The Checklist
Define Your Objectives
Assemble Your Team
Choose the Right ERP Partner
Map Your Current Processes
Define Workflows for Post-Implementation
Configure Core Modules
Plan Data Migration
Map Customization Needs
Plan for Integrations
Conduct System Testing
Perform User Acceptance Testing
Validate Reporting Accuracy
Train the Team
Develop the Go-Live Plan
Assign Support Resources
Monitor Performance
Optimize Workflows
Plan for Future Enhancements
If you want to take full advantage of the Acumatica ERP platform, you could be facing a substantial challenge. Without preparation, you can run into expensive, frustrating issues. With a good plan, you can avoid common pitfalls and enjoy a smooth process.
Below, you will find a robust ERP go-live checklist that covers the major points in the path to Acumatica implementation, including post-live support.
Phase 1: Pre-Implementation Planning
Pre-implementation planning covers the first five items in the Acumatica ERP implementation checklist:
- Define your objectives. What problems are you trying to solve? What KPIs measure success?
- Assemble the team. Your team usually includes your external Acumatica ERP partner (like Etticus Solutions) along with a sponsor, project manager, finance lead, operations lead, and IT representative.
- Choose the right ERP partner. Find specialized support that aligns the system with your needs to avoid mistakes and ensure scalability.
- Map processes. Map all of your current workflows. Common examples include inventory management, financial reporting, and project tracking.
- Define new workflows. Improve your processes to eliminate manual steps and improve visibility.
These points on your ERP implementation checklist should be covered before you commit to any build or schedule.
Phase 2: System Design and Configuration
Phase two of the ERP go-live checklist takes you through the design process to make sure the ERP solution contains the functions you need:
- Configure modules. Common modules include chart of accounts, inventory structure, customer records, and tax configurations.
- Plan data migration. Find all of your data sources, clean your data, and validate it. Then, map your data fields to the new system.
- Plan customization. Identify where customization has the most to offer. Look for ways to minimize complexity by using native functionality first.
- Map integrations. Plan all of your third-party Acumatica integrations that might include CRM, eCommerce, payroll, shipping, logistics, and business intelligence.
This part of the ERP implementation checklist takes you through the first phase after you have committed to an ERP partner.
Phase 3: Testing and Validation
By now, you have a clear picture of your working build. This section of the implementation checklist covers the thorough testing needed before it can go live.
- Conduct system testing. Test every single workflow. Examples include financial transactions, inventory movement, order processing, and reports.
- Perform User Acceptance Testing (UAT). Have end users validate the system to find suitability issues and confirm that workflows match daily tasks.
- Validate reporting. Ensure that all reports are accurate and meet expectations. Be sure to include financial, operational, and analytical reports.
This phase of the ERP implementation checklist gets you close to launch. You know that your software is as ready as you can get it.
Phase 4: Training and Go-Live Preparation
Phase four of the ERP go-live checklist brings you right up to launch.
- Train your team. Teach them with hands-on demonstrations to prepare them for the live system.
- Develop your go-live plan. The plan should map final data migration, system cutover timing, backup plans, and your communication strategy. Will you go live all at once or roll it out in phases?
- Assign live support resources. Resources typically include internal team members, external ERP support, and your general IT staff.
According to the ERP implementation checklist, you’re ready to go live.
Phase 5: Post-Live Optimization
After phase four, you are ready for launch. Phase five of the checklist covers planning and actions after the system is live, including optimizing Acumatica performance.
- Monitor system performance. Thorough monitoring should search for bottlenecks, errors, and inefficiencies.
- Optimize workflows. Consistently refine processes. Clean up automation. Improve reporting. Adjust configurations.
- Plan future enhancements. The business will change. The ERP will need to keep up with changes. Plan for new modules and expanding integrations.
That concludes the ERP implementation checklist. Work from it to define your full plan and cover as many possibilities and contingencies as you can.
Common ERP Implementation Pitfalls
Implementation is a process, and there are plenty of places to go wrong. A good ERP partner can help you avoid them, but it helps to enter the process armed with knowledge.
One of the biggest problems stems from a lack of executive involvement. Buy-in starts at the top, and without it, an ERP investment becomes a substantial risk.
On a technical side, poor data quality and over-customization can lead to an ERP system that slows processes down rather than streamlining them.
On a personnel side, inadequate training fails to prepare end users for the new system, and time is lost while personnel figure out the new normal.
Unrealistic timelines create undue stress that risks rushing or damaging the implementation process, and many problems incur as a result.
Finally, post-live optimization cannot be ignored. Once the ERP is live, the work is not done. These are large, complicated systems, and they require consistent attention. With that attention, they only improve over time, but without it, bottlenecks and inefficiencies become inevitable.
Plan Your Acumatica ERP Implementation With Etticus Solutions
The ERP implementation checklist for Acumatica shows you the size of this task. It offers substantial benefits, but getting there takes time, planning, and professional execution. Etticus Solutions can be the partner that ensures you have everything you need for a successful implementation.
Starting from consultation, we will design the entire process around your business to make it as smooth as possible, and after launch, we will monitor everything to support continuous optimization.
Contact us today to build the picture and see what your implementation could look like.
FAQ
How long does ERP implementation take?
Every deployment is different. The size of your organization, scope of the implementation, and unique challenges will all impact the process. In the fastest cases, it usually takes several weeks. For large enterprises with many functions and a segmented launch, working through the ERP go-live checklist can take more than a year.
What is the biggest risk during implementation?
Even when following the ERP implementation checklist, the biggest risks include data loss, poor user adoption, and downtime. Each of these can be mitigated with a good strategy and diligence, but each risk presents a chance for significant disruption to the organization.
A qualified Acumatica business consultant can help you build a plan for long-term success for both your ERO implementation and your business.
Can we implement Acumatica ERP in phases?
Yes. In many cases, it is recommended. How you may need to structure the phases will depend on the scope of your launch, but phased rollouts mitigate risk and help teams adapt gradually.
What happens after going live?
After the system is live, you can use it and benefit from it. If you partner with Etticus Solutions, we will continue to monitor the systems to make sure they work as intended. We offer ongoing Acumatica support so you can get help as you may need it.
We follow the ERP implementation checklist and post-live map to ensure you stay on a healthy upgrade and maintenance schedule.
