In the fast-paced world of construction material businesses, managing inventory, tracking orders, and coordinating deliveries are crucial aspects of day-to-day operations. With the integration of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems, businesses are automating and streamlining these tasks. However, getting yard employees to embrace and effectively use an ERP system can be a challenge—especially if they are more accustomed to manual, paper-based processes.
The key to a successful ERP adoption is upskilling yard employees so they can confidently use the system and understand its value to their role. Here’s how to improve the process of upskilling yard staff for ERP usage and ensure the system drives productivity and accuracy.
- Start with Clear Communication of ERP Benefits
The challenge:
Yard employees may be hesitant to adopt a new system if they don’t understand why it’s being introduced or how it will make their work easier.
The solution:
Begin by explaining the why behind the ERP system. Help employees see how it will:
Save time by reducing manual tasks like paperwork or redundant data entry
Improve accuracy in tracking inventory and deliveries
Enhance communication between the yard and office, improving order processing and customer service
When employees understand how the system directly benefits their daily tasks, they are more likely to embrace it.
- Provide Role-Specific Training
The challenge:
ERP systems often come with a wide array of features, many of which may not apply to yard employees’ day-to-day tasks. Training them on the entire system can be overwhelming and irrelevant to their needs.
The solution:
Focus training on the specific modules and features relevant to yard employees. For example, they might primarily use the ERP to:
Track and update inventory
Receive and process orders
Manage delivery schedules
Log material movement and damage reports
By tailoring the training to their specific role and workflow, you can help employees get up to speed quickly and stay engaged.
- Use Hands-On, Practical Training
The challenge:
Many yard employees are hands-on workers who learn best by doing, rather than through theoretical lessons or slideshows.
The solution:
Incorporate hands-on training with the ERP system. Use real-world scenarios, such as receiving shipments, updating inventory, or processing an order, to help employees practice within the system. Set up a sandbox or test environment where they can explore the system and make mistakes without fear of impacting actual data.
In addition, allow employees to shadow more experienced team members who are already familiar with the ERP system, so they can learn by example.
- Break Training Into Smaller, Manageable Sessions
The challenge:
ERP training sessions can be long and overwhelming, especially if employees are expected to learn multiple complex processes in one sitting.
The solution:
Break the training into smaller, digestible modules that focus on one task at a time. For example:
Module 1: How to log in and access inventory data
Module 2: Updating stock levels in real-time
Module 3: Processing orders and updating delivery status
By pacing the training, employees can absorb and apply each step before moving on to the next. This helps reduce overwhelm and increases retention.
- Make Training Easily Accessible
The challenge:
In fast-paced environments like the yard, it can be difficult for employees to dedicate long periods to training. This could cause delays in getting them fully trained on the ERP system.
The solution:
Provide on-demand training resources that employees can access whenever they have time. This could include:
Short tutorial videos
Written step-by-step guides
FAQs or troubleshooting manuals
Having these resources easily accessible allows employees to learn at their own pace and refer back to training as needed.
- Offer Ongoing Support and Reinforcement
The challenge:
Even after initial training, employees may still feel uncertain when using the ERP system in real-time. They might forget certain steps or be unsure about how to resolve issues.
The solution:
Provide ongoing support by offering:
A dedicated point of contact for troubleshooting ERP issues
Regular refresher courses to reinforce key features
A system for reporting and resolving problems quickly, such as an internal helpdesk or team lead assistance
This continuous support ensures that employees feel confident in using the system, even as they encounter new challenges.
- Encourage Feedback and Continuous Improvement
The challenge:
Yard employees are the ones directly interacting with the ERP system on a daily basis, so they may encounter issues or inefficiencies that aren’t apparent to others.
The solution:
Encourage feedback from yard employees on their experience with the ERP system. Set up regular check-ins or surveys to identify any pain points or areas for improvement. This feedback loop will help improve the system and its adoption over time. Additionally, it shows employees that their input is valued and helps foster a sense of ownership.
- Recognize and Reward ERP Adoption
The challenge:
Without proper motivation, employees might resist using the ERP system or continue to rely on old, manual processes out of habit.
The solution:
Incentivize ERP adoption by recognizing and rewarding employees who use the system effectively. Offer small rewards or public recognition for completing training modules, processing orders efficiently, or consistently updating inventory data. This positive reinforcement encourages employees to continue embracing the system.
- Leverage Peer Mentoring
The challenge:
Not all employees may pick up the system at the same pace, and some may be more hesitant to adopt the new technology.
The solution:
Pair less experienced users with ERP champions or peer mentors who are already proficient with the system. This allows for informal learning and provides employees with someone to turn to for advice and support. Peer mentoring fosters a sense of collaboration and builds confidence.
- Continuously Update and Improve the ERP Training Process
The challenge:
The ERP system and its features may evolve over time, and the training process needs to keep pace with these changes.
The solution:
Ensure that ERP training is dynamic and up-to-date. Regularly update training materials to reflect any new features or changes in the system. Stay in touch with your ERP provider for updates, and adapt your training approach accordingly to ensure employees are always working with the most current version of the software.
Final Thought
Upskilling yard employees for ERP usage isn’t a one-time event—it’s an ongoing process that requires patience, clear communication, and consistent support. By providing role-specific training, hands-on practice, and continuous feedback, you can ensure that your employees are not only using the ERP system effectively but are also more confident and invested in their role. This leads to increased productivity, fewer errors, and ultimately a more efficient operation.
