Implementation excellence: A strategic framework for Costpoint success

ERP implementations are driven by various business imperatives, for instance, many organizations typically pursue them due to mergers and acquisitions. Commercial companies entering the federal contracting space frequently need systems capable of handling government compliance requirements that existing platforms cannot support. Organic growth also serves as a driver, particularly when existing government contractors win contracts that require them to reorganize internally and get on board with more robust systems. New organizations entering the federal marketspace often choose Costpoint because, after a well planned and successful implementation incorporating the required controls, it promotes Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) compliance. For instance, some organizations discover their prior systems simply cannot handle the complexity of indirect rates or allocation requirements demanded by compliance.

One of the most important decisions in any implementation is timing. Fiscal year cutover represents the most opportune time to go live with an accounting system. Mid-year conversions, while certainly possible, require more effort in data conversion and historical data staging. When implementing at fiscal year close, organizations can properly start the new year with full alignment between general ledgers and sub-ledgers, making the transition cleaner both from a technical and change management perspective.