In this latest blog, we delve into the intricate world of ERP implementation, focusing on Oracle Fusion ERP. As companies strive for operational excellence, the ERP implementation emerges as a pivotal journey, one that promises transformative outcomes but is fraught with challenges. In this age of Software as a Service (SAAS) ERP solutions like Oracle Fusion, the landscape has evolved, presenting both opportunities and complexities.
In this thought-provoking piece penned by Krishna Gandra, COO, Oracle Enterprise Services, we uncover key insights and lessons learned from his extensive experience in successfully implementing Oracle Fusion ERP projects. From inadequate planning to underestimated efforts in data migration, we will navigate through the common pitfalls and offer invaluable wisdom for a seamless journey toward your ERP implementation success.
Oracle Fusion ERP Implementation Journey: Insights and Lessons for True Success
ERP is the heart of every company’s operation, making it a pivotal factor that can either propel or hinder business success. A failed or delayed implementation can have profound consequences, potentially derailing business objectives and jeopardizing competitiveness. In an ideal scenario, the introduction of a new ERP system would catalyze a transformative shift, seamlessly aligning people, processes, and technology with strategic goals. It would foster collaboration, facilitate datadriven decision-making, and offer an intuitive interface that empowers staff to maximize productivity. However, the reality is often far more complex, with ERP implementations fraught with challenges that can hinder organizations from reaching “go live,” and especially from realizing a meaningful transformation.
In this new age of SAAS, ERPs like Oracle Fusion the challenge is even more amplified with constraints imposed by being a SaaS ERP. At CES, we implemented a considerable number of Oracle Fusion ERP projects. Through these experiences, we have gleaned practical insights and learned valuable lessons that have contributed to our expertise in ERP implementation. Below are some of the key pragmatic insights and lessons learned
Inadequate Planning and Preparation:
No industry is immune from the constraints of limited time and resources. This frequently leads to inadequate time allocation for gathering requirements and processes mapping with key stakeholders, leading to overlooked critical requirements and misalignment between the ERP system and business needs. In Oracle Fusion implementations, there is a tendency to underestimate the project’s scope due to its evolution from the decades-old Oracle EBS. However, the reality is quite different, as Oracle has introduced changes to certain core business processes, rendering them entirely different. The core user team from the business needs to be fully dedicated to the project, with additional team members periodically joining to provide necessary exposure.
Underestimated Efforts for Data Migration:
Another common Fusion implementation pitfall plays out when implementation teams underplay data migration. Because insufficient time and effort are allocated to thoroughly assess and understand the data migration requirements, teams may find that the data migration process can have issues due to data loss, corruption, or incomplete mapping. Furthermore, data migrations using file-based data integration (FBDI) templates a.k.a spreadsheets provided by Oracle make it difficult to keep reference data in sync. Error reporting of data failures is not very intuitive causing difficult data reconciliation. Data migration with multiple full-load runs needs to be included in the project schedule.
No Customization in SaaS ERP:
With no access to the database, SAAS products are built to create and update information using application provided screens and open APIs. However, in Fusion with a combination of Fusion provided hooks like groovy scripts in order management or pricing matrix algorithms in pricing implementation, teams can customize the product to achieve business critical requirements. The inclusion of Oracle PAAS (platform as a service) products like VBCS, and ATP extends the ability to customize Fusion. Such gaps in product functionality mapped to business-critical processes need to be identified early on in the project, built, and tested thoroughly before user acceptance testing (UAT).
Micro Services Makes Integration Easy:
In this era of microservices and standardized open API, integrating applications is assumed to be easy. While the availability of published microservices makes it easier to integrate, clearing security hurdles makes these integrations time-consuming. Working with application providers to identify and open certain ports or whitelist IPs will extend the project schedule. Integrating additional fields that are not available in a microservice will require working with a third-party application development team which again has its own deployment timeline that does not align with the Fusion implementation schedule. Allocation of additional resources to work on these sub-projects will help in reducing such impacts.
Ineffective Testing and Quality Assurance:
Insufficient test coverage and inadequate test scenarios can result in crucial system functions, defects, and edge cases being overlooked during testing, or misconfigured integrations between Fusion modules and other systems. Moreover, numerous organizations lack robust bug tracking and resolution processes, along with inadequacies in comprehensive test management, resulting in implementation teams grappling with test execution and timely issue resolution. To circumvent these challenges, organizations ought to prioritize comprehensive test coverage, addressing both functional and non-functional facets of the ERP system. Sufficient time should also be allocated for integration testing to validate seamless interaction between different modules. Throughout these stages, an intuitive resolution mechanism and bug tracking will aid teams in swiftly identifying, documenting, prioritizing, and resolving critical issues, ensuring the delivery of a system that meets business requirements and objectives.
With a seasoned expert team in Oracle Fusion ERP implementation, equipped with practical insights and solutions to address the challenges, CES offers tailored guidance and support, ensuring seamless navigation through every stage of your implementation journey.
Reach out to us at sales@cesltd.com to explore how we can help you in achieving ERP implementation success.
