ERP, or Enterprise Resource Planning, is a business management system that enables data to flow efficiently between individual departments. As a result, it makes business processes more effective and provides a complete view of the company’s situation. It is therefore no surprise that many organizations decide to invest in such solutions. However, implementing ERP requires training the employees who will use it. How can ERP training be delivered as effectively as possible? We answer this question in the article below. Why ERP training is crucial when implementing the system in a business
ERP systems are comprehensive software solutions, so implementing them requires a substantial investment of work and financial resources. Proper preparation of the implementation process minimizes the stress associated with it. It also reduces the risk of errors at the planning stage and, consequently, the risk of delays and failures. To
reduce additional costs, the first priority should be to consider how the system being introduced will be used. Appropriate ERP training during implementation also makes it possible to address potential problems. Modern ERP systems naturally offer intuitive user interfaces, but this does not mean that employees can be left without any support. ERP systems offer a wide range of capabilities, while users need to focus on the options relevant to their roles. Combining training with testing during implementation helps identify potential difficulties because it allows us to see in practice how the system will actually be used and to recommend good practices related to users’ tasks.
When should employees receive ERP training?
ERP system implementation usually
takes place in several stages. The first stage is an initial diagnosis, followed by the analyses needed to establish an implementation schedule. The next step is to create the project in a test environment. The fourth stage is the main phase, during which the system is actually built. It is during this stage, before the system goes live, that training should be offered to end users. This still leaves room for adjustments if certain settings do not fully meet expectations or are not entirely consistent with the way processes are handled. Naturally, the more effectively the preceding steps have been completed, the more smoothly the build stage will proceed. An employee trained at this point is better prepared to work on the day the system goes live. This gives us confidence that the launch will be successful and will send a positive signal to investors. A
successful ERP implementation provides fresh momentum and a positive stimulus for the company’s growth.
What should the training include?
What type of ERP training will work best for a particular company? When seeking an answer, it is worth considering the subject from several perspectives. First, who will take part in the training? Have they worked with ERP before? If not, it is worth spending some time at the outset presenting the fundamentals of how ERP systems work and the benefits they offer. This high-level view will help participants absorb the knowledge that follows more quickly. Users who already have some experience, by contrast, will benefit from a shorter introduction that serves more as a refresher and moves to the details more quickly. This will help retain their attention during the training. Second, it is worth considering the format of the training. If it is delivered online, it should include not only multimedia presentations but also other activities that engage participants. On-site training can likewise take the form of workshops in which the instructor can address any doubts directly. Practical exercises give participants an opportunity to test the knowledge they have acquired and experiment with the available functions. This helps users build confidence in navigating the new system more quickly and makes it easier for them to communicate any technical difficulties they encounter to the support department. The final element of ERP training, which should not be omitted, is a survey evaluating its outcomes. This provides the most useful feedback on which parts of the training proved most valuable. It is also a good idea to assess participants’ learning progress in order to determine how effective the training was.
Should ERP training be held regularly?
It is important to remember that, under the PDCA cycle (Plan, Do, Check, Act), proposed solutions should be continuously reviewed and improved. An ERP system does not therefore end with its implementation; implementation merely marks the beginning of the effort to improve business processes. The systems themselves are also updated regularly. New solutions are emerging as well, such as
cloud ERP, which creates opportunities for further automation. For this reason, ERP training should be conducted regularly, allowing users to assess and update their knowledge. Our consultants will be pleased to help define your company’s needs so that end users can take full advantage of the capabilities offered by ERP systems.
