7 Proven Tips for Effective ERP Maintenance

We’re sure you’ve been told: “prevention is better than cure.” The same is the case with ERP systems. 

That’s because no tool will be error free, and your ERP software is no exception. It is a lot like car maintenance; you need regular checkups to ensure your machine runs smoothly or the performance will drop significantly. 

Besides the level of complexity and volume of data ERP systems handle, the last thing you’d want is for it to go down. But how do you handle ERP maintenance? Here are some simple yet effective ways. 

1 - Analyse your Internal Capabilities

Some businesses find it challenging to keep up with ERP maintenance because they don’t have enough resources. Therefore, analysing your internal capabilities during the ERP maintenance plan is essential. 

Check if your IT team can handle the ERP maintenance duties. If not, hire third-party ERP maintenance service providers. You must also examine how ERP maintenance fits your general technology plans, including your annual maintenance budget.

2 - Hire Experts

ERP experts ensure you follow the best practices and get the most out of your investment. They will help you maintain proper security, assess your current security measures, and ensure everything runs smoothly. 

Although it comes at an additional cost, these professionals will help keep your technology stack up-to-date and enable every department, including financial, to use it more efficiently. 

You can also ask your vendor if they help with maintenance. For instance, customers of the FirstBit ERP can also buy ERP maintenance packages and get personalized services in all the countries FirstBit operates in, including the UAE. 

3 - Keep Your ERP System Updated

You must update your ERP system regularly to prevent bugs and avoid any problem that might affect its performance. 

Sometimes, it may seem like the vendor releases updates very often, but you mustn’t skip any of them. This will ensure your system works at its peak and is less vulnerable to external threats, such as cyber-attacks. 

If you have an on-premise ERP system, your IT department will have to install the upgrade manually. However, your vendor will update the system regularly without downtime if you use cloud-based software. 

4 - Train Your Employees

Companies train their employees on ERP software during the implementation phase. However, they rarely have a continual training module, which can be a barrier to getting the most out of the system. 

That’s because new features usually come with updates. Therefore, it is essential to train your employees regularly. You can hire a third-party trainer and create an agreement with your ERP provider to train your employees constantly.  

Besides, training helps in managing business resources for higher efficiency, productivity, and profitability. 

5 - Regulate the Use of Devices

While allowing employees to use their personal devices for work seems cost-effective, it increases the risk of cyber-attacks. That’s because most people are unaware of the best security practices and are likely to visit vulnerable sites (usually blocked on work computers). 

However, if your employees use personal devices for work, you can help them implement additional security measures. You can also create a policy for how data is stored and handled. 

6 - Regular Backup and Storage

Data corruption is common and comes in many forms, from accidental deletion to viruses. Therefore, it's essential to keep backups of your ERP data. Besides, with ransomware attacks, your day-to-day operations wouldn’t be affected when you back up and store your data on multiple servers. 

7 - Plan Your ERP Life Cycle

You’d not want the maintenance plan to hurt your business finances. Therefore, you must define your short-term and long-term maintenance costs to get the most out of your maintenance plan. 

Also, revisit your ERP life cycle every three to five years to re-evaluate its efficiency per your current business processes. This will enable you to determine if you need to spend further on its maintenance or upgrade your ERP. 

Conclusion

We cannot stress the importance of ERP maintenance enough. It helps keep your system running flawlessly, prevents security lapses, and empowers your employees to use it effectively. Follow the tips mentioned above to keep your ERP system highly functional and increase its life. 

And while you’re at it, don’t forget to check out the FirstBit ERP. Based in Dubai, FirstBit ERP offers a feature-rich ERP and assists customers in maintaining the software!