ERP Software Implementations Take Longer, Cost More and Result in Less Satisfaction Than Expected

New Report Reveals ERP Software Implementations Take Longer, Cost More and Result in Less Satisfaction Than Expected

Panorama Consulting Group Issues 2008 ERP Report

DENVER — Implementing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) project in the estimated time, for the estimated cost, and with satisfying results is a rare occurrence, according to a new study issued today by Panorama Consulting Group, an independent ERP consulting firm in Denver. The survey reveals that 93 percent of ERP implementations take longer than expected and nearly two out of three (59 percent) implementations cost more than initially assumed. Further, only 13 percent of respondents characterize themselves as “very satisfied” with their company’s software implementation.

“The amount of ERP implementations that are meeting or exceeding corporate expectations is distressingly low,” says Eric Kimberling, president of Panorama Consulting Group. “In my experience, companies that work to streamline their internal planning and organizational change processes prior to beginning ERP projects often have more success and a better return on their overall investment.”

Thirty-eight percent of respondents indicated “lack of employee buy-in” as the biggest challenge facing ERP implementation teams, while 33 percent identified “lack of ERP expertise.” Following the “go-live” of the software system, 57 percent of participants suffered operational stoppages and only 21 percent realized 50 percent or more of their projected benefits.

“To best manage implementations, companies need to plan every detail up front, focus on business operations, secure strong project management, and ensure that every key staff member is adequately trained and completely committed to the process,” says Kimberling. “These are complex projects and they require significant resources to effectively manage – resources that are often not available in-house nor provided by software vendors. Third-party consultants can offer proven strategies to make ERP implementations run as smoothly as possible.”

Panorama Consulting Group 2008 ERP Report

The 2008 ERP Report was conducted by Panorama Consulting Group via online polling and was supplemented with qualitative data gathered from focus group interviews with a sample of survey respondents. Information was collected from December 2005 to November 2008. Respondents represent 1,322 global organizations that have implemented ERP within the last three years. Participants are based in all of the major regions in the world, with a majority operating in either North America (31 percent) or Asia Pacific (31 percent). Click here for more information, including topline results and the full 2008 ERP Report.

Panorama Consulting Group

Founded in 2005, Panorama Consulting Group is a niche consulting firm specializing in the enterprise resource planning (ERP) market for mid-sized companies in North America and Europe. Independent of affiliation, Panorama helps firms evaluate and select ERP software, manages the implementation of the software, and facilitates all related organizational changes to assure that each of its clients realizes the full business benefits of their ERP implementation. More information can be found on its web site, www.panorama-consulting.com.