Maestro Technologies - Intelligent management software for the construction industry.

Practical advice for a successful implementation

Successfully implementing an ERP system in a company depends on a number of factors. Acquiring a solution that appropriately meets the basic requirements of the company is essential, but there is more to it than this. The company and the consultant who works with them on the implementation must follow an appropriate procedure to complete the project and meet the objectives set at the start.

Below are some principles to be respected to ensure the success of the project:

The objectives pursued by the company, in the context of implementing an ERP system, must be clearly established. Ideally, measurable indicators will be defined before and after to monitor and observe the results actually obtained.

A project coordinator must be clearly identified and have the time necessary to devote to the project. He will report to management, to which he will provide regular progress reports and from which he will receive support to resolve the inevitable difficulties and problems encountered in this type of project.

It should be noted that active participation by key representatives from each of the departments involved in the implementation of the ERP system is also essential. ERPs are configurable tools that must be adapted to each company by thinking about the choices, taking into account the requirements of the company and the capabilities of the system. Neither the software, nor the implementation consultant can find all the right answers for the company.

The project must be properly planned. This means that the various phases must be determined and scheduled. Additionally, appropriate resources must be made available, their roles and responsibilities must be known.

Key business processes must be described and the company must have a good idea of the improvements it wants to make by implementing an ERP system. Processes can be reviewed and changes determined during discussions with the implementation consultant, who will propose various potential scenarios to the company.

Questions, irritants, problems or shortcomings encountered in the context of the project must be documented to ensure that responsibility for resolving them and schedules are clearly established. It is easier for the implementation consultant to find solutions if problems are well defined and discussed. These solutions are often already available in the application or modifications can be made to the software.

Objectives, decisions made during the project and processes must be documented for future consultation.

All of these components do not always exist in successful implementations, but they significantly increase the chances for success of the project if they are followed and respected.