Key Tips for a Seamless ERP Integration

Every decision your organization faces is there so that you can accomplish your desired result - and a new ERP implementation and training strategy is no different. If you’re transitioning from an older system, consider what you want changed. If you’re implementing ERP for the first time, consider what you want to accomplish in doing so. Make specific lists of these goals, and start doing some preliminary research on unbiased sites to see what options are available. Make a comprehensive plan studying the scope and objectives for your system’s ERP integration. 

Our cloud ERP software overview and our guide to choosing the right ERP solution are assets for proper ERP research.

One piece of information that can help you get started off on the right foot is understanding that there are a number of different hosting options. Are you going to be hosting your software on-site? This has been the norm in the past, but ERP cloud hosting and SaaS (Software as a Service) has broadened your options considerably.

While the manufacturing industry has predominantly adopted ERP systems, the frequency of non-manufacturing industries using ERP have also increased in recent years. Therefore, the industry your business operates in can also determine hosting options – which are best discussed with your ERP vendor, to determine which is best for your business’s unique requirements.

ERP software and successful ERP integration can be used to manage a vast array of different enterprise functions, and many people simply don’t know the true advantages of ERP software, and what it is (and isn’t) capable of. Why miss out on streamlining your organization, being more efficient, or avoiding a potential roadblock because you don’t know what’s out there, or how to use it effectively? 

A new ERP implementation is precisely what consultations are for. Especially, using the experts of your industry and organization, you can achieve a much more valuable experience during your smooth ERP integration process. The experts at hand will also be able to address and resolve ERP implementation issues, should they arise – thereby giving your business all the support it needs for successful ERP integration.

By its very nature, ERP software is required to integrate with some of your other systems. Cloud CRM software and ERP integration, for example, is of the utmost importance for most companies. Consult with an expert and research on your own to determine which ERP solutions are compatible with your current systems. It is necessary that you clearly identify and comprehend your system and the ERP integration requirements for effective results and user participation.

This is a good time to revisit your enterprise architecture strategies. Are there systems and processes that need to be changed to meet your goals of adopting ERP? Doing so in conjunction with your new ERP integration roll-out can save you from future headaches. This may seem time-taking and cumbersome, but it is a significant investment in your seamless ERP integration process. Once you have successfully aligned your ERP integration goals with the scope and structure of your organization’s core processes, you can hope for a worry-less ERP integration for your enterprise.

Your current goals are one thing, but what’s on your (and your various departments’) ERP wish lists? While incorporating absolutely everything you want on the first ERP integration might not be feasible for a variety of reasons, identify the enhancements you’d like to work toward to ensure that the ERP features you choose and the method of ERP integration allow for the possibility of scaling them in the future. When figuring out your ERP integration process, it is vital that you don’t perform the complete ERP integration at once. This way you can gather research and studies for a smoother ERP integration process, and work on hidden glitches as well. 

IT isn’t the only department that needs to be involved in your ERP interface design, ERP implementation, and ERP integration. When you’re assembling your team for this critical project, be sure to include representatives from all parts of your organization. That way, you’ll be able to incorporate a variety of different perspectives and head off department-specific challenges. It is significant to prioritize processes, but for a smooth ERP integration, you must involve all the functional areas of your enterprise. 

Another advantage of a multi-departmental team is the ease with which you can compose an effective communication strategy. One of the most important factors influencing an efficient, successful ERP integration is successfully communicating with the organization at large. If your ERP integration is taking place in combination with a CRM, then your business’s CX strategy can also be added to this mix, so that your employees’ objectives are aligned to offer an unmatched quality of service to your customers.

Of course, that communication also needs to translate into something more: training. Once you’ve chosen your ERP software and are planning for a seamless ERP integration, work with your team (and possibly a consultant) to develop a training plan that sets your users up for success. Using real-time collaboration tools, conducting task management on the cloud, and creating a professional Gantt chart are some out of many efficient ways of tracking progress, while determining the duration that each training step will take.

Quantifiable goals can help fuel success. Once you launch and achieve complete ERP integration, choose a predetermined date to address whether or not you’ve been meeting your stated goals. Assemble your team and discuss how to improve. To track all of this, managers can project management software to lead teams effectively, by assigning tasks to the right members for greater transparency and accountability.