ERP implementation is a pivotal moment in any organisation’s transformation journey. It’s the stage where your strategy, technology, and people come together to deliver real, measurable change. A successful implementation consolidates data and processes across your business, providing a single source of truth and enabling more informed, faster decision-making. With the right approach, ERP implementation drives operational efficiency, improves productivity, and positions your organisation to respond quickly to new opportunities and challenges.
However, ERP implementation is complex and is not without risks if not managed carefully. Think further than it being about just installing a new software or technology. It’s about aligning your technology with your business goals, engaging your people, and ensuring every process is fit for purpose. At Nine Feet Tall, we understand that a tailored, comprehensive implementation plan is essential to avoid common pitfalls and ensure your investment delivers lasting value.
Nine Feet Tall helped us at critical time when resources were stretched and composure essential. Their ability to take complex situations and bring clarity to them was a real asset at a crucial time.
Donna Baddely
Executive Director,
Curo
A structured, people-first approach is key to landing your ERP implementation successfully:
Define the project scope and select the right system for your business needs.
Map out detailed system requirements and align them with your business processes.
Develop a realistic project plan with clear milestones and timelines.
Prioritise robust change management to support your teams through transition and engage stakeholders early and throughout.
Conduct thorough testing and provide practical, role-based training.
Plan for go-live and post-implementation support to ensure a smooth transition.
Following these steps helps organisations avoid costly missteps and sets the foundation for a successful ERP journey.
Effective Communications For ERP Implementation
Mismanaged ERP communications can result in dragging users along the change curve. Support them instead.
Even with the best plan, ERP implementation can encounter challenges that threaten timelines, budgets, and change fatigue. Common issues include scope creep, unclear requirements, and resistance to change. Technical challenges like data migration and system integration can also disrupt progress if not addressed early.
Overcoming these challenges starts with strong leadership and clear governance. Engage stakeholders throughout the process and communicate the benefits of change in a way that resonates with your teams. Invest in thorough planning and realistic timelines, and don’t underestimate the importance of robust change management. Change management is the “magic sauce” that helps new systems and processes take root.
At Nine Feet Tall, we work alongside you to identify risks early, resolve bottlenecks, and keep your programme on track. With our experience and collaborative approach, you can be confident your ERP implementation will deliver the outcomes your organisation needs, on time and on budget
We will take the pain away and get projects over the line. We bring a practical and pragmatic approach to project recovery from our people-focused team. We thrive on the difficult and succeed by understanding stakeholder sensitivities with an agile and ‘just enough’ approach. We re-build momentum, bring back the passion and help get back on track, whilst supporting teams to deliver successful go live.
ERP inventory management offers several advantages for retail businesses, including seamless multi-channel integration. By using ERP systems, retailers can manage inventory across multiple sales channels, such as physical stores, e-commerce platforms, and marketplaces. This ensures consistent and accurate product availability information, leading to improved customer satisfaction. Furthermore, accurate inventory data provided by ERP systems reduces instances of backorders and out-of-stock items, enhancing the overall customer experience and fostering customer loyalty.
ERP systems excel at managing surplus inventory by providing insights into slow-moving or obsolete items. By analysing inventory data, ERP systems help businesses make informed decisions about discounting, liquidating, or repurposing excess stock. This reduces surplus inventory, freeing up valuable warehouse space and capital, ultimately improving the bottom line. Additionally, ERP systems enable businesses to minimise the risk of excess holding costs associated with surplus inventory.
ERP systems facilitate efficient planning of replenishment orders by integrating various factors such as current inventory levels, historical sales data, lead times, and demand forecasts. By analysing these variables, ERP systems generate accurate and timely replenishment suggestions, minimising the risk of stockouts or overstocking. This helps businesses optimise their inventory levels, reduce holding costs, and ensure timely availability of products to meet customer demand.
The future of ERP is being shaped by trends such as cloud-first adoption, composable ERP architectures, artificial intelligence integration, and a shift toward modular, incremental implementations. These innovations enable faster deployment, greater flexibility, and improved business insights.
AI is transforming ERP by automating data analysis, predicting project bottlenecks, and streamlining configuration and testing processes. This leads to smarter, more efficient ERP implementations and helps organisations make data-driven decisions faster.
Composable ERP allows businesses to select and integrate only the modules they need, resulting in enhanced agility, scalability, and cost savings. This approach supports rapid adaptation to market changes and evolving business requirements, making it a cornerstone of the future of ERP.
Book a 1:1 consultation with one of our ERP experts and ensure your ERP implementation is a success.