The enterprise resource planning (ERP) is made up of software applications that integrate business processes across departments in an organization. The ERP system uses common data operating in a database. The ERP system improves enterprise efficiency by integrating various needs in a single system. Data stored in the ERP system is more secure. The systems were designed for manufacturing in the companies. Currently, ERPs provide services such as finances, and manufacturing. In this coronavirus pandemic era, the system is useful to avoid congestions in the social halls and service industries (Ali, et al, 33). The ERP system enables one to work remotely, thus preventing the spread of coronavirus.
The ERP system has enabled people to work remotely, which has enhanced creativity for employees, increased job satisfaction and reduced operational costs. The organizations have fewer restrictions for hiring new employees and thus increasing productivity. Working at home has helped reduce the spread of coronavirus, as people work from home without socializing with others, which may be infected. ERP technology has made transitions possible by improving the accessibility of laptops, high-resolution cameras and low-cost monitors. Extreme Business Solutions AppsTREME, for instance, has helped in providing data to access business needs during the pandemic. AppsTREME is a flexible design that is designed to allow users to access other applications. It also ensures stability and confidence at work during the covid-19 era.
The ERP system has direct access to the tools and functions from any device on the internet. The mobile access of data is readily available, at any given time, at any location. This helps to enhance social distancing during the pandemic, as people can access the data from home. The connection is not interrupted, and the team can work together to meet customer needs. The cloud-based technology manages financials virtually, and this ensures that there is daily performance to provide insights to make informed decisions. As the pandemic has caused a big blow in the economy globally, organizations should consider the use of cloud technology as it saves on capital as there is no need to invest in hardware. The technology has created new job opportunities and provided solutions in business management.
An organization should understand the ERP implementation before acquiring an ERP. The traditional methodology has been in use since the 1980s. The method calls for a plan to form an implementation team that do the scope and access the available resources. The team holds meetings to review the project plans and communicative the objectives and goals of the company as they plan to purchase the project. The project managers or the vendors’ consultant educate the implementation team. The team gets an opportunity to clarify on areas they seem hectic to ensure that the project is successful.
The implementation team tests the enterprise resource planning system in the conference room pilots (CRP). If the tests become successful, the implementation team accepts it as it gets ready to go live. The implementation team plans for the cutover process, and trains the rest of the team members on the use of the new system. As they teach the members, the consultant team support them. The implementation team than support the user at the end in the use of the new system by providing real-time support. The consultant team keep in touch, especially in the first few months to provide a quick solution in case a problem arises.
The turnkey method is an enterprise resource planning, and it a vendor-led method that follows a particular pattern to be successful. First, the vendor consults take the critical roles in the construction and implementation of the plan. The project manager plans the vendor consultants as they are involved in the whole process of projects set up. The configuration phase requires the vendor consultants to review the current process, setup process and design, and perform an initial test. The method involves a few customers, especially those with teaching skills, to reduce the number of people during the system implementation. This reduces the changes to contract and spread coronavirus. The customer implementation team provides input in the process. The vendor team provide a design that sets up the new system.
The vendor team then delivers the new system to the customer implementation team through prototype demonstration workshops. In the prototype review, the customer implementation team acquire knowledge on the new system and its functionality. If there are issues with the system, the vendor team tackles them immediately. If the design is excellent, the customer implementation team accepts the new system. In the conference room pilot, the vendor team leads the customer team through several phases. The last pilot becomes simulated go live as the customer implementation team accepts. The implementation team plan a cutover plan and trains the end-users of the system. The team trains the other members as the consultant team support them.
To implement an ERP, an organization should assess the team and perform due diligence to evaluate the software from the top vendors. The organization should identify the subject matter experts and configure the process of setting up the system. There should be an external and internal team aligned for the responsibilities of the project. There should be a good communication strategy and an excellent project plan with identified stages and regular schedules. Risks, complexity and integration challenges should be addressed and assessed, especially when dealing with data migration. The system should be cost-effective by reducing complexities in the old system.
References
Ali, Mahmood, and Lloyd Miller. "ERP system implementation in large enterprises–a systematic literature review." Journal of Enterprise Information Management (2017).33
Obrenovic, Bojan, et al. "Sustaining enterprise operations and productivity during the COVID-19 pandemic: “Enterprise Effectiveness and Sustainability Model”." Sustainability 12.15 (2020): 5981.
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