Successful Implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERP) in Sri Lankan Small and Medium Scale Manufacturing industries: Client & Consultant Perspective.

Abstract

Today’s business environment is highly competitive with the booming trend of technological innovations. Every business gives priority to maximizing profits. Cost reduction is one of the key factors in maximizing profit. Therefore, current business organizations use technology as one of the techniques to achieve effectiveness. When the technological environment in current businesses is considered, systems are the most important factors that are used to improve productivity and efficiency. Integrated systems are at the highest level when considering systems. Out of all the integrated systems, Enterprise Resource Planning systems (ERP) can be given priority. Sri Lanka, like other countries, invests vastly in ERP implementation to achieve the ERP implementation goals and objectives. However, not all ERP implementations deliver the promised enterprise improvements. There are situations where ERP implementation has become a failure as well. Many critical factors have affected these failures. Previous literature says many factors effect ERP implementation success or failure. Therefore, this study relating to Sri Lankan small and medium enterprises (SMEs) further explores those factors' influence on ERP implementation. Thus, this research followed a qualitative approach using the strategy of case study, followed by nine in depth interviews from the perspective of client and consultant, conducted in the specific industry personnel who implemented ERP successfully in their organization.