NetSuite has over 37,000 customers in 219 countries worldwide. As the world’s first cloud company, the NetSuite implementation project plan can work for any cloud-based ERP suite, including financials, HR, inventory management, professional services automation, and omnichannel commerce modules.
NetSuite provides all growing companies with visibility and agility so they can make informed decisions quickly. With its built-in flexibility and native business analytics, NetSuite provides customers with a complete picture of their business in one place. The best part is that it can be accessible from anywhere.
What Is an ERP Implementation?
ERP implementation integrates and configures a corporation’s Enterprise Resource Planning software system. This includes choosing the right software, data migration, customizing functionality to meet specific business requirements, educating personnel on the new platform, and deploying the system for daily use. An exemplary ERP implementation aims to build a unified system that streamlines operations, improves data quality and accessibility across divisions, and increases overall business productivity. If you have chosen NetSuite, you’ll need a good NetSuite implementation project plan.
Phases of NetSuite Implementation Project Plan
A successful NetSuite ERP setup will provide the foundation for your company’s systems and efficiency for years to come. However, it is not without risk. It is well known that 55% of ERP system implementations (Source: Deloitte) fail to accomplish their objectives, while 35% of ERP system implementations exceed budget (Source: G2).
Successful implementations are contingent on selecting the correct NetSuite implementation project plan, adhering to a good project strategy, and providing your workers with the necessary training and assistance to get the most out of the system.
Here are some critical phases to a successful NetSuite implementation project plan:
Discovery:
The discovery phase of any NetSuite ERP deployment is essential to the NetSuite implementation project plan because it allows you to understand your new system and develop profile specifics for execution.
The NetSuite discovery phase consists of a series of actions designed to document and digest user and business requirements. The purpose of this phase is to gain a thorough understanding of your present business challenges and goals, user demands throughout the organization, and how a system should be designed to suit all of these requirements.
Planning:
If you are considering introducing NetSuite ERP software, you need an excellent NetSuite implementation project plan. The purpose of the plan is to evaluate the required resources, create an implementation schedule, and know how to handle change.
Budgeting is an integral part of the NetSuite implementation project plan. It’s easy to go overboard, but it’s also easy to eliminate costs that aren’t necessary. Your goal is to create a balance between these two extremes by making a budget with a reasonable contingency.
A change management plan will assist you with NetSuite implementation. It covers the where, when, why, and how of the implementation process, as well as communication channels, progress reports, and how people can escalate concerns that may arise during the implementation.
Install:
The installation phase is where the implementation process begins. It puts the findings from the company profile research for system configuration. The purpose of this phase is to verify that NetSuite is successfully installed with the customized integrations or configurations required by the company.
Migration:
Transitioning from old ERP systems to NetSuite can be challenging, depending on the quality and volume of data to be migrated from numerous fragmented systems. Data migration begins with assessing data quality across all sources to ensure that erroneous or duplicate records are cleansed. The cleansed data will then be imported and configured in the NetSuite environment.
Testing:
Technical testing will be done during the NetSuite installation process, with developers testing specific system components for flaws and unusual behavior. This will help them resolve any unexpected issues rapidly. Along with technical testing, it’s critical to ensure that end users have the opportunity to evaluate the product before it goes live. This is known as User Acceptance Testing (UAT).
During UAT, actual end-users test the software to validate business processes and determine whether the system fits the requirements specified during the discovery phase. This is also an ideal time to introduce users to the system and demonstrate how they may utilize it to achieve their objectives.
Training:
All stakeholders and users must receive comprehensive NetSuite training before the implementation process. The training should focus on providing everyone with a basic overview of the system as well as in-depth information on how to integrate the system into their everyday workflows to achieve their goals.
Guided workflows are an incredibly practical approach to helping employees navigate the system in real-time. They may be used in conjunction with on-demand help widgets to aid them if they become stuck at any point.
Apty’s Digital Adoption Platform, which incorporates all of these functions, allows teams to avoid the time-consuming traditional NetSuite training sessions and instead provides real-time assistance that increases their NetSuite competency from day one while their team is actually using NetSuite.
Deployment:
Once the system has been installed, configured, and extensively tested, it is ready for deployment in a live production environment. The deployment date should be shared throughout your organization to ensure everyone anticipates and is prepared for the change. It is critical that all staff are comfortable using the system before deployment, which is why the training phase should begin long before your go-live date.
Support:
NetSuite, like any other software system, requires ongoing assistance once it has been configured and deployed. Along with upgrades and periodic maintenance, you may want to add extra modules or adjustments to your NetSuite configuration to increase its capabilities.
It is not only the software that requires long-term assistance; you must also ensure that you have the resources in place to support your employees long-term by providing ongoing training and support for the system.
Best Practices of NetSuite Implementation
Here are some of the best practices you should consider for the NetSuite implementation project plan:
Plan Right:
While jumping right into design and development may be tempting, it is crucial to avoid rushing through the first planning and research process. This phase should lay the groundwork for the entire implementation project by ensuring that it has high-level support, has a clear plan, and is adequately funded and staffed.
Support & Training:
Some project team members may believe that the deployment date marks the end of the implementation work and fail to pay close attention to what happens next. However, for the system’s users, the deployment date is only the beginning; what occurs next is essential to the project’s long-term success. It is critical to plan and dedicate enough personnel to provide technical assistance, troubleshoot difficulties, and give updates.
End user training is also an important consideration here. Employees must be comfortable using the system and conversant with any new workflows, especially if an external consultant will no longer be available to assist. Careful attention to these areas will enable your business to get the full benefits of the system.
Data Migration Planning:
Organizations occasionally make the error of transferring all previous data to the new system. In actuality, some of the information in older systems may be outdated or unneeded. Is 10-year-old order data truly useful? Do all of the suppliers on your list still exist? The transition to an ERP system provides an opportunity to clean up and rationalize the organization’s data, and it is worthwhile to develop a clear strategy for doing so. It makes sense to go over legacy data carefully, remove old client accounts, and check for data inaccuracies.
Communication:
Communication is vital throughout all stages of implementation. The team should make it a priority to routinely communicate with everyone in the organization about the reasons for the ERP installation, the goals and advantages, and what to expect at each stage. Two-way communication is essential: The project team should pay close attention to user feedback before and after launch.
NetSuite Project Plan FAQs
Q1. What is the scope of NetSuite implementation?
Determine which departments and functionalities will be included in the initial implementation. Attempting to complete everything at once can cause delays and issues. Begin with fundamental features and enhance later as needed.
Q2. Who are the key stakeholders in NetSuite implementation?
Identify the key decision-makers, department heads, and IT staff who will be affected by the implementation. Involve them early to get feedback, address problems, and ensure buy-in throughout the process.
Q3. What is a data migration strategy?
Migrating data from old systems to NetSuite requires meticulous planning. Define what data needs to be migrated, verify data integrity, and create a clear migration timeframe.
Q4. How to train employees for NetSuite implementation?
A successful NetSuite implementation is dependent on user adoption. Create a comprehensive training plan to ensure staff understand and can use the new system properly. Consider providing role-specific training and continuous support resources.
Wrap Up
Summing it all up, a NetSuite implementation project plan works like a compass, ensuring a smooth transition of the ERP system for your company. Planning ahead of time allows for higher productivity, better data visibility, and a competitive advantage.
If you want to maximize the NetSuite implementation success chances, consider bringing us onboard to support your in-house team. Be confident because we have the expertise and experience for NetSuite integration with a plethora of clients.
You can get in touch with us and check out our resources at Folio3.
