ERP implementations are notorious for being complicated, stressful and — let’s be honest — sometimes a little painful. But what if they didn’t have to be? What if rolling out an ERP for your craft beverage business felt less like pulling teeth and more like tapping a fresh keg of efficiency? That’s precisely what Doozy Solution’s implementation methodology is designed to do.
We’ve crafted (pun intended) a structured implementation methodology that ensures a smooth, efficient rollout so you can start reaping the benefits of your beverage ERP software ASAP.
Our approach follows five key phases. Each step is designed to prevent common pitfalls, keep your team engaged and ensure your ERP system works exactly as you need it to.
Let’s break it down!
Phase 1: Intake – Kicking Things Off, The Right Way
You wouldn’t start brewing a new beer without a solid recipe, right? The same goes for ERP implementation. Intake is about setting the stage, getting everyone on the same page, and ensuring we have the right ingredients for success.
Rack & Riddle’s CFO Corey Ryan noted how their implementation experience was all about alignment, clarity and setting expectations so there were no surprises down the road. He shared, “The industry expertise of the [Doozy] team was a factor as everyone was speaking the same language.”
What Happens in Intake?
- Executive kickoff: This isn’t just another Zoom meeting. We huddle with your leadership team to define success, uncover potential roadblocks (like team resistance to change), and strategize on managing them.
- Project team introduction: Who’s who? Meet the players from both sides and assign roles so no one’s left wondering, “Wait, who’s handling that?”
- Baseline training: Think of this as ERP 101. We’re not trying to overwhelm your team. They’ll get foundational NetSuite + Crafted ERP training, so no one is flying blind when things get rolling.
Common Delays & How to Avoid Them:
- Unclear objectives: The project can go sideways fast if leadership isn’t aligned on goals. We make sure everyone’s rowing in the same direction from day one.
- Slow decision-making: Assign a dedicated project manager (or an internal champion) to keep things moving. Bottlenecks kill momentum.
- Lack of executive engagement: Keep leadership in the loop with regular check-ins and milestone updates.
Phase 2: Configure – Tailoring the System to Your Needs
This is where we roll up our sleeves and mold the system to fit your business like a glove. The Configure phase is all about efficiency, usability and making sure the system works for you — not the other way around. We dig into workflows, data migration and system customization without overcomplicating things.
Collin McDonnell, CEO & co-founder of HenHouse Brewing Co., shared of his team’s experience: “During implementation, the Doozy team helped us design a sales flow around self-distribution, which at the time we were self-distributing 99% of our beer.”
What Happens in Configure?
- Joint design and configure sessions: We sit with your operational managers to review workflows, business processes and data needs. And yes, we will challenge you. If we hear, “That’s just how we’ve always done it,” we’ll push back to explore more efficient alternatives.
- Data migration and cleanup: Data migration is one of the most challenging parts of an ERP implementation. A strong data preparation strategy includes cleansing existing data, eliminating duplicates and ensuring it aligns with the new system’s format.
- Customization and personalization: Whether you need specific dashboards, custom reports or tailored workflows, this is where the magic happens.
Common Delays & How to Avoid Them:
- Resistance to change: People get attached to old, inefficient workflows. We guide teams through the why behind the changes to gain buy-in.
- Data quality issues: Data issues can lead to system delays. Ensure accuracy before migration by involving key users in reviewing and validating critical business data.
- Data signoff: You give the green light before we move to testing. No surprises, no missing pieces.
Phase 3: Validate – Test, Break, Fix, Repeat
During Validate, we make sure everything actually works before flipping the switch. We stress-test, poke holes and fine-tune so you don’t run into issues when it matters most. No one wants to go live only to discover a crucial process is broken. Validation ensures everything works exactly as expected.
What Happens in Validation?
- End-to-end stress testing: We take your system for a spin and ensure it holds up under real-world conditions with all core processes functioning correctly.
- Joint testing sessions: Your team gets hands-on experience running realistic scenarios to confirm everything flows as it should.
- User acceptance testing (UAT): The final dress rehearsal. UAT is crucial because it ensures employees can perform their day-to-day tasks with the new ERP system. Teams execute test cases, simulate real-world scenarios, and provide feedback before the final go-live.
Common Delays & How to Avoid Them:
- Inadequate testing time: Rushing testing can lead to unresolved issues post-launch. Allocate ample time for thorough testing.
- Scope creep: Stick to the plan. Now’s not the time to reinvent the wheel.
- Lack of user buy-in: Encourage participation in testing so users feel confident and comfortable using the system before launch.
Phase 4: Deploy – The Moment of Truth
It’s go time! Everything we’ve done so far has led to this moment: turning Crafted ERP on and letting it run the show. The Deploy phase includes final data migration and training. Doozy is right there with you, ensuring everything goes off without a hitch.
What Happens in Deploy?
- Final training sessions: Hands-on, user-specific training ensures everyone knows how to do their jobs in the new system.
- Data cutover: This final step moves all transactional data into the new system, ensuring a seamless transition from the legacy system to the ERP without losing crucial information.
- On-site support: Our team is there (physically or virtually) to provide real-time assistance, answering last-minute questions and troubleshooting minor issues.
Common Delays & How to Avoid Them:
- Underestimating training needs: Employees may struggle if they haven’t had enough hands-on experience. Conduct training refreshers to reinforce key processes.
- Data migration issues: A final practice cutover helps verify the accuracy of migrated data, ensuring the system is ready before flipping the switch.
Phase 5: Hypercare – We Won’t Leave You Hanging
The system is live, and Doozy isn’t going anywhere. Hypercare ensures your team has the support they need as they adjust to the new system. It’s in our DNA to help you stay on track for your business goals.
Australia’s Burleigh Brewing Co. COO Scott Lyall says it best: “Doozy is kind of reflective of the craft brewing industry. Everyone throughout our journey has been that collaborative, can-do, happy-to-help type reflective of a craft brewer. It’s been great to work with the whole team – that’s not necessarily the case in my experience in other industries.”
What Happens in Hypercare?
- Weekly office hours: Consider these “Ask Us Anything” sessions where your team can get real-time answers to questions.
- Production audits: Hypercare includes reviewing system-generated reports, validating financials, and fine-tuning processes based on real-time user feedback.
- Financial close support: The first month-end close using a new ERP system can be tricky. Our experts help ensure a smooth financial close by validating transactions and identifying any data inconsistencies early on.
Common Delays & How to Avoid Them:
- User hesitation: Change is hard. We provide hands-on support to ensure confidence.
- Unresolved issues: We proactively address concerns before they escalate, ensuring operational efficiency remains uninterrupted.
Ongoing Support – Your Beverage ERP Journey Doesn’t End After Implementation
ERP success isn’t just about a smooth go-live but also ongoing optimization and support. As your beverage business grows and changes, so do your operational needs. That’s why Doozy sticks around long after implementation, offering guidance, system support and strategic improvements. Whether it’s refining workflows, troubleshooting new challenges or identifying efficiency opportunities, Doozy is your trusted partner for the long haul.
Just ask CEO & Co-founder of Fort Point Beer Co. Justin Catalana: “Over the years, we’ve been able to rely on the Doozy team as a partner. They’ve helped us come up with solutions to our problems, and they bring real-world examples to the table.”
ERP success is a marathon, not a sprint.
With the right roadmap, expert guidance and a proven methodology, your beverage business can transition smoothly and start reaping the benefits faster. Doozy makes your beverage ERP work for you.Ready to launch successfully? Let’s make it happen!
