The End of (ERP) Summer Vacation
By Katie Foley
Up here in the northeast, the cool evenings are creeping in, the kids are heading back to school, and everyone is winding down from a busy Labor Day weekend. Labor Day was created to honor the American Labor Movement, but in modern years it’s also become known as the unofficial end to summer.
While we can learn many important ERP lessons from the slower, more relaxed pace of summer, the change from humid summer to crisp autumn can bring new energy to an ERP project. So, while we are sad to see the summer go, here are three ways to make the most of your fall season.
Assess the Current State of Your ERP System
Whether you are in the middle of an ERP vendor search, in the thick of an ERP implementation, or a long-time ERP user, autumn is a great time to take stock of where you are at in your ERP project. Perhaps you let the summer pass you by without much progress at all? If so, use the energy of fall to get back on track. It's the perfect time to conduct a business assessment to assist with the process.
Devise a Plan for Moving Forward
After you access the current state of ERP affairs, it’s time to devise a plan for moving forward. Evaluate where your strengths and weaknesses lie. What business processes are working? What business processes need to be nixed or improved upon? The answers to these questions can help you develop a solid plan for moving forward.
Embrace ERP Change
Fall is all about changes – as we see the leaves go from green to gold with the shift in seasons. Embrace this spirit of change when it comes to approaching your ERP project. Be sure that you are up to date on all your vendor’s changes to the software (enhancements, bug fixes, new reports, etc.) as staying up to date on these is important to finding ERP success. Consider signing up for your ERP vendor’s customer conference. ERP conferences are a great way to learn new ways to learn the system and ensure that you are making the most of your ERP investment.
Conclusion
While the slower pace of summer can be an ideal time for an ERP project, the many changes that come with the fall can re-energize an ERP project that slowed down over the summer. Utilize the fall months to your advantage and set yourself up for success through the winter months.
