In most cases, ERP system software may take years to complete their implementation process. Activities done during ERP implementation process may vary according to the company size and specified project of businesses. According to studies, it is found that the time required for the implementation of ERP system software increases with increase in complexity of project. Approximately, it may take six months to one year duration for implementing ERP system software in a company. Today, almost all sizes of company are introducing ERP for their business management.

Choosing ERP consultant plays a great role indetermining its timeframe. To reduce the time consumption during implementation, it is advised to employ ERP consultant with good knowledge. Business process of company is a main factor determining the timeframe of implementation process. Today, implementation of enterprise resource planning software is done with customization option to meet the demands of customers. How many of you know coding work of ERP system software? Generally, coding work of implementation is done by technical consultants. Anyway, this process may take some time to complete.

Documentation process is one of the main tasks performed by ERP consultants. It is the role of functional ERP consultants to go through paper works of each module. In case of large companies, ERP implementation may take so long to complete. In this case, company workers may employ a team of ERP consultants to do task. It can reduce the timeframe required for implementation. Hence there is no accurate timeframe for ERP implementation process. Completion of project without proper analysis can lead way to failure. This is one of the common problems reported by many company owners.

Typical implementation timeframe for ERP system is described on the basis of company size. Studies say that a small sized company may take nearly six months duration to complete ERP implementation. Whereas, a large sized company may take up to one and a half years duration to complete ERP implementation. Have you ever checked how efficient your team members are? Efficiency of team members is a vital factor influencing the timeframe of ERP implementation. To prevent this problem, it is recommended to employ professional functional and technical ERP consultants with good experience. Also, it is advised to have realistic expectations rather than an unrealistic one. This can reduce the delay in timeframe for ERP implementation.

Read about Implementation Timeframe for ERP System. Also know Cost of ERP Implementation.

ERP implementation in large organizations having many offices and work locations at distant geographical locations takes lot of time compared to organization of similar size but confined to a particular region. The reason behind this is that it slows down the process of information gathering and increases volume of customization by many times. Such organizations have different processes and working pattern at different locations, all of these have to be integrated through single software ensuring smooth flow of information and also without disrupting the work flow, this makes task tedious and complex. Such situations make it very difficult to calculate typical implementation timeframe for ERP software.

Role of staff of the organization where ERP is getting implemented is very crucial and highly unpredictable and it can make any general formula providing typical implementation timeframe for ERP software unreal. When ERP is in the process of implementation the new system can create distrust amongst the staff and also insecurity, which most of the times leads to lack of cooperation. When consultants do not get proper response and information from the existing staff the entire implementation process slows down increasing its duration. In some cases lack of computer literate staff delays the implementation as they take lot of time to understand and use the new system.

Under prepared management is another factor which makes almost impossible to work out any typical implementation timeframe for ERP softwares. Purchasing and implementing ERP involves lot of money and also sometimes high risks. In such cases management takes too many precautions and lot of time before making any decision. Delays in decisions slow down implementation as ERP providing company cannot move ahead without receiving an approval from the management. Most of the time suggestions made by the consultants to replace old processes with new ones for better performance and some major changes in working style cause lot of confusion in the minds of people responsible for making decisions on behalf of ERP purchasing company. This happens when management has not done enough research and analysis before going for ERP implementation.

There can be various other issues like technical problems etc which have also been found responsible for delaying the process of implementation in many cases, chances of any of these problem creeping up makes time and cost calculation beforehand for ERP implementation extremely difficult.

Read about ERP Implementation Cost Timeframe. Also know Causes of ERP Failure.