Is your company about to implement an ERP? Avoid these costly mistakes.
Adopting an ERP can transform your company or become one of its biggest financial failures. According to a study by Panorama Consulting Solutions (2023), 52% of ERP implementations exceed the projected budget, and 60% fail to achieve all the expected benefits. The reason: poor system selection, inadequate planning, and a lack of understanding of the true needs of the business.
What is an ERP and what is it used for?
An ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) is a comprehensive system that centralizes the management of all areas of a company: finance, purchasing, sales, inventory, production, HR, etc. Far from being just “accounting software,” the ERP acts as the nervous system of the organization, allowing each department to work in a synchronized manner.
What is an ERP used for?
Automate processes
Eliminate data duplication
Make real-time decisions
Facilitate audits and tax compliance
Scale operations without losing control
In Mexico, the need for ERP systems has increased due to the requirements of the SAT (CFDI 4.0, REPSE, electronic accounting), making it urgent to have a platform that guarantees regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.
Mistake 1: Choosing the cheapest ERP (and not the most suitable)
Many companies select an ERP based on cost, without evaluating whether it truly covers their specific processes. This generates high hidden costs in customizations, additional consulting, or even switching ERPs after just a few years.
Key fact: According to Software Advice, 74% of SMEs change their ERP system between 3 and 5 years after their initial implementation due to errors in the initial selection.
How to avoid it?
Define specific objectives (automation, control, compliance).
Evaluate functionalities aligned with actual processes. Demand demos tailored to your business.
Mistake 2: Not diagnosing processes before searching for software
Implementing an ERP without understanding how your company operates is like buying a prosthesis without a proper diagnosis. This common mistake leads to forced implementations, employee resistance, and a platform that doesn’t address the real bottlenecks.
Typical example: A company with manual and fragmented processes implements an ERP without redefining its purchasing flow. The result: operational chaos and distrust in the tool.
How to avoid it?
Map all processes before selecting an ERP.
Identify points of friction, duplication, and automation opportunities.
Prioritize the most critical modules.
Mistake 3: Ignoring team training and adoption
One of the biggest mistakes is assuming that staff will “learn as they go.” The lack of support and structured training leads to the ERP being underutilized or poorly leveraged.
According to Deloitte, 70% of ERP project failures are related to change management.
How to avoid it?
Establish an adoption plan from the outset.
Provide training by role and phase, using real-world examples.
Have change ambassadors in each area.
How does Smart Consultoría help you avoid these mistakes?
Smart doesn’t sell ERPs. Smart analyzes your business to help you choose the right ERP, based on an in-depth diagnosis of your processes, constraints, and objectives. Its methodology is based on:
Preliminary operational and strategic evaluation.
Objective comparison of the leading ERPs in Mexico.
Partnerships with vendors to obtain realistic pricing and terms.
Support during evaluation, testing, and deployment.
Having a neutral and specialized consultant can save you millions in errors.
Is your company about to implement an ERP? Request a free evaluation with Smart and avoid mistakes that could cost you millions.
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