--- title: How to Implement an ERP System Step-by-Step description: How to implement an ERP system is just as important – if not more so – than the ERP selection (and the ERP selection is important). image: https://www.visualsouth.com/hubfs/How%20to%20implement%20erp%20step%20by%20step.jpg --- [![Visual South](https://www.visualsouth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/VisualSouthLOGOvector3015%20175w.png?width=175&height=88&name=VisualSouthLOGOvector3015%20175w.png "Visual South")](https://www.visualsouth.com/) [![Free Consultation](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2623780/3beafe61-57b9-446b-8079-719c3dce1e3a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2623780/3beafe61-57b9-446b-8079-719c3dce1e3a) ![Fotolia_143852246_XXL.jpg](https://www.visualsouth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Fotolia_143852246_XXL.jpg?width=1688&name=Fotolia_143852246_XXL.jpg "Fotolia_143852246_XXL.jpg") # Visual South Insights This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. # [How to Implement an ERP System Step-by-Step](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/how-to-implement-an-erp-system-step-by-step) 3/31/25 10:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![How to implement erp step by step](https://www.visualsouth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/How%20to%20implement%20erp%20step%20by%20step.jpg?width=700&name=How%20to%20implement%20erp%20step%20by%20step.jpg "How to implement erp step by step") The right ERP can transform a company by providing data which wasn’t previously available. In many cases, life before ERP consisted of looking for problems and then figuring out how to solve them. A good example of this is the production meeting, where supervisors and managers sit in a room and go over every job. Most of the meeting is spent looking for problems. Imagine going into the meeting *knowing* the problems—and starting with possible solutions. That’s what ERP can do. But getting there is a process. ### [eBook download: How to Select ERP…and not regret it](https://www.visualsouth.com/how-to-select-erp)   ## How to implement an ERP in an organization | #### *Six steps to implement an ERP* 1. Project planning 2. Install & data conversion 3. Process development & training 4. Initial pilot testing 5. Go live cutover 6. Post go live support These are the six steps we've developed and refined over the course of many years and hundreds of ERP implementations. By creating six clear steps, everyone can stay focused on the implementation goals. [You can download the six-step guide here](https://www.visualsouth.com/6-step-erp-implementation-download). | | --- | Even though choosing the right ERP software and creating a vision of what it will do for you is important, you need a plan on how to move the organization from where you are today to where you want to be—in other words, detailed guidance on how to implement an ERP system step-by-step. ERP implementation requires as much focus as selecting the ERP itself. In fact, I’d argue it requires most of your attention. Here is the reality of the situation: **A company whose staff is well-trained on a less-robust ERP package will outperform a company whose staff is poorly trained on a function-rich ERP system.** If the staff is poorly trained, the rich features of the ERP aren’t being used! An old crop duster with a trained pilot can beat a fighter jet in a race if I’m in the cockpit of the fighter jet. I’m not a pilot. I’d get to the finish line quicker on a bike. What you have isn’t as important as what you are trained to use. ## Why these ERP implementation steps matter There are many methodologies and frameworks out there for ERP implementation. You’ll hear names like ClearFocus, SureStep, or AIM. You might see terms like “cutover,” “training,” “gap analysis,” or “business process mapping.” But underneath the branding, they all follow the same general structure we outlined above. But here’s an important piece to remember: the six steps above aren’t just a checklist. Each one exists for a reason. ERP software touches every part of your business—finance, operations, inventory, purchasing, sales, and more. That means it involves people from across the organization who may not normally work together. You’re essentially launching a company-wide change initiative. **ERP implementation is a big project.