Page 186 - DCAP307_PLANNING_AND_MANAGING_IT_INFRASTRUCTURE

Planning and Managing IT Infrastructure

Notes 2. Preparing for the venture: The implementation of ERP is defined this stage. The conditions
and regulations to meet are also decided. This is done by a team of officers, who reports to
the highest authority in the hierarchy of the organisation.
3. Project planning: This is a crucial stage where the implementation process is designed. In
this phase the details of the implementation is worked out. The deadlines and the time-
schedules are also decided. A plan is chalked out, roles are allotted and responsibilities are
assigned. The date for starting the project is also decided. The planning is done by a
committee of team leaders.
4. GAP analysis: This is a stage in which the company identifies the gaps that needs to be
traversed to make the company’s practice in sync with ERP environment. However, this
process involves huge expenses, yet it unavoidable. The team decides on restructuring of
the business made on the basis of GAP analysis.
5. Designing the System: In this stage, a lot of microscopic planning and deliberate action are
carried out. The step helps to decide and resolve which areas is important for restructuring.
It is chosen from the ERP implementation models.
6. Reengineering: ERP implementation involves an evident change in the number of
employees and their job responsibilities, which results due to a more automated and
efficient system. The human factors are taken into account in this stage.
7. Team training: This stage is all about preparing the employees to use ERP. The employees
in the organisation are trained to handle the system on daily and regular basis.
8. Testing: The phase is marked by attempts to break the system. At this point, the company
tests the real case scenarios. The system has been configured, now only extreme cases like
system overloads, hackers trying to access restricted areas, multiple users logging on at
the same time, users entering invalid data, are addressed. This phase is performed to find
the weak links, which could be rectified before implementation.
9. Post implementation: Finally, the process of implementation would be complete when
there is a regular follow up and proper instruction flow thereafter and along the lifetime
of ERP. This involves the entire efforts and measures taken to update and attain better
benefits, after the system is implemented.

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Caution The organisations should ensure that the ERP implementation process should be
smooth and safe.

Task Make distinction between prior-implementation stage and post-implementation
stage of ERP.

Caselet LMW to Implement ERP Package

AKSHMI Machine Works (LMW), a leading player in textile machinery
manufacturing in this part of the country, has embarked on a strategic IT initiative
L with the implementation of enterprise resource management (ERP) solutions.
Contd....

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