Preparing and executing for post implementation support
Whether you’ve already lived through a supply chain software implementation, or are in the throes of one now, early development of implementation strategies should be a no-brainer. Most companies will have a vision of how these strategies should pan out, but execution is more complex and can be the defining factor between a good implementation and a great implementation.
At the highest level, post-implementation work can be broken into two categories. The first entails maintaining the system and processes that were just implemented. The second necessitates the optimization of these systems and processes. Both are of equal importance.
Do you know how to maintain?
It may seem simple, but managing certain aspects of a project after initial implementation is more difficult than most expect. Consider the following as examples of areas your company will need to manage in addition to your core business.
Issue Resolution
Close out existing system issues by prioritizing the business impact, persistent communication with the software vendor, and results-driven resource planning.
SOP Evaluation
Reevaluate your business process and align them to be as lean as possible now that you’ve seen what your system is capable of.
Report Validation
Validate that reports are depicting accurate information and in the right format for the right audience.
Performance Tuning
Close performance gaps by analyzing the architecture of operational vs. systemic requirements, and making decisive changes as needed.
Software Patches
Install changes or patches to your software while understanding code dependencies to mitigate upstream or downstream impacts.
Ongoing/Ad-hoc Support
Partnering with operations and IT to become the point of contact for everyday support needs
Prove the value with a ready, set, optimize mentality!
Executives continue to challenge business leaders to provide ROI in shorter and shorter timeframes. The hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars spent on supply chain software implementations must be justified to CEO’s and investors alike.
The ability to adopt a flexible change management strategy, unleash existing software capabilities, and find efficiencies through re-design are examples of activities that will lead to the ability to prove the value of your investment, and optimize your system to the fullest extent.
Flexible change management
Evaluate the right time and way to implement software changes in order to minimize risk and maximize capability.
Unleashing software capabilities
Partner with experienced implementer’s who have extensive knowledge on how to utilize the full potential of your out of the box software package.
Efficiencies and re-design
Leverage resources who have designed best-in-breed solutions for fortune 50 companies, and who can find efficiencies in areas otherwise thought to have plateaued.
Expose underlying stresses
Mitigate the risk of current and future business disruptions with top-notch analysis in areas such as inventory accuracy, ancillary system messaging, and performance metrics.
Don’t feel the need to reinvent the wheel
Partnering with companies who have extensive experience in the overall engagement management cycle will allow you to focus on what is truly important-your product, your people, and your customers. Contact a Bricz representative for more information on how we can help you realize the value of such a partnership, and ultimately your full supply chain potential.