ERP implementation is often a big, complex project, but a successful ERP implementation can be realized by following some common sense best practices for ERP implementation.

What Is an ERP System Implementation

To comprehend ERP system implementation and its success factors, utilizing ERP case study documents that depict implementation success stories is beneficial.

Lyft

Almost overnight, ride-hailing company Lyft went from an obscure startup to a well-known company processing billions of transactions. 

When their patchwork infrastructure of over 30 finance systems proved unable to cope with this growth, Lyft turned to Oracle’s Fusion Cloud ERP platform. After consolidating on the ERP vendor’s more robust platform, Lyft was able to streamline its financial operations with a system that scales easily with its growth aspirations.

Hormel Foods

Food and beverage giant Hormel Foods owns a broad portfolio of over 50 brands. 

In 2019, Hormel launched a modernization project to standardize its disparate systems on a single cloud platform implementation. ERP was a centerpiece of this platform, along with Oracle’s HCM Cloud solution. The company’s project teams were able to automate much of its period-end close process and saw efficiency gains throughout its operations.

Western Digital

As a leading computer hard disk drive manufacturer, Western Digital faced the common challenge of multiple isolated business systems.

By consolidating and standardizing Oracle Cloud ERP solutions, the company was able to streamline many finance and supply chain processes, including purchasing and financial period-end closing.

Keys to Success

From these and other Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP implementation case study examples, we can draw the following conclusions regarding the key factors that influence the success of an ERP implementation:

  • Executive support:

    Because an ERP system can completely transform the way a business operates, support from the highest levels is critical. If they are not perceived as believing the Cloud ERP project is the company’s number-one priority, the rest of the company will not take it seriously.

  • Realistic expectations:

    Having unrealistic expectations about the system’s capabilities and implementation milestones leads to ERP implementation failure. In particular, aggressive timelines are a sure sign of impending disaster.

  • Stakeholder involvement:

    Neglecting stakeholders, especially the rank-and-file users who interact with the system daily, can undermine an ERP implementation plan. You require their assistance in defining system requirements, evaluating ERP module implementation design, and conducting system testing prior to go-live. Involving them gives them an ownership stake and a much greater chance for a successfully implemented system.

  • Willingness to change:

    The cost of ERP implementation can be several million dollars, even for a small system. There’s no point in spending that much to implement a system that only supports what you’re doing today. ERP software should empower your company to exceed current capabilities by driving business process changes and embracing industry best practices.

The final item is often the most challenging to adhere to and a common cause of ERP implementation failures.

Organizations often cling to current practices, assuming they are the best, and hesitate to make changes. However, they must recognize that these practices may hinder growth and fail to support their targets.

NexInfo: A Successful Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP Implementation Partner

One of the most important questions you can ask a potential ERP implementation partner is: “What is your ERP implementation process?” 

Lack of clarity in their ERP system implementation process or incomprehensible implementation phases is a warning sign for outsourcing.

NexInfo is a trusted Oracle Fusion Cloud and SAP ERP implementation partner with over 500 successful ERP system implementations, NexInfo has been recognized among the most successful ERP implementation companies in the United States. The main reason is their ERP planning and implementation process, refined over many years.

NexInfo has expert consultants with many years of experience working with clients in a wide range of industries and business processes. Their advanced ERP implementation methodology, checklist templates, and strategies guide ERP system implementation, minimizing costs for clients.

Contact NexInfo today to learn how their ERP implementation consultants can help you overcome challenges and achieve ERP implementation success.