International Implementation of Dynamics GP
Over time, as businesses grow and expand, the day will come when your business seeks to solidify their presence in the international markets. Your company may already be selling to overseas customers, as well as purchasing from international suppliers, but ultimately, you may have decided to open new offices or locations internationally.
Your existing Dynamics GP system is an excellent platform for your international expansion. Dynamics GP is certified for a variety of international accounting and financial reporting standards, including GAAP accounting, cash-basis accounting, XBRL and IFRS financial reporting standards, Sarbanes Oxley compliance and many others.
Dynamics GP is also available in multiple languages, including Global English (think “Debtors and Creditors” instead of “Vendors and Customers”), as well as Spanish and French-Canadian. Dynamics GP can also be “localized” to suit many other countries and regions.
Beginning the expansion into a true international presence requires the strong foundation and core functionality provided by Dynamics GP. You can be confident that the ERP system you are currently deploying will continue to provide “best-in-class” performance beyond your current operations.
The successful deployment of Dynamics GP internationally also requires the steady hands of an experienced consulting partner. At TMC, we have successfully deployed Dynamics GP in the United Kingdom, the European Union, Russia, Canada and Australia. Any ERP implementation is a complex project, and having to manage a global project team and workforce only adds another layer of complexity. You can be confident that with TMC as your global partner, your project will receive all of the attention and care it deserves.
Project Keys
As you work with TMC to plan your international deployment, there are 6 keys to the project:
Timeline - When implementing Dynamics GP for an international or multi-national company, it may feel natural to impose a strict timeline. Allow the timeline for your project to be a guide, not a strict deadline. Determine the full scope and effort for the project, based on your requirements and constraints, and then let the timeline follow. Once you have determined the full scope and effort for the project, allowing for the possibility of delays and unforeseen challenges, agree to a realistic time frame for your project.
Budgets - Set a realistic budget for the project. Be certain to include an amount for any unforeseen contingencies. The initial budget may need to be reviewed and adjusted, allowing for those unexpected circumstances that can arise. With an international project, this becomes even more likely, and the budget needs to be flexible to allow for this. Keep focused on the ultimate goal, the successful deployment of your new Dynamics GP system, and let your budget support that goal.
Processes - Use this opportunity to adopt “best practices” across your entire organization. Find more efficient and cost effective methods of accomplishing your critical business processes, and implement them everywhere you can. Implementing a new software package merely to to replicate your existing business policies and practices could mean leaving far too many potential benefits on the table. A successful implementation will result in new approaches to existing challenges and should open the eyes of your employees to maximize the potential benefits of your new system.
Communication – Keep the entire project team informed as to progress, key milestones and any setbacks along the course of the implementation. Timely and open feedback as to the progress made to date, and the challenges still to be faced, will keep everyone on the same page and focused on the common goal.
Project Teams - Be certain to include a wide range of your managers and staff in the project team. Beginning with the strategic vision set forth by senior management, let experienced managers and key staff members provide their insight and experience to the tactical decisions being implemented by the project team. By incorporating a wide range of opinions and insights, your new international ERP system should be robust enough to support your future growth.
Project Managers - Keeping track of the many task and assignments within an international implementation is the responsibility of the Project Manager. TMC will assign a dedicated Project Manager to your international implementation, with full accountability to the project. The Project Manager truly “owns” the project, including budget and timeline, task and resource assignments, and functions as the guide to delivering the ERP system to meet your requirements.
Expanding your business to the global stage will require many changes that will allow for your company to communicate clearly with the rest of the world. Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains) provides a platform to let your business stand out and avoid common cultural communication problems that can arise.