There are many different reasons why an organization may decide to use Infor CloudSuite—they’re ready to save time and money; they want to improve efficiency; they want to lay a strong foundation now to avoid growing pains later. But implementing a new system is never easy. There’s data to be converted, systems to be tested, new processes to be developed, and stakeholders to be informed. Despite all these challenges, the end goal is worth the choppy waters it takes to get there.
We’ve guided many companies on their Infor CloudSuite implementation journeys, and we’d like to share some of our most helpful best practices with others as they embark on theirs. This is the first article in a three-part series on preparing for each stage of implementation: before, during, and after.
Let’s get started with what you need to know before setting sail.
Focus on the Fours
There are four things in particular your organization needs to build before getting into an Infor Cloudsuite implementation: your organizational structure, your chart of accounts, your vendor master, and your item master.
Organizational Structure
First, understand what your organizational structure (which includes things like reporting and budgeting) is going to be in the new system. You need to know how your new ship is going to operate before you take it out into open waters.
Chart of Accounts
Next, determine what your chart of accounts will be. This ties in closely with the organizational structure, but only measure what you’re going to reward. So, if you’re not going to budget at a specific level, say for an account or at an organizational structure level, what’s the point of spending time and energy building something you won’t use?
Vendor Master
You’ll also need to focus on what your vendor master will look like in the new system. This involves who you’re doing business with and how you will manage those relationships. Think of your contract management or supplier management.
Item Master
The final critical area to tackle early is your item master, including your inventory and product purchase mix. This will lead you back to the vendor master and contact management planning piece as well.
In Summation…
Once again, the four areas to pay special attention to before you set sail for your Infor CloudSuite implementation are your organizational structure, chart of accounts, vendor master, and item master. What your particular planning process looks like will differ depending on your industry.
For example, manufacturers will need to figure out work orders while hospital staff will have to purchase and stock products. But no matter your industry, take the time to plan out these four areas before getting started.
The Benefits of Early Prep
One of our consultants recently worked on a project where the client didn’t plan out these four areas ahead of implementation. (In fact, they were actually building their chart of accounts and organization structure right up until go-live!) This lack of preparation caused a tremendous amount of extra work and anxiety for everyone involved with the project.
If you prepare early, you can count on your data conversion, historical conversations, and the entire transfer process to go much more smoothly. Preparing ahead of time also gives you a head start into planning what your reporting will look like, which is much more enhanced and personalized in the latest version of Infor CloudSuite.
One Major Pitfall to Avoid
Besides skipping out on preparation, if there’s one other thing that could derail your implementation, it’s not reconciling your accounts upfront. If you have to go back and reconcile all that converted data, especially if you have to hire additional resources to do the manual work, you can look forward to a significant amount of time and expense post go-live. But if you reconcile your accounts, convert the data, and test your reports before go-live, you should be set up for success (and your future self will thank you).
How an Infor Expert Can Help
When you’re planning for an Infor CloudSuite implementation, consider bringing on a third-party consultant to help. They can provide a ton of value at each stage of the process. These experts have seen the best and the worst of other implementations. This experience allows them to bring a fresh perspective on what’s worked (and what hasn’t) to your implementation.
Our senior-level Infor consulting team knows this process inside and out. They know what suits specific industries and can put that knowledge to good use by helping you design a solution that meets your unique needs. Our experts will bring a tried and tested implementation method to your project to deliver a successful, on-time implementation.
Ready to learn how Surety System experts can help? Contact us today.
