Enterprise resource planning (ERP) and similar software solutions have been used by companies of all sizes and in all sectors for many years. Even small businesses and family-run enterprises have followed this trend, adopting ERP solutions specifically designed for SMEs, offered by ERP suppliers.
Today, the majority of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have implemented an ERP solution, sometimes even several. However, although ERP use is commonplace and widespread, each new implementation remains a challenge due to the specificities of each organization, its unique needs, expectations and processes.
This article examines the main challenges faced by organizations when adopting an ERP system. Although the problems vary according to many factors, the main challenges remain similar, regardless of country or company size. Here are the problem categories, listed in ascending order of complexity.
- The selection challenge
When a company decides to launch a project to implement a management system, the first issues it faces concern the type, size and scope of the system required, as well as the choice of the most appropriate solution from among the hundreds of software packages available on the market. There is no single answer to this question, as several factors need to be taken into account, such as size, scope, type of system, price and specific functionalities. Choosing a new system, particularly an ERP, is one of the most complex and crucial decisions a company can make, as it will influence its strategy for the next 6 to 10 years and have a significant impact on its future success. Organizations such as INTER-IT Services offer software selection programs to help companies choose their ERP solution. - Technical issues
Once the software has been selected, technical challenges arise, such as updating servers and workstations, analyzing and modernizing the internal network, and managing Internet access speed and bandwidth. Delivery models have evolved with the emergence of cloud-based options such as SaaS (Software as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service) and IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service). These options simplify implementation, but require greater vigilance with regard to data security and software customization. - Data quality issues
When a company switches to ERP for the first time, it often has to transfer data from legacy systems, Excel spreadsheets or manual records. This data may turn out to be inaccurate or unsuitable for the new system. It is therefore essential to check and
