Why risk an implementation without an ERP Project Manager

Have you ever struggled to put together some DIY flat pack furniture? If so, you’ll know how Spark Brighter Thinking felt when they tried implementing an ERP system ‘out of the box’, without an ERP Project Manager. According to them “it was fraught with problems…we went live with a system that gave us only the bare mechanics…we didn’t know where to start with optimisation or who could help.”

Thankfully for Spark Brighter Thinking, they then discovered the benefits of using an expert ERP Project Manager – us. Read on for the key reasons why you should consider a professional implementation project manager for your ERP implementation, customisation and optimisation project. This applies whether you are using NetSuite or one of the many other ERPs out there.

First, here’s a summary of why you should consider a cloud-based ERP system.

Five benefits of cloud-based ERP systems

1) Real-time business intelligence providing 360-degree view of organisation

2) Enhanced data integrity, consistency, transparency and security in one cloud-based system

3) Improved operational efficiency and reduced errors through automation and standardisation

4) Better budgeting, analysing, planning, forecasting and decision making

5) Enables rapid scaling and diversification of businesses even in challenging markets.

The benefits of using an ERP Project Manager for ERP Implementation

Thousands of ambitious and successful organisations globally use Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems to drive business efficiency and growth. Nevertheless, many ERP users still fail to maximise the return on investment (ROI) in their ERP because they only use a fraction of the system’s capabilities. That is because most ERPs need some degree of customisation, integration and optimisation to meet the specific needs of individual businesses.

However, many businesses simply don’t have the bandwidth, let alone the experience, to take on what can be a complex and time-consuming process. That’s where using an external ERP Project Manager can give fast growing businesses with lean structures a real competitive edge. While other businesses are muddling through with a patchwork of systems and processes loosely linked to their new ERP, you could be forging ahead with a fully integrated, customised and optimised ERP system in no time.

An experienced ERP Project Manager can handle the entire end-to-end process for you, acting as an essential bridge between software suppliers and your business. Starting with scoping exercises with your leadership, to understand your business objectives and ambitions to ensure the ERP you select meets your evolving needs. They will also liaise with stakeholders, including business unit managers and software suppliers, to plan and execute the whole process in meticulous detail.

By taking a systematic approach, your ERP Project Manager will help ensure the project comes in on time and on budget with no mission creep. They will deliver a fully integrated ERP system that transforms the way you do business. This includes giving you real-time visibility into your operations, streamlining your processes, and unlocking valuable insights into your business performance.

"C&J’s customer service skills & knowledge of NetSuite was excellent from start to finish. We now have an on-going relationship as we work on future projects to enhance the system as the business continues to grow.” Brian Toward, CEO, Wholesale Domestic Bathrooms

What difference can an ERP Project Manager make?

With an average ERP system costing between £120k to £587k*, it makes business sense to squeeze every last bit of value out of your investment. However, you and your team are busy running your business, working hard to grow, retain talent and deliver fantastic customer service. Do you really also have the time and resources to plan, implement, integrate and optimise your new ERP system?

Take your existing business processes for example – there’s no point simply copying and pasting old processes into a new system. Invariably those processes will have evolved over time and are not necessarily as efficient as they could be, nor as uniformly applied internally as they should be. An ERP Project Manager, with change management experience, can help you reevaluate all your processes and optimise them for your ERP, so that everyone follows best practice on the new system.

How to find the right ERP Project Manager for you

An ERP Project Manager can make the difference between ERP failure and success but it’s vital that any implementation project manager is a good cultural fit with your team. They need to be able to get along with stakeholders while providing leadership and drive to ensure the project runs to schedule. Ideally, they will also have experience of your industry (after all, financial services is not the same as manufacturing) and so know which ERP is best suited to your needs.

Our team includes qualified accountants, software implementation professionals, and technical systems designers, all of whom have amassed huge experience having worked on 100s of ERP implementations. That means we can project manage the full implementation of new ERP systems like NetSuite or advise on how to optimise existing ERPs.

We offer a premium service where all our staff are UK based and are ready to visit client sites as required, to offer highly personalised support, consistency and stability across all our client projects.

Book a free ERP consultation with us today to discuss how we can help you maximise your ERP investment.