Diving into ERP: getting started as a new user

So, you’ve spent months during implementation getting to know abas ERP and tailoring it to your needs so that when the highly anticipated day of your go-live arrives, you’re ready to dive in…right?

Many new customers are moving away from ERP systems that didn’t meet their needs: disconnected systems that don’t talk to one other and the use of external reports or spreadsheets to get the information they need to run their business.

Using a fully integrated ERP system such as abas can be a big change. Real-time information becomes available from the moment you’ve implemented abas ERP. You no longer need to create offline reports to see inventory levels, shop activity, sales activity, financial activity, etc. You also have an ERP system with much more functionality and capability than you’ve had in the past, and you may not be sure how to use it. So how do you get started?

Practice makes perfect

It takes time and patience to learn and master proper techniques, recognize errors, develop solutions, and undergo practice to see improvements. Your goal with ERP is to achieve complete integration within your departments in a way that will get your business running quicker and smoother. But the same way you can’t become an athlete overnight, it takes time and diligence to optimize your business. Your long-term success will happen slowly.

Real-time information becomes available from the moment you’ve implemented abas ERP

abas USA offers hands-on training courses taught by some of our industry experts to help get you comfortable using the software. These courses give you the opportunity to fine-tune your skills, whether you’re an experienced ERP user or have just begun. Take advantage of our onsite training facility,  where you can ask questions, master techniques, and learn from other ERP users to ensure you take off on the right foot that will steer you towards your goals.

Fully commit to learning the software

The time commitment for training your end users is critical to a successful go-live and sustaining an ERP system that continuously adds value.

During implementation, the project teams from abas and from your company are often behind closed doors for days at a time. Go-live is scheduled because all of the customizations are tested, and the team can run through a SIM2 without an issue. But are the end users ready to use the system how it was designed by the team? Many times users aren't fully committed to devoting the proper amount of time to learning the software and training ends up getting relegated to a short period whenever it can be squeezed in around everyone’s daily job duties. This results in having to push your go-live date back and having end users who aren’t comfortable with using the software from the beginning.

The key to long term success is making sure your team is fully committed to the process of learning abas ERP. This means setting aside time for weekly meetings, communicating with your team and the project team at abas, and providing users with the training they need to understand the software when the time is right. Half the battle of getting users comfortable with the new software is getting used to its look, feel and navigation. It takes the practice and experience of actually using the system to adjust to how it works, and this is something that takes time.

The project team can create the ultimate 6 sigma process and optimizations of the software, but if the end users aren’t comfortable with transitions to new navigation and new methodologies, that makes the system vulnerable to mistakes, and the end user’s day more stressful. Setting aside the necessary time they need puts them on the right track towards using the software efficiently and getting your business processes running smoother.

Create Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and workflows

With a new system comes new processes. The goal of implementing abas was not to replicate your old system. Creating SOP’s, or procedures necessary to complete tasks in accordance with your regulations, within abas from the very beginning of implementation and adjusting them as necessary will help give you control of your new processes early on. The SOP can be handed off to an end user during implementation to help guide them through the system, allowing them to give suggestions or identify gaps.

In addition to SOP’s, creating workflows can be extremely helpful in creating efficient processes. Workflows give managers visibility into their employee’s progress and offer an analytical tool that evaluates performance, so you can assess and re-optimize your processes.

No matter what goals you want to accomplish with abas ERP remember that practice makes perfect, your use of resources will impact your success, and you have to maintain your pace to win the race. If you have any questions regarding abas ERP, please feel free to contact an abas representative today!