ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning): Definition, challenges, digital adoption and Michelin use cases
What is ERP?
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP ) is a software solution designed to manage all a company's operational processes through a unified system. These processes generally cover :
- Financial and accounting management
- Human resources management
- Buying and selling
- Supply chain management
- Production and planning
Each ERP module operates independently, but communicates with the others, guaranteeing data consistency, complete traceability of operations and a consolidated strategic vision.
Why do companies adopt ERP?
1. Data centralization
With ERP, all strategic information is brought together in a single database. This avoids information silos and facilitates real-time decision-making.
2. Process automation
ERP systems automate complex, repetitive tasks, reducing human error, speeding up processing times and improving productivity.
3. Performance optimization
ERP-integrated dashboards, reports and analyses provide a clear view of business performance, making it easy to quickly identify areas for improvement.
4. Harmonizing practices
In large international groups, ERP makes it possible to standardize business practices across several sites or subsidiaries, while respecting local specificities.
The most popular ERPs
- SAP S/4HANA
- Oracle ERP Cloud / Oracle e-Business Suite
- Microsoft Dynamics 365
- Sage X3
ERP and digital transformation
Implementing an ERP system is an essential part of digital transformation. digital transformation transformation. It implies major organizational changes and requires :
- Structured change management
- Ongoing user training
- Smooth adoption of the new digital environment
However, for ERP to live up to its promise, users need to understand, master and take ownership of the new processes. With this in mind digital adoption solutions such as those offered by Knowmore have become indispensable.
DAP, application simulator and ERP: complementary solutions for digital adoption
ERP: an adoption challenge on a human scale
Implementing an ERP system profoundly transforms an organization's business processes. But if the tool is misunderstood or misused, the transformation can fail. That's why it's essential to combine several approaches to secure adoption:
- A DAP (Digital Adoption Platform) to support users in real time with the ERP in production.
- A business application simulator, such as K-STUDIOfor risk-free employee training.
The role of DAPs in the ERP environment
Visit DAP provide context-sensitive, intuitive and continuous assistance to the user directly in the ERP interface, with features such as :
- Step-by-step guides
- Dynamic tooltips
- Integrated business info
- Monitoring commitment and performance
They are particularly effective once an ERP system has been deployed, to support actual day-to-day use.
K-STUDIO: an immersive, interactive training simulator
K-STUDIO is an e-learning authoring software that creates simulated training content that is 100% interactive and realistic. It reproduces business applications (such as ERP) in a secure training environment, with no connection to a real environment.
The benefits of K-STUDIO :
- Immersive training: users train as if they were using the real ERP system
- Risk-free learning: no errors in the production environment
- Assessment: practice in simulated situations designed to test your knowledge and help you make continuous progress.
- Proven effectiveness: better memorization, greater autonomy, fewer support requests
K-STUDIO is therefore ideal for preparing users before going live, or for keeping their skills up to date during major changes.
Use case: Michelin - A worldwide ERP training success thanks to K-STUDIO
Context
Michelinthe world's leading tire manufacturer, has launched a vast project to transform its financial processes on an international scale, by deploying the ERP Oracle e-Business Suite. The ambition was clear: to standardize, simplify and accelerate financial processing in all Group entities, on all continents.
Objectives
Michelin has set itself two major objectives:
- Standardize learning and implementation of financial processes
- Guarantee fast, efficient adoption, whatever the local culture or language
The solution: K-STUDIO from Knowmore
To maximize theassimilation the ERP by employees, Michelin called on Knowmore and its K-STUDIO solution. K-STUDIOa tool for creating interactive training content.
Rather than relying on traditional theoretical training, Michelin relies on simulation in real-life situations, a key principle of active teaching.
Why?
- Setting up test environments (or "base schools") in each country was costly, complex, if not impossible.
- The challenge was to enable all users, even in areas with limited infrastructures, to practice as if they were actually in Oracle e-Business Suite.
Thanks to K-STUDIO, employees were able to :
- Immersive exercises
- Enter and manipulate data as in a real ERP system
- Be trained via files that can be distributed on a simple USB key - an essential format in some less connected areas.
Results
- Rapid, consistent adoption of financial processes across all entities
- High satisfaction rate among trained users
- Extension of the system to the D2C project, first in China, then throughout the world
- Significant reduction in data entry errors
- Accelerated skills development for finance teams
And best of all:
🥇 Michelin and Knowmore won the 7th Trophée des Trophées du Club Utilisateurs Oracle Peoplesoft - AUFO - JD Edwards, in the Change Management category.
Knowmore, an ERP adoption partner
For over 20 years, Knowmore has been supporting companies in their digital transformation projects. Our solutions, such as K-NOW, K-STUDIO and K-VALUEare specially designed to facilitate theadoption of ERP tools:
- Creation of interactive learning paths
- Real-life training
- Direct integration into ERP interface
- Customized support for every user profile
We work with major players in over 70 countries, including 40% of CAC40 companies. Our aim: to transform learning into a lever for sustainable performance.
Conclusion
An ERP is much more than just an IT tool: it's the operational foundation of the modern digital enterprise. But to exploit its full potential, user adoption is crucial. With digital adoption platforms like Knowmore's, companies can turn their ERP projects into real strategic, human and operational successes.
📢 Are you preparing an ERP project or looking to optimize the adoption of an existing solution?
Get in touch with Knowmore to find out how our solutions can support your users and secure your digital transformation.
Success stories
Find out how Knowmore is redefining digital adoption: inspiring stories of transformation where companies use our solutions to be on top of their digital tools and reach new heights.
How do you measure user adoption of an ERP system?
Adoption is not limited to accessing or using the ERP system from time to time. It is measured by users' ability to perform their business tasks correctly within the tool, autonomously and in line with target processes. Several indicators can be used to assess this adoption, such as the frequency of use of key modules, the rate of errors or support tickets, processing times, or qualitative feedback from users collected via internal surveys. A DAP makes it possible to centralize these metrics and use them as a lever for continuous improvement.
When should an ERP project include a PAD?
The right moment depends on the support strategy defined in advance. Ideally, a DAP should be integrated right from the deployment phase, so that users benefit immediately from contextual help. However, it can also be provided after production start-up, to meet long-termassimilation needs, particularly during version upgrades or the addition of new modules. Gradual implementation, in line with the user learning curve, optimizes its impact.
Does a simulator like K-STUDIO replace traditional face-to-face training?
No, it doesn't totally replace classroom training, but it is a strategic complement to it, especially when it comes to industrialization. K-STUDIO enables learners to practice at their own pace, in a secure environment, without depending on the availability of trainers or access to a test environment. In certain contexts - such as international deployments, time zones or connectivity constraints - it can even become the main training channel, guaranteeing consistency, repeatability and accessibility.