Successful Software Implementation Differentiators - …webasset.uxceclipse.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/01093443/... · Choosing the Right Project Methodology ... 3. Holistic

Successful Software Implementation DifferentiatorsKey Factors To Consider When Implementing a New ERP or CRM Solution

Successful Software Implementation Differentiators 2

Contents

Why Choose a New ERP Solution ................................................................................................ 3

Five Reasons to Consider ERP ........................................................................................................ 4

Scoping a Software Implementation Project ............................................................................ 5

Systems Integration & Enterprise Architecture ....................................................................... 7

Choosing the Right Project Methodology .................................................................................. 8

Beyond the Implementation ............................................................................................................ 10

Conclusion and Key Findings........................................................................................................... 11

About UXC Eclipse .............................................................................................................................. 12


Why Choose a New ERP Solution

Implementing a new solution isn’t a simple task. A lot of businesses have disparate systems to manage operations, supply, sales, marketing and HR, creating silos of information in which data is accessible only within individual departments and not shared across the organisation.

An ERP system integrates multiples key business processes within a single solution, eliminating these silos and ensuring that all departments can identify issues and take action based on access to the same consistent, reliable information.

Having a single integrated view of your business enables better decision making in the boardroom, and is critical to the ability to make operational plans that align with and support strategic objectives.

• whatfeaturesandfunctionalityareoffered

• ifindustrybest-practiceprocessesareavailable

• howitwillbehosted(on-premiseorintheCloud),and

• whatpartnerwillbeimplementingthesolutionandwhatkindofprofessionalservicesandsupportofferingtheyprovide.

Companies must consider what kind of solution will suit their needs best in terms of:


Organisations need to thoroughly research and determine their business requirements, both at present and in light of planned growth, in order to choose the solution that will best support their business processes and overall strategy.

Five Reasons to Consider ERP

Cost control from an integrated database

Intelligent decision-making

Increased cash flow

Customer loyalty

Scalability

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Scoping a Software Implementation Project

Scope management is the starting point for any implementation. It is the process of identifying and outlining the deliverables and work that will be required. It’s important to revisit the scope throughout a project to make sure everything is running on track, and to tweak where needed.

Five key steps to managing scope effectively:

Engaging leadership

Understand business requirements and develop business case

Look for a strategic partner

Future-proof the decision

Choosing the right technology

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1. Engaging leadership - the importance of management buy-in: their input is key to ensuring the project remains on track to deliver according to the organisation’s overarching goals.

2. Understanding the business requirements and developing a business case: before considering the scope, an organisation must fully understand the problem they are trying to improve.

3. Choosing the right technology: there are a wide range of IT systems and software available. Choose a solution that works for the business now and in the future.

4. Future-proof the decision: involve key stakeholders in your decision, avoid excessive customisations and select a solution that maps as closely to your business direction as possible.

5. Look for a strategic partner: ultimately, you want qualified, certified professionals on your team who can provide expert advice and support throughout the entire project.


People

Technology

People

TechnologyTT Process

A software implementation isn’t just about the technology. It’s essential to ask the right questions in order to get the solution that matches the business need.

Obtaining a 360-degree view of all business processes, which is delivered by business process management (BPM), lets the project team design and implement a solution that perfectly fits the organisation’s needs.

It means that the software project will be delivered right the first time, reducing the time and costs associated with having to make modifications and customisations during and after the implementation.

Business process management is about connecting the dots between processes, people and technology.

Mapping Your Business Processes

The UXC Eclipse Business Process Solution has extended beyond enabling a successful system implementation, it has allowed us to gain control of the business processes across our multi-site organisation and led to standardisation, transparency and efficiencies in our business.

Simon Blumenthal General Manager IT, Systems and Facilities

Disability Services Australia


Systems Integration & Enterprise Architecture

While choosing the right solution is essential when an organisation implements new technology, sometimes the ‘perfect’ solution doesn’t exist. In this case, the business must decide between implementing an ‘off the shelf ’ solution that fulfils most needs or customising a solution to suit the business requirements.

If considering the customisation path, businesses can benefit from working with enterprise architects because:

• They will run an enterprise solution review, which examines the entire business solutions architecture against short, medium and long-term business objectives, and then draw up a roadmap with recommendations and risk analysis.

• They review how the organisation can get the best return on their investment and be more productive and competitive. Enterprise architects review the business as a whole, rather than purely assessing the technology needed.

