How Does an Independent IFS Functional Consultant Support IFS Cloud Projects?

Getting to IFS Cloud on paper might seem simple. Choose the modules, set up the system, migrate the data, train your staff, and go live. But in practice things get complicated very fast. Business processes are unlikely to conform to a ready-made software template and it is here that an independent IFS functional consultant really can add value.

An independent consultant is the person who stands in between the business users and the technical team. They know exactly what the company really needs and explain the requirements to the technical team as practical IFS Cloud solutions. It sounds easy. It isn‘t often.

Bringing Business Requirements Into IFS Cloud

Coming to grips with the business is one of the most labor-intensive tasks in trying to make a change. The consultant would interview the people in finance, operations, project teams, supply chain and other users.

This is important because an ERP system should support the business not make the people use clumsy processes just because the system is set in that way. An experienced IFS functional consultant can determine which processes need to be improved today, and which processes can be done by IFS Cloud today, with no customisation.

Connecting Functional Needs With IFS Software

There‘s quite a disconnect between users’ prior statements of needs and what developers actually require. “We need a better approval process” is not quite a technical specification. Someone must tease out the details.

This is where an independent IFS functional consultant is useful. They translate business talks into functional requirements, workflows, configurations and test cases. They translate it for technical teams so they understand why the feature is important as opposed to just receiving a list of demands.

Making the Most of ERP IFS Capabilities

ERP IFS gains its power through enabling the complex business processes in all areas like finance, manufacturing, projects, services management, asset management, supply chain management.

“But having lots of functionality does not mean that the company will know how to use it effectively. A consultant can analyze what functionality is available and advise on the feasible options. It may sometimes be a simple adjustment to a configuration; other times it may involve changing an underlying business process and on occasion, to be frank, the business is trying to force the system into doing something it wasn‘t intended to do.

Supporting Configuration Without Overcomplicating Things

One of the benefits IFS Cloud affords is the ability to tailor the design and IFS Cloud undoubtedly provides an enormous degree of flexibility. However, IFS Cloud customisation capability can be a double-edged sword. Excessive customisation might lead to increased work maintaining it, upgrading becomes more complex and the organisation remains dependent on a few knowledgeable individuals who designed the system in the first place.

An outside, independent consultant can also challenge those decisions. They can question teams on what can be configured using standard IFS functionality and what truly needs something more. Such an outside eye can be worth its weight in gold, particularly when project teams are under pressure to deliver quickly.

Helping During Data Migration and Testing

Another risk for IFS Cloud projects is the migration of data. Transferring data is much more than just copying records from one system to another. The information should be consistent, comparable and comprehensible in the new structure of the business.

A functional consultant could assist in defining data requirements, reviewing mappings, highlighting gaps and helping with validation. They can also develop plausible test cases based on real life business processes. No more mindless mousing to test. Testing must demonstrate a business can functions in practice on go live of the new ERP system.

Keeping Users Involved Throughout the Project

Users are sometimes introduced late in the ERP project. Then, as they are about to go-live, someone finds out that the new process doesn‘t work as the team was expecting. Not ideal.

A separate IFS functional consultant can provide a continuous bridge between the project team and end users. He can Chair workshops, translate when required, gather user requirements, and help project teams understand what is changing. This facilitates acceptance and often provides an earlier diagnosis of problems (when it is cheaper to do something about them).

Providing Independent Advice When Decisions Get Difficult

Consultant an outside, independent advisor working directly with the client. By engaging with an independent consultant organisations are able to tap an opinion that is not linked to any particular sales pitch, development method or product. That can be very rejuvenating.

A good consultant won‘t just nod in agreement to all requests. They will inquire if there is a real necessity for this alteration, inquire whether the default IFS capabilities address the problem, and discover the end effects. On occasion, a tough response will save many months of wasted effort.

Supporting Go-Live and Beyond

Even after going live, this is where the work begins. In the initial weeks, there may be unforeseen problems. The users are unfamiliar with the new process workflows, the reports may require modifications and certain processes may need fine tuning.

An IFS functional consultant is able to support after go lives and help prioritise issues. They can work with technical teams to help get problems solved. Over time they can work with business to get more value from the IFS Cloud investment rather than the ERP project being a once off.

Choosing the Right Independent IFS Functional Consultant

The right consultant will grasp IFS and the business drivers for an ERP implementation. Find a good communicator who can talk to senior managers and then crawl around in the details with the shop floor.

An independent IFS functional consultant who is an expert can offer experience without unnecessary complexity. For a business planning an IFS Cloud implementation/upgrade/optimisation/process review, it can be that essential difference between deploying ERP software and improving business.

FAQs

What does an independent IFS functional consultant do?

They examine business process, solicit requirements, help with IFS Cloud configuration, communicate to technical teams, support testing and help users to adopt new process.

Why use an independent IFS functional consultant?

An external independent consultant can advise neutrally, and ask questions that may not have been considered, and also challenge existing decision making and unnecessary customisation and bad processes.

Is ERP IFS suitable for complex businesses?

Absolutely. IFS solutions are most suitable for organisations with complicated, intricate, detail oriented operating, project, asset, service, manufacture, and supply chain needs.

When should a business hire an IFS consultant?

Normally during the early stages, before any major design is finalised. But can also be performed on existing IFS installation to get the system upgraded, optimised, tested, and post go live improvements.

Where can businesses find IFS ERP consultancy support?

If you‘re after real-world IFS experience then there are a number of options for services from Sorcha System Ltd. Head on over to Sorcha System Ltd and start talking about your IFS Cloud project and where independent functional consultancy could have a role.