How important is ERP training and education?

All users of the ERP system should be trained properly in using the system to its fullest. Different groups of people in the company will have different training needs. Managers need more focus on the decision-making and analysis features of the system while the clerical staff need more focus on how to perform their jobs. But all the users must be trained in the ERP basics, overview of the system and its working, how an action by an employee triggers a host of events throughout the organization, how automation will help, what processes are changed and so on.

Educate everyone so that they understand what is going to be achieved with the new system. Additional education should include total quality management and change management strategies. Also the training sessions should be used to gain acceptance for the ERP system by dispelling the myths about ERP. When the employees do not understand what the new system is and what is supposed to do and how to operate it, they will not use it or use it incorrectly. This can lead to failure of the system. Best option is to train department managers in how to use the system and have them train the users.

The value of education starts at the ERP selections stage where professionals need to be educated about the stage reached in improving their business processes. Without that type of knowldge they will be unable to efffectively select what is most suitable for them.

On the other hand, the actual value of the ERP is using it to improve the business rather than just installing the software. In order to achieve that, regoroud end user training must take place to ensure that staff will use it effectively and identify any problems which might revert them to thier usual excell sheets.