ERP Support

As companies navigate through ever-evolving challenges, the demand for seamless ERP support has become more crucial than ever. Since the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) knits together key financial aspects of the business its maintenance is business critical.   

Implementing and maintaining these complex systems requires a specialised skill set, and the process of bringing on new, experienced team members to bolster ERP projects can be both time-consuming and fraught with challenges. 

In the face of economic unpredictability, businesses can ill-afford disruptions in their operational backbone especially if headcounts are on freeze. This is where the strategic deployment of top-tier interim skills proves to be a game-changer, ensuring that ERP systems not only weather the storm, but emerge stronger and more resilient. 

In this article, we delve into the critical importance of reliable ERP support, shedding light on the challenges organisations face when incorporating new talent into their ERP projects and the transformative value of accessing elite interim expertise. 

This might appear to have a simple answer; to provide ERP application support, with specialist ERP support analysts.  

However, since every company uses their ERP system in a unique and different way to support their core financial planning, there are multiple nuances.  Manufacturing business may plan to a granular level the supply chain and components within their products and fine-tuning costs can have a huge impact on profitability. Whereas a retail business may be plotting and planning forward trends in seasonal size, colour, and styles.   

ERP support encompasses the maintenance of the application itself to ensure regular updates and patches are applied so that the system itself is optimised and running the best version of itself for the work at hand. And work at hand is the key phrase here as some businesses may use one module and not another or customise certain elements to their needs.  

ERP support also includes troubleshooting and tackling issues and problems which may even include training and user support, providing assistance and best practice for the users. Finally, the old saying “data out is only as good as data in..” needs to be considered within the remit of ERP support. This includes data governance (the rules and processes in place to ensure data is handled consistently and correctly), to maintain data accuracy, integrity, and security.  

Since the ERP system crosses through all aspects of the business, so too must the support to assist and maintain the ERP system wherever it touches.   

ERP systems are the software solution and applications that manage and integrate multiple business processes, including financial, human resourcing, supply chain, order processing, invoicing, manufacturing, planning and more.

ERP Support needs to cover the “technical” issues and eventualities to maintain the ERP system, but equally important ERP support needs to provide “business” support to ensure it is being used to best effect.  

Combining these skills in any on individual can be a challenge, especially if industry knowledge is also required. This is where we excel at securing and providing the right resources in an agile and flexible way.   

We pride ourselves on providing technical, application, functional and business support for the ERP solution with the talent needed for the task at hand: https://build.reinforcetech.com/support  

The goal of ERP support is to ensure that the ERP system operates smoothly from a system perspective. But also, it needs to meet the business objectives of the organisation and so different skills need to be brought to bear to help streamline and optimise business processes.

Finding the right consultant is essential as they need to fit with the business culture as well understand and answer the system needs. They should be adept at providing both functional help to ensure streamlined utilisation of the ERP, but also responsibilities can vary and flex according to the needs of the business.  

The day-to-day activities of an ERP support consultant will include basic system configuration, setting up and implementing modules, workflows, user access, and managing any customisations. ERP system optimisation is the goal, with all the moving parts functioning well, which may include troubleshooting and technical issue resolution.   

The softer skills of the ERP support consultant will include empathising with users for training, demonstrating the benefits of data policies, creating documents and manuals that describe customisations or provide FAQs that are business specific.  

When choosing an ERP consultant, you need to feel confident the technical credentials are sounds. But equally important is receiving advice and recommendations around best practice and process improvement that will help increase efficiency.  

The ERP consultant has a blend of skills that is hard to find, but we can help fill those gaps with skilled, experienced, consultants who can be part of your team on an interim, when needed, basis. 

There is a good degree of overlap, but a fine line divides the two. An ERP analyst will be focused on analysing data and performance of the system and analysing how that affects the business.  The ERP Support analyst is all about problem solving. 

An ERP Support consultant has a slightly wider and less prescriptive remit as they may be drawn into wider business issues where the ERP has a role to play and where advise and support is needed.  The support consultant will liaise with client, vendor, users, and all stakeholders, looking to resolve business challenges, not just system challenges. They will also liaise with project management teams for change management, migration, and upgrades. They may even be drawn into reviewing a move to a cloud ERP and all the implications. This broader scope requires wider skills and experience is valued.   

Your ERP solution is business critical, and it deserves the very best support to ensure business continuity, security, and efficiency. To future-proof your system, a solid ERP support strategy is required, underpinned by skilled ERP support consultants.  

As a valued Infor ERP partner, ReInforce Technology provides comprehensive ERP Support solutions and services that will bring you peace of mind and a happier workforce. Our team bridges the gap between the technical aspects of the ERP system and the functional and business needs of the organisation, ensuring that the system operates smoothly and optimally.   

Find out more about our skilled ERP support consultants.