ERP software testing is key to successful implementation. Here are six steps for successful implementation of your new ERP system.
Organizations are highly depending on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solutions in order to support business-critical functions and effectively handle the challenges associated with businesses. To gain a competitive advantage for your business, an effective ERP solution is necessary. Scalability and customization are the two key benefits that are provided by this methodology. Even minor issues with the scalability and performance can cause a major impact on the ROI and the productivity of the business.
The Need for ERP Software Testing
The testing phase starts right after the development phase as most of the customizations and configurations are made at that time. This is the reason where the organizations start hammering on the new system. The key objectives for the testing phase will be:
- Validating the functionality of the system with requirements
- Establishing the proficiency for the end-user
- Fine-tuning the configuration
ERP systems are constantly customized; it is only in a rare case that the ERP systems are implemented off-the-shelf. Migration of data between systems is often involved by these systems. In order to meet the changing regulatory frameworks, ERP systems must be regularly modified. These systems are often linked to legacy systems and can be integrated with other applications. Testing a new ERP system becomes crucial for every organization.
Here are six steps for successful implementation of your new ERP system.
1. Adjusting the Configurations
The teams during the testing phase determine that slight adjustments are essential in order to optimize the use of systems in consecutively running the business.
2. Establishing a “Cut-off” Strategy
The evolution from an old system to a new one can take a variation in the routes. Formerly, the companies used to convert one module at a time or they would run both systems in parallel. The main difficulty with the previous approaches was that the workload of the users turned out to be more than double. After building the interfaces they reconciled the differences whereas, the approach followed now helps in building confidence in the new system and then cover everything at once.
3. User Acceptance Testing
Development and execution of the UAT plan fall mostly on the shoulders of the team associated with the project as they are well aware of the business. In order to make the testing process successful, the users have to analyze the testing process and then develop a plan. Lastly, the implementation team works with the project team in order to develop all testing scenarios for testing all parts of the system.
4. Import Sample Data
Involving the dynamic and load static data is the part of the go-live process. Customers, vendors, inventory items, etc. are elements in the static data that don’t change frequently. Things like receivable invoices, accounts payable, and inventory quantities are included at the time of a dynamic data change. A part of the testing services for ERP applications should always include the import and export processes, mainly with dynamic data. It becomes important to ensure that the process works competently in order to minimize system downtime during the conversion.
5. Simulate Running the Business
Prior to the go-live decision, it is imperative that teams work jointly in order to perform one final test of the system. The project team should, therefore, prepare a final test scenario that simulates running of the entire business in the new system. Subsequently, this final task will confirm if the system is ready to go live or there are some changes that have to be made.
6. Training of the End-User
Once the project teams receive the confirmation, members of the project reach out to train the end-users.
