ERP implementation - Case studies in Ahmedabad

Abstract

With the emergence of powerful computer and the success of Internet, the working environment of the industry has tremendously changed. Many industries have been facing pressures from the customers to improve their performance. Many large organizations are integrating their core business processes throughout the supply chain by implementing Enterprise Resource Planning systems. But integration of whole business process is not easy task. It is very time consuming process. So, the study has been done to analyze the implementation experiences of an ERP package in some selected companies based at Ahmedabad City through case method. Three companies were selected for the study. Although companies have encountered difficulties during the rigorous ERP implementation process, most problems seem to result from users trying to map a previously ill behaved system to work within the structure of the ERP system. If the company does not follow a good methodology for the implementation of ERP system, the ERP project may be failed before it is rolled out. Implementation of ERP is more complex than physically putting up a new plant. So, selection of an ERP package which is rightly fitted with the existing system of an organisation involves proper analysis of some factors like cost of the package, degree of fit, user friendliness, total cost of the project, functions of modules, implementation time, training, customization needed, etc. The companies under study before selecting the ERP system considered all these factors. During the ERP implementation problems like users lack of awareness about the system, affecting the plan of other module by another module plan, on one side eagerness of people to know the system more and more etc. had been faced by the company. Besides these problems, company faces many problems after implementation such as adaptation to new integrated way of working on new system, formation of team to handle the issues arise while using the system. Thus, from the above three cases it is found that all the companies followed different approaches for the ERP implementation. All the companies are getting the benefits from ERP system. However, they are not able to quantify the tangible benefits because the study has been carried out just alter the implementation of ERP is over. So, finally for the successful implementation of ERP system, it is found that commitment by the top level managers, users, and vendor is highly required.