Why you should consider an ERP implementation partner
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems can be complicated. The larger your organisation, the more complex they become. Having decided to purchase one, you've committed to a significant investment in both time and money. To really get the most out of the system and realise the ROI, you need to get it right from the beginning.
Unfortunately, this often isn't the case. Even though there's recognition of the vital role that ERPs play when it comes to automating and streamlining business processes and providing insights to senior management, many organisations are failing to get the most out of their ERP system because they haven't implemented it properly. In fact, research from analyst firm Gartner suggests that as many as 75% of all ERP implementations are unsuccessful.
The implementation of a new ERP is a huge undertaking. There are a lot of moving parts, and many factors to take into consideration. This is why ERP software vendors often work with ERP implementation partners, so that their customers will get the most out of their new ERP system.
Remember why you've decided to invest in an ERP in the first place—to make everything easier. Done right, you'll experience a positive ROI and business benefits, so you can be sure that you, your teams and your customers are really making the most of the new system. To experience the platform’s full range of benefits, you need the right implementation partner.
Key benefits of partner implementation
The goal of any partner is to ensure that you're getting the most out of your new ERP system, and utilising it to its full capacity. With the right partner on board, your business will experience benefits such as:
- Access to innovation, technology and expertise
A proven, industry-leading partner will be able to provide you with access to the latest kinds of technology and innovation. They'll understand industry best practices, so you can benefit from them. They'll have in-depth, industry-specific knowledge of third party products and new features, and they'll help you decide if they're worth adding to your ERP system. In this way, you'll be using applications that are tailored for your organisation's specific needs, meaning you can reach your goals and objectives faster. - On-going support
ERPs are not set-and-forget. Unless you have an experienced ERP IT team in-house, you will need access to the kind of support you'll only get from an implementation partner. When you have questions, you won't be talking to an off-shore person who doesn't understand your business. Instead, you'll form a lasting relationship with your partner, so that they understand your queries and can respond appropriately. Not only that, but you'll be in a continual dialogue with your partner about improvements you can make to the system. - Migration of data and information
This is particularly true of larger organisations that have been using legacy systems that contain a great deal of important business data. An implementation partner will ensure that data is migrated to the new ERP system, so that it can continue to be used for analysis, insight, and decision-making. All too often, key data is lost when ERP implementations fail, and this can have highly detrimental consequences. - Optimisation of business processes
An implementation partner will ensure your ERP system fulfils its true potential. Just because an ERP is up and running doesn't mean it's successful. Your partner will review the system regularly and pinpoint areas that can be optimised to maximise efficiencies, reduce costs, and help your business reap the full benefits of its new system. - Specialised project management
Your implementation partner will go on to be an essential component to any ERP-related projects. They'll create a detailed outline of how the ERP system will be utilised for the project, and they'll have identified any possible challenges and how to meet them. They'll form a vital part of the project team and make sure the ERP system is ready to play its part. - Staff training
An implementation process should include comprehensive training. It's no good installing a new system if your staff a) don't know how to use it and b) find it intimidating. The whole idea of bringing an ERP on board is to make everyone's lives easier, and an implementation partner will offer in-depth training for everyone on your team. This encourages staff buy-in—which is crucial to success—because they're reassured they're not being left to flounder with a system that seems beyond their capabilities. - Unique industry insights
The right implementation partner will specialise in and have years of experience in select industries. Not only are they very familiar with the industry’s regulations, policies, and new trends, they will have learned many invaluable lessons from past implementations in your industry. They'll also provide a range of great resources, including industry insights, and detailed industry success guides. - Maximising your investment
The only goal of your implementation partner is to see you get the most out of it. You can put your trust into a team of experts who'll ensure that you eliminate costly errors and get your processes running as smoothly and accurately as possible.
What it comes down to is that without the right partner to implement and support your ERP system, it's likely that you won't get the full range of its benefits, which means you're not getting the most out of your investment. Although it's true that while ERP implementation partners may cost more upfront, the innovations and expertise they bring with them will help your business save more money in the long run.
Get the full story on ERPs and how they can benefit your organisation or be in touch and we'll start a discussion around what ERP system would best suit your organisation and get you running efficiently and profitably.
