Leaders shared their biggest ERP challenges — and what stood in the way of progress had less to do with technology and more to do with people, process, and planning.
Here are the Top 10 things AI can’t fix in your ERP implementation, drawn directly from those discussions.
Many organizations are frustrated with their current implementation partners. They’re tired of one-size-fits-all solutions, limited accountability, and partners who don’t understand their business. The takeaway from Summit? Technology is only as good as the team behind it.
Look for partners who act as long-term collaborators, not vendors. The right relationship is built on transparency, shared accountability, and continuous improvement — not a one-time deployment. Successful ERP programs evolve through ongoing governance and open communication between business and technology teams.
Decades of customizations, add-ons, and outdated integrations have left many organizations stuck. GP and AX2012 systems still run core business processes, but the fear of disruption keeps modernization on hold. You can’t automate your way out of legacy debt — it takes careful planning and a roadmap that balances stability with innovation.
Start with a clear understanding of what works and what doesn’t. A phased migration approach helps reduce risk and preserves operational stability while moving critical components to the cloud. Build a roadmap that balances modernization goals with business continuity to ensure progress doesn’t mean disruption.
[Download the GP to BC Playbook]
[Download the AX to D365 Guide]
Data quality remains one of the biggest obstacles to ERP success. Inconsistent, duplicated, or incomplete data makes every project harder than it needs to be. Clean data is the foundation for transformation — and that requires governance, ownership, and discipline long before go-live.
Treat data as an asset, not an afterthought. Establish ownership and governance early, and standardize integration frameworks across ERP, CRM, and legacy systems. Organizations that invest in data quality upfront see smoother implementations, faster adoption, and fewer downstream issues.
Even the best technology can’t fix weak security practices. Companies are increasingly aware of vulnerabilities in multi-company and multi-tenant setups, but few have the right governance models in place. Building secure cloud infrastructure isn’t a one-time exercise; it’s an ongoing responsibility.
Security must be embedded from day one. Adopting a Zero Trust approach, aligning with global standards like ISO 27001 and GDPR, and continuously monitoring for compliance helps protect both operations and reputation. Make security a core design principle — not an add-on.
New technology doesn’t create change — people do. Many Summit attendees shared stories of resistance, lack of communication, and low user adoption that derailed projects. The most successful ERP transformations focus as much on culture, training, and communication as they do on configuration.
Change is successful when users feel informed, supported, and empowered. Develop a communication and training plan that starts before go-live and continues afterward. Focus on role-based learning and clear messaging about why the change matters to build buy-in across the organization.
ERP systems are only as strong as the business processes they support. Too often, implementations reflect outdated or disconnected workflows that don’t match how the organization actually operates. Modernization starts by revisiting your processes — not just replacing your software.
Map out current-state processes before selecting or configuring technology. Identify inefficiencies and define future-state workflows that align with business goals. Technology should adapt to how your organization operates today and where it needs to go — not the other way around.
Without clear leadership, ERP projects drift. Attendees repeatedly pointed out that ownership across Finance, IT, and Operations is often fragmented. Real success requires a defined champion — someone who drives accountability, alignment, and decision-making throughout the journey.
Establish a governance structure early, with representation from every major business function. Define who owns decisions, who manages risk, and how success will be measured. Governance isn’t bureaucracy — it’s the mechanism that keeps transformation on track.
Many organizations aren’t getting full value from their D365 investments. Tools like Power BI, Power Apps, and other native integrations remain underused simply because teams aren’t aware of what’s available. The opportunity is huge — but it starts with education and a clear roadmap for adoption.
Make continuous improvement part of your ERP culture. Evaluate the full Microsoft ecosystem regularly — Dynamics, Power Platform, Azure, and beyond — to identify tools that can automate manual work and unlock insight. Incremental adoption drives sustained transformation.
From manufacturing and mining to property management and nonprofit sectors, every industry faces unique ERP challenges — and a generic solution rarely fits. Operations leaders need systems that reflect how their teams actually work, while IT leaders focus on scalability, integration, and control. The organizations moving fastest are those tailoring their systems and workflows to their specific operational realities.
Start with your industry’s nuances. Use prebuilt templates or accelerators where they fit, but focus on tailoring processes to your operational reality — not forcing conformity. Balance standardization with the flexibility needed to support specialized workflows.
AI might dominate the headlines, but for most organizations we spoke with, it’s not the main focus — yet. Conversations at Summit centered on getting the fundamentals right: cleaning up data, tightening security, improving integrations, and finding the right partner alignment. Curiosity about AI is growing, but readiness still starts with the basics.
Focus on readiness, not hype. Build a strong foundation of clean, governed data, secure systems, and connected platforms. Once these fundamentals are in place, AI can add real value — not just experimentation.
At this year’s Community Summit, the conversations weren’t about chasing the next big thing — they were about doing the fundamentals right. Modernization doesn’t happen overnight. It takes strategy, leadership, and consistent focus on the basics that make technology work.
If your organization is ready to move from ideas to impact, explore our latest resources — including practical migration guides and real-world success stories — to see what effective modernization looks like in action.
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