Have you decided it’s time for a major software upgrade to your business systems? If so, implementing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution is the ideal choice for your company. An ERP is an all-in-one platform that can assist with the following:
- Accounting
- Inventory management
- Reporting
- Compliance
- And more
Before you can reap the benefits of this new software, however, you must first manage your ERP system migration. Let’s explore how you can set the stage for a smooth transition.
Keys to a Successful ERP System Migration
Your ERP system migration strategy should involve a multi-step process. The most important phases include the following.
1. Build a Team
Managing an ERP migration is not a one-person job; it requires an entire team. Start by scheduling a meeting with your staff. Ideally, your team should include leaders from several divisions. The goal is to make sure each group of staff members is represented.
You should then discuss your plans and gather feedback before making a list of potential challenges. Identifying barriers early will help you better navigate them if or when they arise.
The team members will also provide insight into what data their groups use. Their feedback will help you decide which data to keep and what information to remove later in the process.
2. Analyze Your Data, Then Map It
Once your team is assembled, it’s time to analyze your historical data as part of a larger data migration strategy. Look for inconsistencies and redundancies. You should also map out where your data is located.
For instance, your financial data is likely stored on your accounting software. That said, some of the information may also be located on spreadsheets. Mapping out where all the data is located will ensure that no vital data is left behind during the data migration process.
During mapping, you must align the data with the ERP software’s structure. This allows the ERP’s automated tools to import it. If you don’t restructure the data, you will have to manually import it when you migrate data to the ERP system.
3. Choose What Data to Migrate
After you know where your master data is located, you can start sorting through it. Make a list of what information you are bringing over to the new system. This process is one of the most important steps in your migration project.
Bringing in bad data will reduce the effectiveness of your ERP. In contrast, loading your software with quality data will help you maximize your ROI and condense your time to value. Ensure to get input from your team during this phase, as they will help you decide what data needs to be incorporated into the new system.
4. Remove Outdated Information
Your current systems likely contain quite a bit of useless information. This is especially likely if you have been using the same software for many years. For example, you may have customer data from clients who haven’t made a purchase in years. Discontinued product information is another example of outdated data.
None of this old data provides any value for your business. For that reason, you need to get rid of it. If you aren’t quite ready to part with it, store it on a separate server. In the unlikely event that you need it later, you can import it from the server to your ERP.
5. Put the Right IT Resources in Place
Migrating to an ERP system is a huge project. Before you start the transition, make sure your IT team is up to the task. If they are already overwhelmed with day-to-day processes, you may need to invest in additional resources to support your ERP migration plan.
You should also look beyond your IT staff and consider what resources you have in place. Modern ERPs are cloud-based. As such, you won’t need to spend thousands on new servers. But you do need quality computers and reliable Internet.
If your current internet infrastructure is lagging behind, consider upgrading it. The same goes for your devices. Investing in new devices will not only support your migration but can also help your team increase their productivity. The updated devices will better equip them to carry out daily tasks.
6. Begin Your Migration
It’s time to migrate to your new ERP. Despite your careful preparations, this step can still seem daunting. Luckily, top options have built-in tools to help with this process.
For instance, the Oracle NetSuite ERP platform can automatically migrate structured and map data from your legacy software. This feature expedites your transition.
After your data is brought over, you should test it, running several series of tests to ensure your ERP is functioning properly. If needed, make adjustments to remedy any issues.
In addition, make sure to test every application within the ERP. Remember, each app has a unique purpose. They also use different sets of business data. Just because one app works does not mean that all of them will.
Thoroughly testing your ERP will help minimize post-deployment issues. In turn, this will decrease the time needed to value, boost your ROI, and ensure the successful completion of the ERP migration project.
Choosing the Right ERP Platform
Before you can put these tips to use, you must first choose your ERP platform. There are several on the market. But one stands above the rest because of its capabilities and performance. That platform is NetSuite ERP.
Why Oracle NetSuite ERP?
NetSuite is a highly scalable ERP solution. It includes over a dozen different modules, each of which is designed to support a specific business function. A few examples include accounting and HR modules.
The module framework allows you to implement only the apps you need. If you require new tools in the future, you can add them to the NetSuite system with ease.
NetSuite is also cloud-based. Cloud ERP systems can grow with your business. As an added benefit, you pay per user. This means you can enroll as many (or as few) users as needed. The per-user pay model of NetSuite makes it an economical choice for businesses of all sizes.
The most notable perk to NetSuite is that it is configurable: you can customize its modules to align with your goals and needs. The built-in configurability helps you derive better value from NetSuite and fuels business growth.
Should You Bring in Outside Resources?
An ERP system migration can be a challenging process. This holds true even if you have a talented in-house IT team. The good news is that you can remove friction from the transition by bringing in outside support.
You should consider working with an implementation partner such as Finlyte if you face these challenges:
- You have limited IT resources
- Your in-house team is stretched thin
- This is your first migration, and your team is inexperienced with ERP implementations
- Your data is scattered everywhere
- You want to maximize your return on investment
- You are looking to reduce your time to value
- You want to make the transition easy on your team
- You lack a dedicated project manager who can support the transition
- You have multiple legacy systems that need to be replaced
Does any of the above align with your business needs? If so, working with a third-party migration partner who will oversee the entire transition would be a smart move for your business.
We will provide you with a migration team or augment the capabilities of your in-house staff. We will also assist with cleaning data, importing information to the ERP, testing apps, and ensuring the ERP migration strategy is properly executed.
We also offer post-deployment support. This service allows you to overcome the growing pains associated with adopting a new platform. We can answer your team’s questions about the system, showcase valuable tools, and offer remote tech support.
Support Your ERP System Migration with Finlyte
Oracle NetSuite ERP is the ideal platform for your growing business. And Finlyte is the ERP system migration partner that can help you get the most out of your new investment.
Finlyte offers end-to-end migration management services, and we follow ERP data migration best practices to ensure you are ready on Day 1 to start using the new system.
We handle everything. Our expert team can plan your transition, map data, and more. We will work with your staff to decide which data needs to be tossed. Finlyte will even configure NetSuite for your business.
Ready to learn more? If so, schedule a NetSuite evaluation with Finlyte. We will help you decide whether this powerful ERP system is right for your business.
