We often get asked about how best to plan for a Global ERP rollout. We have collated some of the tips from our team. Feel free to add your own in the comments to help support others who might be at the start of this journey.
Tip 1: Look and understand what your target end state is – without this, how can you apply a global solution
Tip 2: Communicate the vision and the reasons for the changes to help gain leadership and stakeholder support
Tip 3: Ensure you understand the difference in regulatory changes between the different countries. There will be some rigid requirements that cannot be changed.
Tip 4: Capture global requirements to come up with a better model upfront and therefore a more successful rollout. Ensure this includes non-functional requirements such as alignment to IT security policies etc.
Tip 5: Look at your Chart of Accounts (CoA) and the impact it will have. It is worth creating a common dictionary to ensure everyone understands the same terminology and meaning.
Tip 6: Understand whether your strategy should be a centralised or decentralised approach
Tip 7: Decide how best to rollout – is it by module or by country etc.
Tip 8: Identify some of the same resources across different countries to ensure consistency and same understanding.
Tip 9: The chances are you will want a packaged solution which is tried and tested many times previously. So, look into adopting it and changing your business processes rather than lots of customisations.
Tip 10: Establish whether integrations can be simplified, e.g. using data in one format and structure or narrowing down the systems that need to be integrated. For example, consider one bank, one credit card integration, one foreign exchange provider etc.
In conclusion, planning for a Global ERP rollout can be a complex process, but following these top 10 tips can help make the process more successful. By understanding the end state, communicating the vision, and capturing global requirements upfront, organizations can better prepare for the regulatory differences and impact on chart of accounts. Deciding on a centralised or decentralised approach, involving the same resources across countries, and considering a packaged solution with limited customizations can also aid in a smoother rollout. Additionally, simplifying integrations by narrowing down systems and providers can help streamline the process.
