Planning an ERP Implementation? Here’s why you need to undergo an ERP assessment

The global ERP Software Market is expected to Gartner $41.69 billion by 2020; yet, most organizations are apprehensive about ERP implementation and upgrade – mainly because they are unsure of how to assess their current IT infrastructure, how to replace legacy systems with modern enterprise solutions like ERP, and how to go about planning and implementing it. Before you invest in an ERP, an assessment can help you easily plan your ERP implementation or upgrade, and enable you to get the most out of your investment.

Why do you Need to Undergo an ERP Assessment?

The decision to implement an ERP is a major one for any organization as it requires a large amount of capital, and planning to accrue the benefits. As the latest ERP from Microsoft – Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations – makes headway in the business world, it’s a good time to implement or upgrade to the latest version. However, if you’re bogged down by questions like – are we ready for a new implementation or upgrade, is Dynamics 365 the right ERP for our business, and is this the right time – you are not alone.

An ERP assessment can allow you to evaluate your existing ERP system (if you have one), assess your business requirements to determine feasibility for a successful implementation, and provide you with a rough estimate on how much the implementation or upgrade will cost.

For organizations looking to implement ERP for the first time, an assessment can help in determining:

• Level of preparation
• Infrastructure optimization
• Data and business processes improvement opportunities
• Necessary tools and processes
• A complete and clear roadmap

For organizations who already have an ERP in place, but are not able to leverage its capabilities to the fullest, an assessment can help in determining:

• Current optimization of ERP software
• Current software challenges
• Opportunities for improvement
• Potential risks, and areas of improvement

What is Included in an ERP Assessment?

If there’s a general lack of control and visibility if your systems are no longer allowing you to keep pace if you’re struggling to generate real-time reports, if there is no coordination between the various departments, if expanding into new geographies is a challenge, and acquiring new customers a difficult task, an ERP is all you need.

But getting ready for the implementation, and making sure you have everything in place is extremely important to ensure success with your ERP investment. That said, here’s what an ERP assessment by an experienced implementation partner will usually comprise:

• Conduct interviews with ERP SMEs and consultants to understand organizational readiness
• Evaluate your existing systems and business requirements to determine feasibility for a successful implementation.
• Carry out an analysis of current business processes and systems to identify gaps and understand risks

• Provide an ERP roadmap such that it aligns with business objectives
• Present and demonstrate a new system and process concepts
• Suggest project structure, resource and skill requirements, and tools needed

However, it is essential to note that an assessment will not involve detailed analysis and documentation of existing systems; rather, it focuses on what’s working, what’s not, and what can be done to become more competitive.

ERP Envisioning Assessment from Synoptek

Synoptek offers a complete suite of Dynamics 365 services – including assessment – to help organizations streamline processes, and ensure a successful implementation. As part of our ERP envisioning assessment, we offer two exciting options:

Option 1

Quick-Start ERP Assessment and Microsoft Dynamics POC which includes current infrastructure analysis, presentation, and demonstration of a new system and process concepts, roadmap direction, and project structure and timing

Option 2

Detailed BPR Discovery and Assessment – ERP-neutral ‘Fit-Gap Analysis’ which includes strategy and planning, BPR and assessment, and roadmap and proposal.

Get ERP Ready

Regardless of the size of the organization, or the industry, technology disruption is reshaping the business world. To keep pace, you must adapt existing processes, and technology infrastructure to improve operational excellence, manage change and enable growth. An ERP offers the flexibility, and scalability you need to support your business priorities and drive greater value. However, if you have apprehensions about how to go about the implementation or upgrade process, what ERP is best for your business, and what process improvements you need to carry out to make the most of your ERP investment, an assessment can help.

An assessment can provide you with everything you need to get your implementation started on the right foot – analysis of your existing infrastructure, a quick look at your current challenges and risks, system improvement recommendations, and more. So, get an assessment done today to determine why or where your current systems are holding you back, and take a deeper look at factors and considerations that can lead to implementation success.

Feel like an ERP implementation is right for you? Contact one of our experts today.