Company CIOs or CTOs or IT managers jump into conclusions that an ERP can resolve all technical issues of a business. However ,despite several companies investing huge sum in ERP application they do not get desired befits. This can be attributed to hesitant employee attitude and lack of proper planning.
A successful ERP implementation is one of the most difficult tasks to be achieved compared to adopting it as a business enhancement. It involves several people and coordination. It also requires significant investment. If it is mismanaged huge losses are incurred. There are several risks associated with executing this software in a large or medium or small company. Some companies do a phase by phase implementation and some do it at a stretch.
If it is done phase wise , there would be less mistakes. If it is done at one stage , committing mistakes would make it impossible to go back to the old form. A point of no return comes after which it is not easy to go back. As a Construction ERP integrates various department ,failure somewhere can affect others too. It is difficult to do a back-to-back testing. Even if there is a complete testing , a risk of ,things not integrating well always remains. In large organization implementing such an integrated application in several stages is much beneficial than doing it all at once. Otherwise stresses the IT department.
Several surveys that have been conducted in this regard indicate that ERP implementation is a tough task and the success of the application depends on its smooth accomplishment. In a way when your company is integrating with ERP ,there is a shift from known to the unknown. It is difficult to change the traditional business practices. Whatever it is, any new thing when introduced, resistance is nothing uncommon. In order to execute a smooth transition, the processes that needs change would have to be recognized as well as be prepared to accept and incorporate it. The entire organization needs to get ready for it. It takes time for the impact to settle in.
An expert’s help is very much needed. Their experience makes the implementation process easy. Training is one of the major factors that needs to be considered. There takes place a knowledge transfer as when the employees are trained they gain sufficient information regarding the integrated system. Just installing an ERP does not end the project. Problems might arise after that too.
Whether one or multiple modules are being employed, consistency should be there else tracking would be difficult. Despite facing several challenges in executing the most beneficial application companies are adopting it else business transparency cannot be achieved. A change cannot happen overnight and this fact has to be considered by all who are involved in this process. To conclude IT managers should intelligently approach this else pitfalls are bound to occur.
