“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success!” quoted Alexander Graham Bell, and this ultimately applies to the migration to a new ERP system as well. For a successful implementation of it, several aspects are important, such as the correct configuration of processes, good quality of data, and not to forget the adoption by employees. In short, an optimal integration of processes, people, and data. For the right configuration of processes, you need to understand how the current processes operate and then analyze how you want to configure the new processes. For the Benelux branch of a major player in the global food industry, Tentive was commissioned to support them in this preparatory phase.
The parent company of this Benelux branch decided to roll out Microsoft Dynamics across all its European branches. The target business processes of procurement, sales, planning, production, and HR were central. The company engaged Tentive to map, analyze, map, and assess these mentioned target business processes in the preliminary phase of the implementation process. Processes already mapped were migrated where possible, allowing all processes to be documented according to a consistent methodology. All of this was to achieve a successful migration and implementation of Microsoft Dynamics later on.
Mapping Current Business Processes
It is often the case that companies themselves do not have sufficient insight into how their current processes are structured. This was also the case in this situation, resulting in disconnects that led to uncertainties and delays. Additionally, planning often took more time than desired. This needed to change after the migration. But how do you achieve this when you are part of an international organization?
As a first step, all business processes were mapped in collaboration with the client using an AS-IS Blueprint. An additional result was that the Tentive BPM Consultants succeeded in documenting those processes that the client initially thought were complex and very difficult to map. Based on the AS-IS situation, uncertainties in processes were immediately identified, and inefficiencies were flagged. An added benefit was that the organization was already enabled to achieve quick wins and apply process optimization.
By not only mapping the processes but also applying process optimization at the front end, the organization will be able to better configure the new ERP system and ensure it aligns optimally with the organization.
Capitalizing on Employee Knowledge through Workshops
Capturing the ‘snapshot’ of the current situation and investigating what needed to change to improve processes, process flow, and cross-functional interaction of processes was done by organizing workshops. Workshops were organized for each process, and information was collected from end-users, process owners, and/or stakeholders. Subsequently, the processes were validated, approved, and documented by the organization. Upon completion of the project, management, including a handbook, was handed over to the responsible party within the organization. An additional benefit is that stakeholders feel involved in the project right from the beginning
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Is your organization also on the verge of migrating to a new ERP system? Get in touch with us. Our team has dealt with this situation before and would be happy to collaborate with you in creating a solid plan of action.
