Drinks ERP implementation failure isn’t just expensive — it can stall your entire business. From late shipments to mismanaged stock and frustrated staff, the ripple effects are real. Yet most failures boil down to avoidable ERP implementation problems. In this article, we highlight five of the most common drinks ERP implementation mistakes — based on real experiences in the wine, spirits, and beverage sectors — and explain how to avoid them using best practices from the Bevica team.
What goes wrong in drinks ERP projects?
Whether you’re selecting a new drinks ERP for the first time or replacing legacy systems, many businesses fall into the same traps. These include underestimating training needs, delaying data migration, and trying to force-fit old processes into new systems — all classic ERP implementation problems.
Here are the five most common pitfalls Bevica consultants see in when helping drinks business with a new ERP implementation — and how to avoid them.
Implementation mistake 1: Delaying data migration
Waiting until the last minute to move your data is like packing the night before an international move — something’s going to get left behind. Testing suffers. Training’s rushed. And go-live becomes a scramble.
| Fix it fast: Migrate data early and test with the real stuff. Start data migration in the first month of the ERP implementation. With Bevica, we provide Excel-based templates and training so your team can work with real business data early. This makes training and testing more effective and reduces the risk of ERP implementation failure. |
Implementation mistake 2: Weak super user engagement
Super users are the internal champions of your ERP implementation. If they’re missing or disengaged, your project will lose momentum fast and you are at greater risk of ERP implementation failure.
| Fix it right: Appoint and empower from day one. Choose individuals who understand your operations and can make decisions quickly. Involve them from planning through to post-launch support. With the right super users, your ERP implementation gets done faster and sticks better. |
Implementation mistake 3: Trying to replicate old systems
Copy and pasting outdated workflows into a new ERP is like installing a rotary dial on a smartphone. You’ll frustrate users and kill efficiency.
| Fix it smart: Let go of your legacy systems. Lean into what works now. With Bevica, we bring you best practices tailored to the drinks industry. With our built-in workflows for duty management, bonded warehouses, and pricing, you are guaranteed an ERP implementation that will modernise and streamline your operations. |
Implementation mistake 4: Inadequate training preparation
Unprepared users waste expert time and get less from live training. This leads to confusion, low adoption, and increased risk of ERP implementation failure.
| Fix it right: Appoint and empower from day one. Choose individuals who understand your operations and can make decisions quickly. Involve them from planning through to post-launch support. With the right super users, your ERP implementation gets done faster and sticks better. |
Implementation mistake 5: Treating your ERP partner like a vendor
ERP implementation isn’t a one-off purchase — it’s a partnership. Treating your provider like a passive vendor slows everything down.
| Fix it collaboratively: Work as one team. Choose an ERP partner who knows your industry and behaves like you’re on the same side. Our Bevica consultants work closely with you to stay responsive and aligned, helping you avoid costly ERP implementation problems. |
How to get ERP right — the first time
Every mistake on this list is avoidable — especially with the right roadmap and support.
Bevica’s ERP for drinks businesses follows a proven five-step ERP implementation process that gets you live in just four months. With built-in industry templates, structured training, and dedicated consultants, you launch faster and smarter.
“The number one reason ERP implementation projects fail? Businesses don’t invest enough in user training and data prep.” — Hamish Kirwan, Bevica Operations Consultant
Download the full ERP success guide
Want the full playbook to avoid costly drinks ERP implementation mistakes? Download From Planning to Pouring — the guide trusted by drinks businesses to deliver fast, stress-free ERP rollouts.
