When planning a new ERP implementation, many drinks businesses focus on software, scope, and setup. But what separates fast, successful go-lives from delayed and stressful ones isn’t just the technology — it’s the people. And one person in particular: your ERP super user.
The right ERP super user can make or break your drinks ERP implementation success.
What is an ERP super user?
A super user is a key member of your ERP project team — someone who combines deep business knowledge with the authority and mindset to lead change. They act as the internal bridge between your day-to-day operations and your ERP partner.
Super users are responsible for:
- Representing department needs in ERP design decisions
- Testing and validating processes with real business data
- Supporting end-user training and adoption
- Troubleshooting and escalating issues before and after go-live
In a drinks business environment, the super user often brings essential insights into product flows, sales operations, and compliance processes — making them critical to a successful Bevica ERP implementation.
Why ERP super users matter in an implementation
ERP implementation isn’t just a tech project — it’s a business transformation. For drinks industry businesses, where margins are tight and traceability is vital, getting it right is non-negotiable.
ERP super users help you:
- Make faster, more informed decisions
- Train internal teams more effectively
- Reduce bottlenecks during testing and data migration
- Improve user confidence and readiness for go-live
These contributions are essential to a smooth go-live and long-term ERP adoption — especially with a sector-specific solution like Bevica.
How to choose the right ERP super users
Not every team member is suited for this role. Look for individuals who are:
- Trusted and respected by peers
- Comfortable with systems and change
- Deeply knowledgeable about your business processes
- Willing to take ownership and lead under pressure
- Able to make quick and effective decisions
In ERP for the drinks industry, this might mean your operations manager or head of finance — roles where process understanding and leadership intersect.
Common pitfalls when assigning super users
Avoid these common mistakes when building your ERP implementation team:
- Appointing users too late in the project
- Choosing people without decision-making authority
- Underestimating the time required for involvement
- Treating ERP super users as system testers instead of project leaders
Case Study: How Astrum Wine Cellars got it right
Without strong internal ownership, ERP go-live dates get pushed, training falls short, and user adoption suffers. This is why many businesses search for ERP implementation best practices — and discover the importance of appointing the right ERP super users early.
Astrum Wine Cellars implemented Bevica ERP in under four months — a record timeline. One of the keys to their ERP implementation success? Strong super user engagement.
Their General Manager and Finance Director both acted as super users, making fast decisions, leading testing, and ensuring their team came prepared to training.
“Working with Bevica felt less like hiring a service provider and more like building a partnership. Their expertise combined with our team’s commitment to success meant we could make confident decisions quickly, which kept the project moving and delivered results on time… Going live in under four months was only possible because of the strong collaboration between the two teams.”
– Stefano Benato, Finance Director, Astrum Wine Cellars
Tips to prepare your ERP super users for success
If you’re wondering how to prepare for ERP implementation, involving super users early is one of the most effective steps you can take. Their engagement directly impacts data migration, testing, and user confidence — especially in complex drinks industry environments.
Tips include:
- Involve them from the planning phase, not just during testing
- Give them time to prepare and participate
- Provide access to training materials and test environments early
- Encourage them to lead internal communications
- Recognise their contribution — they’re key to your ERP implementation success
Building your ERP team for go-live success
ERP implementation is a team sport. While super users play a central role, success also depends on clearly defined responsibilities:
- Executive sponsor (owns the business case and timeline)
- Project manager (coordinates resources and milestones)
- Functional leads and super users (own process design and training)
- ERP partner (brings tools, structure, and drinks industry knowledge)
Download the full Drinks ERP readiness guide
Want to launch ERP for your drinks business with fewer delays and better outcomes?
Download our free white paper: From Planning to Pouring — A Guide to Launching Beverage Tech on Time and on Budget.
