Planning an ERP Implementation? Here’s why you need to undergo an ERP assessment

The global ERP Software Market is expected to garner $41.69 billion by 2020; yet, most organizations are apprehensive about ERP implementation and upgrade – primarily because they are unsure of how to assess their current IT infrastructure, regarding replacing legacy systems with modern enterprise solutions like ERP, and how to go about planning and implementing it. Before you invest in an ERP, an assessment can help you easily plan your ERP implementation or upgrade, and enable you to get the most out of your investment.

Why do you need to undergo an ERP assessment?

The decision to implement an ERP is a major one for any organization as it requires a large amount of capital, and planning to accrue benefits. As the latest ERP from Microsoft – Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations – makes headway into the business world, it’s a good time to implement or upgrade to the latest version. However, if you’re bogged down by questions like – are we ready for a new implementation or upgrade, is Dynamics 365 the right ERP for our business, and is this the right time – you are not alone.

An ERP assessment can allow you to evaluate your existing ERP system (if you have one), assess your business requirements to determine feasibility for a successful implementation, and provide you with a ballpark estimate on how much the implementation or upgrade will cost.

For organizations looking to implement ERP for the first time, an assessment can help in determining:

• How ready you are for a cloud ERP implementation
• What changes you need to make to your existing infrastructure to get the most out of the investment
• The data and business processes you need to change in order to enhance implementation efficiency
• The tools and processes you need for a successful implementation
• A complete and clear roadmap

For organizations who already have an ERP in place, but are not able to leverage its capabilities to the fullest, an assessment can help in determining:

• How you are using the software, and to what extent the existing ERP system is meeting business needs
• The challenges you are facing with the current software
• Opportunities for improving business processes, and generating additional value
• Potential risks, and areas that need improvement

What does an ERP assessment comprise?

If there’s a general lack of control and visibility, if your systems are no longer allowing you to keep pace, if you’re struggling to generate real-time reports, if there is no coordination between various departments, if expanding into new geographies is a challenge, and acquiring new customers a difficult task, an ERP is all you need. But getting ready for the implementation, and making sure you have everything in place is extremely important to ensure success with your ERP investment. That said, here’s what an ERP assessment by an experienced implementation partner will typically comprise of:

• Conduct interviews with ERP SMEs and consultants to understand organizational readiness
• Evaluate your existing systems and business requirements to determine feasibility for a successful implementation
• Carry out analysis of current business processes and systems to identify gaps and understand risks

• Provide an ERP roadmap such that it aligns with business objectives
• Present and demonstrate new system and process concepts
• Suggest project structure, resource and skill requirements, and tools needed

However, it is essential to note that an assessment will not involve a detailed analysis and documentation of existing systems; rather, it focuses on what’s working, what’s not, and what can be done to become more competitive.

ERP envisioning assessment from Synoptek

Synoptek offers a complete suite of Dynamics 365 services – including assessment – to help organizations streamline processes, and ensure a successful implementation. As part of our ERP envisioning assessment, we offer two exciting options:

Option 1: Quick-Start ERP Assessment and Microsoft Dynamics POC which includes current infrastructure analysis, presentation, and demonstration of new system and process concepts, roadmap direction, and project structure and timing.

Option 2: Detailed BPR Discovery and Assessment – ERP-neutral ‘Fit-Gap Analysis’ which includes strategy and planning, BPR and assessment, and roadmap and proposal.

Get ERP ready

Regardless of the size of the organization, or the industry, technology disruption is reshaping the business world. To keep pace, you must adapt existing processes, and technology infrastructure to improve operational excellence, manage change and enable growth. An ERP offers the flexibility, and scalability you need to support your business priorities, and drive greater value. However, if you have apprehensions about how to go about the implementation or upgrade process, what ERP is best for your business, and what process improvements you need to carry out to make the most of your ERP investment, an assessment can help. The assessment can provide you with everything you need to get your implementation started on the right foot – analysis of your existing infrastructure, a quick look at your current challenges and risks, system improvement recommendations, and more. Get an assessment done today to determine why or where your current systems are holding you back, and take a deeper look at factors and considerations that can lead to implementation success.

Manoj Nair is a seasoned IT professional with over 15 years of experience in Software Consultancy, ERP Implementation, Testing, ISV Development and Client Management. He is Practice Lead – BPCS (Dynamics AX) at Synoptek and is responsible for managing various software programs through cross functional coordination.

Contributing Author: Malavika Nityanandam