June 14, 2021
Implement Business Central, the best ERP system available, with the help of JourneyTEAM, a Microsoft Gold Partner.
Why are you considering implementing an ERP system? What are the benefits? How is an ERP system going to benefit your processes and your teams? There’s always a risk in implementing an ERP system as it involves taking current business processes and changing or disrupting them. Additionally, moving to an ERP system involves disconnecting current technologies and applications and reattaching them which can be risky.
Despite the risk, there are a number of business cases that warrant migrating to an ERP system. This technology provides businesses with essential processes and information and are a key foundation to any growing business. Plus, with today’s ecosystem of connectivity and the constant sharing and sending of electronic information, ERP systems enable organizations to manage this wealth of information with complete control.
Below, we’ll review JourneyTEAM’s top tips for successfully implementing an ERP system as well as how our straightforward process ensures a smooth migration. Finally, we’ll discuss how our Business Central Sherpa Program helps you balance the risk and cost of a successful ERP deployment.
A Successful Journey to the Summit: 4 Tips for Implementing an ERP System
I’m an avid mountain climber. It’s something I did growing up with my dad and have since begun doing with my own kids. Recently, my daughter and I traveled to Red Rock, Nevada to climb the Cat in the Hat route. I was more skeptical about this climb than my daughter, but we started the route anyway, led by someone who had done the climb numerous times. The last part of this climb involves following a very small crack to get on top of this pinnacle. We were about 1,500 feet in the air and my daughter was loving it. I was more nervous, focusing only on my hands and getting to the top rather than looking around.
When we made it to the top, I remember thinking that I would not have attempted that climb without having a trusted advisor or the experience. Having that advisor with us who had the proper training, knowledge, and tools to keep us safe was the only reason we did that climb.
And it’s the same with implementing an ERP system. It’s never recommended to try to implement an ERP system without a trusted advisor who has the right knowledge and experience. These projects are complex and risky enough on their own. You want that advisor to help you navigate the complexity and reduce the impact on your business.
At JourneyTEAM, we have more than15 years of experience with ERP migrations with 90% of them in finance, supply chain and warehouse management, and implementations. Because we’ve done these projects multiple times, we’ve created a list of tips to ensure a successful journey to the summit of implementing an ERP.
Determine Your Flag Plant
Before you start this project, you must determine your flag plant or the ‘why’ behind your project. If you’re going to climb this mountain and get to the top, what would the flag you plant at the top say? Defining the ‘why’ helps both internal and external teams know the target and direction of the project as well as why you’re doing certain things. Additionally, because an ERP system changes business processes and how people do things, clearly explaining the purpose behind it increases user adoption.
One example of a flag plant comes from one of our clients—company X. This specific company reached a certain point in its growth and their current ERP system was not able to adjust to that growth or volume increase, especially as Company X went international. Because of this, the business couldn’t meet market demand, so they needed to migrate to a better ERP system. Understanding the reasons behind migrating to a new system helped users get on board with the project and ensured a successful implementation.
Process First, Then Technology
A system that has only inaccurate or incomplete data is very hard to manage. That’s why you must focus on ensuring business items, bills, materials, and inventory is up-to-date and accurate. Even with the latest technology and software, it’s crucial to ensure that you strike the right balance between efficiency and complexity. Oftentimes a company will implement the latest technology or new business processes that complicate flows or add a number of checks and balances. Understanding what your business processes are is the first step to implementing the right technology.
Staff the Right People
Determining who should be on your implementation team is crucial. You want a team that will help you climb that mountain—people who will get you to that next checkpoint and be an asset, not a hindrance, to your team.
Look for people who are process-oriented. These people understand your business processes from end to end and can help successfully knit together the various features and flows throughout your business. Plus, process-oriented individuals are usually curious and look to push the status quo. They embrace new best practices or processes with ease.
Strategic individuals are also a good addition to your team. They’ll see the bigger picture or end goal and know how to work in smaller pieces. An ERP implementation is all about looking at the overall picture and where your company is going and ensuring that’s accommodated while you’re building the ecosystem.
