AcumatiCaresBusiness process reengineering (BPR) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation go hand-in-hand, but should BPR and an ERP implementation be done separately or concurrently? Acumatica CEO Jon Roskill has the answers.
Business Process Reengineering (BPR) is the process of optimizing business processes to improve operational costs and customer service. When contemplating a BPR ERP implementation, the decision has to be made as to whether the BPR or the ERP implementation should go first. Included in the decision making should be the idea of doing them concurrently.
ERP Implementation, Business Process Reengineering: Separate or together?
If the decision is to do the Business Process Reengineering first, this ensures the business processes are optimized before software is configured and also ensures that software functionality will closely match the actual process steps.
Business process reengineering optimization can also improve the ERP implementation by the inclusion and configuration of relevant software features and the elimination of the unnecessary ones. Conducting a BPR exercise provides a common understanding of business processes for employees, as well as provide process documentation that can facilitate ERP education and implementation efforts.
The implementation of ERP business process software, by its very nature, will require a review and adjustment of business processes in order to properly install and configure the software. While such a review and adjustment is not the equivalent of BPR, it can accomplish some measure of process improvement and can do so more efficiently, cost effectively, and with less prolonged disruption of personnel.
Doing Business Process Reengineering independently, before an ERP business process implementation, can identify software modifications to make “the software fit the process.” The modification of a tightly integrated ERP system can complicate upgrades to future releases and diminish the useful life and ROI of the overall ERP investment.
However, performing BPR in conjunction with an ERP implementation may not only be more cost effective but may lead to a better end result. Most ERP systems incorporate “best practices” within a specific industry or in general. ERP software may offer process alternatives that were not considered in the BPR exercise. Additionally, the ERP consultants employed to implement the software may provide process and industry expertise that was not available during a separately performed BPR exercise.
ERP implementation, BPR: Together is better
Whether you do Business Process Reengineering first or concurrently with ERP implementation, you may get to the same place. However, doing BPR as an integral part of ERP implementation may bring together more expertise and alternatives, which can yield a better result.
To learn more, contact our team today. We’ll answer any questions you have about our cloud ERP software and about how to have a successful ERP implementation.