• They can advise the most appropriate solution, considering systems integration, fundamental systems the organisation plans to keep and how those systems integrate.


Choosing the Right Project Methodology

As every software implementation is as different and unique as the organisation it will serve, a single approach to implementation will never suit every project. Organisations need to consider business objectives, budget, timeline and culture before choosing their project management delivery strategy.

Ultimately, any implementation project needs to deliver a return on investment. Rigorous quality management systems (including ISO 9001 accreditation), the right choice of implementation methodologies, and allocation of a dedicated, qualified project manager are major factors in the success of project delivery.

McDonald, Mark 2011 Are you leaving your project managers stranded on an island? Gartner Research http://blogs.gartner.com

Top five areas for consideration when choosing an implementation methodology and partner:

1. Professionalism and methodology

2. Relevant references

3. Holistic

4. Quality management

5. Expertise and qualifications


The Human Factor

It is impossible to overestimate the importance of the human factor in large-scale software projects, both from the perspective of the end users and the implementation team.

The project team has the ultimate responsibility for effective planning and execution of the software implementation. Finding the right project team for your implementation is therefore a key step on the road to success.

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Start from the business need, not the technology need

Industry experience is key

Go above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction and the highest level of quality

Transparent and open communications

Cultural fit


Beyond the Implementation

An implementation project doesn’t end once the new/improved system goes live. Success depends on the system being fully operational, delivering value to the business, and improving the workflow of those using it.

Most partners will provide some type of support, but there are lots of different levels being offered. It’s important to consider the quality of those support services when choosing an implementation partner.

Ask to see a partner’s service level statement and their handover to support process, and determine the quality of staff on the support team as part of your partner selection process.

• There is a person at the other end of the phone no matter what time of the day or night you are calling.

• The person you speak to offers relevant, useful and practical advice and/or takes immediate action to resolve your issue.

• The team is made up of fully-qualified support consultants who have chosen a career in support.

• The support team understands the history of your implementation and any previous support issues (and their outcome).

• Your service level statement clearly identifies the names and mobile telephone numbers of who to call in case you need to escalate.

Five ways to identify a great support service offering


Conclusion and Key Findings

As a final piece of advice, here are five key attributes to take into consideration when choosing an ERP implementation partner:

1. Experience:Look for a partner that has managed different projects and has run implementation teams in similar industries. Experience will mean the company has the ability to foresee roadblocks and issues, and resolve them quickly.

2. Knowledge: An ERP implementation is incredibly complex. Make sure the partner has the technical know-how for the project, from security and networking, to service and enterprise architecture.

3. Attitude and work-ethic: Look for a passionate team that can deliver the right support and is willing to go above and beyond. Implementing an ERP system is business-critical, so downtime needs to be minimised. The team should not be afraid to work extra hours to get the job done, and should care as much about the success of the project as the internal team does.

4. Communication skills: The partner company needs to be able to communicate at all levels in the organisation, from frontline staff to managers and the leadership team. Regular communications on the progress of the project is essential, and any hurdles or issues need to be flagged as soon as possible. Transparency and clarity are key in the success of a project.

5. Self-awareness: It’s important to understand where each person fits within the project and how this contributes to the overall success.

These five characteristics are part of UXC Eclipse’s commitment to customer service - delivering “intelligent solutions with old-fashioned service”. This standard of service and solution delivery is essential to everything and everyone at UXC Eclipse.


About UXC Eclipse

UXC Eclipse is a leading provider of intelligent business solutions to the enterprise and mid-markets. A member of the Microsoft Dynamics Inner Circle (top one per cent of global resellers) since 2002, UXC Eclipse is a member of the Microsoft Certified Partner Network: Gold Certified for ERP and CRM.

Offering a range of solutions from leading software vendors, UXC Eclipse ensures that customers get the right solution tailored to their needs. The company also delivers industry-specific (vertical) solutions built on the Microsoft platform to meet ERP and CRM requirements.

UXC Eclipse’s offerings include applications business consulting and project management, applications development, corporate performance management, and business process management.

To know more about the key factors to consider when implementing a new software solution, download our full white paper at http://tiny.cc/wpsuccessful.

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Successful Software Implementation Differentiators - …webasset.uxceclipse.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/01093443/... · Choosing the Right Project Methodology ... 3. Holistic