Step 1: Map the current process
Document how an order flows from enquiry to dispatch, where data is entered twice, and where delays and errors occur. This map becomes your prioritisation list.
Step 2: Fix data before software
Clean item masters, vendor lists and stock records first. Software amplifies whatever data discipline exists — good or bad.
Step 3: Digitise one process at a time
Start with inventory and purchase, or production tracking for one line. Prove the time and error reduction, then expand to the next module.
- Phase 1: inventory, purchase, billing
- Phase 2: production tracking, quality, dispatch
- Phase 3: analytics, forecasting, predictive maintenance
- Phase 4: customer and supplier portals
Step 4: Train and measure
Adoption is the real deliverable. Assign process owners, train by role, and track three metrics per phase — for example stock accuracy, order-to-dispatch time and on-time delivery.