How do you make your ERP system work with existing IT infrastructure and apps?

1 Assess your current IT landscape

Before you choose an ERP system, you need to assess your current IT landscape and identify your goals, requirements, and pain points. What are the existing systems, apps, and data sources that you use in your daily operations? How are they connected and integrated? What are the gaps and inefficiencies that you want to address with an ERP system? How do you measure and monitor your IT performance and security? By answering these questions, you can create a clear picture of your current IT situation and define your ERP vision and scope.

2 Choose an ERP system that matches your IT strategy

Once you have assessed your current IT landscape, you need to choose an ERP system that matches your IT strategy and goals. There are many factors to consider when selecting an ERP system, such as functionality, scalability, flexibility, cost, support, and compatibility. You also need to decide whether you want a cloud-based or on-premise ERP system, or a hybrid model that combines both. Cloud-based ERP systems offer more agility, accessibility, and lower maintenance costs, but they also pose some challenges in terms of integration, security, and customization. On-premise ERP systems offer more control, stability, and customization, but they also require more upfront investment, infrastructure, and resources. Hybrid ERP systems can offer the best of both worlds, but they also require more complex management and coordination.

3 Plan and execute your ERP integration

After you have chosen your ERP system, you need to plan and execute your ERP integration with your existing IT infrastructure and apps. ERP integration is the process of connecting and synchronizing your ERP system with other systems, apps, and data sources, so that they can share information and work together effectively. To do this, you can use APIs, middleware, connectors, or custom code. The best method for you depends on your needs, budget, and technical capabilities. ERP integration can be challenging and time-consuming. To ensure a successful integration, you should define your goals and requirements, map your data sources and flows, choose the right tools and methods, test and validate the results, and monitor and troubleshoot the performance.

4 Customize your ERP system to fit your business needs

Customizing your ERP system to fit your business needs and processes is another important step to make it work with your existing IT infrastructure and apps. ERP customization involves modifying and configuring the system to meet specific requirements, such as adding new features or changing the user interface. This can help you optimize your ERP system and enhance its usability and functionality, but it can also increase complexity, reduce compatibility, and affect upgradeability and support. To balance the benefits and drawbacks of ERP customization, you should prioritize goals, document changes, use standard methods and tools, test results, and review updates periodically.

5 Train and support your users and stakeholders

The final step to make your ERP system work with your existing IT infrastructure and apps is to train and support your users and stakeholders. It is important to communicate your ERP vision and benefits, provide adequate and timely training and education, solicit feedback and suggestions, offer ongoing and accessible support and assistance, and celebrate and reward your ERP successes and achievements. In doing so, you can ensure that your users are aware, engaged, and empowered to use your ERP system effectively and efficiently. This will enable you to reap the rewards of improved productivity, efficiency, accuracy, and collaboration in your organization.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?