Firstly, let us say that it should be a given that companies train their teams on any new tools, processes, or equipment they’re expected to use to complete their daily tasks. But you may be looking for specific reasons why training is critical to a successful ERP implementation to put into your scoping document for senior management. In this blog we’re breaking it all down in this quick two-minute read.
What is ERP?
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is used by a company to manage key parts of its business such as accounting, manufacturing, sales, and marketing. It’s really any application that automates business processes and enables decision making. These days, they’re usually a connected web of SaaS and IoT with a little AI in the mix for automation.
Why is training critical to a successful ERP implementation?
Reduction of errors
If you simply let your employees loose on a new ERP system they won’t understand the interconnectivity, dependencies, and workflows. As such, they’ll probably begin triggering errors that are costly and time-consuming to fix. All of that could have been avoided with proper training.
Faster onboarding
Good quality training helps your new employees get up to speed quicker. If you’ve done the first one, most new employees will be typically trained on the ERP system by their peers. This is a great way to get started, assuming the peers know how to use the system efficiently themselves (speak to us about train a trainer), as many of the key company processes and methodologies can be passed along rather quickly.
Save time
This is a no-brainer. A properly trained staff is better equipped to use ERP for business tasks. They realise the full potential of the tool and can make the most of it. A lot of time that would have been spent otherwise in troubleshooting or understanding anything new that occurred, is saved. Furthermore, they are able to use the tool faster than their untrained counterparts would have.” They may also have suggestions (as end-users) for further improving the implementation once the ERP is bedded in.
Reduce risk
When everyone is properly trained, all your employees should be handling the same task with the same steps. Making sure procedures and processes are followed is one way to reduce business risk and error. This is especially important in a compliance-heavy environment like banking, finance, government, or healthcare. Properly documented training also ensures management knows how, when, and where to take corrective actions should a trained employee fail to follow the instructed processes.
Prevent low ROI
What is trained is used. An Enterprise Resource Planning system implementation is more than just getting the technology in place. Often organisations mistakenly believe that employees will start using the system immediately after it is launched, and training is not needed. With this belief, the ERP system ends up being unused. Any system which is unused or underutilised represents a low return on investment and therefore will have a decreased business benefit.
If you’d like to look at implementation and training support for your ERP rollout, talk to our helpful team.
Why training is critical to a successful ERP implementation