ERP Implementation is the most complex process when you compare with any other applications. There is a lot of work involved in the process of implementation. We can not just fix a timeline to finish ERP implementation because it depends on the size of the business and moreover the complexity of the operations.
Normally, the idle implementation timeframe for ERP would be 6 months to 2 years. In mid sized companies, it can be finished within six months if everything goes according to the plan. Most of times, ERP implementation will not go according to the designed plan because of the poor coordination between the core enterprise resource planning teams of the vendor and customer. ERP implementation will normally test the patience of the functional consultants and the project managers. There is always a conflict between the vendor and the core team of the customer side because they both speak in different languages. ERP vendor always try to speak in the technical jargon and the customer will not understand the jargon makes the work delayed.
The coordination is what the most important ingredient in the ERP implementation process. Functional consultant will have to communicate with each and every member in the core team and get the things done for him. This is where the implementation time increases.
Before the implementation starts, the customer supposed to gather all required resources to ensure the implementation process simple. This process at least takes ten to fifteen days. If everything is ready at the customer place, the functional consultants will work according to the document which is prepared based on the GAP analysis.
The next aspect in the ERP implementation is customization. Customization of the software application makes the work delay. Customization is purely based on the coding. The application will be altered by the technical consultants to ensure the application fits into the requirements of the customer. If the customer business process is so complex, the application needs more customization. This is one area, which takes more time in the implementation process.
If the customer has different business units, the time will definitely extend because vendors follow unit by unit implementation. First they automate the core areas of one location and moves to the second. Once the individual automation completes, then actual integration of the all business units will start. If a company has got this type of operations, it will obviously take at least one year to complete the process.
So, there is no fixed time frame for the completion of the ERP implementation. Before it starts, both sides of the top management sits and decides a timeframe to complete the project. Either it might be six months, one year or two years, depending on the size of the business. The project manager aims to complete the implementation within the time frame.
To conclude, there is no time bound for the ERP implementation. Ideally, it takes 6 months to 2 years to complete the project depends on the complexity and the size of the business.
