ERP Systems

You should Compare ERP Systems 

If you’re about to make the move to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) you should be aware of the many options available to you today. Many large corporations with deep pockets opt for the traditional ERP deployment, with in-house installation of servers, storage and software; then there is training and maintenance of the system. That’s a very expensive proposition. Companies like Oracle, SAP, Microsoft and other biggies, implement enterprise software for large companies. Small companies, on the other hand, have opted for Web-based, hosted, software as a service, as a means of experiencing an ERP platform. Either way you go, you will have to compare ERP systems.

That, indeed, is a big part of the selection process, comparing systems. And there is a lot out there to compare. Enterprise software has become the go to software for many companies today, whether large corporations or, small and midsized businesses. But before you can experience the software system, you will need to compare a number of them in order to determine which would work best for your business. This is a serious undertaking that should involve both management and staff in the selection process.

Before you compare systems though, you will need to have a clear idea of what you’re looking for. And even though there is much to choose from, you probably won’t find the perfect package.

You’ll want a system that can grow along with you as your business grows. Small businesses that opt for the online, hosted approach, will still have the burden of finding the right software vendor - which is just as important as selecting the right system. That’s why it’s so important to compare ERP systems wisely. 

The biggest market right now, for enterprise resource planning, is Web-based services. They have taken off in a big way and now even some of the bigger traditional ERP vendors have introduced online, hosted services. And the good news is there is a lot to choose from. That’s all the more reason to make the right choice. Talk, not only to vendors, but also to customers and end users.

The names you run across will seem like an alphabet soup of entities. You may run across some of the following names; NetSuite, Salesforce.com, Accpac by Sage, Web ERP, slingshot, Epicor, Infor, Madee2Manage, and many others. Be sure to ask a lot of questions and get demos when you compare ERP systems so that you have a clear idea of how they work.

Written by :

Amy Cruz