Your move to a new ERP system –

How high do you set the bar?

Many organisations around the world will be considering moving to a new ERP software solution within the next 2 years. Some of them will choose an upgrade to a cloud solution with their current supplier, whereas others will decide to put their trust in another supplier and switch solutions.

If you are in this position and whichever route you opt to pursue, do ensure that you know what your intent is with this move. Will it simply be a ‘lift and shift’ approach, like old wine in new bottles? Or is the goal to update your business processes, put the customers at the centre of all you do and modernise your internal mindsets? In other words: how high do you set the bar?

It has become a widely accepted fact these days – IT is an enabler and it can help your organisation become faster, more agile and resilient. But, that’s not something that happens by itself! The way you will use the new system and the benefits you and your customers will experience are closely related to the choices you make, prior to implementation and to the actions you take next.

This all starts with your long-term goals: What is it you want to achieve?

Some organisations are happy when they only modernise their IT tools, so they will migrate from on-premise to a cloud solution but they will carry their outdated business processes, old data, old reports and outdated way of thinking about customers with them.

It’s worth questioning if this approach would satisfy your needs, since what you do in this scenario is continue the legacy of your organisation in a world that is on fire! Before taking any decisions on a cloud migration or a complete replacement, you must define your business goals first!

These are not technical goals, but business goals. This is, of course, an activity where your top management must be fully involved. Yes – not should but must! After all, we’re talking about the future of your company.

And here, you should not be shy in any way! Consider becoming the most customer-oriented company in your industry. Or the winner of Digital Transformation. Raising the bar will make your project more challenging – for sure! On the other hand, it can also free up an unprecedented amount of energy and brilliant ideas in your team. More importantly, realising blunt goals will make your company great, much better than when you keep doing what you’ve always done.

So, how high do you set the bar?

October 3, 2022