How do you change your ERP strategy for different industries?

1 Assess your industry's characteristics

Before you adopt or modify an ERP system, you need to understand the characteristics of your industry and how they affect your business goals and operations. For example, some industries are highly regulated, such as healthcare, finance, and manufacturing, and need ERP systems that can comply with complex rules and standards. Other industries are more dynamic, such as retail, hospitality, and media, and need ERP systems that can adapt to changing customer preferences and market conditions. You should also consider the size, scope, and structure of your industry and how they influence your competitive advantage and growth potential.

2 Choose your ERP deployment model

One of the most important decisions you need to make when changing your ERP strategy is how to deploy your ERP system. There are three main options: on-premise, cloud, or hybrid. On-premise ERP systems are installed and maintained on your own servers and hardware, giving you more control and security, but also more cost and complexity. Cloud ERP systems are hosted and managed by a third-party provider, giving you more flexibility and scalability, but also more dependency and risk. Hybrid ERP systems are a combination of both, allowing you to leverage the benefits and mitigate the drawbacks of each model. You should choose the deployment model that best suits your industry's requirements, budget, and capabilities.

4 Integrate your ERP with other systems and data sources

Another way to change your ERP strategy is to integrate your ERP system with other systems and data sources that are relevant and valuable for your industry. ERP systems are not meant to work in isolation, but rather to communicate and collaborate with other systems and data sources that can enhance your business performance and intelligence. For example, you may want to integrate your ERP system with your CRM system to improve your customer relations and retention, or with your BI system to improve your data analysis and decision making. You should also consider the data quality and security of your ERP system and how to ensure its accuracy and integrity.

5 Train and support your ERP users and stakeholders

Finally, changing your ERP strategy also involves training and supporting your ERP users and stakeholders. ERP systems are complex and powerful tools that require proper knowledge and skills to use effectively and efficiently. You need to provide adequate training and support for your employees and stakeholders who will use or interact with your ERP system, especially when you introduce new or modified features and functions. You should also solicit feedback and suggestions from your ERP users and stakeholders and use them to improve your ERP system and strategy.