As your business evolves, enterprise resource planning (ERP) software must keep pace with new demands and technological advancements. A legacy system like JD Edwards or Microsoft Great Plains may have served you well for decades, but these ERPs’ limitations have become increasingly apparent in the modern business landscape. Furthermore, your company may have also outgrown the functionality of its current ERP and now needs a system that can handle more complex transactions and is scalable to meet its needs today and in the future. 

The drawbacks of legacy ERP systems

Despite being owned by leading tech companies, JD Edwards and Microsoft Great Plains are both in their sunsetting phase, which means they are no longer a priority for their current parent company and will have limited support before ultimately being discontinued. In the meantime, these legacy systems are often built on outdated infrastructure that requires frequent, costly hardware upgrades and server maintenance. It’s also difficult to integrate other applications with these systems, which can cause data silos and operational inefficiency.  

For companies that are expanding, changing business models, or looking to scale to meet current or anticipated growth, their legacy ERPs might not be flexible enough or provide them with the AI-enabled features that allow for automated and intelligent workflows and insights. Further, legacy ERPs have a more difficult time integrating with adjacent platforms without Open API access. Moving to NetSuite allows companies to take advantage of best-in-class applications across their entire business while enjoying a unified, integrated data set.

In recent years, hybrid and remote work environments have become more prevalent. Legacy systems often struggle to keep up with the flexibility and access needs of employees working offsite, slowing decision-making and frequently leading to productivity losses. 

The benefits of NetSuite

Staying competitive in today’s business environment requires a robust, flexible ERP that can handle project execution, change and performance management, and business process improvement seamlessly. In contrast to outdated, on-premise systems – or systems designed for smaller, less complex companies – NetSuite offers the following benefits:

1. Customizable growth: Utilize a modular platform that adapts to your evolving business needs.

2. Resource optimization: Implement automation to efficiently scale processes, resources, and support.

3. AI-driven productivity: Leverage generative AI to enhance productivity and deliver decision-ready data.

4. Integrated ecosystem: Access a wide range of integrated applications for top-tier functionality.

5. Future-ready capabilities: Support both established and emerging business models with next-gen features.

CohnReznick’s customized business services

Transitioning to a modern ERP system is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. Our customized business services provide the knowledge and support necessary to navigate this transition smoothly and enable long-term success.

CohnReznick’s industry knowledge and firmwide resources align your technology solutions with your organizational goals to drive better outcomes. We work collaboratively with companies to provide:

Comprehensive assessment

We begin by conducting a thorough assessment of your current ERP system and business processes. This includes understanding your unique needs, challenges, and goals and how NetSuite can address them. We also identify potential risks and develop strategies for mitigating them.

Customized implementation strategy

Every business is different, and we understand that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for ERP transitions. We develop a detailed transition plan tailored to your organization. This plan covers all aspects of the migration, including data migration, system integration and optimization, and employee training, to minimize disruption and facilitate a seamless transition.

Change management and training

Transitioning ERPs can present a significant change in your employees’ day-to-day activities. 

We provide comprehensive change management services, including training programs for your staff. This enables your team to use the new system effectively, minimizing disruptions and maximizing productivity.

Long-term partnership and ongoing support

Our commitment doesn’t end with your new ERP’s implementation. We provide ongoing support to address any issues that arise, offer training to help ensure your team is proficient with the new system, and continually optimize the system to meet evolving business needs.

Asking the right questions for the next step

If you’re ready to transition to a new ERP that can meet your company’s unique needs, consider these questions:  

1. What are your goals and objectives?

Define what you need to achieve with the ERP conversion, such as improved efficiency, better data management, or enhanced reporting capabilities.

2. What are your current pain points?

Identify the specific issues and inefficiencies in your current system that you need to address with the new ERP.

3. Do you have the necessary in-house expertise?

Assess whether your current team has the required skills and experience. Evaluate potential downsides of handling an ERP conversion internally, such as seconded resources or a workforce juggling priorities, risk of errors, and lack of specialized knowledge.

4. What is the scope of the project?

Define the project’s complexity and scale and identify potential risks to determine if you can convert to a new ERP with internal resources, or whether external expertise is needed.

5. How will this impact our business processes?

Assess how the new ERP system will affect your existing workflows and whether any processes need to be re-engineered.

6. What data needs to be converted?

Decide which historical data is essential to transfer to the new system and how to handle data migration.

Conclusion

Transitioning to a cloud-based system like NetSuite offers substantial benefits but can be daunting without the right guidance. CohnReznick offers personalized business services to facilitate the transition from aging or more limited systems to NetSuite, and we provide hands-on support for the life of the relationship.