A lot of people think implementation of SAP B1 is tough and a cumbersome activity, in this blog we will explain implementation of SAP B1 is simple and its not complex as you think.
First off all best way to implement SAP B1 is by following SAP’s standard implementation methodology which is SAP Accelerated Implementation Program (AIP) specifically designed for SAP Business One implementations.
The AIP methodology has key milestones and key tasks which cover the period starting with the handover from the sales team to right before the handover to the support organization. Each stage marks the completion of a discreet activity in the project: software installation, system configuration, testing, and so on. The milestones have been selected by SAP and partners as crucial checkpoints in your project plan. We are explaining detailed steps in a successful implementation cycle of SAP Business One.
- Walkthrough of the customer’s business to gain a ‘helicopter’ view of the business, its key people and at a high level, its business processes. Consultants likes to understand the business and culture of its customers and engage with them early.
- Detailed Design: This is an important phase which includes workshops with key people from each functional area of the business. During these workshops, business processes are defined or refined to work with the software and in accordance with best practice. The Detailed Design Phase culminates in a ‘Blueprint’, which is the reference for everything that is to be delivered by the solution. It is very detailed and must be agreed upon by both parties, prior to the commencement of the implementation project
- The next task for the customer is to prepare the data with Consultant’s assistance. This involves extracting, cleansing and populating templates to upload to the test database.
- Consultant ‘builds’ the system in accordance with the Blueprint and creates a test environment and database.
- The next phase is ‘Training’; this is normally carried out on a ‘train the trainer’ basis, but it can be tailored to the customer’s requirements. This is a good time for the customer to develop its testing plans because they will have a good understanding of their business processes and will learn how the software supports those processes.
- Once the training has been completed, it is important that the key users undertake the ‘Testing’ Phase. This is a good opportunity to get other users involved and trained. Testing, after Detailed Design, is the most important phase for the customer to undertake. The reason for this is that, if it is done meticulously, it will lower the cost of support, once the solution ‘goes live’.
- When both parties have agreed that the testing has been completed, preparation for the “Go Live’ Phase can begin. This is a process that Consultant will assist with.
- The Final Go Live Phase involves moving to the production environment and post go live support.