Atlas Services
Roll Out
A major challenge for larger organisations with an established supply
chain is the roll out of electronic trading systems.
The real benefits for hub organisations comes when they successfully bring
their supplier community fully on board. This requires the adoption of
a range of management and marketing skills as well as electronic commerce
know-how, to promote the benefits for all.
As with any enterprise software, the process of implementation, configuration
and user adoption can be time consuming and complex. Planning is essential
to ensure that the rollout runs smoothly. The plan will include requirements
gathering, installation, administrator training, configuration, user documentation,
user training, rollout, and follow-up.
It will also provide a schedule for each step of the process and be detailed
enough to follow on a daily basis.
Rollout is generally accomplished using one of three methods: Pilot, Phased
and Shotgun. All three methods have their benefits.
1. The Pilot rollout method involves a team of users that agree to use
the software in a limited fashion, to evaluate the features of the software
and to then make a determination as to how best to implement the process
across the organisation.
This is most effective when the pilot users are from different groups
of the organisation and make use of different features of the application.
When the Pilot is completed, the rollout generally continues with either
a phased or shotgun rollout.
2. The Phased rollout method consists of implementing the software for
a single team, usually from the same group, then progressively rolling
out to additional groups. The focus for each phase is to implement and
evaluate the process. Improvements to the process can be made between phases.
3. The Shotgun method is most effective when used in a small group. The
Shotgun rollout involves rolling the software and process out to all users
at once and making changes as the users provide feedback. The shotgun rollout
is not recommended for large organisations.
Atlas has wide experience of facilitating roll-outs in a range of different
trading communities and can advise you on the most appropriate way forward
for your organization - and how to plan for success.
If you are looking for the most efficient roll-out of your e-trading
system,
call Atlas now on 01942 252002. |
