How ERP Optimization Protects Software Investments

Implementing a new ERP system can be an expensive investment for your company. Costs include the software purchase, consulting hours, and the training of your internal resources. Once your new system is implemented, how do you protect and continue to grow your investment?

One of the key phases in our implementation methodology at Sikich is the optimization phase. During this phase, we work with our clients to design a road map for continued system improvements. Why is this important? During the implementation, there are often features that aren’t initially brought live. There are so many fantastic features within Dynamics GP, but our philosophy for the first phase of an implementation is to “focus on what we should implement, not what we can implement.”

Key tasks from our optimization phase road map can include:

• Implementation of additional modules that are already owned. For instance, Fixed Assets, EFT or Electronic Bank Reconciliation may have been “nice to have” modules that were not included in the original project plan. For a manufacturer, the MRP, MPS or Sales Forecasting modules are often implemented during a second phase.
• Advanced Reporting. Some of the most popular reporting products requested today by our clients are Corporate Performance Management (CPM) solutions, such as Adaptive Planning or BI360.
  • Adaptive Planning is a cloud-based CPM solution that offers revenue planning, budgeting and forecasting software for cash flow projection, sales planning and balance sheet forecasting. This solution combines a powerful financial modeling engine with an easy-to-use, drag and drop interface.Adaptive Planning includes “Balance Sheet Forecasting and Cash Flow Forecasting” with integrated P&L and what-if analyses to predict impact on cash flow forecast.
  • Solver’s BI360 can be implemented on-premise or in the cloud. It offers financial reporting & consolidations, budgeting and forecasting, and dashboard modules. The BI360 suite offers a data warehouse to combine your data sources and to empower business users with self-service analytics.

• Developing CRM to Dynamics GP Integrations. Integrating CRM into Dynamics GP can reduce duplicate data entry and provide a 360 degree view of your customers—including buying trends, service/support requirements, order history and existing opportunities—providing valuable insight into future growth.
• Implementing a Warehouse Management Solution (WMS). WMS systems have been proven to increase productivity, decrease common receiving and shipping mishaps, increase inventory accuracy and maximize your capacity. Utilizing Sikich’s ERP and/or Warehouse Management consultant teams in choosing the right WMS system for your business can lead to better demand planning, reduced operational expenses, and improved supply chain and customer relationships.
• Refresher Training. While user training is a key component to any successful ERP implementation, continuing to invest in internal resources is often a forgotten step. During an ERP implementation, users are often overwhelmed with learning the new system and keeping up with their normal everyday workload. This can make it difficult for users to retain all the knowledge that they have learned from their training sessions.

Refresher training scheduled 30 to 90 days after Go Live tends to advance users’ skillsets in a less stressful environment, empowering them to make further business process improvements. Users who understand how their ERP system functions, can make clear, informed decisions on how to improve processes.

What if you don’t have an optimization road map? Contact Sikich to learn more about how we can assist you in optimizing your ERP system.