Erp Implementation

Most of the businesses today run on complex processes that involve mutualistic procedures and interwoven mechanisms. Such complexities make it important for the companies to assess the significance of putting up an enterprise resource planning system (ERP), which could integrate, facilitate and manage information, data and processes all in a single system. This can be achieved only through ERP implementation.

An ERP system can only run efficiently with an excellent combination of computer hardware and excellent software. Typically, an ERP system uses multiple components of computer software and hardware. For proper implementation of ERP, a company needs to stay on certain guidelines that would help people organize their own set of proceedings for better implementation of ERP technology and processes.

ERP implementation in CISCO

An exemplary ERP implementation procedure has been set by CISCO Systems, Inc. - renowned for designing and selling network and communications technology, and services. Often the CISCO ERP implementation is considered as a guide for ERP implementation. It provides guidelines for what should be done and what to desist.

The CISCO ERP implementation project has been great success. The achievement of the project is associated with several contributing factors. Often the veterans have been found to be speculative about ERP, however in case of CISCO the top management offered full support for the project from the very beginning. This expedited the coordination between the upper and lower management, along with the team responsible for the whole project. The communication between the top management and executive was commendable. Failure of several other similar ERP implementation projects was an upshot of lack of patronage from upper management.

Another important factor conducive to CISCO ERP implementation was the integration of people. They were cognizant of their activities. The experienced and knowledgeable employees made the complex project of ERP implementation much simpler. Moreover, the project was in the hands of Oracle, which had enough manpower and resources to accomplish ERP implementation for large companies such as CISCO.

CISCO ERP implementation was further boosted by proper planning. Like every other project, CISCO ERP was strengthened by clearly setting goals and achievable expectations. The project was not upset with very high projections and unattainable goals. A fixed deadline obligated the employees to strive to get things done on time. Luckily, for CISCO, the ERP implementation project met the needs of financial year target date. The project was realized within nine months – originally chosen and planned deadline.

An essential aspect of ERP project is proper budgeting. CISCO ERP implementation project had a planned budget. An important consideration for the project is availability of resources. To stress the commitment of such a project, the company should hire a separate team to manage the full time capacity. CISCO had enough workers to adjust with the new system, fast enough.

CISCO had adopted a right change management approach, so that the resistance to change was marginal. This also ensured optimal rate of success for CISCO. The company was transparent in its communication - informing the objectives of the project to the employees clearly. The employees were further encouraged by increasing their involvement in the project. The upper management and executives were also convinced about the project.

CISCO realized that ERP implementation is much more comprehensive than just IT. CISCO chose an excellent integration partner in KPMG and a financially strong vendor Oracle as the keys in the implementation process. They were ready to offer expert resources to CISCO, required for completion of such a large project in as short a time as possible.

There were sizable changes required in the early stages after configuration session. However, CISCO ERP implementation continues to be a great achievement, with the type of time, scope and money management that the team displayed.

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