Training Best Practices for ERP Implementation Success

Thousands of applications and digital tools are available to help businesses succeed. From accounting software to customer relationship manager software and everything in between, businesses depend on these tools to simplify, accelerate, and improve their processes and operations.

But all of these tools mean that a company has its information and processes spread across multiple platforms. To benefit from these various tools while consolidating all of their information, businesses can use an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. However, this is easier said than done, as ERP implementation is no small task. The best approach to successfully implementing an ERP system is always one that involves training your team.

Here’s everything you need to know about enterprise resource planning training and implementation.

What is an ERP?

Enterprise resource planning is a type of software that allows businesses to store and manage all of their key information and processes in one place. This requires ERP integration, which is the process of consolidating data from various applications and databases used by the company and integrating it into the ERP software.

By using application programming interfaces (APIs) to connect disparate apps and databases, various departments, including finance, HR, and operations, can work from a single central platform.

This centralization delivers several other benefits, such as:

• Improved compliance: Since ERPs centralize much of a company’s data, they enable increased oversight and enhanced compliance enforcement.
• Increased efficiency: Automated workflows and reduced time searching for data in various applications create a more efficient team.
• Sole source of business data: With all your data in one place, data management becomes much easier.

Why is it important to give your employees ERP training?

ERP software requires extensive training to learn how to use it effectively. When your team receives proper training and can confidently navigate the ERP, they’ll be more productive and accurate in their work, providing a better return on investment for your ERP.

The more knowledgeable your team is, the more likely they’ll be to look forward to using the new system. They’ll also accept their new and additional responsibilities more readily and be more willing to learn about new policies and processes.

Ultimately, each department within your company will likely utilize the ERP for distinct purposes and in various ways. Training that suits one department may not suit another, so it’s essential that team members in each department have the opportunity to learn how the ERP will work for them.

Top training best practices to successfully implement an ERP system

Learning how to use an ERP is a significant task, which is why your team must receive proper training. Here are some best practices for training during ERP implementation to ensure success.

1. Know your end goals

To provide your team with the proper ERP training, you need to understand precisely what your ERP is for and how your team will utilize it. Assess the functions it will need to carry out, which team members will use the ERP, and how much experience your team already has with ERPs through tests and surveys.

2. Make your training measurable

Ensure your team hits their training targets by setting clearly defined goals. When the only training requirements are that your team attends the necessary sessions and consumes the correct content, it doesn’t tell you how much they actually learn.

Instead, measure their training success through:

• Written assessments to determine their knowledge levels.
• Practical assessments so they can demonstrate how well they’ve picked up new skills.
• Task completion times.

Throughout their training and after, you could also encourage your team to create their own SMART goals. SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. They are individual to each team member and based on where they believe they have the biggest potential to improve.

After their initial training is complete, you can also measure the training’s effectiveness based on how many support tickets they raise.

3. Offer a mixed training approach

To provide your team with a comprehensive and diverse training program, consider varying how they learn. Ensure your training includes a mix of in-person and online, instructor-led and student-led, as well as on-the-job training opportunities.

Hands-on opportunities are particularly valuable, as they enable your team to become familiar with the ERP’s functionalities and capabilities. To give them the freedom to learn in this way, consider providing an ERP sandbox or interactive replica for them to work in.

Using various content mediums, such as text, videos, podcasts, and interactive activities, you can make the training more accessible and enjoyable.

With a diverse ERP employee training program, your team will stay motivated and find the program more engaging, all while catering to different learning styles and preferences.

4. Give your team the time they need

To achieve a successful ERP implementation, you need to allocate sufficient time for your team to focus on their training. Allow them to dedicate at least 25% of their time to ERP implementation training, and perhaps as much as 100%, depending on their role within the team.

You should also set a realistic schedule for the training program.

5. Find a partner to assist with training and implementation

To streamline the ERP implementation and team training, you may wish to partner with an ERP expert. With the help of your partner, you can avoid common ERP pitfalls, teach your team exactly what they need to know, and get your ERP operational sooner.

It’s important that your partner is familiar with your chosen ERP software.

6. Invest in ongoing training

Once you have implemented your ERP, that shouldn’t mean the ERP software training should end. Any new team members who join will have to learn how to use the ERP software, so you’ll need to create an effective onboarding process.

Existing team members may need to occasionally refresh their knowledge, too.

7. Get support from the top

To successfully implement your ERP, your team will need support from leadership from the beginning. Without this, you could risk:

• The team not being given the time they need for their training.
• The project running over budget and behind schedule.
• A lack of leadership on the project.
• The project not running in line with the company’s wider goals and operations.

Ensuring a Smooth ERP Implementation and Training

Implementing an ERP can be complex. It’s a project that requires significant investment of resources, including time, money, and personnel. Even when you give the project the attention it deserves and follow best practices in ERP implementation, you may still face obstacles you could have avoided.

At ArcherPoint, we’re familiar with all the common pitfalls that you might fall into as you implement your ERP. Through our software development services, you can more easily avoid them. Additionally, our ERP training service also ensures your team can effectively use your ERP, making implementation that much easier.

To find out more about how we can help your business with a successful ERP implementation, get in touch with us today.

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