ERP Selection Guide: Developing an IT Strategy

Are you feeling overrun by the sheer volume of corporate software options available today? By developing an IT plan, you may cut the list down and save your sanity.

You may narrow down your choices to get the finest ERP vendor for your needs by using the proper technique. When comparing the benefits and drawbacks of various deployment approaches, integration techniques, and cutting-edge technology, you can also rely on your strategy.

Uncertain about where to start? Today, we're dissecting the elements of a strong IT strategy and providing you with doable first steps.

Identify your overarching business plan

Make sure you have a fundamental business strategy in place before you spend too much effort on your IT strategy. This is the road plan that outlines your company's direction and the path you'll take to get there. It is simpler to see how IT investments fit into the wider picture if you have this plan in place. Putting IT first is putting the waggon before the horse because you risk making choices that don't support your long-term objectives.

Recognise the Function of Your IT Department

What function does IT serve in your company? There is no right or incorrect response, but you must be aware of your position. IT departments are treated like commodities in certain businesses. In other cases, they're a crucial competitive distinction that's necessary to deliver the calibre of service that clients demand. Depending on your circumstances, you might decide to keep such skills in-house or outsource your IT operations to a third-party vendor. The kind of technology you think about will also be impacted by your choice.

Evaluate the skills of your IT department.

Think about the level of IT knowledge your IT team has as well as the physical infrastructure of your business. An on-premise, best-of-breed ERP solution may be manageable if your IT department is quite advanced. However, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) ERP system can be a better choice if your company is less technologically advanced. If you don't take into account how much your staff can actually handle, you risk giving them complex systems they aren't equipped to handle.

Evaluate all of your options

Only a few sizable ERP providers were available to organisations just a few years ago. This typically involved accepting a solution that didn't entirely satisfy your goals, which necessitated costly and time-consuming customizations. But now you nearly have too many choices. You have a selection of point solutions targeted at specific functions and industries in addition to standard ERP platforms. Don't restrict yourself to an all-encompassing ERP system or to technology fixes only. You might just wish to revamp your business model or reengineer your business procedures.

Take a long view.

It's simple to become swept up in the excitement of an ERP project and hastily make a technology choice that helps your business in the near term but doesn't exactly position it for success in the long run. It's best to adopt a broad perspective as you create your IT strategy. Making ensuring the solution you choose interacts properly with your current systems is a crucial aspect of this. For example, some CRM platforms don't integrate effectively with some ERP platforms. Before committing to a specific solution, it's a good idea to be aware of the limits if you intend to eventually install both types of technology.

Keep Non-Technical Aspects in Mind

Business executives' excessive concentration on the technical components and lack of consideration for how the change will influence the people and processes are two of the main causes of ERP failure. Organisational change management concentrates on the causes of employee resistance to new technology and searches for solutions to reduce this risk. Business leaders may increase interest in a change and promote user acceptance in a variety of ways, from end-user training to a clear communication strategy. If change management is not incorporated into your IT strategy, even if you adopt the best ERP system available, your business objectives may still not be achieved. Even more crucial than selecting the appropriate technology is empowering yourself.

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Conclusion

Why would you embark on a sizable, company-wide project without first determining your course? You wouldn't embark on a road trip without consulting a map, would you?

Making sure that every IT choice you make links back to your organisational skills, risk tolerance, and objectives is essential for a successful ERP installation.

Determining your business requirements, adhering to best practises for ERP deployment, and getting advice from an organisational change management consultant are the best ways to attain these advantages.

For more details please contact Iconic Bizz, we can help you with the ERP implementations.