Getting the Business Central implementation right is extremely important for any organization as it directly impacts various departments, business processes, and strategic aspects of the business. In addition, multiple organizational stakeholders have different expectations and aspirations from the system, making ERP implementation even more demanding.
However, in our experience, we have seen a few challenges occur more frequently and consistently across implementations. The blog below highlights them and includes a few tips to help get your Business Central implementation right.
Business Central implementation challenges
1) Dealing with hybrid implementations
Several organizations are opting for hybrid Business Central deployment, i.e., sensitive data is stored on-premises while cloud servers are entrusted for the rest of the data and processing power. In such cases, it’s essential to establish hardware compatibility, employee proficiency, IT infrastructure adequacy, cybersecurity measures, and more during the ERP implementation.
2) Sourcing, cleaning, and feeding data to Business Central ERP
Sourcing organizational data from various departments, sorting it and establishing relationships and codependences is a severe challenge while implementing any ERP. Also, it’s necessary to eliminate redundant data since it’s a common reason behind poor adoption and decision-making.
3) Changes in organizational structure and goals during ERP implementation
Companies often opt for ERP implementation at a stage where their business is expanding rapidly. Product diversification, targeting new territories, buyer personas, selling channels, and restructuring the organization are expected during this phase. However, these aspects create significant challenges for Business Central or, for that matter, any ERP implementation process since the requirements evolve rapidly. Since full ERP implementation requires a considerable time horizon, changes in organizational structure and goals must be accounted for well in advance with appropriate due diligence.
4) Lack of adequate communication and training
Business Central implementation is far more than a software adoption; it mandates significant changes to operational and business processes. Therefore, senior leaders must proactively communicate with employees and train them to improve adoption.
User adoption is among the most crucial factors of post-implementation success. If your staff isn’t appropriately trained or adequate support isn’t provided throughout the learning curve, implications can sabotage the overall ERP prospects.
5) Increasing scope and implementation costs
Implementing any ERP solution requires going through numerous prerequisites to define existing business processes, issues, and deliverables. Unfortunately, organizational leaders and executives often get too enthusiastic about what they expect Business Central to achieving. Requesting features with limited or occasional utility contributes to unnecessary expenditure and complicates the overall solution, sabotaging its effectiveness.
6) Poor project management
Poor project management is another major challenge observed during major ERP upgrades and implementations. Unplanned tasks, cascading codependences, last minute changes in the requirements scheme negatively affect the Business Central implementation project and eventually contribute to increased costs.
Tips for driving success with your Business Central Implementation
Despite the odds, ERP adoption is set to accelerate, and there’s no way you can afford to miss the train in such situations. Let us look at a few tips to help you effectively manage the challenges mentioned above.
- Firstly, build a strong project team consisting of employees from various organization levels, experience, and software proficiency levels. This team must be assigned key roles during Business Central implementation, and the members must ensure that the leadership and employees are on the same page throughout the project.
- When defining expected results, consider evolving goals and organizational structure.
- Ensure complete transparency is upheld at all levels of the organization and every employee is taken into confidence. In addition, make sure all stakeholders are aware of the benefits of the Business Central implementation.
- Train the staff well in advance and meticulously discuss improvements in business processes; they act as real game changers in success.
- Prioritizing data cleaning since reusing old workflows will lead to problems despite having a sophisticated ERP like Business Central.
- Create a robust implementation plan with a clear definition of each stakeholder’s role and timeline (with the scope of adjustments.)
- Include the post-implementation support requirements as a part of the SLA so that any issue is dealt with systematically.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, an ERP implementation is demanding, but having the right partner can significantly improve the chances of a successful implementation. We have seen even the most seasoned customers/ users make mistakes. At Mentor Consulting Services, we spend time understanding our clients and tailoring the process for sustainable success. So, if you are looking for a dependable Business Central vendor, feel free to get in touch.
