ERP projects despite or because of Corona

The Covid-19 virus and its impact on the economy still cannot be assessed even after weeks in lockdown. It is precisely this uncertainty that is cited everywhere when it comes to reasons for not doing anything for the time being. This is a reflex that not everyone wants to indulge in, however. According to a Survey of the IT Online MagazineIn April and May 2020, 268 members of the SAP community took part in the survey. 68 of the respondents want to stick to their projects. Ignorance or foresight?

So much honesty must be

Of course, the survey quoted here cannot conceal an emerging trend: Yes - many companies are pulling started projectsdespite Corona. Whether they start planned projects, however, is another matter altogether.
Another key factor is likely to be which Industry a company belongs to. In some companies, the future outlook is so bleak that all strategy is focussed on damage limitation.

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Despite Corona or because of Corona

Nevertheless, there are some good reasons to embark on the adventure right now. ERP implementation to tackle it. And some of these reasons are proving to be a perfect opportunity to tackle this project now, precisely because of the crisis.

The scarce resource of time

Not long ago, everything was going splendidly. The order books were full and the future didn't look bad. What wasn't going so well for companies was the increasing workload combined with a weak economy. resources. A shortage of skilled labour was the most frequently cited problem for companies. In this situation, taking on the expense of an ERP implementation was an idea that made many entrepreneurs, but also their employees, shudder.

On the other hand, the situation was not much different. Some ERP consultancies had been operating at the limits of their capacity for some time. The top consultants in particular were often fully booked for months. Projects were supposed to be awarded but were not accepted.

Suddenly, resources are available on both sides that could not have been expected until recently. It is now a truism that the success of ERP projects depends heavily on the people involved. This applies to both sides. If there is now an opportunity to significantly integrate the best people in the company into this project, this is an advantage that should not be underestimated. The consulting company may now also be much more flexible and scheduling will be much easier.

Lower costs due to higher concentration

The chance of a ERP project The ability to tackle a project with a decent budget of time and resources also has a direct impact on costs. Of course, it is much more effective to be able to work through a project in one go. Frequent interruptions force you to repeat things. In addition to the duplication of work, the error rate and frustration increase.
Many decision-making processes also depend on key players who are difficult to reach at peak times. Reaching decisions quickly not only speeds up the process, but also prevents decisions that have to be (expensively) revised.

Psychology plays with

After years of routine, many employees in companies are now experiencing a state of emergency. There are certainly some who are unsettled and who are additionally stressed by any kind of additional challenge. However, there are many who are developing a wagon-castle mentality right now and are rising above themselves. For all of them, a challenging project such as an ERP implementation is a welcome opportunity not only to react to the crisis, but also to actively work on the future of the company and therefore also their own future. This kind of spirit is a key success factor for an ERP project.

As a rule, ERP projects also always involve organisational renewal. All processes are usually analysed and adjusted if necessary. This is sometimes a painful process, especially in times when the need for change is not necessarily obvious. In times of crisis, however, everyone has already been forced out of their comfort zone. Now it is much easier for most people to accept even drastic changes.

Driving digitisation forward with state help

Many companies are already accepting support from the state and authorities. The option of short-time working alone is helping a large number of companies to get through the coronavirus crisis. However, the state and federal states are also providing support for projects that help to keep pace with digitalisation. Money well invested to be able to take off again after the crisis on the basis of a renewed digital infrastructure.

The booklet of the trade

One aspect that should perhaps not be forgotten. The corona crisis has led to a kind of paralysis of shock in many companies. They feel condemned to wait and see and more or less surrender to this feeling. It's a creeping poison that not only affects the entrepreneur, but also the employees.
An important project for the future of the company, it directs the focus beyond the standstill and brings back what is the entrepreneur's most important tool: the reins of action.

SAP B1 blog