How Long Should You Budget for an ERP Implementation?
An ERP implementation typically lasts anywhere between 6 and 21 months. However, that may vary depending on the size of the business, the ERP provider, and the level of customization needed to implement the system.
Generally speaking, small to mid-sized businesses require between six and twelve months to fully implement an ERP, whereas large firms with multiple projects may need up to 21 months.
However, it’s not rare to hear that implementations take longer than that—or worse, fail to be completed.
Take, for example, the ERP implementation of Lidl, a global leader in supermarket chains. Their story is well-known across the industry as one of the longest implementations ever to occur. The company attempted to implement its ERP solution in 2011. However, due to mismatched features, the company had no choice but to abandon the implementation—a shocking seven years later.
Other notable cases of delayed or failed implementations in the industry include MillerCoors and Hershey’s.