Get the best out of your ERP with practical ERP training.

“We want our customers to get the most out of their ERP systems, so that their internal processes run even more smoothly,” says Kristof Depuydt. “Proper training plays an important role in this.”
“These ERP courses are practice-oriented. We tailor our training to the organisation, and we explain very specifically how the ERP system is incorporated in the current processes. For example, how to input  an invoice or to process a delivery.”

The specialists from SAP-partner Amista mainly aim their hands-on training at key users of the ERP package.

“We discuss how to put together a project team of key users who will help to steer the implementation,” explains Kristof. “We work with them from day one. They are provided with all the knowledge. They help to determine what needs to be done and how the ERP package such as SAP Business One should work. In the next phase, key users take their turn to spread their knowledge to the other users at their own pace. In fact, they have  a gatekeeper function; responding to all the questions and wishes of their colleagues. Thus, everything is neatly channelled within the organisation.

The key users are involved in the so-called SAP BluePrint right from the start. “In this BluePrint, we go into the detail of each process, and capture the principles for the ERP implementation,” explains Kristof. “It is the basic procedure in which all processes are defined, a detailed plan of action.”

The ERP training and workshops are specifically geared towards the role of the key users and their departments (accounting, procurement, logistics, etc.). During training, they familiarise themselves with all the fields, standard templates, and layouts in the ERP system as described in the BluePrint. In addition, they also learn to create new templates and documents, edit layouts, and import master data via templates.

At the same time, the key users thoroughly test everything in a demo environment. “As well as training, they are offered the opportunity to apply their newly gained knowledge in a customer-specific demo database with their own products and items,” says Kristof. ”It allows them to learn to manage SAP Business One and all its modules very effectively. It may be that some small issues show up during testing, which we can then adjust in time.”

The duration of the training depends on the complexity of the ERP system and the modules. Kristof: “We generally plan one training day per week, but this depends on the customer’s schedule, of course. We anticipate an average of two months from the approved BluePrint to the go-live of the ERP system.”

Kristof emphasises that it is crucial to free up the necessary time for this training and testing. “An ERP implementation requires a lot of work, and this includes our customer. As such, it is important the right amount of time is freed up in the schedule.”

It is difficult to come up with an exact number for the cost of ERP training. Since this training is personalised and tailored to the various functionalities the ERP package needs to include, training is clearly budgeted in advance, based on an in-regulation formula. 

Of course, it is always possible to organise additional training later, for example to introduce new employees to the new ERP system, on top of the knowledge they are given by the key users. Updates and new features are explained during specific customer events or online webinars and workshops.