Implementing an ERP system is a major milestone for any company. But just like building a house, the same rule applies: if the foundation is flawed, the whole structure can become unstable. Many companies dive in too quickly or fail to prepare properly – even though the success of an ERP depends largely on preparation.
Below are 9 common mistakes, each illustrated with a practical example.
1. Lack of Process Optimization
A small manufacturing company that had been using the same manual processes for decades introduced an ERP system. They automated their existing processes without any changes. The problem? Those processes had long been inefficient, so the ERP simply sped up existing issues.
Lesson:
An ERP won’t optimize your workflows on its own. If you transfer bad processes into the
system, it will only magnify the problems.
What to do:
Thoroughly review your current workflows before implementation. Consult an external
expert and optimize before you digitize.
2. Unclear Goals
An ERP rollout began at a distribution company, but no one knew exactly what they wanted to achieve. One manager wanted better reports, another aimed to improve warehouse management, and a third supported the project only because “the competitor did something similar.”
Lesson:
Without clear goals, it's very hard to reach a satisfactory result.
What to do:
Set specific, measurable goals – cost reduction, transparent reporting, faster delivery –
and align the entire project around them.
3. Lack of Internal Alignment
At a logistics company, the finance, sales, and warehouse departments each had conflicting needs. Developers couldn’t satisfy everyone, so they delivered partial solutions. The result: widespread disappointment.
Lesson:
An ERP isn’t just for one department – it serves the whole company.
What to do:
Appoint an internal coordinator to align all departments and represent unified
requirements. This reduces conflicts and speeds up implementation.
4. Insufficient Technical Support
A company implemented an ERP system but received only foreign-language email support – with a three-day response time. Employees couldn’t understand the answers, problems dragged on, and trust in the system diminished.
Lesson:
Even the best software is useless without effective support.
What to do:
Ensure your provider offers fast, practical, and local-language support – not just during
rollout but afterward as well.
5. Ignoring Customizability
A construction company chose a cheaper ERP option that initially seemed ideal – until they realized every small change required a developer. By the time the system was usable, costs had doubled.
Lesson:
Cheaper doesn't always mean more economical.
What to do:
Choose a system that allows flexible parameter settings, so custom development is only
needed when truly necessary.
6. Choosing the Wrong System
A small service company implemented an ERP designed for large enterprises – it was too complex, too expensive, and had too many unnecessary features. Employees got lost in the functions, and management decided, “This isn’t for us.”
Lesson:
The system should fit your company – not the other way around.
What to do:
Research what similar companies use, ask for references and demos, and consider
your future plans when choosing a system.
7. Not Involving End Users
Management made all decisions on its own, and employees only encountered the new system on the day it was launched. The result: resistance, complaints, and many unused features.
Lesson:
Even the best system won’t work if users don’t feel it’s theirs.
What to do:
Involve users from the beginning. Ask for their input and provide training so they can
use the system effectively.
8. Underestimating Training
After implementing a financial software system, employees only received a manual – no training. Operations stumbled for weeks, and IT had to step in for every small issue. Productivity dropped, and internal tension grew.
Lesson:
An ERP isn’t just a software – it’s a tool that must be learned to be used effectively.
What to do:
Conduct practical training sessions and explain the business logic behind the system.
The better users understand it, the fewer mistakes they’ll make.
9. Neglecting Data Migration
All data from the old system was imported “as is” – with errors, duplicates, and missing information. During the first weeks, the ERP caused more confusion than benefit. Fixing the data afterward took months.
Lesson:
Your system is only as good as the data it contains.
What to do:
Clean your data before migration, perform test migrations, and have a detailed error-
handling plan.
In Conclusion – Preparation Is the Key to Success
Implementing an ERP system isn’t just a technical project – it’s a business, human, and strategic one. Most failures aren’t due to the system itself, but to a lack of preparation. If you avoid the mistakes above and invest in thorough preparation, your ERP can become a true competitive advantage – not just a cost, but an investment in your future.
