By: Keith Wayland October 29, 2024
So, your organization successfully implemented its enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Now, before performing Day 2 post-go live initiatives, it’s time to review what you’ve just completed and you can do just that by conducting a comprehensive post-implementation audit.
The purpose of such an audit is simple: making sure the new ERP system is working as planned and delivering benefits as promised. This critical step can make or break your experience with the new software, so be sure everything is running smoothly and optimized for your business needs.
Beyond ensuring optimization of the system, there are other benefits a post-implementation audit of your ERP provides. For example, you can determine what your implementation team did well, and what they could improve on the next time you implement a large-scale software solution.
As you begin the post-implementation audit for your ERP system, keep these six things in mind:
1. Ensure data accuracy: After implementation, it’s crucial to verify that data migration was successful, and that all information is accurate. An audit can reveal any discrepancies or issues that need addressing.
Evaluating data integrity can give insight into the system’s overall usability, whether processes are working as expected, and even if the training users received was helpful. So, keep an eye on production data to identify issues before they become bigger problems.
2. Prioritize training: Once your ERP system is live, training shouldn’t stop. Use iterative training programs that build on initial sessions. An audit can uncover gaps in user training and system usability, helping you improve the overall user experience and effectiveness of your system.
Training should cover the evolving needs of users, such as advanced features, updated workflows, and new challenges. Provide your team with additional training materials, sandbox environments and top-level support.
You can take this a step further by enlisting training support from a partner, like RPI Consultants. With over 25 years’ experience delivering successful ERP outcomes, we can help your teams maximize use of relevant functionality.
3. Conduct security checks: With increasing cybersecurity threats, it’s more critical than ever to ensure your ERP system complies with industry standards and remains secure. A thorough post-implementation audit helps you assess and strengthen your system’s security measures.
Your audit should review how your ERP software protects company data; for example, how data is encrypted as it moves throughout the system and between its users. Security checks can also spotlight how your system goes about updating itself. And it’s been well documented that an up-to-date ERP is a secure one.
4. Re-examine workflows: A post-implementation audit gives you and your team the chance to confirm a) your ERP’s workflows are adding value, and b) that your users are actually following said workflows.
For example, are approvals configured properly, and are users obeying them? Use the audit to confirm that approvals aren’t delayed; this can lead to users conducting manual overrides—whether they’re authorized to do them or not.
5. Identify underutilized feature functionality: It’s better to have your IT team notice system performance issues before your users do. That way, your IT teams can fix such issues right away.
Also, your ERP system comes with a wide array of features. The post-implementation audit can help you identify tools and functionalities that may not be fully utilized. Creating awareness of these features can lead to greater adoption among users and help maximize the value of your investment. A Continuous Improvement Committee can help with recording these items and also instituting a process for deploying them.
6. Review overall company performance: By introducing faster processes and better reporting, your new ERP should eventually boost your organization’s overall performance.
It’s important to keep in mind, though, that these gains may not be realized in the first phase of your implementation; your reporting may not be completely reliable because the system hasn’t had the time required to cycle through data and operations quite yet.
A post-implementation audit will help you compare your team’s expectations to the current reality and allow you to focus on any gaps in performance.
RPI Consultants has been helping organizations like yours implement Infor CloudSuite ERP systems for over 25 years. So, what are the advantages of having a trusted ERP partner implement your system—and help you conduct a post-go-live audit?
A comprehensive assessment: RPI will assist your team in conducting a thorough assessment of your ERP system. This post-implementation audit covers everything from performance metrics to compliance checks and everything in between. Plus, we identify areas of improvement and provide actionable recommendations on how to better maximize use of the system.
Optimizing your system: Post-audit, we offer optimization services to fine-tune your system, ensuring it operates at its best. This includes configuration adjustments, performance enhancements, and process improvements, including redesigns, to ensure you’re adhering to leading practices.
Training & support: RPI provides targeted Bootcamp and Lunch & Learning training sessions to address any user gaps identified during the audit. Our goal is to empower your team with the knowledge and skills needed to leverage the full potential of your ERP system.
Continuous improvement: Your business needs are constantly evolving, as are the benefits an ERP can provide. RPI offers ongoing support to help you adapt to changes and continuously improve your system’s performance and functionality.
Conducting a post-implementation audit is about much more than fixing issues. It’s about ensuring that your ERP system serves as a robust foundation for your business operations—today and tomorrow.
Partnering with RPI gives you access to expert insights and support related to Infor and Lawson ERP systems—and tailored to your organization’s unique needs.
Also, if your vendor and/or consultant’s services have ended post-implementation, and you’re still in need of support, RPI can step in to assist with an audit, and handle any technical or process issues we uncover.
So, if you’re ready to optimize your Infor or Lawson system, contact us today. Schedule your post-implementation audit, and start the journey toward a more efficient, secure, and effective ERP experience.
Want to learn more about our ERP audit services in particular? Or to discuss your specific ERP needs? Reach out to RPI. We can help ensure your Infor or Lawson ERP system is performing at its best.