Insights
Moving your ERP to the Cloud? What to expect, plan for, and avoid
- Date 05 Aug 2024
- Filed under Insights
In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, moving to cloud ERP is more than a tech upgrade—it’s a strategic decision to fuel future innovation, scalability, and operational agility. Whether you’re planning a greenfield implementation or transitioning from legacy systems, success hinges not just on going live, but on achieving lasting impact.
At NRI, we’ve helped clients across industries transform their ERP environments with confidence. This article explores what to expect, plan for, and avoid on your journey.
Don’t just migrate—modernise
Many organisations enter ERP projects with a clear goal: a smooth go-live. But that’s just the beginning. The real value lies in how well your solution positions you for future growth.
Cloud ERPs like SAP S/4HANA Cloud and SAP Business ByDesign are designed with advanced capabilities—such as in-memory processing, machine learning, and AI—to handle large, complex data sets in real time. But it’s not just about features. It’s about the foundation these systems provide for long-term innovation.
The goal isn’t just to replicate the past—it’s to unlock new opportunities for your business.
Build a business case that drives buy-in
The most successful ERP migrations start with a compelling business case, rooted in business drivers—not just IT needs. If your legacy system is “doing the job,” it can be difficult to justify change. But future-ready organisations recognise that the systems and strategies of the past don’t necessarily equal growth tomorrow.
A strong business case outlines:
- Where legacy systems fall short of strategic goals
- How cloud ERP enables scalability, flexibility, and transformation
- The tangible business outcomes—from faster insights to streamlined operations
Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
1
Lack of program structure
Without strong program governance and a proven methodology (such as SAP Activate), projects can drift into complexity. A clear framework ensures alignment, momentum, and accountability.
2
Unclear strategic objectives
If stakeholders aren’t aligned on the ‘why’ behind the project, solution adoption can stall. Organisational Change Management (OCM), ongoing training, and a shared understanding of the solution roadmap are essential for long-term success.
3
Poor data quality
“Garbage in, garbage out” still applies. Clean, complete, and well-structured data is a critical success factor. This includes removing duplicates, filling gaps, and ensuring accuracy before migration.
4
Treating go-live as the finish line
Go-live is just the beginning. The most successful organisations plan for continuous improvement, leveraging new capabilities and innovations as the system matures.
Post go-live: The 6–9 month rule
After deployment, allow 6–9 months for the solution to stabilise. During this time, focus on user adoption, process refinement, and performance monitoring. Then, shift gears. Look at how emerging functionality can be harnessed to support evolving business needs—whether it’s automation, improved analytics, or new integration capabilities.
Make a confident commitment
Implementing a modern ERP solution is a bold investment. Half-measures won’t deliver the value you’re expecting.
ERP is not the destination—it’s the launchpad for transformation.
If your organisation isn’t ready to leverage the system as a strategic enabler, it may be time to rethink the timing or approach. But if you’re committed to growth, agility, and innovation, the opportunity is significant.
Let's get to work
Building a future-ready ERP environment is easier than you think...
At NRI, we deliver more than implementation. We guide our clients through end-to-end ERP transformation with deep industry expertise, robust methodologies, and a focus on real business outcomes. Our approach is built around your future—not just your functional requirements.
