ERP Implementation
The ERP implementation, generally, follows the waterfall
model approach. Once a firm order is received, the implementation begins with
the kick-off meeting between the vendor and the organization. In such meetings
the organizational issues are taken care of.
Since it is a long term activity a preliminary planning is done to start
the implementation.
Though, initially, the study has been carried out by the
vendor, more in-depth study is taken up jointly by the vendor and the project
in-charge of the organization.
In this phase of study the users are contacted for their
requirement specifications. These
requirements may be of the data, information, function, features, processes or
reports. It is necessary to understand them to evaluate the ability of the ERP
solution to satisfy these requirements.
Since, the ERP is designed as a standard package, it often
requires changes and modifications to suite the requirements of the business.
All the ERP packages provide standard features, functions
lists of the package used. These lists are examined vis-à-vis the requirements
and new document is prepared called as the deviation RDD.
The implementation steps are given as follows:
- A user
meeting is arranged to explain the ERP and process of implementation.
- The RDD
and the DRDD is explained for understanding and approval.
- The
resource to carry out the changes in the system, generally, known as
customization is provided. This could be business specific and customer
specific.
- The
DERP (Deviation ERP) solution is tested.
- The
solution on the recommend platform is loaded.
- The
solutions are tested on a sample data of substantial nature.
- The
solution is then demonstrated to the users for their understanding and
confirmation.
- The
users are trained to run the solution and resolve the difficulties in
operations of the system solution.
The change over from the manual system to the ERP solution
are meticulously planned, taking care of the cut off dates, the opening
balances, the data transfer etc.
A logbook of the system usage is kept to note down the
problems, solutions and modifications carried out to make the solutions more
efficient and effective.
