ERP - Efficiency

Throughout my conversations with clients, one thing that becomes apparent is many managers are struggling to get their technicians to not only use the ERP systems they have invested in but use them efficiently. That is why the experience of that specific ERP system is often on job specifications, companies assume you understand how to use the ERP system and have been trained previously.

I posted a blog on what to consider when you are implementing an ERP System which you can read here. I discussed how training can be expensive, however, it is vital for making the ERP system a worthy investment for your company. Why spend the money on the ERP system if you are not going to have the key users using it sufficiently. Yet new technology and developments can lay the groundwork for companies to compete with their competitors. The more efficient work can be made, the more work that can be done.

Research recently carried out by the Future of Field Service found that the implementation of new ERP system’s and modern technology was heavily invested in and supported by executives. However, this support was not being pushed further down the line of the employment titles. Two specific issues where this failure seemed to be apparent was in Field Service Management and Augmented Reality. Failure of utilising these important services can lead to data inaccuracies, errors being made and eventual neglect of the system, which can be detrimental to a company’s success.

There are things you can consider improving these issues:

• Use exhaustive pilot programmes – and more importantly not just to your technicians, to department users
• A new implementation should involve at least a week of initial training, shadowing and workshops – from a business perspective it could be viewed as disadvantageous for the company to train for a week but an upfront time investment with save time and costs in the future
• Encourage your staff to use the new ERP through office shout-outs and incentives – this will encourage everyone to get involved and invest time in learning and using the system to its full potential
• Listen – find out what issues specific departments are having and make their process easier. Everyone will invest time and effort into a new system if they can see how it will make their job easier/better.

After reading this, do you feel a relation to your company? If so I have the professional resources to assist, including trainers, developers and in-house consultants.

Feel free to contact me to discuss any issues you may be having in your company with your ERP system and efficiency, and let’s plan to change this… today!

Thanks for reading,

Charlotte Wilson