General Guidelines for Organizing EDI Project
Perhaps the most important step in making a decision to implement VICS EDI is to secure high-level management commitment to the effort. VICS EDI cannot be implemented through the efforts of a single business function. Many functions must work together to achieve a successful implementation. Therefore, it is important that top management support the VICS EDI effort, and that they communicate their support to the rest of the organization.
Although the systems area is a key component in implementing VICS EDI, implementation should be user-driven and directed. Important business and resource decisions in other areas of the organization will impact the implementation effort. VICS EDI should not be undertaken simply as an information systems activity.
Top management must be involved to ensure adequate support is provided throughout the organization during the implementation. Each company must determine the appropriate level of management participation and which individuals will have decision-making responsibility and authority.
In addition to assembling an effective project organization, successful VICS EDI implementation requires the development and execution of a basic project plan. Regardless of company size or type, there are some basic steps that should be followed to ensure a successful outcome.
Project Organization
Management participation can be achieved in a number of ways, ranging from the involvement of a single member of top management to the creation of a formal steering committee. If the steering committee approach is used, membership might include representatives from sales/marketing, accounting, purchasing, operations/logistics, legal, distribution, customer service, and systems.
The steering committee fulfills the following functions:
- Shapes EDI strategy of the company.
- Empowers users in the EDI process.
- Creates a process for dealing with internal requests.
- Ensures continuity.
- Balances the goals of new development and ongoing operations.
The project should be undertaken as a team effort. The structure of the VICS EDI project team will be determined by both the size and type of the company as well as the resources needed for each individual project.
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