Stratus’s Tips To Stay Confident During ERP Implementation

Michael Pendred, our director at Stratus Consulting Group, has been in the ERP game for over 20 years. He’s seen it all—what works, what doesn’t, and everything in between. He’s the kind of guy who tells it like it is, but don’t let the straight talk fool you—there’s a lot of wisdom in his words 

1. Adjust Your Ways (The Software Won’t)

Let’s kick things off with a reality check: no software is tailor-made for your business. Shocking, right? The truth is that you’ll need to adjust your processes to fit the software. Think of it as breaking in a new pair of shoes—it might pinch a bit at first, but once you’ve walked a few miles, it’ll feel like it’s always been there. The sooner you embrace this, the smoother your implementation journey will be.

2. Reports: They’re Not Magic (But They Can Be)

If you’re expecting your new system to spit out perfect reports straight out of the box, prepare to be disappointed. Reporting is more like cooking—customisation is key. You’ll need to spend some time in the kitchen (so to speak) to get those reports just right. But hey, with the right ingredients and a bit of patience, you’ll be serving up exactly what you need.

3. The Myth of Completion (There’s Always Stage 2)

Here’s another golden nugget: you won’t get everything done in the first go. That’s right—there’s often a Stage 2 or even a Stage 3. ERP implementation is a journey, not a sprint. So, pace yourself because there’s always more to do down the road. It’s like assembling IKEA furniture—you think you’re done, and then you find that one piece you missed.

4. Bugs: Love Them or Hate Them, They’re Here to Stay

Now, let’s talk about bugs. They’re a necessary evil in the software world. Think of them as the quirks that come with constant improvement. Vendors add new features, fix some bugs, and—surprise!—break a few things in the process. The key is to test, test, and then test some more before upgrading. Nothing says “fun”, like finding out about a new bug when it’s too late.

5. Speed: Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

Suppose you’re running a huge report and staring at the screen wondering if your computer’s frozen—welcome to cloud software! Speed can be an issue, especially when processing large amounts of data. But remember, good things come to those who wait. So, grab a coffee, take a deep breath, and let the system do its thing.

6. Your Consultant is on Your Side (But They’re Not Psychic)

Your consultant is always trying their best to build the perfect solution for you. But here’s the kicker—they don’t know your business as well as you do. Hopefully, They’ll get it right, but some things may not work as you envisioned. Stay positive and work together to find solutions—it’s a partnership, not a magic act.