on board. In addition, existing teams should receive proper training to become familiar with the software.
Unrealistic Expectations
Unrealistic expectations can ruin your business project. Employees and management mustn’t expect an ERP system to solve all business problems immediately. On the other hand, realistic expectations go a long way. Given this discrepancy between expectations and reality, it is clear that something is lost in translation from when management approves the investment until the company switches on new ERP software. Unfortunately, what seemed achievable at the start of most enterprise software initiatives appears out of reach as these initiatives progress.
Project Management Issues
ERP implementation involves several phases. Discovery and planning, design, development, data migration, testing, deployment, support, and post-launch updates. Each phase has important tasks, and all elements must be on track, which requires careful project management. Additionally, successful ERP implementation requires the participation of all groups involved in developing and using the system. This can be an incredible challenge as each department balances ERP project responsibilities with several other priorities.
Substantial project and people management, including realistic expectations, timelines and milestones, and timely two-way communication, are critical to success. As with change management, the support of executives and other top executives is essential to overcome this challenge.
Folio3’s NetSuite Implementation is An Ultimate Solution for All Your Business Challenges Folio3 has developed extensive know-how in all aspects of the NetSuite ecosystem as a long-term NetSuite partner. We understand the complexity of NetSuite implementations. We can support you through the entire implementation process, from requirements identification to planning to actual performance. Our NetSuite development capabilities also allow us to meet your post-deployment customization needs. Our implementation methodology combines best practices from our own implementation experience with guidelines recommended by NetSuite. We work with you to develop a detailed implementation plan and project timeline, identifying your business needs, potential risks, compliance requirements, etc., to implement your NetSuite solution with minimal disruption.
