Selection of ERP Evaluation of the right ERP package is considered as more crucial step. Evaluation and selection involves: o checking whether all functional aspects of the Business are duly covered o checking whether all the business functions and processes are fully integrated o checking whether all the latest IT trends are covered

Selection of ERP Evaluation of the right ERP package is considered as more crucial step. Evaluation and selection involves:

o checking whether all functional aspects of the Business are duly covered o checking whether all the business functions and processes are fully integrated
o checking whether all the latest IT trends are covered
o checking whether the vendor has customizing and implementing capabilities
o checking whether the business can absorb the cost
o checking whether the ROI is optimum Implementation of ERP Implementing an ERP package has to be done on a phased manner.

Step by step method of implementing will yield a better result than big-bang introduction. The total time required for successfully implementing an ERP package will be anything between 18 and 24 months. The normal steps involved in implementation of an ERP are as below:

o Project Planning o Business & Operational analysis including Gap analysis o Business Process Reengineering
o Installation and configuration
o Project team training
o Business Requirement mapping
o Module configuration
o System interfaces
o Data conversion
o Custom Documentation
o End user training
o Acceptance testing
o Post implementation/Audit support

The above steps are grouped and sub-divided into four major phases namely
1) detailed discussions,
2) Design & Customization,
3) Implementation and
4) Production.

The phases of implementation vis-à-vis their tasks and respective deliverables are as below:

Detailed Discussion Phase: Task :- Project initialization, Evaluation of current processes, business practices,
Set-up project organization Deliverables:- Accepted norms and Conditions, Project Organization chart, Identity work teams Design and customization

Phase: Task :- Map organization, Map business process, Define functions and processes, ERP software configuration and Build ERP system modifications. Deliverables :- Organization structure, Design specification, Process Flow Diagrams, Function Model, Configuration recording and system modification. Implementation

Phase: Task :- Create go-live plan and documentation, Integrate applications, Test the ERP customization, Train users Deliverables :- Testing environment report, Customization Test Report and Implementation report Production Phase: Task:- Run Trial Production, Maintain Systems Deliverables:- Reconciliation reports, Conversion Plan Execution

Written by :

henry