10 cloud ERP implementation challenges during COVID-19

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) cloud systems can help your company create digital transformation and open the door for more opportunities. There are a few challenges that take place, however, when implementing a new system – especially in the current economic struggle. Eric St-Jean shares an article on TechTarget of 10 cloud ERP implementation challenges during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Resistance. Stakeholders may not want to move forward with an ERP implementation because of the pandemic. To mitigate this resistance, you need to show how the ERP project will save the company money, position your organization to increase revenues, or both. Explain that you can mitigate some of that uncertainty, however, by using the tools and strategies of past implementations for today’s reality.
2. Employees distracted with personal responsibilities. With schools and day cares closed, many employees now have additional responsibilities, such as helping their children with schoolwork and caring for young children. It is best to work with your employees to understand their challenges and find options for them that allow the employees to continue contributing to the project.
3. Data security. A successful cloud ERP implementation depends on good security, and that can be hard to come by right now. While you may not be able to provide a secure physical work environment for remote workers, you can take steps to mitigate the risk.
4. Internet and cellphone access. For employees living in the city, getting fast internet access and good coverage on their cellphone can be pretty easy. For employees who live in remote areas, these can be challenging and costly
5. Hardware needs. Depending on the functionality you are implementing, employees developing and testing the ERP system may need to have access to hardware, such as scanners.
6. Sudden illness. Even under normal circumstances, there’s always the risk that a member of the team will fall ill. To prepare for the worst-case scenario, you should have employees document their work and update their status on a regular basis.
7. Training. It will be important to have different training methods available to employees, such as live training over videoconferencing software, documentation, tip sheets and e-learning.
8. Multiple time zones. Some of your ERP implementation team members may work in other countries and time zones, which presents challenges when scheduling meetings. Try to arrange core hours where everyone is available.
9. Meetings without body language. Someone’s physical reaction to information they are receiving or sharing can often give clues about how the person feels on the topic. With so much information sharing now being done remotely, it’s not always possible to see a person’s physical reaction.
10. Communication. With so many employees working remotely, it’s even more important to develop a good communication plan at the outset of the project.

 

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