What do you do if your ERP system undergoes a major update?

There are some point 1. Understand the Update: Start by reviewing the release notes to understand the scope of the update. 2. Test the Update in a Sandbox: Before applying the update to your Prod env,deploy it in a sandbox or test env. 3. Involve Key Stakeholders: Collaborate with business units to ensure they are aware of the changes. 4. Backup Critical Data: Ensure that all essential data and configurations are backed up before applying the update. 5. Plan for Downtime: If the update requires system downtime, schedule it during off-peak hours to minimize disruption. 6. Train Employees: If the update introduces significant changes, provide training sessions. 7. Post-Update Monitoring: After applying the update, monitor system performance.

When your ERP system undergoes a major update, planning ahead is crucial to minimize disruption. Start by evaluating the scope of the update, identifying which modules and processes will be impacted. Communicate the changes to all stakeholders and schedule the update during off-peak hours to reduce downtime. Prepare for compatibility checks with existing customizations and third-party integrations, and conduct thorough testing in a sandbox environment. Provide training and support to ensure users can quickly adapt. By having a detailed contingency plan in place, you ensure a smooth transition with minimal operational impact.

Before the update, create a detailed timeline. Chat with your team about potential impacts on operations and set realistic deadlines. Planning is key to avoiding nasty surprises!

Una actualización del ERP, por insignificante que pueda parecer, siempre conlleva un riesgo, puesto que puede afectar a las operaciones. No sólo hay que analizar el impacto funcional y técnico que puede tener, sino también tecnológico, de recursos, de formación en los equipos y usuarios, de despliegue, etc. Según la clasificación que hagamos podríamos determinar si la actualización está acotada y es controlable, o de un gran calado y, por lo tanto, debe ser tratada de forma totalmente diferente.

Run tests in a development environment before rolling out. Check if all features are working and ensure there are no unwanted impacts. This helps avoid issues down the line.

When your ERP system undergoes a major update, thorough testing is critical to ensuring a smooth transition. Begin by testing all modules, processes, and integrations in a controlled environment before going live. Pay special attention to customizations, data migration, and third-party add-ons to catch any potential errors. Involve key users in testing to validate real-world scenarios and gather feedback. Address any issues found during testing, and only proceed with the update when everything functions as expected. This thorough testing approach minimizes risks, reduces downtime, and ensures business continuity.

Crear un conjunto de pruebas, bien de regresión, bien de las nuevas funcionalidades que pudieran aparecer es imprescindible y obvio. Sin embargo, estas pruebas deben ser fácilmente repetibles en diferentes ciclos, puesto que, según la importancia de la actualización, será necesaria más de una vuelta de pruebas. Por otra parte, empezar en un entorno sandbox y luego ir abriendo el abanico a los diferentes niveles que se tengan (desarrollo, test, pre, producción) será l estrategia más habitual.

Get your team ready for the change! Provide training on new features and hold Q&A sessions. The more familiar they are, the smoother the transition will be.

After a major ERP update, training staff is essential to ensure smooth adoption and continued productivity. Start by organizing training sessions tailored to different user roles, focusing on new features, changes in workflows, and system improvements. Use hands-on demonstrations and real-life scenarios to help employees understand how the update impacts their daily tasks. Provide user guides, FAQs, and ongoing support for post-training questions. Well-prepared staff will adapt quickly to the update, reducing errors and improving system efficiency across the organization.

Esta fase será necesaria o no, dependiendo del impacto de la actualización. Si se trata de un parche concreto, quizá sólo el equipo de soporte deba conocerlo. Si estamos hablando de cambiar por completo de versión entonces podríamos llegar a considerar un despliegue completo del ERP, lo cual requerirá su propio plan de formación, técnico y funcional.

Never underestimate the importance of a complete backup (I SAID NEVERRRR lol) ! Before any update, make sure all data is saved. This protects against loss and ensures you can restore the system if needed.

After the update, keep an eye on how things are running. Monitor system performance and be ready to troubleshoot quickly. This ensures all users have a smooth experience.

After the update, seek feedback from the team on what worked and what needs improvement. This input is valuable for future updates and helps enhance processes!