Here's how you can maximize advanced customization options in popular ERP platforms.

Por experiencia puedo concluir que cuando las empresas definen necesidades, reinventan la rueda, entendamos que los sistemas ERP ya se usan en todo el mundo y vienen con procesos estandarizados, en la mayoría de casos es mejor adecuarse que forzar al cambio particular, salvo que esta particularidad te genere una ventaja competitiva.

ERP customization is applicable to reports, user interfaces and application programs. The first two customization types are commonly done during and after implementation throughout the ERP lifespan for personalized ERP user requirements. The third one is used as the last resort to change ERP business logic for satisfying specific must-have requirements not met by other means like ERP configuration or integration with complementary third-party applications.

Begin by clearly identifying the unique requirements of your business. This step is crucial as it sets the foundation for selecting the right customization options that align with your specific goals and operational processes. A thorough understanding of your needs ensures targeted and effective customizations.

Begin by identifying specific business requirements that necessitate advanced customization within the ERP platform. Determine which functionalities or processes require customization to improve efficiency or align with unique business workflows.

A definição clara das necessidades de negócios é um passo fundamental que muitas vezes é subestimado. O erro comum é acreditar que a personalização do ERP deve ser ampla e complexa desde o início, mas o que realmente faz a diferença é entender profundamente as operações e desafios específicos de cada departamento. Por exemplo, ao identificar que um departamento de logística enfrenta dificuldades na gestão de inventário, a personalização deve focar em soluções que resolvam este problema específico, ao invés de implementar modificações generalizadas.

Create a comprehensive plan that outlines every aspect of the customization process. This should include timelines, resource allocation, and potential risks. A detailed plan helps in managing expectations, avoiding surprises, and ensuring a seamless implementation with minimal disruption to daily operations.

Planning thoroughly is crucial for maximizing advanced customization options in popular ERP platforms. Engage key stakeholders (e.g., department heads, end-users) to identify specific business objectives and challenges that customization can address. Document detailed requirements, including functional needs, user roles, integration points, and compliance considerations. Conduct a thorough audit of your current ERP system to assess existing functionalities, limitations, and areas for improvement. Map out current business processes to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and opportunities for customization.

Develop a comprehensive customization plan outlining goals, timelines, and resources required. Prioritize customizations based on their impact on business operations and user requirements. Detail the technical specifications and integration points to ensure seamless implementation.

Business logic customization must be rigorously planned as it can highly complexify future ERP updates and upgrades which may require doing and fully testing it again. Some ERP vendors have taken into account this critical issue by providing their own programming tools or low code and no code development platforms with customizations which remain compliant with their ERP updates and upgrades. These technical capabilities can represent a top priority criterion for selecting a highly flexible ERP system.

Implementing customizations are always a challenge. Contrary to popular belief, ERP systems rarely enhance business out of the box. Customizations are often unavoidable in an ERP environment. I often work with companies that previously implemented multiple "immediate fix" customizations, only to find a year later they didn't consider future business. Advanced customizations are not inherently wrong, but thorough analysis and planning are crucial. Consider how your business will evolve over the next few years when implementing customizations. Immediate fixes may restore processes, but they aren’t always the best long-term solution. Maximizing a customization to its full capability hinges on its ability to support the future business.

Work with ERP specialists who have a deep understanding of advanced customization. Their expertise can be invaluable in navigating complex customization tasks, ensuring that modifications are performed correctly and efficiently. Experienced consultants can also provide insights into best practices and potential pitfalls.

Collaborate with ERP consultants or in-house IT specialists who have expertise in the platform's customization capabilities. Leverage their experience to design and implement tailored solutions that meet business needs effectively. Engaging experts ensures that customizations are technically sound and aligned with best practices.

Quando se trata de personalizações complexas no ERP, envolver especialistas não é apenas uma opção, mas uma necessidade. Os consultores de ERP trazem uma visão externa que muitas vezes falta à equipe interna, que pode estar muito imersa nas operações diárias para perceber novas oportunidades ou riscos potenciais.

Engaging experts is crucial when maximizing advanced customization options in popular ERP platforms. Seek guidance from ERP vendors or certified consultants who specialize in the specific platform you are using. They can provide insights into best practices, customization capabilities, and potential pitfalls. Collaborate closely with your internal IT team, especially those with experience in ERP systems. Leverage their technical expertise to assess customization feasibility, implementation strategies, and integration requirements.

Los expertos no solo te ayudan a que el sistema obtenga el cambio deseado, también te ayudan a que ese cambio tenga las buenas prácticas del sistema ERP, de mantener coherencia con los demás módulos y no afecte el ecosistema del ERP.

Um plano de teste robusto deve abranger não apenas os cenários de uso mais comuns, mas também os casos de borda que poderiam revelar vulnerabilidades ou falhas. Envolver os usuários finais neste processo é crucial, pois eles são os que mais entendem as nuances e as necessidades operacionais diárias. Os testes conduzidos apenas por equipes técnicas tendem a perder aspectos cruciais da experiência do usuário. Portanto, é fundamental ter um feedback contínuo dos usuários para identificar e corrigir qualquer área que precise de ajustes, garantindo que as personalizações não só funcionem bem em teoria, mas também na prática real.

Before full deployment, conduct extensive testing of the customized ERP system. This involves simulating various scenarios to identify and resolve any issues. Rigorous testing ensures that the customizations perform as expected and do not negatively impact other system functionalities.

Conduct thorough testing of customizations in a controlled environment to validate functionality, performance, and integration with existing ERP modules. Identify and resolve any bugs or issues before deploying customizations into production. Rigorous testing minimizes disruptions and ensures reliability.

Es muy importante definir claramente los casos de uso que esta personalización impacta, es como probar neumáticos para la nieve en verano.

Invest in thorough training programs for your team. Ensure that users are well-versed in the new customizations to maximize their benefits. Training should cover all aspects of the system, from basic operations to advanced features, to ensure smooth and efficient usage.

Provide comprehensive training to end-users on new customizations, emphasizing their benefits and proper usage. Tailor training sessions to different user roles and proficiency levels to maximize adoption and proficiency. User training enhances productivity and ensures that advanced customizations are utilized effectively.

Nada de lo so que se realice como mejora tiene el efecto esperado si el usuario no usa el sistema correctamente, este punto es uno de los errores más comunes en toda la cadena de mejora de software, una capacitación efectiva es aquella que se realiza en 4 pasos: explicación, practica, evaluación y refuerzo.

Regularly solicit feedback from users and stakeholders to assess the effectiveness of customizations. Gather insights on usability, performance improvements, and areas for refinement. Use feedback to iterate and enhance customizations iteratively, keeping them aligned with evolving business needs.

Customization is not a one-time activity. Regularly review and refine your customizations to adapt to evolving business needs and technological advancements. Continuous improvement ensures that your ERP system remains effective and aligned with your business objectives.

Consider scalability and future-proofing of customizations to accommodate business growth and technological advancements. Maintain documentation of customizations, including configurations and dependencies, to facilitate troubleshooting and future updates. Collaborate with ERP vendors to stay informed about new features or updates that could enhance customization options. Additionally, foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement to encourage exploration of advanced ERP customization capabilities.

Always keep scalability and future growth in mind. Design customizations that can evolve with your business and accommodate new requirements. Additionally, maintain documentation of all customizations to facilitate future updates and troubleshooting