Implementing new manufacturing enterprise resource planning technology is stressful work. However, this process is just as taxing for everyday employees, most of whom must transform their workflows to comport with reformed data-based administrative and production methodologies.

Unfortunately, a significant number of manufacturing firms embarking on the ERP implementation journey do not account for this reality and end up putting into place difficult-to-navigate solutions that catalyze user resistance and, eventually, attrition. With total implementation costs at 3.6 percent of annual revenue, manufacturers simply cannot afford to risk either of these outcomes, according to Panorama Consulting Solutions.

Businesses in the space intending to avoid failure must develop and deploy user engagement strategies. Here are three such approaches in use today:

Support collaborative system development
Cross-functional implementation teams are certainly capable of designing effective ERP solutions without input from other internal parties. However, this is not the ideal plan of action.

Businesses should make an effort to develop user-friendly ERP systems that will receive the seal of approval from employees. This, of course, necessitates the adoption of collaborative product design strategies directly involving end users, CIO reported. Implementation groups should meet regularly with workers to gain insights they can use to inform design decisions and ultimately roll out software that addresses user pain points.

Create user communities
While formalized training programs can effectively prepare employees for ERP-centric processes, these initiatives are not as powerful when it comes to supporting users engaged in their daily activities. In this scenario, workers often lean on each other, with the technology-savvy among them becoming informal platform support specialists.

Manufacturers implementing ERP technology should support the development of ecosystems of self-reliance by facilitating user community creation, according to ERP Software Blog. These spaces allow employees to collaborate, solve problems and formulate best practices without direct intervention from the information technology department.

This not only increases user engagement but also lightens the loads of already overwhelmed technical specialists.

Communicate changing business processes
ERP solutions transform how manufacturing firms do business. From the back office to the shop floor, these systems usher in transformation, reforging operational workflows from the ground up.

The vast majority of implementation teams understand this reality. Everyday employees, on the other hand, may not. This is why organizations must communicate to workers how new ERP software demonstrably changes existing business processes, Panorama Consulting Solutions reported.

Such an effort serves two purposes: conveying the importance of user adoption and contextualizing implementation. With these two pieces of information in hand, employees are more likely to engage with the new technology.

Together, these strategies can help manufacturers develop and deploy sustainable ERP solutions that generate optimal return on investment.

Here at Accent Software, we help manufacturing firms implement ERP technology designed to support operational change and empower end users. As a certified Microsoft Business Solutions partner, Accent provides vendor-vetted Microsoft Dynamics NAV implementation services, which allow businesses to put into place best-in-class ERP software designed to facilitate organizational growth.

Connect with us today to learn more about our products and services.