Why Ongoing Support Matters after Unanet Implementation

Unanet implementation does not end at go live. The transition into live processing often reveals workflow issues, training gaps, and process risks that can affect billing, reporting, and overall system adoption. Ongoing support during this period helps organizations stabilize operations, reduce rework, and strengthen long term system results.

Highlights

• Go Live Is Not the End. A Unanet implementation may be live, but that does not mean teams are fully stable in day-to-day system use.
• Early Support Matters. The first live processing cycles often reveal questions, workflow issues, and areas where staff need added reinforcement.
• Adoption Affects Results. Ongoing support helps strengthen user confidence, improve process consistency, and support better long-term system use.
• Small Issues Can Grow. Problems that are not addressed early can lead to rework, inefficiencies, and weaker results after implementation.

System implementations are inherently demanding. Client staff members already manage full workloads, in addition to extra responsibilities for deploying a new system. Legacy data must be transitioned, standard operating procedures relearned and tailored for the new platform. Implementation occurs as business operations persist uninterrupted. We can’t afford operational disruptions during a system rollout. That is why ongoing support during and after go-live is such an important part of a successful Unanet implementation.

Go Live Is Not the Finish Line

Our team at Redstone GCI focuses on implementation support during the post-go-live phase. In addition to designing the new system and bringing in legacy data, we are present for the first few rounds of routine processing: the first time we enter vendor invoices and payments, the first payrolls, the first customer billing cycles, and the first month closes. We make sure those processes are running smoothly. Go-live is an important milestone, but it is not the point at which support should end. In many cases the first few live processing cycles are when issues become visible, questions increase, and teams need the most reinforcement.

A system may be technically live, but that does not necessarily mean the organization is fully stable in its day-to-day use of the software. Early post go-live support helps confirm that processes are functioning properly, staff understand how to perform routine tasks, and the system is producing the results the organization expected.

Why the Transition Period Requires More Support

Adaptability and Staff Change Management

Humans are generally resistant to change, though it’s sometimes necessary, as in a Unanet system implementation. Processes that are improved and less cumbersome can still feel like a burden to learn. Having an implementation consultant who is experienced in training and understanding these hurdles makes the change easier for our clients to manage. It’s important that our clients’ staff feel comfortable and supported, knowing they are in good hands.

This is especially true once teams begin using the system in real time to process live transactions, answer internal questions, and meet deadlines. Training during implementation is important, but staff confidence is often built during the first few weeks of actual use. Ongoing support helps reinforce procedures, answer questions as they arise, and reduce the frustration that often accompanies major operational change.

Maximizing Return on Investment

When we get tired and bogged down, it's easy to meet the minimum implementation goals rather than finish strong. For example, the contracts module is optional, so we might be tempted to implement it later. The same can be true with the fixed assets module. Is it operationally necessary? Not as much as the other core modules, such as vendor payables and customer receivables. We mustn’t cut ourselves short on these efforts to get the most out of the new Unanet system we’re paying for. To get the full value from the new Unanet system, we need to maximize usability and automate as many routine processes as possible. That long-term value is often only realized when organizations continue refining processes after go-live, rather than stopping once the system is technically operational.

Ongoing support helps organizations move beyond minimum functionality and make better use of the system they have invested in. That may include refining workflows, improving usability, addressing functions that were deferred during implementation, and identifying opportunities to automate routine processing. Without that follow-through, organizations may end up using only part of the system’s capabilities while continuing to rely on manual workarounds that reduce efficiency over time.

Solving Problems Quickly Before They Spread

In addition to learning new processes and loading data into the new system, we can’t add the unnecessary struggle of incorrect data entry that causes re-work. Nothing upsets an accounting staff more than frustration during task performance and avoidable re-work. Redstone GCI consultants are there to monitor and help manage new processes, ensuring staff are properly trained and mistakes aren’t made. Operations during implementation are at a critical stage, so we must remain efficient.

The early post-go-live period is often when small issues can create larger downstream problems if they are not addressed quickly. A process that seems minor at first (such as incorrect coding, incomplete setup, misunderstanding a workflow, or entering data inconsistently) can affect billing, reporting, reconciliations, payroll, or month-end close activities. Ongoing support allows these issues to be identified and corrected early, before they become more costly and time-consuming to unwind.

What Is at Stake After Go Live

For many organizations, the value of ongoing support extends beyond answering questions. It also helps protect the system's integrity during a critical transition period. That includes helping teams maintain cleaner data, achieve more consistent processing, improve reporting accuracy, and better adopt the new system. It also helps reduce the likelihood that temporary workarounds or misunderstandings will become permanent habits.

In a Unanet environment that kind of support can be especially important during early operational cycles involving accounts payable, payroll, customer billing, project setup, reporting, and month-end close. These are the activities that shape how reliable and useful the system will be moving forward.

Supporting a Smoother Transition After Go Live

Without ongoing support after Unanet implementation organizations are at risk of higher professional fees, low staff morale, and a poorly structured data repository during the go-live period. Our team understands this well and takes pride in partnering with our clients as they implement a new Unanet system. We don’t close implementations until the client agrees that all implementation goals have been met. We slowly ramp down on support as our clients become more independent.

Our goal is not simply to help a client get through implementation. Our goal is to help them operate successfully in the new system once live processing begins. That means staying engaged long enough to support routine transactions, reinforce user confidence, identify issues early, and help the organization become more self-sufficient over time. By gradually reducing support as the client becomes more comfortable and capable, we help create a smoother transition and a system better prepared for growth. This approach helps clients move beyond implementation and establish a stronger foundation for long term success in Unanet. It also ensures the system is not only live, but working as intended for the people and processes that depend on it every day.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What does “ongoing support” mean after a Unanet implementation? It means continued support after go-live, when teams begin using Unanet in daily operations. This often includes help with early invoices, payroll, billing, and month-end close.
• Why is go-live not the end of the implementation? Because the system may be live before the organization is fully stable in using it. Early processing often reveals questions, workflow issues, and training gaps.
• Who is most affected during the post-go-live period? The teams handling daily processing are most directly affected, especially accounting, payroll, billing, and reporting staff. Leadership is also affected because early issues can influence efficiency and adoption.
• Why does ongoing support matter for staff? Staff are learning new processes while continuing to manage regular responsibilities. Ongoing support helps answer questions, reinforce training, and reduce avoidable frustration.
• What can happen if early issues are not addressed quickly? Small problems can create larger downstream issues if they are not corrected early. That can lead to rework and affect billing, reporting, reconciliations, payroll, and the month-end close.
• Why does this matter over the long term? Early support helps organizations use Unanet more effectively over time. It can improve consistency, reduce workarounds, and strengthen long-term results.
• Why does this matter for government contractors? Early system issues can affect routine processes that support contract performance and internal reporting. A more stable transition helps contractors operate more reliably in the system.