** It can be costly, it takes time, and the stakes are high. If you skip steps or rush through them, your implementation will suffer. And that’s not just our opinion—it’s backed up by decades of industry data and experience. ## Learn how to implement an ERP system step-by-step Our eBook *ClearFocus—6 Steps to Successfully Implement ERP *(available [here](https://www.visualsouth.com/6-step-erp-implementation-download)) was written to give you a clear idea of how an implementation process should look. Once you have a basic understanding of that, you can more accurately judge the plans presented to you by potential ERP vendors. If you’d like to discuss ERP implementation in more detail, all you need to do is [let us know](https://www.visualsouth.com/support). We’re here to help. ## Further reading on ERP software implementation - eBook: [ClearFocus: 6 Steps To Successfully Implement ERP](https://www.visualsouth.com/6-step-erp-implementation-download) - eBook: [ERP Selection Criteria Checklist](https://www.visualsouth.com/erp-selection-criteria-checklist) - Blog: [ERP Implementation Project Plan & Timeline](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/erp-implementation-project-plan) - Blog: [ERP Implementation Team: Roles & Responsibilities](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/erp-implementation-roles-and-responsibilities) - Blog: [What Does An ERP Implementation Project Manager Do?](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/erp-project-management) - Blog: [The Importance of ERP Project Management](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/importance-of-erp-project-management) [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2623780/d4a32977-56e3-42ab-bf61-b792b3cd94a7.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2623780/d4a32977-56e3-42ab-bf61-b792b3cd94a7) [![Prefer to talk?](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2623780/2ba27004-d0a7-4095-84dc-38ddb489afe2.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2623780/2ba27004-d0a7-4095-84dc-38ddb489afe2) Topics: [ERP implementation](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/erp-implementation) ![Bryan Foshee](https://www.visualsouth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Bryan%20HS%2075.png?width=100&height=100&name=Bryan%20HS%2075.png) #### Written by [Bryan Foshee](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/author/bryan-foshee) Bryan is the President at Visual South and has been working with the company since 2002. Prior to that, he was a consultant and implemented SAP in manufacturing, distribution, and service industries. Previous Post [![](https://www.visualsouth.com/hubfs/on-time-delivery-kpi.jpg) ](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/improve-on-time-delivery) [How Manufacturers Can Improve Their On-Time Delivery](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/improve-on-time-delivery) Next Post [![](https://www.visualsouth.com/hubfs/future-of-cloud-ERP.jpeg) ](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/future-of-cloud-erp) [The Future of Cloud ERP for Manufacturing Companies](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/future-of-cloud-erp) - Recent - Popular - Categories ### Lists by Topic - [Business improvement (116)](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/business-improvement) - [ERP selection (93)](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/erp-selection) - [ERP research (79)](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/erp-research) - [CloudSuite Industrial (49)](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/cloudsuite-industrial) - [CSI Features (43)](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/csi-features) - [ERP implementation (40)](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/erp-implementation) - [Manufacturing Data (20)](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/manufacturing-data) - [Configure Price Quote (CPQ) (12)](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/configure-price-quote-cpq) - [ERP deployment (11)](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/erp-deployment) - [Service Management (9)](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/service-management) - [Infor Visual (7)](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/infor-visual) - [Customer Relationship Management (CRM) (4)](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/crm-research) [see all](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/how-to-implement-an-erp-system-step-by-step#) ### Posts by Topic - [Business improvement (116)](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/business-improvement) - [ERP selection (93)](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/erp-selection) - [ERP research (79)](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/erp-research) - [CloudSuite Industrial (49)](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/cloudsuite-industrial) - [CSI Features (43)](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/csi-features) - [ERP implementation (40)](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/erp-implementation) - [Manufacturing Data (20)](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/manufacturing-data) - [Configure Price Quote (CPQ) (12)](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/configure-price-quote-cpq) - [ERP deployment (11)](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/erp-deployment) - [Service Management (9)](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/service-management) - [Infor Visual (7)](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/infor-visual) - [Customer Relationship Management (CRM) (4)](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/topic/crm-research) [see all](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/how-to-implement-an-erp-system-step-by-step#) #### Services [Infor ERP Consulting](https://visualsouth.com/erp-consulting/) [Infor ERP Support](https://www.visualsouth.com/support) [ERP & ISM Implementation](https://visualsouth.com/erp-ism-implementation/) [Upgrade](https://www.visualsouth.com/upgrade) [Scheduling Workshop](https://www.visualsouth.com/scheduling-workshop) [Application Development](https://visualsouth.com/custom-applications/) [Application Process Review](https://visualsouth.com/application-process-review/) #### Products [CloudSuite Industrial (SyteLine)](https://visualsouth.com/cloudsuite-industrial/) [AI for Infor ERP](https://www.visualsouth.com/infor-velocity-suite) [Infor VISUAL](https://visualsouth.com/infor-erp-visual/) [VISUAL Shop Floor Mobile](https://www.visualsouth.com/visual-shop-floor-mobile) [Infor Quality Management](https://www.visualsouth.com/iqm) [Infor CRM](https://visualsouth.com/infor-crm/) [Configure Price Quote](https://visualsouth.com/infor-cpq/) [Power BI](https://www.visualsouth.com/power-bi-reporting-and-analytics) [ERP for Government Contractors](https://www.visualsouth.com/erp-for-government-contractors) [CADLink](https://www.visualsouth.com/cadlink) [Related Products](https://www.visualsouth.com/related-products) #### RESOURCES [Blog](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog) [YouTube Channel](https://www.youtube.com/user/VisualSouth) [Subscribe By Email](https://www.visualsouth.com/subscribe-to-insights) #### [SUCCESS STORIES](https://visualsouth.com/success-stories/) #### [ABOUT](https://www.visualsouth.com/about-us) #### Get In Touch [Contact](https://www.visualsouth.com/contact-us) [Free Consultation](https://www.visualsouth.com/free-assessment) [Privacy Policy](https://www.visualsouth.com/privacy) --- **2315 West Arbors Drive Suite 205 Charlotte, NC 28262 **704-721-6020 **![inforbadge_goldpartner-1](https://www.visualsouth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/inforbadge_goldpartner-1.png?width=287&name=inforbadge_goldpartner-1.png)**   © 2026 Visual South. All rights reserved. [[fa icon="chevron-up"]](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/how-to-implement-an-erp-system-step-by-step#) [![Visual South](https://www.visualsouth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/VisualSouthLOGOvector3015%20175w.png?width=175&height=88&name=VisualSouthLOGOvector3015%20175w.png "Visual South")](https://www.visualsouth.com/) [![Looking for ERP?](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2623780/8f57cc23-89ad-47f7-95c3-71a93820718f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2623780/8f57cc23-89ad-47f7-95c3-71a93820718f) ## Something Powerful ### Tell The Reader More The headline and subheader tells us what you're [offering](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/how-to-implement-an-erp-system-step-by-step#), and the form header closes the deal. Over here you can explain why your offer is so great it's worth filling out a form for. Remember: - Bullets are great - For spelling out [benefits](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/how-to-implement-an-erp-system-step-by-step#) and - Turning visitors into leads. ## Something Powerful ### Tell The Reader More The headline and subheader tells us what you're [offering](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/how-to-implement-an-erp-system-step-by-step#), and the form header closes the deal. Over here you can explain why your offer is so great it's worth filling out a form for. Remember: - Bullets are great - For spelling out [benefits](https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/how-to-implement-an-erp-system-step-by-step#) and - Turning visitors into leads. ![](https://imaginativeacute52.com/816670.png) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Bryan Foshee", "url" : "https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/author/bryan-foshee" }, "dateModified" : "2026-07-01T20:45:08.451Z", "datePublished" : "2025-03-31T14:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "How to Implement an ERP System Step-by-Step", "image" : [ "https://www.visualsouth.com/hubfs/How%20to%20implement%20erp%20step%20by%20step.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.visualsouth.com/blog/how-to-implement-an-erp-system-step-by-step", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.visualsouth.com/hubfs/VisualSouthLOGOvector3015%20175w.png" }, "name" : "Visual South" } } ```