Winter is a tricky time to start something new, especially when that something is a system meant to keep your entire business running. When you're rolling out an ERP system, timing matters. Weather delays, school breaks, and team absences can slow down the process before it really starts. That's why companies looking for ERP system setup services in January need to do a little extra planning. Knowing where the snags can happen helps us get ready before we hit the start button.
Getting ahead of these hurdles can keep the schedule steady, even if storms hit or people are out. Planning isn’t just about picking the right software or settings. It’s about making sure your people, tools, and partners can keep moving, regardless of what the snow or calendar throws at them. There’s no perfect time to make big changes, but a smart approach helps an ERP rollout stick, without turning winter into an excuse.
Weather Hits and Digital Gaps
Ice, snow, and power outages aren’t just annoying, they can freeze up project launches. Even if your business runs mostly online, hardware deliveries, on-site planning, or setup help may still hit the road at some point. When highways close or buildings lose power, those key moments can get pushed back by days.
Then there’s the remote piece. A lot of teams use VPNs or shared servers during ERP builds. But when bad weather knocks out home internet, and backup power isn’t in place, collaboration stops.
To keep things moving when the weather turns rough:
- Check which parts of your system or setup rely on internet access or in-office steps
- Build in alternate timelines for any hands-on training or real installs
- Ask all team leads to test remote logins early and flag issues
Not every storm can be guessed weeks out, but by creating space for these delays, we don’t get thrown off when they show up.
Staff Shortages and Scheduling Setbacks
Winter brings its own brand of slowdowns, and people play a big part in that. Health issues rise, kids are home from school unexpectedly, and time off gets used around the holidays. That means full staff availability is rare. If the wrong person is out, approvals stall, tasks fall between the cracks, or training gets skipped altogether.
The trick here is to create shiftable plans. Instead of setting deadlines that demand everyone be available, think about how work can loop forward even when someone’s offline.
Some useful tips include:
- Building small buffer zones into every major step
- Making checklists that let others carry work forward when someone’s out
- Keeping meetings short and outcomes clear so updates don’t require repeat sit-downs
Even if things run smooth for days, one cold or school snow day can reset progress if there’s no backup approach built in.
Slower Decisions from Suppliers and Vendors
Some ERP setups need outside gear, licenses, or data tools to connect all the dots. And in the first few weeks of the new year, that can take longer than expected. Vendors might not be at full capacity yet, or their own staff may still be transitioning from holiday disruptions. That slows down your progress, whether it's integrations, logins, or onboarding new platforms.
When outside help is part of your ERP system setup services, it pays to check their calendar as closely as your own.
To stay on pace even with slow vendor responses:
- Reach out to your contacts early and confirm their January lead times
- Push for estimates on how long custom parts or answers will take
- Use placeholder tools where possible so users can start learning workflow basics
Waiting on someone else doesn’t have to close the door on getting things started. We just need to adjust our setup rhythm around when others move.
Testing Tools and Training When Everyone’s Distracted
By mid-January, the energy drop is real. People are checked out, either recovering from holidays or worn down from winter itself. That makes training schedules and user testing less effective. Long sessions lead to missed details. Testers rush through steps. Feedback gets shortened or forgotten altogether.
Rather than aim for deep-dive sessions or intense rollouts, we focus on small steps with space between them.
Here’s what we’ve seen work well:
- Bite-sized training slots that last under 30 minutes
- Task handouts with clear check-off items and room for suggestions
- Weekly wrap-ups to gather all input before moving to the next stage
We don’t need perfect conditions to train well. We just need plans that match how people think when the weather keeps them sluggish.
Targeted Tech Without Seasonal Slowdowns
Winter isn’t always the friendliest stretch for new tech. But with solid prep and flexible timing, it doesn't have to become a blocker for progress. Schedules can build in wait time. Test runs can loop back when needed. Rollouts don’t have to follow a one-shot launch.
When we tackle ERP changes in colder months, we account for things not going 100 percent on Day One. By having backup steps and giving each phase breathing room, teams stay focused and feel less stress. The work still gets done, just smarter, steadier, and with a few more layers in place.
Kodershop’s ERP system setup services include cloud and on-premises deployment options, along with change management support that helps companies avoid costly disruption during seasonal shifts. Our team’s experience planning integrations and infrastructure upgrades during busy periods helps customers anticipate seasonal challenges and maintain project success.
Winter doesn’t stop good systems from getting off the ground. It just asks us to plan smarter, stay patient, and leave room for the unexpected. When the road ahead is clear, we move. When it’s not, we’ve already got a new route in place. That’s how ERP builds stay strong, no matter what the season throws at us.
At Kodershop, we understand how important it is to plan your ERP launch around seasonal business changes. When team schedules fluctuate or vendor replies take longer than expected, our proven process helps keep your project moving forward. To see how we help companies minimize delays and ensure a smooth transition, start with our ERP system setup services. Contact us today and move ahead with confidence.