Inconvenient but true, an ERP upgrade is almost inevitable after a certain period of operation of the business software. A renewal is often the Vehicle for a digital transformationn that enables new lines of business, greatly improves usability and increases efficiency. So, in fact, one should not take too much time for this. At some point, the software producer puts the support for older versions. Moreover, not nearly as much research and development is invested in old versions as in the latest version.
However, if an ERP upgrade is poorly executed, it can jeopardise business continuity by affecting your core business processes. For these reasons and more, the ERP-upgradeprocess requires informed decision-making and a well-thought-out project plan.
ERP Upgrade - Preparation
Regardless of the reasons, modernising a mission-critical system like ERP is a major undertaking that requires extensive preparation and know-how. There are a few things you should consider when doing so.
- Your management should be behind the renewal of the system and logically be fully involved.
- Determine if there are problems directly related to the ERP software. This could be anything from poorly integrated processes, incomplete data or user training backlogs.
- In many companies, the initial implementation was done quickly and not all licensed modules were implemented. Before upgrading, make an inventory of the ERP modules your company may use. Analyse exactly what the unused modules do to see if it is beneficial for your company to configure them.
- When an application is in use for a longer period of time, the business processes inevitably change. Often these changes are not documented or the existing documentation has not been updated. A review of an organisation's business processes should be compared to the documentation and any necessary updates should be followed up.
- Now is the time to check whether the work processes meet the business and audit requirements. They may need to be revised or completely redesigned. Check whether the new improvements in the latest version will affect the existing workflows.
- How does the software behave after the upgrade in relation to existing individually set processes and customisations? Should customisations be returned to the standard?
- Are users satisfied with the existing reports and forms within the ERP applications? Is management satisfied with the reports they receive? An inventory of reports/forms should be taken to see how many reports or forms are being created. Also consider the following questions:
- How often is the report/form produced?
- Who receives them?
- Is it used?
- Can it be abolished?
- Does the report in its current form provide enough information?
- Do adjustments need to be made?
- Is the delivery of the report automated?
ERP upgrade means: Testing!
ERP tests ensure the proper functioning and configuration of each module according to your company's predefined requirements.
The ERP plays such a crucial role for the daily activities of your company that thorough testing is essential. ERP testing usually focuses on the functionality of the individual modules under specific circumstances and scenarios.
ERP tests typically consist of 4 tasks
- Testing the individual components (unit testing)
- Testing the entire business process from start to finish
- Integration tests with other applications
- Performance test
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