ERP software can be implemented in different ways, and different companies use different methods however the main way is for companies to use ERP consultants to manage their ERP project.
ERP implementations have a reputation for being expensive, complex, and technically difficult. But ERP is now very common in that the business software is accessible at virtually every price point and industry.
ERP implementations are different from ordinary IT projects. A project often has to deal with legal, tax, accounting, and regulatory requirements, and it can run in different environments ranging from Windows to mainframes to smartphones.
As a result, it make the ERP world is a complicated place meaning many implementations are completed through the use of these ERP consultants.
But even with all the complexity, it is possible to do an ERP implementation successfully, so some businesses still employee in-house IT departments to manage implementations - but the majority work with consultants.
There are thousands of vendors, all competing with each other. Most of them are small or midsize operations that build customized software. A few are large, like SAP, Oracle, or PeopleSoft, which sell packaged software. ERP software then comes in many varieties. Some systems run on a single server, while others run on a big mainframe. Some vendors specialize in small, simple systems, while others specialize in complex, big systems. Each vendor sets up a business process, and presents its software as a set of steps needed to achieve that process.
But what generally are the stages of implementation?
What are the stages of implementation?
With your team assembled, the stages of implementation come into play. The stages are as follows:
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Discovery: Processes that help define the need, vision, scope of the project, and obtain commitment from the customer to continue
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Plan & Monitor: Processes that involve developing a strategy to complete the work, as well as measure the progress and take corrective action as required (this occurs throughout the entire process)
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Analyze: Processes (a more detailed level of discovery) that involve gathering detailed requirements and analyzing the client’s business needs
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Build: Processes that carry out the tasks identified in the strategy
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Stabilize: Processes to ensure a solution meets the client’s requirements and is ready for full deployment to a live production environment—this also includes a client’s readiness to use the solution
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Deploy: Processes that will deploy the solution to a production environment.
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Post Go Live: Processes that are in place to support the client once they are live on the solution, which lead to project closure