Are you struggling with inefficient processes, unproductive workflows, and a lack of visibility into your business? Your business is at a crossroads and it's time to make a change that can significantly impact the future of your company: you need to invest in tools that are capable of adapting to constant technological changes and boosting productivity by integrating all your processes into one cohesive system. It's time to implement an ERP and the key to success is the #1 ERP system in the cloud, NetSuite - forget the traditional ERP systems - NetSuite allow your business to adapt to new requirements and stay competitive.
Now that you’ve decided to implement NetSuite, you are moving in the right direction, but you still have a long way to bring this transformation to reality. Migrating your ERP system to NetSuite doesn't happen overnight: it requires prior planning. A lot of consideration must go into the planning process to ensure the success of implementation; unfortunately, a lot of companies find themselves underprepared. In 2018 only 42% of companies considered their ERP implementation a success, a significant decrease from years past.
We recommend you follow these 7 steps to prepare for a successful NetSuite implementation:
- Evaluate All Possibilities & Choose Wisely - The first step is to evaluate all the possibilities you have to migrate your current system to NetSuite. No implementation is successful without the right partner by your side. It may seem obvious when you decide to migrate to NetSuite that you have already made the best decision, but you still need to determine how to purchase NetSuite. There are two options for implementation: through NetSuite direct or a local NetSuite partner. You can work with NetSuite direct to purchase NetSuite and coordinate with their team to implement your instance, or partner with a local NetSuite provider to implement your software and provide ongoing support, customizations, and training.
- Be Proactive - Life is unpredictable, as is any ERP implementation. Your NetSuite implementation will be no different. You have to expect the unexpected with your implementation, from unanticipated data issues to additional tech requirements, there are a myriad of reasons a NetSuite project can go over budget. The main reasons for going over budget range from unanticipated technical or organizational issues, additional tech requirements, large consultant fees or an unplanned extension to the project. To mitigate these risks: set a realistic budget at the beginning for your NetSuite implementation and include a buffer to cover any surprises along the way.
Most importantly: be proactive about the change that is coming your way. Your NetSuite implementation will have a significant impact on your business and it's important to consider how this will impact your organization's hierarchy. Have a change management plan in place and ready to be rolled out; work with your employees directly to determine their unique skill sets and how they are best suited to utilize them should their particular role change be impacted significantly in the future. - Have an Expert on Hand - This is where having a trusted partner is imperative to the success of your NetSuite implementation. A good partner understands your NetSuite platform and is there to problem solve and address any unique situations that may apply to your particular business and customized system, as well as provide on-site training to new staff. They can provide personalized demonstrations of your new system and guide you through any customizations needed.
- Set Clear Goals/Prioritize - Implementing an ERP system is a huge undertaking and you won’t see results overnight. From the very beginning, you must set very clear goals and prioritize steps of the process for your NetSuite implementation. Otherwise, you won't be able to measure the benefits of your new system. Determine your priorities: processes, functions, or analytics? Do all areas need immediate integration or can some still work within their existing systems? Answering these questions will help you set clear goals and move forward with your project.
- Cleanse Your Data, Then Clean It Again - Regardless if you are the most streamlined business around, when inputting and transferring data manually there are going to be some missteps. Some of the data will be the wrong format, some data will be obsolete... scrub the data, perform an intense audit and ensure that relevant data is clean, formatted and ready for conversion.
- Test - Some software systems can be installed and used, but NetSuite is a sophisticated and complex system that is customized to your own unique and specific business needs. For that reason, it requires extensive testing to ensure any issues can be fixed and kinks are ironed out before go-Live. This requires a dedicated test client in place to do this; department heads should be assigned to test aspects of the system specific to their particular department and deadlines set to avoid delays in going live.
- Accuracy - Any data that is entered into the system during the implementation phase of NetSuite needs to be as accurate as possible. Not only does this give employees a good idea of what is expected going forward, but it’s necessary to see results from the system. This sets precedence for the entire team on how data should always be as full and accurate as possible, even during the initial stages. Even the best ERP system in the world won’t work if it isn’t given the necessary information to do so.
By following the recommended steps above, you can prepare for a successful NetSuite implementation. The most important step in preparing for a successful NetSuite implementation? Choosing the right NetSuite partner to guide you through the process: Why Work With An Implementation Partner
Considering a NetSuite implementation? The Oasis Solutions team is here to help: Let's talk
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