Going live with your new cloud ERP implementation is a major achievement and should be appreciated in the moment. Considering the sheer range of things that can potentially go wrong and the monumental cost of ERP-related failures, having the project successfully cross the finish line – ideally on time and under budget — is indeed good cause for celebration. But what happens next?
ERP success is not a one-off activity, especially in the context of an ambitious project such as the digital transformation of your supply chain. Ongoing reviews and improvements are essential to maintaining the gains from the new system. In this post, we’ll look at some necessary post-implementation steps to take for the best long-term results.
An ERP is forever: Why the work doesn’t stop when you go live
Think about the scope of an ERP overhaul — all the different systems and applications that need to be updated, secured and connected to the right services. The average cost of an implementation for a midsized enterprise can range up to $750,000 according to one assessment.
Given the costs and overall complexity, it’s no surprise that even if it successfully goes live, it will still need constant attention. There are many worthwhile reasons for continuously investing time, effort and money into it, and they include:
Preserving knowledge
Lack of institutional knowledge is a prime cause of ERP failure. People forget how the system works, leading to costly mistakes and oversights. Accordingly, it’s important to document everything soon after the ERP goes live, so that you can capture that lightning in a bottle. That way, you will extend the life of the ERP system by ensuring teams can navigate it even when the consultants and employees who initially worked on its setup have moved on.
Bringing new hires up to speed
It’s safe to assume that employees hired after the ERP go-live date will not know how the implementation works. That’s why many organizations rely on manuals and training courses to educate them on the system’s inner workings. However, it’s more efficient to offer on-demand support from experts who either directly worked on the project or were closely connected to it. Having the well-preserved knowledge as described above will help with this onboarding.
Accelerating technical support
By setting up consistent and scalable support processes after the ERP is up and running, you can avoid long delays on support tickets. If technical support specialists don’t have ready access to knowledge about how the ERP works, they might feel compelled to improvise, resulting in inaccurate answers that can damage your operations. Well-designed, easy-to-follow trainings supported by robust institutional knowledge help put the support team in an optimal position.
Keeping software up-to-date
Cyberattacks are a fact of life for many organizations. They can lead to data breaches that result in thousands or even millions of dollars in reputational damage, regulatory penalties and lost business. Promptly applying security patches and other software updates is one of the most reliable ways to fend off known threats. Doing so is only possible with a proper governance strategy. Pay attention to IT’s current commitments and if they have the necessary resources to ensure that all infrastructure is as secure as possible.
How to keep your ERP implementation on track
As experts in integrated supply chains, the Inspirage team has deep experience in assisting clients before, during and after their ERP go-live dates. We can guide you post go-live, whether you need help with cloud migration, incorporation of technologies such as IoT and blockchain, or the setup of a hybrid IT system. Learn more by visiting our Resource Center or contacting a member of our team.
