Steps for a Successful ERP Implementation Plan for Distributors and Wholesalers
Distribution and wholesale companies are critically dependent on connected business processes. Managing flexible relationships with vendors, customers, and sales teams is crucial to the success of these businesses.
An ERP system helps distributors and wholesalers take control of and streamline business processes by integrating inventory, logistics, sales, and back-office functions. Their business’ gain a centralized source of information that can be used to improve decision-making throughout an organization.
Most companies and their employees participate in an ERP implementation project once every 10 plus years. ERP system implementation is not a skill set available within most companies who tend to hire for functional areas such as operational, financial, sales, purchasing, eCommerce and warehouse operations.
Distributors and wholesalers who work with an ERP partner with industry-specific functional background, ERP systems and technical expertise, and a proven implementation methodology augment their team with a strategic resources. A partner with the right combination of experience, knowledge and project management ensures a successful ERP implementation.
SAP Business One for Distributors and Wholesalers
SAP Business One provides distribution and wholesale businesses with tools that can improve business agility and operational efficiency, while providing a significant competitive advantage. Streamline and optimize business processes while leveraging business intelligence for smarter decision-making with SAP Business One’s ERP solution for growing companies.
Third Wave Business Systems are proven experts in SAP Business One implementation for distributors and wholesalers, providing clients with the industry expertise, implementation methodology, and ERP systems experience needed for a successful implementation and future projects.
Third Wave’s ERP Implementation Process In Six Phases:
1. Project Launch
Initial planning, agreement of project scope, and confirmation of the overall project structure. A high-level project plan will be completed, and a test system installed.
2. Business Process Mapping
Outline existing business processes, introduce SAP Business One best practices, and modify the initial project plan if required. A detailed project plan is provided along with project team training.
3. Build and Configure
Build and configure all business processes and technical requirements, and prepare the system to perform a proof of concept test.
4. Testing
A series of test scripts will simulate the business while validating the application configuration in a non-production environment.
5. Business Readiness
Assess system, staff, and organization readiness, staff readiness, with a final decision to move to production. End-user training is provided, along with a final cutover plan.
6. Go Live
The client organization starts managing daily activities while the Third Wave team monitors the activities and provides support. The project is signed-off, and follow-up items are scheduled.
Third Wave’s execution of implementation methodology, project scope definition, and project management discipline can help distributors and wholesalers to eliminate common problems like poorly implemented functionality, missed project dates, project budget overruns, and any other unwanted surprises. A plan and methodology without proper execution is nothing but a wish.
About Third Wave
Third Wave Business Systems is the most experienced SAP Business One Gold Partner in North America. Small and growing businesses trust us to implement ERP solutions deployed on-premise or in the cloud with industry, functional, and technical expertise every step of the way. Our leadership team ensures that each customer benefits from both our implementation discipline and creative problem solving to support their current and future business process and integration needs.
To learn more about how we enable companies to implement scalable ERP solutions, schedule a customized SAP Business One demo with a Third Wave expert today.