Packaged Software Implementation

Regardless of whether you are purchasing new software or implementing additional modules, DSI can assist you throughout the implementation.  Our methodology will ensure that your new functionality will be implemented in a timely and accurate fashion.  Our approach is outlined below.

Phase I – Planning

During this phase DSI will gather information required to assess current shortcomings and determine business, application and technology needs.  This information will then be used in defining the project scope, timelines and resources needed for a successful implementation.

Phase II – Analysis & Design

DSI will conduct a detailed analysis of your current functional processes, map the processes to the new application and then review the findings with your staff.  DSI will also review your infrastructure environment to ensure that the system will be able to perform as expected.  We will then determine and design customizations, reports, interfaces and conversion programs.  Lastly, we will document functional specifications, where needed.

Phase III – Development

We will configure the system, convert existing data, if any and develop customizations, interfaces and reports.  We will then exercise the system; including running all available processes, to ensure that it works as expected and delivers the expected results.

Phase IV – Testing & Training

Training for your staff regarding the use of the system and working together with your staff, DSI will test the system with a copy of your production data. This iterative approach ensures that the system is functioning as expected and that the users are able to successfully implement the system.

Phase V – Deployment

Depending on whether you have a new implementation or an application upgrade, software deployment for your ERP application will vary significantly. For a new implementation, it is important that all parties involved execute one or more “test runs” to ensure that the process will work as planned. The IT staff needs to ensure that all of the technical steps are executed in the proper sequence and that the results are as expected. The users should then execute a pre-planned test script to validate that the updated system functions as expected. New implementation testing is a complex process that requires considerable effort to ensure the processes work as expected. Testing for software upgrades is somewhat less intense and typically focuses primarily on the changes identified by the vendor, however, software upgrades still require considerable testing. Areas to be tested need to be clearly defined and scripted, including expected results.

During deployment of a software upgrade or implementation of a new module, users should execute the steps defined in the scripts and validate that the test results meet expectations. Test discrepancies should be reviewed and corrected immediately. Depending on the scope of the discrepancy, you may decide to resolve the issue after the system is moved to production.

Once the deployment is completed, users will need to validate pre-defined metrics such as payroll balances, general ledger trial balances and other metrics that ensures that the upgrade has worked properly.