What is a Successful NetSuite ERP Implementation Plan?

1. Build a Plan

• Roadmapping: Planning initial shut-down of legacy system to transactions being recorded in the new system. This includes: Open-transaction migrations & opening balances and inventory. 
• Ensure you have a strategy to validate the final import of this data.
• Availability of resources: Are stakeholders and department leads available for any required approvals? What about consultant resources? What’s the buffer in case of delays? Looking at the logistics of external support and stand-by staff for IT, etc. is important as you’ll need the back-up in case anything unexpected comes up.

2. Check Both Hardware and ERP Software

• Conference room pilot project: The purpose of your ERP platform is to foster collaboration and communication within your teams. Testing can’t be done in silos! This phase involves validating the new software for your business processes and the end-users who use it to carry out typical accounting or key business activities.
• End-to-end testing: This will give you an idea of what does and doesn’t work and lets you plan for the go-live phase. 
• Stress / load testing: It’s important to have an understanding of the software’s limitations by pushing it to its breaking point. It will help you gauge capacity and measure how it will handle your demands. 
• Data migration: Involves checking if the data migration process will require light touch-ups for messy data, as well as get a good grasp of the mapping. 
• Equipment readiness: Ensure you have the right hardware for the go-live. What’s available, what needs to be added, etc. Even SaaS still requires some pieces of hardware! 

3. NetSuite ERP Training and Support For Your Teams

• NetSuite training for end-users: This will help you gauge the extent to which your teams can operate and navigate the ERP tools. It’ll help them get used to the new software and learn some of its best practices. It’s also a great way to get them excited about the upgrade! 
• Post-go-live support plan: Set up end-user support for those needing help or facing issues after the go-live. You also get access to hands-on and over the shoulder feedback for the first days to help ease the transition - as well as access to documentation and reports.

4. Is Your Business Ready for a New ERP System?

• New processes: With a new system comes new processes that could affect accounting, financial reporting and other key business activities. Ensure your team is aware of the changes and how they can best use them to their advantage. 
• Internal communication: Integrated systems lead to new and improved business platforms. Make your teams aware of the changes, so they can coordinate and collaborate. Again, this whole step is about avoiding surprises among your team. 
• External stakeholders: How will your new ERP system affect customers, vendors and partners? What should they know about your new system? Everyone likes positive change - but once more, it’s important to be aware of it beforehand.

Check out our Beginner’s Guide to NetSuite

5. Risk Management and Back-Up Plan

• Project risk management: Be aware of any potential risks that could derail your go-live phase. How can we minimize the risks? What is the impact? Have a back-up plan so you can mitigate difficulties. 
• Risk management for your business: You need a safety net for your business in case any small detail goes wrong during the go-live. We encourage total readiness, and that means preparing for the worst case scenario - no matter how unlikely it is. 
• Canceling your ERP implementation project: You always have the option to delay or cancel a go-live at the last-minute. Companies often feel pressured to meet the go-live date planned out at the beginning, but that pressure is not worth the risk if you think there are unforeseen issues that might arise (ex: shipping labels don’t print, preventing shipments). 
• Go-live rollback: In case the go-live phase presents issues and can’t be done, you can ask for a time assessment of when the issue will be fixed and ask for a rollback. At this point, you can always revert to your legacy system for the time it takes to repair the issue and smooth things out.