Switching to a new POS and ERP system is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. If you’re thinking about implementing LS Central, or are already doing so, you may be wondering how to ensure a smooth transition to your new solution. Here are nine common mistakes that prevent businesses from achieving a successful implementation of LS Central and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Inadequate planning
Many businesses rush into the implementation process without a thorough plan, often underestimating the complexity and scope of the project. But if you overlook critical aspects of the process, such as defining project goals, establishing timelines and milestones, and allocating resources, you may end up with conflicting expectations among your stakeholders, leading to delayed decision-making and extended implementation time.
Solution: Make sure you develop a comprehensive implementation plan and roadmap that addresses all aspects of the project, including detailed timelines, resource allocation, and a clear understanding of business processes to mitigate challenges and ensure everyone involved is aligned on the goals of the project.
Mistake #2: Lack of user training
Don’t assume that your employees will adapt to the new system automatically. Businesses that neglect user training risk hindering an employee’s ability to fully leverage the system’s capabilities, resulting in inefficiencies, errors, and missed opportunities for optimization. On top of that, employees that are not properly trained on the new system will likely resort back to outdated processes or workarounds that undermine the intended benefits of the implementation.
Solution: Well-trained users will be less likely to resist changing to a new system. Prioritize training programs that cater to the specific needs and skill levels of your employees and ensure they are familiar with the features and functionalities most relevant to their positions.
Mistake #3: Insufficient change management
Transitioning to a new system like LS Central involves more than just technical adjustments; it requires navigating shifts in processes, workflows, and employee behaviors. Without effective change management, businesses may encounter resistance from employees who are already comfortable with existing systems or processes and are unwilling to make changes to their daily routines.
Solution: Adopt change management practices that prioritize communication, training, and stakeholder involvement. Everyone needs to be on the same page. It’s important that your employees feel supported and empowered with the new system, and that you proactively address challenges and concerns as they arise.
Mistake #4: Customization overload
Another mistake businesses often make during the implementation process is trying to tailor the system excessively to meet specific requirements. While customization may seem like a solution to address unique business needs, it can lead to complexity, increased implementation costs, and longer deployment times. Excessive customizations can also make it challenging to maintain and upgrade the system in the future, as each customization introduces potential compatibility issues and dependencies.
Solution: It’s essential to balance customizations with out-of-the-box features in LS Central. Try to avoid over-customizing the system by carefully evaluating your requirements, prioritizing the most important functionalities, and leveraging the features already available to you, so you can maintain the system’s integrity and scalability.
Mistake #5: Poor data migration planning
If you don’t have a clear plan in place for migrating your existing data to LS Central, you’re more than likely to end up with inaccurate, inconsistent – or completely lost – data. Businesses tend to underestimate this process, not realizing how complex it can become, and how long it can take if the right steps aren’t taken. Inadequate data mapping and cleansing procedures can also exacerbate these issues, resulting in incomplete or corrupt data sets that can disrupt your business processes and impair the effectiveness of your new system.
Solution: Develop a detailed data migration plan, including data cleansing, mapping, and testing processes and allocate sufficient time and resources to avoid disruptions. By adopting a systematic approach to data migration planning, businesses can ensure a seamless transition to LS Central while preserving data integrity and continuity of operations.
Mistake #6: Not testing enough
Insufficient (or skipping testing altogether) of LS Central before going live can lead to many challenges, for example you may not be able to address potential system errors or integration issues early on, which can prevent you from operating at your fullest potential. It’s essential to make sure the system is functioning exactly how it’s intended. These issues can also become exacerbated if you don’t involve end users in the testing process because you may not be able to identify usability issues or workflow inefficiencies, which could lead to a drop in user confidence post-implementation.
Solution: If you want to ensure your business is fully prepared to go live, you need to conduct thorough testing, including unit testing, integration testing, and user acceptance testing. This will help you identify and address issues before full deployment and ensure a successful implementation of LS Central.
Mistake #7: Overlooking old business processes
LS Central offers a robust suite of features and functionalities that can significantly enhance operational efficiency and productivity. But if you don’t re-evaluate outdated businesses processes, you won’t be able to reap the full benefits of the system.
Solution: Re-think your business processes. What’s not working anymore? Conduct a thorough analysis of your current business processes and determine how you can best leverage the capabilities of LS Central. When you align your processes with the functionalities of the system, you can make meaningful improvements in your business and get the most value out of it.
Mistake #8: Inadequate post-implementation support
The process doesn’t end once the implementation is complete. Even if your business has gone live, you may still struggle to address issues, resolve technical challenges, or adapt to changing requirements. Unfortunately, many businesses don’t get the assistance they need post-implementation, leading them to miss out on opportunities to enhance their use of the system, and continue innovating.
Solution: By making the time to receive post-implementation support businesses can address ongoing issues and continually optimize the use of LS Central based on user feedback and evolving business needs. Our consulting services are available should you need any guidance!
Mistake #9: Not keeping up with updates and patches
Updates and patches are essential for ensuring your system operates at an optimal level, and addressing any issues that may arise over time. But maintaining these updates on premises can become costly, requiring complex and time-consuming upgrade projects that may delay your operations.
Solution: If you’re still using an on-prem version of LS Central, consider making the switch to LS Central Software as a Service (SaaS). With SaaS, you can stay up to date automatically on the latest version of the software, ensuring you always have access to the newest features and functionalities as soon as they’re available.
Curious about how you can transition your business to LS Central SaaS? Get in touch with our experts, we’re happy to guide you through the process!
Authors: Frederic Descoust, technical consultant and Jennifer Oddo, Consulting Director Americas
