ERP: Your Path to Business Transformation

The Challenge

ERP implementations are difficult. It’s helpful to use ERP implementation services to coordinate and manage all the moving parts.

Most manufacturers judge an ERP implementation by the initial expense, ongoing operating or maintenance costs, return on investment, and time-to-value. ERP systems impact almost every aspect of a company, so the success of an implementation is of the utmost importance.

Our team of ERP consultants helps mid-market manufacturers reduce the chance of implementation problems by helping manage complexity, risk, and data integration challenges.

Proven Methodology

Whether your company is switching to a completely new system or undergoing a major upgrade, take advantage of our proven ERP implementation methodology. Our past ERP services have helped reduce the load on company resources.

ERP Implementation Experts

While most mid-market manufacturing companies are lacking in implementation expertise, our team of experts are here for you to leverage for best results. We will supplement your team in all critical focus areas of the project, including:

  • ERP project management
  • Configuring the future state
  • Testing the system with your end-users
  • ERP data conversion
  • Driving performance improvements

When we implement your solution, we become a part of your team

In close collaboration, we work together to deliver a solution that ticks all the boxes. Guided by strong project controls, our ERP implementation team works with your budget, timeline and requirements – providing full ERP consulting services and onsite training so you know how to make your system work for you.

Plan

We become a part of your team. Working with you, we define project scope, governance, timeframes and key milestones. We know change is inevitable and that’s why we implement solutions that can adapt when change happens.

Design

With a collaborative approach, our design phase is all about discussion. Documenting all your requirements, we make sure we tick off all your boxes, have a solid design framework and define any ROI and KPIs required. With complete control, you get confidently sign off on the solution so we can ensure you get the right solution for your organization.

Build

Our Assisted Build approach means we work together as we build your solution. This unique approach provides each client’s teams the understanding and ability to drive and participate in each stage. An organic approach, we allow for adjustments to be identified and made as circumstances change.

Test

A strong test phase is a crucial part of any ERP implementation success. Our team guides you through key test phases, provides template test scenarios and coaches your team on how to run effective testing within the business. With leading testing software, we build user stories and track real time results, so we can perfect your solution and ensure a seamless and successful deployment.

Deploy

When it comes to deployment, our ERP consulting services team work with you to develop a deployment strategy, training and communications plan. Understanding your unique needs, we advise your team on the best process to carry over a successful data migration and are always available to provide support when you need it.

IT Solutions & Services

From client engagement to technology implementation to service delivery, our IT Solutions and Services give you access to our proficiency in advanced technologies and proven practices along the entire IT life cycle.

We deliver innovative solutions, allowing clients to embrace the technologies that stimulate their companies’ future growth. We build innovative IT infrastructure solution and support services, along with application and security services using both cloud and traditional technologies, combined with collective business, technical and industry expertise. From client engagement to technology implementation to service delivery, we give you access to our proficiency in advanced technologies and proven practices along the entire IT life cycle.

What is ERP?

ERP refers to ‘Enterprise Resource Planning’ software which integrates various functions of a business into a single unified system. A business, irrespective of size, has to deal with various function like purchase management, sales management, material management, payroll etc. Having a separate system to manage each of these functions is a nightmare. Here is why Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software helps the business.

Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) systems bind various functions of the business into a single database. The following are some of the important business functions you can manage using ERP software.

What is an ERP Implementation Process?

An ERP system manages all the important functions of a company from end to end. This includes finances, inventory, sales, human resources, and other related components. It helps manage and connect all the company’s departments so that there is a seamless and instant flow of data. When implemented correctly, ERP can improve productivity, turnaround times, efficiency, and employee satisfaction. ERP also reduces red pate and slow processes caused by the slow movement of data across the departments and different functions of the company. 

The process of planning, configuring, and deploying an ERP system in a company is called ERP implementation. This can be as short as a few weeks and as long as a few months depending on the size and complexity of the company’s operations. ERP implementation is a longer process because it affects multiple functions within the company. 

ERP implementation has the best results when the company chooses a less busy time to do it. The company should also be clear about its requirements so that there is a detailed design and configuration process and extensive testing before the actual deployment. Keeping the implementation on schedule requires a structured and disciplined approach to the design as well as the implementation of the software.

10 Steps of Successful ERP Implementation

What Are the Benefits of ERP Software Systems?

By integrating various facets of the business, it optimizes the efficiency at which you manage your business and immensely contributes to profitability. The following are some of the benefits of ERP software.

