CASE STUDY: Navigating an ERP Upgrade with Outdated Knowledge
The Problem: Knowledge Gaps in a Legacy ERP Environment
For organizations running long-established global ERP systems such as Infor Baan or LN, upgrades can be daunting. Over the years, employee turnover, internal role changes, and evolving business structures often erode institutional knowledge of the original ERP setup.
When the time comes to upgrade, teams frequently lack a clear understanding of how the system is currently being used. This knowledge gap leads to inefficient planning, costly rework, and missed opportunities for process optimization.
The Solution: A Blueprint-Based Assessment and Optimization Strategy
To address this challenge for one of our LN customers, we implemented a blueprint-driven assessment designed to provide a clear, data-backed foundation for their ERP upgrade.
Our strategic approach focused on objective comparison and actionable insight, using a step-by-step methodology:
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Benchmarking Against a Standard Blueprint
We created a standard LN functionality blueprint representing the ideal model of available processes and best practices.
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Site-by-Site Analysis
Each customer site’s configuration and usage were compared to the standard blueprint, identifying gaps, customizations, and inefficiencies.
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Efficiency and Optimization Reporting
The comparison highlighted workflow inconsistencies and process variations across sites, enabling targeted optimization and standardization.
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Budgeting and Roadmap Development
The results provided a data-driven foundation for budgeting, along with a clear, prioritized roadmap for the upcoming upgrade.
How the Solution Was Implemented
Our multi-phase execution ensured collaboration, accuracy, and adoption at every level:
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Stakeholder Engagement
We engaged Business Process Owners (BPOs) and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from each site to review and validate existing LN processes.
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User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
End-users participated directly in creating and testing UAT scenarios based on real-world workflows, ensuring relevance and usability.
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Defined Project Plan and Cadence
A clearly defined project plan with consistent milestones and review cycles ensured timely delivery and transparency.
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Performance Metrics
We established Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track progress, efficiency, and completion throughout the project.
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Workshops for Optimized Usage
Targeted workshops demonstrated how to leverage LN’s current capabilities more effectively and prepared users for upcoming version enhancements.
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Post-Project Review
A comprehensive retrospective identified additional areas for continuous improvement and long-term efficiency gains.
The Long-Term Value
This blueprint-based ERP assessment delivers long-term strategic benefits beyond the immediate upgrade:
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Provides a clear understanding of current ERP usage across all locations.
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Establishes a baseline for continuous improvement and standardization.
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Enables data-driven budgeting and decision-making for future projects.
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Reduces risk and complexity during upgrades through informed planning.
Whether conducted internally or with an experienced partner, this type of structured evaluation is a critical step for any organization preparing for an ERP upgrade. It transforms uncertainty into clarity, and sets the stage for ongoing optimization and success for years to come.
Contact Crossroads RMC to get started: 800.762.2077