ERP Selection & Implementation

AVOID SHOCKS TO THE SYSTEM

Some projects are simple, straightforward and lacking in suspense. We can handle that.

Here’s one.

A company that makes and markets authentic reproduction lighting and house parts had a problem: The business systems they used to manage their operations were not wired together well.

In fact, the systems were disparate, disintegrated, contained erroneous data and were a source of daily problems – resulting in ineffective management of operations and inability to provide a true promise date for products.

One day a light bulb went on and the decision was made to call ACME.

The task we were given is one we have completed many times before: ERP vendor selection and implementation.

We formed a team of ACME and client staff and led a full systems selection process, including analysis, requirements definition, demo review, vendor selection and contract negotiation.

Since the client has a highly customizable product, managing all the options in the ERP system was a challenge. There were also many potential vendors to manage and evaluate. We represented the client throughout every aspect of the selection and negotiation process. This not only put the client at ease, but also their vendors. Consistency, transparency and objectivity were assured.

When a final selection was made, we led the full implementation – from process design, configuration and testing to conversion and launch. Here again, we eliminated surprises and brought everyone up to speed prior to plug-in.

No surprise – project delivered on time and within budget.

Our client is now realizing the anticipated benefits of their new ERP system. For one, service has been improved by reducing cycle times from three weeks to two – which is important to customers. The client also now has one planning system instead of three, much tighter planning and production processes and has been able to increase production by 20% without increasing staff.

Our team’s success was a result of being disciplined, having a solid plan, managing that plan closely and keeping the client clued in. Everyone knew where we were on the project, what needed to be done and how it would happen.

In short, surprises are for birthdays, not ERP implementations.