- Business, ERP, NetSuite, Sage, Sage Intacct
A well-chosen team will make sure the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is configured to align with business needs and therefore help avoid costly mistakes and inefficiencies. The most successful transformations are led by what we call an ERP “Special Forces” unit. With the right people in place, organisations can maximise their ERP investment and drive sustained growth.
The Common Pitfalls in ERP Team Selection
1. The need to access systems remotely
With Sage 50, you are limited to just two options for accessing your business’s systems: working from the office or setting up a remote-access server. Unfortunately, the former often results in long hours and weekends spent away from your loved ones, while the latter requires investing in infrastructure and additional IT personnel to keep it running smoothly. Not being able to access systems from anywhere, at any time, puts strain on the business’s operations and how efficiently they work.
2. You have unscalable, error-prone manual processes
It’s incredibly easy for inefficient processes that may have worked when you first started out to gradually become the “norm” even though they can’t handle growth and expansion. This often leads to the need for hiring more staff as your business grows. Without automation to streamline operations, you risk losing valuable time to manual tasks. Plus, there’s an increased chance of errors when manually inputting data, which can further hinder progress. These manual processes ultimately effect your business’s ability to thrive, causing you to fall behind and miss out on valuable opportunities.
3. You’re doing too much of your reporting in excel
As your business continues to grow, it becomes increasingly important to have a comprehensive reporting system in place. Unfortunately, Sage 50 lacks the ability to create calculated fields, making it impossible to combine financial and non-financial data for easy analysis, such as tracking revenue generated per sales representative. This limitation often leads to delays and, in some cases, missed deadlines when generating reports for executives and the board. Needless to say, this is a situation that no one wants to find themselves in.
4. You are experiencing integration issues
Integrating Sage 50 with other software or third-party applications can be quite challenging, resulting in issues with data consistency and the need for manual data entry. Many industries have specific requirements that can only be met by top-notch vendors. When these systems are unable to communicate effectively, it often leads to the adoption of manual workarounds, which can be both costly and time-consuming.
5. Your multi-entity consolidations take hours to days
Because Sage 50 was designed as an on-premises solution, it may not meet the needs of organizations that have multiple business entities. This can result in the need for manual entry of inter-entity transactions to ensure balanced books. As a result, consolidations can become time-consuming, taking hours or even days to complete as data from all entities must be exported and combined in Excel. These delays can have a significant impact on the speed at which books can be closed.
Assembling Your ERP “Special Forces” Team
Unlike traditional project teams, an ERP Special Forces unit is built with a different strategy. A well-balanced implementation and delivery team includes a mix of technical and business expertise. Below we have listed some of the critical roles:
• Project Manager – This role oversees the entire project, making sure roles and responsibilities are clear, actions are defined, the project stays on track, within budget, and aligns with business goals.
• Departmental Leads – This role represents the different departments and is there to make sure the ERP system meets all operational needs. Providing input on workflows, identifying potential challenges, and ensuring the system aligns with day-to-day business processes.
• Technical Lead – Manages system integrations, data migrations, and customisation. Their expertise ensures that the ERP system functions seamlessly with existing tools, maintains data integrity, and is optimised for performance and scalability.
• Data Migration Specialist – The role makes sure data is transferred accurately to the new ERP platform. They validate, cleanse, and map data to prevent inconsistencies or errors, ensuring a smooth transition without disrupting business operations.
• Business Change Lead – This role is about driving the adoption of change and the new system, including the internal training and communication throughout the organisation. They help employees understand the benefits of the ERP system, address resistance to change, and develop strategies to maximise user engagement and long-term success.
The Role of Effective Project Management
By investing in effective project management, businesses can significantly improve their chances of ERP implementation success and therefore reduce risks and maximise long term benefits. Poor project management can have such a negative impact on an ERP implementation and can lead to delays, buy in, budget overruns, and system inefficiencies.
The responsibilities of a project manager extend far beyond simple task management, they must have a clear vision, excellent communication skills, and the ability to anticipate and address challenges before they escalate.
A strong project manager should:
• Set realistic goals, roles and timelines
• Keep partners informed and engaged
• Manage risks and resolve issues promptly
• Ensure alignment between the ERP system and business processes
Shifting from a traditional project team to a Special Forces model
The most successful CFOs and CEOs understand that ERP implementation isn’t just an IT project, it’s a strategic transformation. By adopting this approach, your business can sidestep common ERP pitfalls and achieve a system that truly drives efficiency, innovation, and growth.
Noledge is a trusted partner in ERP solutions, and we understand that choosing and implementing an ERP system is a significant decision. We have extensive experience and are leading ERP software providers who are committed to helping businesses achieve the outcomes and results they need to drive growth and have long term success.
A successful ERP implementation is not just about technology – it’s about the people. Taking the time to invest in the right internal team means that your organisation can fully leverage the benefits. Noledge is here to help. Contact us today to learn how our tailored ERP solutions can deliver the business benefits your organisation needs.
About the Author
Roger Gribbin
Roger Gribbin is an IT professional with over 25 years of experience in various roles, involving assisting customers with selection projects for ERP, CRM, and BI, as well as hands-on implementation and project management in medium-sized organisations in Ireland. He currently serves as the Sales Director for the Noledge Group.