Dynamics 365 ERP Implementation Guide

There are many ways to approach a Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP implementation. Experience has taught us that some approaches work much better than others. That’s why we designed our exclusive Business Impact Assessment (BIA) approach to implementing Dynamics 365 Business Central—so our customers receive an on-time, on-budget implementation with minimal risk and no surprises.

Business Impact Assessment for an ERP Implementation

While Microsoft offers a comprehensive guide on planning, installing, configuring, customizing, and maintaining Dynamics 365 Business Central, we know a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t typically work for every organization. Our workshop with crucial staff offers guidance in determining business requirements, business processes, project scope, resource commitments, responsibilities, budget, and timeline, so you have a smoother ERP implementation. 

Our approach is:

• Clear. We help you set expectations and minimize project risk, paving the way to success with a clear roadmap.
• Controlled. Success criteria are established, and the project’s vision and scope are defined. The focus is on results that are key to the business. 
• Predictable. Resource requirements and commitments are identified, and areas of business process improvement are defined. Accountability for budget, activities, and timeframe is established.
• Proven. To reduce project risk and ensure project success, we help you analyze business and organizational impact and state the project’s business case. This step dramatically increases the ERP implementation success rate.

We’ve found our custom-designed BIA solution to be a great starting point to ensure your Dynamics 365 Business Central implementation is successfully designed from the start. It takes the guesswork out of critical business decisions and helps you make the right choices as to which technology will best serve your business interests now and in the future. 

Our ERP Implementation Methodology

When it’s time to perform your Business Central ERP implementation, you need a setup and financials configuration strategy that gets you up and running quickly and with confidence. It includes analyzing business requirements, validating business processes, training users in practices and procedures, and migrating to the new system.

Our Dynamics 365 Business Central QuickStart Agenda is:

• Strategic. We thoroughly research market forces and business ramifications that drive your industry to develop the best objectives and approaches that align with your priorities.
• Operational. We help you develop a plan that identifies potential challenges and barriers. We also recommend steps to take to avoid unexpected failures and maximize your investment.
• Technical. Your project goals and priorities are aligned to key success metrics. We also help you define the functional resources and solutions needed to implement your objectives efficiently and effectively.

Our expert guidance is designed to overcome the reasons most ERP implementations fail, including:

• Lack of user input
• Unclear objectives
• Lack of executive support
• Lack of resources
• Incomplete and changing requirements
• Technology incompetence
• Unrealistic expectations and timeframes
• New technology

Critical Factors for a Successful Dynamics 365 ERP Implementation

If you want to ensure a successful ERP implementation, our BIA and Business Central QuickStart Agenda are a great choice. To keep things on track towards a great launch means understanding it’s not just about the software; it’s about people, too. There are several ways the “people factor” influences the outcome of your implementation.

• Executive Support. It’s critical for an organization’s executive team to be on board with an ERP implementation. It ensures everyone’s working from a single set of facts and in agreement with how to proceed.
• Employee Involvement. A Dynamics 365 implementation team should be made up of individuals from across the organization. They should understand the overall needs of the company and be capable of being trusted with critical decision-making.
• A partner who understands your needs and industry. ERP implementations have many moving parts, and each decision made impacts some aspect of your organization. Working with an experienced partner who can help monitor and guide you to a successful launch will help you get the most out of your implementation.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is designed specifically for the cloud era and brings an incredible range of benefits with it. Compared to more traditional ERPs like Dynamics NAV or Dynamics GP, it provides greater interdepartmental connectivity, improved insights and analytics, and better customer service. The right ERP implementation method is the key to unlocking the potential of Dynamics 365 Business Central. When choosing a Dynamics 365 partner to work with on your ERP implementation, be sure to consider their approach to getting the project up and running as quickly and smoothly as possible. It will tell you a lot about what you can expect from them as a partner in other areas, too.