Should the mScales weighing service be taken into use at the same time as the new ERP system?

This article explains how companies have approached the renewal of their weighing system and their ERP system. It describes three different implementation sequences and summarizes the benefits and risks based on customer experiences. 

Implementing the ERP system and the weighing system at the same time 

Replacing an ERP system often requires significant time and resources. A system change usually involves data migration, process redesign and extensive user training. Even with thorough preparation, users typically experience the change as major because daily routines and established processes shift at the same time. 

If the organization also replaces the weighing and material flow management system during this period, the complexity of the project increases. Users must learn two new systems simultaneously, and the organization must redesign multiple processes at once. Managing these changes as one combined project may create unnecessary risk. Many organizations therefore choose to separate the projects into smaller and more manageable phases. 

Implementing the ERP system first and then the weighing system 

ERP development projects commonly include a considerable amount of integration work. Integrations between systems improve operational efficiency, but when the current weighing system is outdated, the integration capabilities may be limited. Older weighing systems often support only one way data transfer and usually do not allow weighing information to be linked directly to invoicing or master data. 

Organizations often notice the need to renew the weighing system when planning an ERP project. However, they typically do not want to connect old processes to a modern ERP system. Redesigning the weighing process after the ERP renewal may therefore cause additional work. A bottom-up approach, where the operational systems are renewed first, often provides a more natural path forward. 

Implementing the weighing system first and then the ERP system 

Nearly all our customers have chosen to renew the weighing and material flow management system before replacing their ERP system. This implementation sequence offers several benefits. 

Modern digital weighing services offer several best practices that can be taken into use immediately. These improvements help create savings and a better customer experience before any ERP renewal begins. A modern service adapts easily to existing operational needs and enables data transfer even to older systems. 

When the organization defines the features and responsibilities of a new ERP system, it is useful to already have an up-to-date weighing system in place. A modern digital weighing service supports the use of standard ERP features instead of requiring custom development. The weighing system can complement areas where the ERP system is not designed to manage detailed operational processes. The digital service also supports stakeholders outside the organization, while the ERP system may remain primarily an internal tool. Understanding the capabilities of the weighing service early in the project helps create an efficient solution. 

Some organizations have considered the integration of a new weighing system with an old ERP system challenging. In practice, however, suitable integration solutions have been found in almost all cases. These solutions usually require only minimal changes to the old system. Integration costs do not significantly differ between the different implementation sequences. The organization must integrate with at least one old system in every scenario. Using an integration platform early in the project simplifies the work and follows a best practice observed in many customer projects.