5 things to do to ensure the implementation of a new system is a success  

Implementing a new system in your business can be an exciting yet daunting task. The initial benefits that come with a new system can lead the way for huge positive changes to your business down the line. But if implementation is not a success many give up and resort to old methods, stunting growth and giving a false view on how all system implementations end up.  

In order to have success in implementation, businesses need to consider why they are choosing a certain system, if their staff are on board, how this system will fit into their current business model and if they will be supported along the way.  

We have complied our top 5 things to consider to ensure the implementation of your software is a success, including:  

Understanding your business needs 

Each business is unique, therefore for software implementation to be a complete success the system needs to fit the specific requirements of the business. There are a wide range of systems designed to suit the needs of specific pains and processes but for a business to choose the right system and have its implementation be a success, they need to fully understand their own needs.  

Planning ahead is crucial in the success of a new implantation. Sitting down and writing all your wants and needs down as well as current pain points or areas of success is the first step to understanding exactly what you are looking for. This step can be tedious but is needed to ensure the right system is chosen and can go on to be implemented with success.  

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Getting you staff on board 

Keeping all staff who will be affected in the loop with implementing a new system. Many businesses have an aging workforce, many of whom can be resistant to change. Communicating from the start is effective in increasing their willingness to adapt and change. Communicating and being transparent about both positive and negative aspects of the system and informing people clearly and regularly can significantly help with implementation. Consistency, honesty and making sure you think about the change and communication from the perspective of the recipients are all important in getting staff on board with a new implementation.  

Lack of communication and cooperation will only lead to more resistance and slow down the implementation process.  

Integration 

Integration is crucial in the successful implementation of a new system. If your systems don’t work together or your current business processes cannot be easily transferred to a new system it can prove extremely difficult to implement a new system.  

 With proper integrations, you can save your team from having to copy data between systems manually. Software integration brings together different systems that have each been designed to solve a particular business need to form a unique solution that allows these software’s to work alongside each other.  Making sure you choose a system that is going to integrate how and where you need it too is an important initial decision to make to ensure when it comes time to implement your new system it is a success.  

Training 

The most significant success factor of any new system in any business is the staff. As mentioned abocve change management, staff acceptance and staff willingness to adopt a new solution will differentiate between a successful and unsuccessful project. Training is one of the essential elements of the implementation process.  If staff are not comfortable with a new system, familiar with how it works and how to use it for their daily tasks, then staff adoption will be an ongoing and expensive challenge that you will face frequently. 

Making training a priority will not only encourage staff to get on board but will give management peace of mind knowing staff understand and know how to operate the system.  

Support 

Making sure you will have ongoing support is crucial when implementing a new software, this not only makes sure you know exactly how to use the solution but gives your staff confidence in their own abilities. When choosing a software its important to note how much initial training you will get as well as ongoing training for new staff and when new updates or developments occur. You also want to be confident in your relationship with the software company that you can go to them with an issue and it will be resolved quickly.  

Without reliable support, implementation of a new system can quickly go sour and in these cases resolution is usually a long and complicated process.  

Implementing new software system is always challenging, even for the most experienced companies. But ensuring the right decision is made and the staff are adequately trained and on board with the new system, give businesses the opportunity to have a successful implementation and smooth transition. Working with a company that is going to give you the support and training you need as well as a customisable solution that is suited to your business needs is the first step towards success.  

The team at Advanced Business Manager are experienced in helping businesses succeed, get in touch with the team today to find out what the best solution looks like for you.