Whatever industry you operate in, deploying an enterprise resource planning system is a significant undertaking that cannot be taken lightly. ERP implementation efforts need the dedication of the project team and the backing of key business leaders to be successful. This is true for various reasons, including cost, ROI, and who will be in charge of the process inside your organization.

Undoubtedly, ERP deployment is a huge task, but it need not be a terrible ordeal. Implementing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system should go smoothly and boost efficiency across your firm with the right strategy and execution. We at Entartes have compiled these crucial best practices that should not be overlooked when deciding on and implementing an ERP solution.

How to Pick the Right Enterprise Resource Planning System

It's not surprising that there are many ERP implementation options, given the breadth of ERP's applicability. Of course, you could write your own ERP code from scratch, but that might not be the best idea, given the magnitude of the task. 

Alternatively, you can buy on-premise ERP software and install it in-house on your computers and servers. However, this sobering reality must be considered before committing to an on-premises ERP system: Nearly two-thirds of mid-sized companies are using ERP systems that are at least a few versions old. For what reason has progress been so slow? It's not uncommon for businesses to opt out of upgrading to newer versions because of the hassle and cost involved in reimplementing incremental releases and the danger of losing essential functionality and integrations. To get the most out of your ERP, it's vital to keep it up-to-date, so selecting a system deployment method that allows for smooth updates while keeping your unique settings intact is essential.

A third option is a cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, such as NetSuite. A cloud-based approach to ERP eliminates the need for costly initial expenditures on IT gear and servers, as well as the stress associated with devoting substantial human resources to operating the system, all because it is handled off-site by the ERP provider. 

Lastly, cloud-based ERP installations are typically considerably quicker and easier to design and configure than on-premises deployments. In addition, they require less effort to maintain, thanks to the cloud service provider's responsibility for constant technology updates. Perhaps the best attribute of cloud-based solutions is the remote access for salespeople and managers from either their laptop or even their mobile phone, allowing day-to-day operations to flow even when people are out of the office. Last but not least, cloud computing makes it easy to upgrade to newer versions of products, as modifications and integrations are updated together with the rest of the system.

What is the Secret to Making it All Come Together?

We'll go over the many prices, purchasing, implementation, installation, and service options available to you, whether you're a large enterprise interested in the whole suite of NetSuite products or a small business interested in NetSuite CRM. This is the only manual you will ever need to initiate action.

A Look at Why So Many Companies are Switching to NetSuite

As you may know, NetSuite is the industry-leading cloud-based business management solution that unifies ERP, financials, CRM, e-commerce, PSA, inventory, and other key business functions into a unified, easy-to-use platform. NetSuite can be implemented rapidly, is intuitive to operate, and can be customized to meet your company's unique needs.

Thousands of businesses around the world rely on NetSuite ERP because it allows them to:

Take charge of your business's data, systems, and processes and ensure they run smoothly.

• Gain company-wide transparency from a centralized location.
• Maximize capacity so that your company can expand.
• Improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Do away with data silos along with other inefficient corporate practices.

How to Set Up NetSuite in Your Business

You may feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of results when searching the web for information about NetSuite ERP. However, if you've done your research, you know that your company can acquire and deploy NetSuite in a number of different ways.

Whether you are just beginning your search for business ERP software or are ready to purchase NetSuite, we will give you the tools you need for a successful NetSuite Implementation.

Set the Right Foundation

Planning and preparation, system design, configuration, data migration, testing, and training, are the typical components of any successful implementation strategy. A competent project manager and implementation partner are essential for rolling out NetSuite efficiently. ERP implementations are best started with a designated project manager at the helm. It's possible that implementing NetSuite will take up an entire person's time at your firm, depending on how big it is. To complete the project, your chosen team leader must have strong project management skills.

The ideal candidate will be fast to react to problems and adept at communicating with your NetSuite partner to keep everyone on the same page as you adjust your internal processes.

Choose the Right NetSuite Partner:

A NetSuite partner's services can help you save time and money, regardless of how technically savvy you are. For a successful implementation, it's essential to set reasonable expectations for the time it will take, whether three months is the absolute minimum or you have more time.

Adopting NetSuite in as little as three months is possible, but clients should be prepared for a schedule of 4-7 months, depending on complexity.

Find a NetSuite partner who can work with your company's specific demands regarding price, timeline, customization, and capacity. Before committing to a partnership, be sure your research shows that the company has a history of success and, ideally, a few references. Ultimately, this will show how much your consultants care about their client's business and industry. Moreover, a reliable partner will quickly probe for essential information and steer you through the NetSuite installation procedure. Entartes can be your reliable guide for this project.

Ask the Right Questions

A successful NetSuite implementation requires your partner's solid understanding of your business. For this reason, it's crucial that you are involved in the process. Pose challenging questions to your vendor. As an illustration, what kind of challenges do you foresee with our tech stack? We've had challenges with this part of our manufacturing process in the past, how would you look at addressing this? How would you suggest we handle XYZ? Your NetSuite implementation questions won't be new to a seasoned partner.

Choose the Right License for Your Needs

NetSuite offers various licensing options that make it a flexible solution that can meet the needs of many different businesses. 

NetSuite Limited Edition is designed for small organizations with a single entity, fewer than 50 employees, and a need for 1-10 users. Meanwhile, if your business has 11-1,000 employees and operates in more than one currency, you need the scalability and flexibility of NetSuite's Mid-Market Edition. Finally, NetSuite Enterprise Edition is meant for organizations with 1,001 or more users. If only a handful of your workers will be using NetSuite for simple chores like clocking in and out each day, you won't have to pay for them to be considered "basic" or "routine" users.

If you are unsure which NetSuite option best suits your organization, we are happy to advise. 

Demand Accountability from the Implementation Team

Do the right amount of follow-up and be accessible to answer any questions your partner may have. You wouldn't leave your contractors in charge of renovating your home without checking in on them regularly, right? Asking questions as you go along is preferable to doing so at the end. You likely will spend considerable amounts of money on rolling out NetSuite, so it's crucial you mitigate as many potential challenges early and often.

For many customers, this is the most challenging phase. Getting new technology to help your business function more smoothly is exciting. Nevertheless, skipping ahead will lead to unforeseen difficulties down the road. Building trust and accountability with your NetSuite partner is critical as they advise you on optimal usage.

Set Realistic Implementation Goals

While an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software has the potential to alter your company's operations dramatically, it will take time to implement. Integrating ERP's multiple employee touch points— including accounting, inventory management, production, e-commerce, and customer relationship management, is crucial for providing a streamlined customer experience.

This must be carefully planned and carried out. If you want to get your ERP system up and running faster, hire an expert and ensure your work is properly scoped. Spend Time And Energy Building A Capable Team And A Solid Project Management Infrastructure

Make sure your organization has the workforce available to see an ERP deployment through to completion before beginning work on such a project. This may sound like a no-brainer, yet many businesses rush towards deployment without allocating enough resources, leading to stressed, overworked employees and poor implementation.

You can improve the success rate of your ERP implementation by appointing a project manager and assembling a team to work under their direction. It may be necessary to relieve ERP team members of some of their regular responsibilities to allow them time to focus on the project at hand. Recruit a capable project manager to oversee your team and ensure that your implementation stays on track.

Keeping these guidelines in mind helps ensure that your deployment gets off to a good start and stays on track. A more efficient ERP experience and a better-run organization are the end result when you invest more time upfront into researching the best ERP installation option for your firm, develop consensus around the endeavor, set accurate expectations, and provide the support your staff needs.