Introducing a Business Information System into an Engineering Company

This paper describes the steps a company should follow when introducing a business information system. The principles described are based on the experience gained from the successful implementation of a modular software system in a small engineering company of approximately 60 staff and £15m annual turnover. The system was implemented to improve competitiveness and enable continued business success and growth. First a project team was assembled from all areas of the company. The team then mapped and examined the company's business processes, which led to the detailed specification of the software and hardware requirements. A number of suitable software vendors were assessed and a software package selected. A business case for the selected software was made to justify the go-ahead with system implementation, and metrics were established for measuring project success. The implementation followed the well-established methodology of education, blueprinting, business simulation and piloting, and training, culminating in a ‘big-bang’ changeover to the new system. Wide consultation with staff ensured the change was managed successfully, which included the use of questionnaires and structured interviews. Despite significant constraints on time and human resources, the success of system implementation has been confirmed by uninterrupted business operation and improved operational efficiency. The company has now set up an active user-group to share experience in the use of the business information software.