Anyone modernizing an application as critical as an ERP system is always entering uncharted territory. As with a journey, this can bring many new insights and valuable experiences. However, if the changeover is poorly prepared, it also harbors major risks - especially in terms of costs and scheduling. With the right strategy, ERP managers will not only reach their goal safely. They will also reach it faster. Companies that want or need to upgrade to the next release have three options for the release change:

1. the one-to-one migration
In principle, changing a software version can be approached like any technical project. All functions and customizations used are migrated one-to-one to the new release. This very straightforward approach is the most obvious option, especially when switching to a direct successor version. However, it has its pitfalls: This is because the company and its market environment have most likely evolved since the last requirements specification. An identical migration of the functional scope would therefore also involve moving functionality that is no longer required. If at all, this will only be removed retrospectively. On the one hand, this leads to high project costs. On the other hand, new standards and technologies that the new release brings with it are not taken into account. The company thus misses the opportunity to modernize its processes. There may even be conflicts with new standards. This approach is therefore only recommended if a company is sure that its processes are still up to date.

2. filtered migration
In many cases, companies therefore also use a migration project to put the adaptations made in the past to the test. And with good reason. After all, five or more years have often passed since the introduction of the last release. Programming that was previously necessary for the software is now often already included in the standard version. Furthermore, it may be that current customer requirements demand a completely different way of working. ERP managers are therefore well advised to scrutinize all modifications made in the past. In some cases, the decision then has to be made: replace or adopt. This approach only slightly reduces the project effort. Compared to a pure one-to-one migration, however, the benefits are significantly higher. The processes affected by the adaptations are updated and adapted to new industry standards. Even if individual adaptations still need to be transferred: The follow-up costs of subsequent updates are noticeably reduced. Companies also benefit faster and more comprehensively from the ongoing modernization of their ERP software.

3. migration in the fast lane
However, upgrading a business-critical application such as the ERP system also provides an opportunity to put processes as a whole to the test - regardless of whether they are based in the ERP standard or have been individually programmed. Companies whose market environment has changed significantly in recent years benefit particularly from this approach. Not only are the company's key processes identified and reviewed. A well-founded process test also shows which adjustments are so absolutely necessary that the next ERP version cannot do without them. The processes modeled in a business process designer and based on extensive experience can also be transferred directly into process documentation.

However, this assumes that the new version of the ERP system already includes templates for typical process models and configurations and covers important industry-specific features. This reduces the design effort considerably. By creating and testing prototypes using agile methods, the project team can make particularly rapid progress. It also reduces the workload for key users. With this approach, companies not only minimize project costs, but also their follow-up costs. At the same time, they maximize the utility value of their ERP solution.

If you compare a migration project to a journey, it is more like an individual trip than a package deal. Good preparation is essential to ensure that it does not turn into an unpredictable adventure. Once the goals have been set realistically, potential risks weighed up and equipment and companions carefully put together, you can set off in a relaxed manner.