Implementing a new enterprise resource planning system can be daunting. There are a lot of moving parts and considerations to evaluate before taking the first big steps. Following these guidelines will ensure that you're on your way to enjoying your company's newfound agility and efficiency. 

Define your goals so you can track success
In a recent ZDNet article, Michael Krigsman wrote that "success is elusive when the desired outcomes are vague and ill-defined." It's important to set measurable goals to judge the level of success. Where do you need manufacturing software to help? Are you looking to reduce overhead, streamline production processes or develop more effective reporting tools? 

If you can't put into words what you'd like to accomplish with your implementation, it's going to be difficult to get anything done. Your value added reseller can help walk you through an action plan, help you define business objectives and goals and provide demonstrations on how ERP software can help you achieve them. 

Train your team, and train them some more
ERP software is all about agility. You will have access to unprecedented amounts of data all in one centralized hub, and you will be able to act on market fluctuations and new opportunities faster than ever. In order to take advantage of these tools, your team needs a strong training program.

As ERP business management software is always adapting new functionalities, it's important to have ongoing training so your users are always on top of the latest trends. It's also important to have a strong training program in place for new hires. A vendor that understands the ins and outs of the ERP software can make sure your team is prepared with comprehensive training. 

Find a vendor who understands your industry
Manufacturers need a manufacturing-focused ERP solution and a value added reseller that knows what enterprises in the industry deal with on a daily basis. The right vendor can help you throughout the process by:

• Implementing your new ERP software. 
• Troubleshooting and providing support. 
• Customizing the software to fit your needs. 
• Ongoing consultation, training and troubleshooting post-implementation. 

If you're in the manufacturing industry and you'd like an ERP that can provide customizable tools for your enterprise, Accent Software is here for you. The Accent Software team has been helping growing manufacturers deploy and use Microsoft Dynamics NAV for over 15 years. We provide ongoing training, technical support and consulting services, putting this robust manufacturing business software to work for our clients.