ERP - Steps to be taken in considering an ERP system for any company, big or small, multinational or domestic

ERP - Steps to be taken in considering an ERP system for any company, big or small, multinational or domestic.
(CopyRight 2009; Benjamin Goh, www.bensglobal.com)

E for Exploit the existing system (paper or computer or mixture) always; ensuring resources are fully and adequately trained at all times to fully exploit all the features and functions of the existing system...and is assured that the existing system has reached its peak performance. If so, review the existing and future business requirements......

R for Review the business requirements regularly; encompassing the future needs and competitive trends of the marketplace. Be assured that the existing system is able to cope and support the existing and future business needs. If not, then start working on what would be the real needs of the company, SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats) analysis and PEST (Political, Environmental, Social & Technology) analysis.

P for Plan, plan and plan first; ensuring that sufficient planning and research are performed before embarking on a new system. A new system must always be better in enhancing the core competence of the company after taking into consideration the cost of system modernisation, resource re-training and market communication.