ERP implementation
Many organisations have obtained success through a combination of unique ideas and good working practices. However, more often than not, these two concepts are mistakenly fused when embarking on large-scale ERP implementation projects. This results in complicated systems and project overruns.
Many organisations over complicate their ERP solution without challenging their working practices or ingrained thinking as they succumb to the idea that unique ideas require a unique way of doing things. This often results in a highly customised ERP solution which is limited in its ability to grow and change as the organisation does.
Do not fall into the trap. Organisations can prevent this by adhering to just a few simple rules when embarking on a new ERP project.
Know your goals
When you first embark on your ERP implementation project, it is important to understand the overall goal and objectives of your plan, as these provide the framework of what you will deliver to the organisation.
As part of your analysis and design phase, look at current working practices to understand how much they support your project objectives, and when they do not, ask ‘why?’ By identifying what processes do not support your final goal, you will be able to determine what areas you should focus on changing to achieve your desired solution.
Keep it simple
Your goal and objectives should also support you when identifying and validating your system requirements. There are many occasions when needs identified during the design phase of a project lead to over complicating existing organisational practices and result in additional tasks for the users. Therefore, it is essential to ask what the benefits are from introducing this practice and what extra effort is required to achieve this requirement.
Always a better way
When dealing with gaps in the system or organisational process, remember to determine how big the difference is and how easy it is to resolve with the resources and tools already available to you. More often than not, an organisation will implement a significant change in organisational practice or the system to fill a small gap resulting in high costs and low rewards.
As part of the full Microsoft Dynamics stack, organisations benefit from the use of other Microsoft products that such as PowerApps, Power Automate, and Power BI.
Share your progress
When implementing a new ERP solution, it is critical to engage with users across the organisation to make them aware of what is coming and how they can be involved. Many successful projects pride themselves on participating with users early on in the project to recognise the impact of the change in the organisation. The right partner will support and encourage this engagement at all levels of the organisation, which will result in better user adoption.
Choosing the right technology and the right support partner
The benefit of cloud-based ERP applications such as Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, is that you invest in an evergreen product which Microsoft will continue to improve and develop. Therefore it is essential to take into consideration future Microsoft developments when finalising your choice of ERP solution. Your solution design should be a living and breathing document, which is designed to grow and adapt in the same way your organisation adapts to changes in your organisation and customer markets.
The investment in your Dynamics AX or Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations system is significant, and it needs to be proactively managed by the right support partner to keep up with the pace of change in your organisation and deliver the efficiencies it initially promised.
We are a Microsoft gold ERP partner with over 20 years’ experience of designing, implementing and supporting mission-critical Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations and Dynamics AX projects.
For more information, visit our Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations page.