Nine Feet Tall were a great asset to our team. Their ability to quickly understand what we needed was invaluable.
Helen Sharpless Operations Director, Laing O'Rourke

Did you know...

70%

Of major change projects fail to deliver forecasted benefits (McKinsey)

57%

Of projects fail due to breakdown in communication (IT Cortex)

48%

Of organisations report being dissatisfied with their ERP implementation (Bassam Infotech)

81%

Of people would prefer their role and responsibilities to remain the same (Signavio)

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ERP Implementation

What is ERP Implementation?

If you want to efficiently manage your company resources, you need a comprehensive understanding of all the processes that run your business, both financial and transactional, and the data they produce. That’s where an ERP Transformation comes into play.

Successfully transforming your organisation to fully adopt and integrate a new ERP system goes beyond the technology. The change needs to be managed effectively from the outset, from requirements gathering, defining the scope, creating the business case right through to go live and integrating new processes and ways of working into business as usual.

An ERP implementation refers to the process of integrating a software system that optimises the way your business manages resources. This system can help with everything from sales and marketing to inventory planning, employee management, and human resources. By consolidating data from all areas of your business, an ERP system implementation can simplify it into a single, integrated system.

By implementing ERP software, you create a centralised hub that connects data from every corner of your organisation. This system enables you to access real-time data from anywhere, anytime, and can lead to significant cost savings, improved collaboration, increased employee productivity, and greater company efficiency. With the ability to access accurate and real-time financial and transactional reports, you can stay ahead of the competition.

Think of your ERP implementation plan as the ultimate guide that brings all the pieces of data together into one cohesive and accessible map. This map provides a valuable overview of all the aspects of your company and can help you identify areas that need improvement, streamline processes and boost performance. With ERP system implementation, you can enjoy a more efficient and effective way of running your business.

To find out the 5 main benefits of ERP implementation, check out our blog here.

Ways to Successfully Implement an ERP System

Implementing a successful ERP system isn’t easy. From the initial challenge of installing the software across your company database, to the necessary cultural and organisational shift within your company structure, the process of successful ERP implementation is complex and time-consuming. It can be painful, especially when it comes to adapting to new ways of working, but the long term benefits of ERP implementation far outweigh the short term difficulty of the initial transition.

To learn about the 9 biggest challenges to implementing an ERP system, check here.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my company need an ERP system?

In today’s competitive business landscape, having an ERP system is crucial to gain a deep understanding of your company’s processes. By consolidating data and information from across the organisation into a single system, an ERP system empowers businesses to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. With the ability to access real-time, company-wide insights, decision-makers can make informed decisions faster, improving productivity, cutting costs, and gaining a competitive edge.

Why are so many ERP implementations unsuccessful?

Implementing an ERP system is a complex and challenging undertaking that can be rife with potential pitfalls. To avoid the risk of failure, it’s crucial to develop a comprehensive ERP implementation plan that takes into account all aspects of your business. This includes identifying realistic expectations, embracing change, and ensuring that the new system aligns with your existing processes.

Nine Feet Tall has expert consultants with the knowledge and experience necessary to help you navigate the complexities of an ERP implementation. We work closely with you to develop a customised plan that streamlines the process and ensures a successful outcome. With our help, you can rest easy knowing that your ERP implementation is in capable hands.

What are the steps in successful ERP implementation?

If you’re considering implementing an ERP system, it’s important to have a solid ERP implementation plan in place. See our top steps below:

Step One: The first step is understanding the project’s scope by selecting a suitable system, forming a project team, and defining system requirements in detail. This research phase sets the foundation for the rest of the project.

Step Two: Next, planning becomes critical to ensure success. During this phase, the focus shifts towards designing and developing the ERP implementation plan while integrating it into your business. Having a solid plan in place can help you avoid common pitfalls, such as delays, cost overruns, and lack of user adoption.

Step Three: Managing the change is the final piece of the puzzle. Adapting to new processes and technologies is often a challenge for employees. Change management is critical to ensuring that everyone is on board and that any necessary adjustments are made as smoothly as possible.

This may involve hiring a consultant with expertise in change management to guide you through the process and help you overcome any roadblocks along the way. With a well-planned ERP implementation and change management strategy, you can set yourself up for long-term success.

What ERP system do we need?

You may know that ERP comes in three different tiers. The system you need will depend on the size of your organisation and vision for growth. Tier 1 ERP systems are best suited to complex organisations with large revenue streams, who need a complex system. These systems include Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain (previously Microsoft Dynamics AX), JD Edwards, SAP, SAP S/4HANA, Orion, and Texada. Tier 2 systems are more appropriate for middle to large sized organisations who want to get the most from their systems. These systems include: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Acumatica, Info, and NetSuite. Tier 3 ERP systems are for those organisations who require a simpler solution. Many of these systems are primarily used for financials and keeping track of expenses and orders. An example of Tier 3 is QuickBooks. Choosing the right system is tricky as many offer similar functionality. You will need to scope your requirements thoroughly and define the problem you want the ERP to solve before investing. How many users will there be? What are the integration points? Our top tip videos may help or contact us to discuss your requirements in depth.