Getting a new ERP system up and running is a big win—but making sure your team actually knows how to use it? That’s the real challenge. User training and onboarding are often underestimated in ERP projects, and the hidden costs can quietly add up in lost time, productivity, and morale.
Here’s what most businesses don’t plan for—but absolutely should.
- Training Is Not One-Size-Fits-All
Warehouse staff, sales reps, yard managers, and office admins all use the ERP differently. A single “all-hands” training session won’t cut it. Tailoring training by role takes more time and planning—but skipping it leads to confusion and inconsistent adoption.
Hidden cost: Repeated mistakes, frustrated users, and reliance on workarounds that bypass the system entirely.
- Lost Productivity During Ramp-Up
Even with good training, users need time to get comfortable. Expect a dip in productivity after go-live while users adjust to new workflows, interfaces, and responsibilities.
Hidden cost: Slower orders, longer fulfillment times, and more errors during the transition phase.
- Peer-to-Peer “Shadow Training” Creates Inconsistency
When formal training falls short, users lean on coworkers for help. This informal coaching can lead to inconsistent processes, shortcuts, or bad habits spreading across teams.
Hidden cost: Process breakdowns, system misuse, and inaccurate data entry that’s hard to trace.
- Training Costs Are Ongoing, Not One-Time
New hires, role changes, and system updates all require recurring training. If you don’t have a plan or budget for ongoing onboarding and refresher sessions, knowledge fades quickly.
Hidden cost: Teams forget how to use key features, or worse—stop using them entirely.
- Documentation and Support Materials Are Often Missing
Many ERP vendors provide generic training videos or manuals, but they rarely match your custom workflows or industry-specific needs. Building your own training library takes time—but without it, users will struggle.
Hidden cost: Constant support tickets, repeated questions, and lost productivity while users hunt for answers.
- Managers and Supervisors Need Extra Training
Managers often get skipped in training because the focus is on day-to-day users. But they’re the ones who approve workflows, monitor performance, and troubleshoot problems. If they don’t understand the system fully, they can’t lead effectively.
Hidden cost: Bottlenecks in approvals, inaccurate reporting, and poor decision-making.
- Morale and Burnout Risks During Change
ERP rollouts can feel overwhelming to staff—especially if training is rushed, unclear, or poorly timed. Employees may feel like they’re being asked to “figure it out” on their own.
Hidden cost: Turnover, resistance to change, and burnout during one of the most critical phases of transformation.
Final Thought
Training isn’t a checkbox. It’s a core part of ERP success—and underestimating it leads to hidden costs that show up in your operations, your team’s confidence, and your ROI.
If you want your ERP to deliver long-term value, invest just as much in training and onboarding as you do in features and implementation. The results speak for themselves.
