Dynamics 365 Business Central Implementation Plan
Continuing in our blog series on Dynamics Business Central, today we’re going to discuss and go through its standard business central implementation plan. We hope to provide to ensure a successful implementation and point out areas of work responsibility. Meaning identifying the work the partner completes versus engagement and feedback necessary from the customer side.
Main Stages in a Business Central Implementation
1. Internal Review of Current ERP System
In this initial stage this is where company executives and or directors have identified the need to enhance the current ERP systems due to various reasons. reasons such as process improvement initiatives, digital transformation, out-of-support, like resources available in the marketplace who know the product, and finally terrible user experience.
2. ERP Requirements
Once company executives have decided that the current ERP system needs to be replaced then comes the ERP requirement stage. In this stage to have a success, it is recommended to begin a companywide interview process with the key users. In the interviews, review the processes, discuss proposed enhancements (both functional and reporting), proposed ERP solutions. the main deliverable in this step should be a company-specific ERP requirements document that is responded to by various publishers so the company can find the best ERP fit.
3. Invite ERP Publishers and/or ERP VAR to respond to RFI
At this point the RFI is then sent to multiple ERP VARs to review and provide demo on best functional fit. In this stage, the ERP partner should first go through the RFI with complete focus to ensure the functional points described in the RFI are reviewed and feedback is given, such as, “system needs needs”, “system needs to be customized in this area”, “system gap, can be filled with 3rd party solution”. Once this is completed and reviewed then this should be submitted back to the ERP VAR/Publisher to review.
4. Get a pointed demo with your processes
Finally, getting to the main part of the sales process, the DEMO! At this point, the customer should coordinate schedules internally and schedule a demo with the ERP VAR/publisher. On the ERP VAR side, if they are Acumatica, Dynamics Business Central, Etc… they should prepare a pointed demo based on the requirements document. In the demo, it is recommended that be a collaborative meeting where questions are asked during the demo so the demonstration is geared towards the user’s interest. However, there is a fine line to not derail the demo at this stage but to ask questions that will benefit the whole group. If there are questions that cant be attended to during the demo then those questions should be “parking lotted” so those questions can be answered in a follow-up session.
5. Go through the statement of work with a fine comb
As the famous line goes, “Show me the money”, this step is where the ERP publisher/VAR has completed their due diligence about the engagement and will now present licenses and services estimate to complete the implementation. Furthermore, in this step, the first and second-phase roadmap is defined. The second phase ERP implementation plan may be loosely defined but it should be mentioned in the statement of work.
6. Identify the project team on both sides (partner and customer)
Assuming the statement of work is agreed upon and approved. The customer will sign off on the new ERP implementation project and the project team from both sides (ERP VAR and customer) will arrange a “kick-off” call to commence the ERP implementation. In this call, the training plan, project plan and project charter are reviewed and adjusted as necessary.
Getting a new ERP system such as Acumatica or Dynamics Business Central can be an exciting time but the proper due diligence must be completed by both sides to ensure the best fit, best plan and a cooperative and collaborative implementation for the highest return on investment. In future blog posts we will break out the implementation plan in detail. If your company is interested in learning more about Acumatica or Dynamics Business Central then call us today so we can provide a no-obligation demo and discovery session.Dy
