For many businesses, going live on their new ERP system is perceived as the project’s grand achievement and they assume that the process is complete. This can wrongly lead to adopting a “set and forget” mentality, which is not best practice. It’s important to remember that going live is not really the end of your project; it’s only the beginning.
Having invested so much time and money in researching, selecting, and implementing your ERP system, it’s in your business’ interest to make the most of this powerful software solution by finding different ways you and your team can mould it into the digital fabric of your business. This will enable you to continually drive efficiencies and add value to your business long after the Go Live date.
Why is it so important to review your ERP system?
Your ERP system is at the heart of your business operations. It has all your business information flowing through its veins, and requires regular checks and maintenance to ensure it’s running smoothly.
It’s important to ensure your ERP system is still driving efficiency, utilising all the latest technology, and supporting the users. Allowing your ERP system to continue running without checking that it’s serving a purpose would be a mistake for overall business efficiency.
How can I review my ERP System?
Performing appraisals of your ERP system doesn’t need to be overcomplicated. There are some regular checks you can make to ensure your system is in the best shape for your business. In this guide, we’ve set out five simple steps to follow to easily appraise your ERP system.
1. Look at what has changed in your business in the previous 12 months
Identify any new growing pains that have emerged in the last year. Review the number of new customers added, accounts and business lost or removed and look at any new technological changes that have emerged in your industry over the year. Has your strategic direction changed? Are there any regulatory or industry changes you need to adapt to? Are there any new business processes that you have or wish to adopt in the business?
Are your employees utilising your ERP system to accommodate these changes or are they working outside the system? If the answer to this is yes, then it’s time to configure your system to accommodate these changes or invest in an additional module to ensure a culture of system workarounds does not become embedded in your organisation.
2. ERP Training – Keep your staff well trained
There are a wide range of features and capabilities contained within your ERP system that employees might not have gotten to grips with during the Go Live phase. This is 100% normal as the focus at Go Live is ensuring everyday trading is functioning optimally. It’s often 6-8 months later when employees are ready to start exploring the additional features and functions your system can provide to make their job easier and ultimately add value to the business. At Intact, this is where we begin to develop a post go-live optimisation strategy.
The more educated your employees become, the better oiled, automated, and efficient your business will become. As a customer of Intact Software, you have access to regular training courses at our Dundalk and Hemel Hempstead offices designed to provide your employees with the skills and knowledge they need to master their use of Intact iQ.
Your Intact iQ or Intact Xline online learning portal is your central location for all Intact related information, troubleshooting guides and training resources. Updated constantly, your solution hub provides you with the learning resources to extract more value from your Intact solution. It’s also a great resource for onboarding new staff with ready access to all training manuals and the e-Learning Academy video courses. From our vast knowledge base to training videos, documentation, training manuals, release notes, and more, it’s all there in your Hub. In one place. And at your fingertips.
Looking to get more out of your ERP training? Our extensive training methods can provide everything you need to master your Intact system, pre- and post-go-live.
3. Is your hardware slowing you down?
Technology is always improving. Over time it’s inevitable that your current equipment will need replacing. Is any of your hardware on its last legs? Does processing documentation still happen as fast as it used to or are you experiencing lag? Do you experience regular system crashes and need to reboot the system?
These types of issues are the warning signs that something needs to be checked or upgraded. Your business depends on the IT systems and the hardware, so it’s worth keeping it in top condition.
If you are experiencing any hardware or IT system issues, get in touch with your vendor. They will advise you on the most appropriate solution(s) required to ensure your system is running as smooth and efficiently as possible.
Performing an annual review of your ERP software is essential for ensuring that your business is utilising the system effectively. However, it’s equally as important to review your IT infrastructure to ensure it can support your ERP software’s requirements. This review
should include an all-round assessment of the IT infrastructure, including the hardware, network, and security protocols. It should also involve evaluating your backup and disaster recovery processes to ensure that they are robust and capable of restoring your ERP system in case of a failure. Conducting an annual IT infrastructure review will help you identify any weaknesses or potential issues and proactively address them to prevent system downtime or data loss, ensuring your ERP system operates efficiently and effectively.
4. Identify ERP system improvements
Your employees can be a valuable asset when it comes to helping your ERP system work better for your business. They can provide suggestions as the end users dealing with the system every day. Your employees should have a good idea of what’s currently working, and areas that could be improved.
Additionally, your customers and vendors (who have connections with your system) can often be asked for feedback. They can offer unique insights or suggest improvements on how you can improve the process or configure the system to deliver enhanced productivity.
With many modern ERP systems, it’s even possible to make continuous process improvements yourself. When you can’t, you’ll need to work with your vendor’s customer success team to plan out, schedule and cost any improvements to your system.
5. Install ERP system upgrades
Modern, flexible ERP solutions never stop evolving. For instance, the agile process the development team at Intact Software use means that they are regularly improving the software with new releases issued every quarter. Our software releases always contain new features and modules and as we focus on a core range of industries it is very likely that these additions will add value to your business.
Like children who outgrow their shoes, month on month, year on year, your business requirements will always be growing and changing and may need the added boost of the latest cutting-edge technology.
Upgrading your ERP system to the latest version will help keep your software sharp and agile enough to adapt to your business growth.
Is your business’ ERP system overdue a review? Get in touch with our team for a free demo and to find out more.
