Every company lays special emphasis on their ERP software go-live. The companies that are successful gain immense benefits from it. But, not all ERP go-lives happen smoothly.
According to 360o Cloud Solutions, as much as 29% of ERP implementations are not successful. There can be many reasons for this, but the most important one is the lack of planning.
Real estate ERP go-lives start much before the actual date of rolling out the software. For a smooth go-live, it is essential to understand your goals, plan and strategize. Even after implementation, you need to maintain your ERP software accordingly. So, here is an ultimate guide on how to ensure a smooth ERP go-live.
Before implementation
How successful your ERP go-live depends on how well you planned the process. ERP implementations take time. Large companies take an average of 23 weeks for ERP software selection. Many organizations hire outsourcing companies to prepare for ERP go-live. Your preparation phase should include the following steps:
Strategize
There are different approaches to ERP software implementation. Depending on the company’s goals, you can either bring the entire ERP software live on a single day. Or, you can divide the implementation into stages. In any case, it is essential to decide an estimated date for the go-live. This can help you plan the steps and duration taken for the implementation. RPA tools are also essential if you want to automate multiple features.
Test
The importance of testing in ERP go-live cannot be stressed enough. Testing brings out the problems in your software by subjecting it to various situations. This is to avoid future mishaps under similar scenarios. Testing involves several aspects:
Workflow: Since the software will deal with varying amounts of data, testing workflow is very important. How much data does the system handle smoothly? Can it process large amounts of data simultaneously? These are some of the criteria against which the software is tested.
Backup: Backups save all your data in case the ERP system fails. While testing the software, it is also important to test the backup. Other than ensuring the backup runs smoothly, you also get an estimate of the resources you will need.
Hardware: Along with software testing, you also need to test the hardware and network connections. These are also an integral part of ERP implementation.
Train
A successful ERP go-live not only depends on the software but also on its users. According to SoftwarePath, 26% of the company’s employees use the ERP system. These employees need to be competent in software usage to avoid any glitches and mishandling. Before starting with the training, each employee requires a user role. Depending on their responsibilities, they need to undergo job-specific training in addition to general software knowledge. For example, every employee needs to have a basic understanding of how the software works. Apart from that, the training should be different for developers, programmers, or any other role assigned. Your training also needs to be software-specific. If you are using UiPath for integration, you need to provide UiPath training to the relevant employees.
In addition to training, you need to work closely with your employees to clear any queries and doubts. Employee readiness is equally important for the go-live to function smoothly.
Prepare data
Your older system contains a lot of data that isn’t useful. Instead of directly feeding this data into the newer ERP system, it is important to eliminate bad data. Old or duplicate records need to be removed before moving the data to the new system. The data should also be made compatible with the ERP system. Make sure that only valid data enters the ERP system.
Implementation
After taking all the necessary actions, you can move on to the actual ERP go-live. By rigorous testing and training, you can ensure a smooth implementation. Set realistic goals for the go-live and check how many goals have been met. Successful real estate ERP go-live is great progress, but it is not the last step of ERP implementation. After the go-live, there are several steps you need to take to ensure your ERP runs as smoothly as the first day.
After implementation
Real estate ERP systems require timely maintenance to function properly. Some of the steps you can take to avoid any software problems are:
Monitor
As the company grows, you need to monitor your ERP system’s performance. The goals of the company are also redefined along with its growth. Check if the software can keep up with the increasing workload. Take feedback from users of different roles to optimize your software. Ensure that it meets the main goal of implementing ERP --efficiency. By constantly monitoring the performance of the software, you can detect glitches and malfunctions early on.
Analyze
ERP systems generate huge amounts of data that can be used to the company’s advantage. Only 5% of organizations effectively utilize ERP to generate high-quality data. This data can be used to analyze company performance and generate valuable insights. Continuously evaluate the data generated by your software and analyze important data. Through accurate analysis, you can plan your finances and investments for higher ROI.
Upgrade
As technology grows, software systems also need to be upgraded on time. With the growth of the company, the ERP software needs to be scaled accordingly. A software upgrade lets you add new features or expand your initial project accordingly.
Assetsoft can ensure a smooth real estate ERP go-live
We know from experience that ERP go-lives are a complex process. At Assetsoft, we assist our clients in ensuring that their ERP implementation is smooth without any glitches. Our services cover all your ERP requirements such as software integration, data migration, and even staff training. We integrate various property management software such as Yardi, Procore, and UiPath to provide you with the right software for your company. From planning and strategy to support and troubleshooting--our expert staff members will assist you throughout. For all your ERP requirements, reach out to Assetsoft!