You’re juggling multiple vendors during an ERP system upgrade. How will you manage the chaos?
How do you tackle vendor chaos during an ERP upgrade? Share your strategies and experiences.
You’re juggling multiple vendors during an ERP system upgrade. How will you manage the chaos?
How do you tackle vendor chaos during an ERP upgrade? Share your strategies and experiences.
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An ERP provider with an enterprise management platform strategy can help the client to minimize the number of digital solution vendors for its enterprise information systems. This provider can offer comprehensive ERP features and functionalities, highly flexible configuration, API-first integration in a hybrid environment including third-party applications, EDI capabilities as well as low-code/no-code development and other customization tools that are upgrade-compatible.
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It's happens too many times where a concrete plan was not created during the excitement of a new ERP system that will fix all your current issues, but that excitement creates this exact issue in the interim. The approach I'd recommend is to create a centralized manipulative file that tracks vendor information and important EDI files (such as an Integrated Excel sheet or a Notion Table) and utilize that to create a Source of Truth that you can refer to during this tumultuous implementation period. Having a clear document that outlines each of the vendors information allows for a more efficient workflow. The downside here is that this one source of truth can become out of date or perjured from inaccurate data.
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Align all vendors with a clear upgrade roadmap, assign ownership via RACI, enforce timelines through joint stand-ups, document every change, and escalate early. Use a central tracker to monitor dependencies. Communication is king—transparency and clarity turn chaos into coordination.
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To manage chaos with multiple ERP vendors: Centralize governance: Create a single project team with clear roles (e.g., vendor lead, technical lead) and use a shared roadmap/tools (Jira, MS Project) for alignment. Standardize communication: Hold daily stand-ups and weekly sync meetings with all vendors to address blockers, track milestones, and ensure interdependencies are met. Prioritize deliverables: Break tasks into phases (e.g., data migration, testing) and assign clear ownership to avoid overlap. Use RACI matrices for accountability. Mitigate risks proactively: Conduct regular vendor performance reviews, maintain contingency plans for delays, and enforce strict SLAs to keep timelines on track. What do you think?
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1. Centralize communication : Use one platform to streamline vendor updates. 2. Define responsibilities : Assign clear roles, timelines, and deliverables early. 3. Monitor progress : Track milestones with regular performance check-ins. 4. Resolve conflicts : Address issues quickly through structured escalation protocols.
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