  • You only need one system to manage all your business functions. This will save a lot of money which you would potentially invest in buying multiple software systems, tools, applications etc.
  • Since it is designed to have a single database, it allows all the users operating at different functions to work faster. Thereby, the efficiency of each function increase
  • By automating the various process, it saves a lot of time and efforts involved in managing the business process and computing it
  • All the reports and statements are system generated
  • Gives a complete view of the business and insights for confident business decisions

How long does an ERP implementation take?

There is no one size fits all time frame for ERP implementation. It could take 4 to 6 months and longer than that for a larger company. The factors that affect the time ERP implementation time are:

  • Company size
  • The number of locations and countries it is operated in
  • The process complexities
  • Employee headcount
  • Amount of information that needs to be integrated into the system
  • Number of users
  • Type of industry

A smaller business implementation could easily be done in a few weeks. It is easier to reduce the time frame of implementation when the specifications are clear and detailed, the data migrated is less and easily available, and the ERP system chosen is easily customized to suit different applications. The data should be clean and well tidied. It is also essential that the people in the company be involved and coordinated in the implementation and that key personnel are available when the implementation process is happening. 

FAQ:

1What is the ERP implementation life cycle?

The ERP implementation life cycle is the time taken to deploy an ERP software system in a company. It covers all the processes from the first planning stage to the final deployment and maintenance. The time taken to deploy an ERP system is highly dependent on the company size, process complexity, and other factors described above. The process can take from a few weeks to months. 

The stages of an ERP implementation are:

  •  Define scope and objectives: A company that defines precisely what is required from the ERP system makes the ERP implementation cycle easier
  •  Select the right ERP system: There are many different ERP systems with a range of capabilities. Selecting the right one can make your ERP implementation and usage easy and gain you all the benefits of ERP. TallyPrime is an ERP software that is designed to be very customizable and has been implemented in many different companies across the globe. Its adaptability and the experience of the deploying team make the ERP life cycle short and effective
  •  Create an implementation plan: Work with the company team members to create an implementation plan that will suit the company
  •  Define phases of implementation: Define the steps of implementation and inform all the personnel involved so that they will be fully prepared with all the required data and information
  •  Make an urgent doable schedule: The quicker the ERP system is implemented across all the modules, the less it will inconvenience any departments. So, speed up the implementation schedule to be as quick as possible without sacrificing accuracy and efficiency
  •  Make a communication plan: When the personnel know who to contact and when there will be better cooperation and quicker implementation of the new system
  •  Arrange mid-way approvals: Approvals by key members at each stage makes the process easier
  •  Plan your testing: Testing should be carried out only after sufficient test data and the system is widely deployed. So, plan the testing schedule for the best results
  •  Migrate business data: Data should be migrated correctly and completely
  •  Prepare for the change: Prepare all the personnel who will be using the system for the change in process by migrating to the new ERP system
  •  Plan your go-live: An exciting and festive go-live builds goodwill and creates a positive mindset in all the people who will use it
  • Support and maintenance: A great ERP provider will give their clients quick and effective support. They will be open to feedback
2When is the best time to implement ERP software?

The time that you choose to implement an ERP system is very important but often an overlooked factor. To successfully implement the ERP software you must choose the ideal time to implement it. Some of the best times are:

Less busy times: When everyone is busy, implementing an ERP system will get in their way. There will be precious little time and attention given to the new system. Choosing to implement when business is slow will ensure that you get the full attention of all the people who will use the system. This will enhance the implementation success rate. 

New financial year: The end of a financial year is a very busy time. But starting a new financial year on a new system ensures that there is less data that needs to be transferred to the new ERP system. Implementation of an ERP system too close to the financial year will create two sets of data to generate reports from, making financial accounting and management more complicated than it needs to be. 

Implement in installments: If you foresee that the learning curve will be steep for the users of the ERP system, implement in stages. This gives the company’s personnel time to get comfortable with the new system before implementing the next stage. 

Smaller businesses first: When a company has multiple locations and businesses in the group, implement the smaller ones first. This ensures that there are fewer big issues and that all potential issues are ironed out before deployment in the larger businesses. 

Implement in a settled organizational structure: The success of an ERP system depends on the people using it. If the company is in the middle of a human resource churn and is hiring many people, it will become more difficult to define the roles of each user and train them. It is best to implement and train when the majority of personnel are settled in their roles. Vacation times when key personnel are not available also make implementation difficult.

3What is the last phase of an ERP implementation?

The last step in ERP implementation is support and maintenance. This is the most important and continuing phase that ensures that the system serves its purpose and achieves all the company’s goals. Always choose an ERP system such as TallyPrime that has a robust and quick support network that will give you complete support and handholding whenever you need it. The support phase is also important for the ERP provider to get valuable feedback from clients that will help them continually refine the ERP system.