Most studies regarding the success of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementations conclude that over two-thirds of the implementations do not meet the original goals of the organization. This alarming failure rate implies that organizations should do a more thorough review early in the process to make sure they understand what the new ERP world will be like. ERP systems provide an integrated suite of information technology applications that support the operations of an enterprise and are not, as the acronym ERP implies, limited to planning functions. Although the term ERP generally refers to a software system, it also encompasses the business processes that drive system requirements and capabilities. ERP systems support and enable the transformation of enterprises through the deployment of best practices and integrated business processes.

An ERP decision for your organization may very well be the largest technology decision that you will ever make and may actually be the one with most risk. Implementing an ERP solution can provide a significant competitive advantage to your organization, but it can also present overwhelming challenges that your company may find difficult to overcome. NBS provides the products and services that will allow your organization to effectively experience what it will be like during an implementation and the affect on the organization after the implementation is complete.

The NBS ERP Executive Decision Program is a set of services that provide executive level support for organizations considering an ERP decision. An ERP implementation is not just changing technology but it transforms any organization that is successful. Making an informed ERP decision is critical for several reasons including:

The NBS ERP Executive Decision Program is a set of services that provide executive level support for organizations considering an ERP decision. An ERP implementation is not just changing technology but it transforms any organization that is successful. Making an informed ERP decision is critical for several reasons including:

• Size and scope of a typical implementation
• Business Process Change will reinvent the organization – ERP will change your organization’s way of doing business
• Organization Impact - change will be significant
• Budget implications for the organization

Any organization in the midst of an ERP decision needs to understand the implications of the decision and be prepared to make tough decisions. Executive sponsorship and governance at the most senior levels of an organization are not only a requirement but a required key to success.

NBS provides a set of services that can be engaged at any time during the ERP selection process. Ideally, this engagement starts at the initial Request for Information stage but can occur at any point before a final decision is made.

• Pre Selection Governance. An organization that is considering going through an ERP Selection process needs to review several factors before making an investment in a selection effort. The ERP Selection effort itself is an extensive and costly effort so there are significant milestones to be discussed in advance. Key criteria used to evaluate whether an ERP solution is right for your organization includes the priority of the following:
  • Integrated processes and information systems
  • Consolidation and/or elimination of legacy systems
  • Reduced complexity of application and technology portfolios
  • Central data warehouse for entire organization
  • Reduced data redundancy and duplicative data entry
  • More effective and efficient business processes
  NBS services will provide governance in the following areas:
  • Validating the Return on Investment of ERP
  • Evaluating total cost of ownership as part of the decision process
  • Is the organization ready for an ERP implementation?
  • Validation of goals and real requirements which support project justification
• Product Selection Governance. Once your organization has determined to move forward with a selection process for an ERP system, NBS can provide services that assist in ensuring that the selection is executed in a well defined process. These include:
  • Validation of Request for Information/Proposal
  • Requirements matrix mapped to each proposed solution
  • Certification of implementation partner(s) for selected/proposed ERP solution
• Implementation Startup. Once an ERP decision has been made, there are several key things that need to happen to get the project going as quickly as possible. In many cases, organizations lose the momentum after a decision is made to move forward as they struggle to set the project up for success. NBS can bring services and tools to the table to be a launchpad for success startup of the project:
  • PMO Kickstart including a Project Management acceleration programs
  • Overall organization of project