Find the Right Methodology and Governance Structure
There’s no shortage of ways to implement an ERP system; however, it’s critical to take time to find one that’s right for your specific business needs. You want to make sure you choose a methodology that manages risks, issues, and tasks.
Examine your current business processes, software, technology, and team members. You’ll also want to determine the budget, speed, and possible risks of the project. Evaluating your current business governance data structure, company health, and migration risk will determine whether you take a phased, traditional, or turnkey approach. This will also help you figure out what amount of support you need from outside parties.
JourneyTEAM’s Proven Business Central Delivery Methodology
At JourneyTEAM, we’ve worked with hundreds of clients on ERP implementations, each requesting various levels of support. We’ve assisted companies who lacked the experience necessary to implement Microsoft Business Central ERP that effectively tracks revenue and product orders and helped them build something from the ground up. We’ve also provided more experienced companies with upgrades or migrations by offering guidance or assistance when needed.
Regardless of the amount of support you need, JourneyTEAM strives to follow industry best practices and processes to ensure a successful implementation, migration, or upgrade to Microsoft Business Central. We do this by following a carefully constructed process:
Project Initiation and Kickoff: Together, we’ll review your sales and delivery processes and business needs to ensure that Business Central is the right choice for your business. This ensures you can take advantage of the features within Business Central and that it provides the right balance between efficiency and simplicity.
Discovery Requirement Planning: After a rigorous initiation and thorough understanding of your needs, we dive deeper into your requirements. This is where we’ll dive deeper into your business processes, requirements, and create a detailed milestone plan with the appropriate approach for your business.
For example, we’ve worked with companies who wanted to implement a new system all at once and we’ve helped them do this in a single phase. With others, we’ve done a phased approach where finances went live first then warehousing, manufacturing, or job costing. Essentially, this phase is where a thorough analysis of processes, understand the constraints is done and a plan is constructed.
Execution Phases with Agile: With a plan in place, we’ll begin the execution phase. We take an agile approach with two-week sprints where we focus only on completing those tasks. During this time frame, we’ll provide a series of workshops to aid with implementation and ensure the system is ready to go live.
User Acceptance Testing and Go Live: Before a go-live occurs, the thorough end-to-end testing of your product is completed by our team. We’ll start with a customer order and follow it throughout the pipeline—from purchase all the way to shipping. We’ll also complete phase two and three tests to ensure the system is performing correctly.
Project Finalization and Closure: After the go-live, you’ll verify that production is complete and we’ll complete a project retrospective. During this retrospective, we’ll set up future support and ensure you have everything required to be successful.
Deploy with Confidence
ERP implementation is not an easy task. The process varies significantly from business to business which is why it’s critical to choose a methodology that supports your unique goals. JourneyTEAM’s Business Central Sherpa Program leverages our proven methodology to help you achieve the right balance between cost and risk. Additionally, you’ll have access to expert Microsoft Dynamics Business Central implementation guides and consultants, ensuring you successfully implement, deploy, or upgrade with ease.
Regardless of the type of implementation or upgrade you’re looking to achieve with Business Central, JourneyTEAM has the expertise and knowledge needed to carry it out. We’ve been helping thousands of organizations with ERP implementations since 1993 and have recently been awarded Microsoft’s Partner of the Year and the Cyrstal Eagle Award.
Contact a JourneyTEAM representative today to discuss your Business Central implementation, migration, or upgrade plan. We’ll take you through the infallible process and get you started on the path to success.
For any additional questions, please contact Journeyteam at (801) 565-9199.
Why JourneyTEAM
JourneyTEAM is an award-winning consulting firm with proven technology and measurable results. As a Microsoft Gold Partner, we have extensive knowledge of each of Microsoft’s products including Dynamics 365, SharePoint intranet, Office 365, Azure, CRM, GP, NAV, SL, AX, and can help you tailor the software to fit the exact needs of your organization. We have solutions for sales, marketing, productivity, collaboration, analytics, accounting, security, and more. JourneyTEAM specializes in the industries of Finance, Media & Communications, Capital Equipment, Manufacturing, Installation, and Service. Whether you’re looking for total project support or someone to help you along the way, JourneyTEAM will provide the exact level of support you need.