Dynamics 365: 5 stages of ERP implementation

ERP is an acronym for Enterprise Resource Management, a consolidated process for collecting and organizing business data. ERP software contains applications that automate business functions such as manufacturing, sales accounting, accounting and more.

When implementing an ERP, following the proper process is as important or even more important than choosing a specific ERP solution.

By following a structured and proven approach to implementation, you have a much greater chance of success. Based on our experience in implementing more ERP systems, we recommend the following implementation sequence.

This process was originally based on Microsoft implementation methodology. However, we have taken the best of this methodology and continue to develop it using our experience.

1. Diagnostics

At this stage, meetings are held with the selected CSP partner to find out your basic needs for the new ERP. This step answers level questions such as:

• What are the main requirements for the new solution?
• What inefficiencies (such as repeated manual data entry) will the new ERP improve?
• What other business applications does the new solution need to integrate with?

Diagnostics are usually carried out before the main documents are signed, so many people do not take this stage into account in the implementation process.

However, diagnostics will help avoid serious surprises in the next step, analysis.

2. Analysis

At this stage, you and your partner review specific business processes and formulate precise requirements.

Your IT solution partner should work with you to ensure that all relevant business processes are documented in sufficient detail.

At the end of this stage, you should have a statement of work for the implementation project along with documentation of the business requirements and solutions offered by the partner.

General provisions for documentation:

• Business Requirements Document (BRD)
• Functional Requirements Document (FRD)
• Compliance Analysis
• Solution design proposal

This documentation prepares you for the next step—developing a solution.

3. Solution development

The solution modeling step is by far the largest step and includes several intermediate ones:

• Technical setup
• Design and documentation
• Configuration
• Development
• Planning the migration process
• Preparation
• Testing

In some projects, testing and training may be performed as part of the deployment phase.

4. Deployment

During the deployment phase, you work with the CSP to prepare the new ERP system and then launch it.

The process includes several technical steps such as:

• Creating an Environment
• Test
• Data migration and validation

This stage also includes training of the staff as a whole. We generally recommend that this be done by members of the client's team who have been previously trained by the IT partner.

Finally, your new ERP is live. It's best to make changes to the system over the weekend so that your team can come in Monday morning refreshed and start working on the new system.

5. Support

The goal of the support and operations phase is to move from implementation project to ongoing support.

Final documentation for the solution is created, as well as a review or overview of the project.

Also at this step, questions or some new requirements for the system often arise.

At the end of this stage, the new ERP is transferred to the ownership of the client with the ongoing support of the Microsoft CSP partner.

Fanetech – Dynamics 365 Partner

We have expertise in the implementation of Dynamics ERP and CRM, as well as Power BI and other Microsoft solutions.

We provide training and consultation, as well as ongoing support to our clients.

If you are planning an ERP implementation project or are just preparing to make a decision, you can learn more about our services as a Dynamics implementation partner.
For specific recommendations and assistance in implementing your project Contact us.