GETTING THE RIGHT START
I've already discussed the
importance of using the
software company for
initial setup and
consultation. Building
on that solid base, now be
sure that the system is set
up in a way that supports
and IMPROVES your current
business performance and
sales and operations planning.
Always remember that you
didn't buy a new system
because you had money to
burn—you bought it to
make an improvement.
You need to get users
involved to tailor screens
and
reports so that they display
logically, and to make it as
easy as possible to make
adjustments and correct
errors.
The truth is that if a task
is not easily done, it won't
be
done! This is not to say
that every task will be as
easily done as on your
legacy system, but the total
package of accuracy, so
fewer exceptions will occur
and need less
work, and the time it takes
to make those adjustments
should be less than before.
Do not make the mistake of
thinking you must immediately
use every feature of a new
system. You don't
need to ring every bell and
blow every whistle. Use only
the ones needed for
immediate success. You and
your
consultant should discuss
future options so that the
system may be set up to
support them, but a new
system is a lot to learn.
Focus on first things first.
If your
want to use other features
later, your software company
will be there to help. And,
it's always a good idea to
get
them involved the first time
you do use a new function
to be sure you do it
correctly and don't tangle
up files
that could take weeks to fix
if you neglected to make a
back-up file.
Don't scrimp on training for
ALL the users, either.
This increases buy-in, as
users get answers to their
questions
first-hand and learn the
easiest way to do a task,
and will pay you back for
years in better efficiency
by
eliminating confusion.
Remember playing
"Telephone"?
By the time the message got
around, it sounded nothing
like the original. The same
thing happens when you
trickle down training. Only
the results are less than
amusing when you realize
that folks using a
forecasting system are
actually gambling with
millions of dollars of
your chips.
To Be Continued
For balance of this article, click on the below link:
Lean Manufacturing Articles and click on Series 15