ERP systems: an implementation experience

While improving manufacturing operations, we found that the implementation of ERP systems involved both human and technical factors. These human and technical factors went through somewhat overlapping, transitional stages before they began to perform at the optimal level. It is important to recognise these transitional stages because they must be properly managed in order to reap the benefits of ERP implementation. In the first stage, both human and technical problems exist; however, human problems dominate, and require conflict management skills to resolve. In the second stage, human problems improve, and technical problems persist, requiring formal problem-solving methods to resolve. Finally, in the third stage, both human and technical problems improve, and ERP system begins to perform at the optimal level. Important for both practitioners and academicians, we discuss implications of this research and provide directions for future research.