ERP selection and implementation: pitfalls that cost the most.

An ERP ties finance, stock, sales, purchasing and often HR into one system. It is also one of the easiest projects to get wrong.

Before selecting

Map your actual processes, find the pain points and rank requirements as must-have or nice-to-have. A tool picked from a demo rarely fits.

Selecting

Compare on fit to your processes, local compliance such as GST and e-invoicing, integrations, reporting, total cost of ownership and the quality of local support. Run scripted demos with your own scenarios.

Pitfalls

• Over-customising. Every change adds cost and slows upgrades. Adapt processes where sensible.
• Poor data. Migrating messy masters moves the mess into a new system.
• No owner. Someone senior must make decisions.
• Weak training. Users who are not trained will go back to spreadsheets.
• Big-bang go-live with no fallback. Phase it where possible.

Implementation

Configure, migrate a sample, test with real users, train, run in parallel briefly, then go live with hyper-care support.

After go-live

Review usage, fix friction, and plan improvements in small steps rather than a second big project.