ERP Vendors

ERP Vendor Comparison

Choosing and implementing a new ERP system for your small or mid-sized business can be a multistage process. If you intend to make a long term and financially significant investment in your new system, the research, planning and preparation involved in the process can take months and may require a lengthy and detailed ERP vendor comparison.

Don’t neglect the details, and before you make a commitment, check in with multiple non-biased resources and consulting services, many of which can be found on the internet. But before you even begin your ERP vendor comparison process, consider the history and direction of ERP services: The first systems were installed about fifteen years ago at the large enterprise and fortune 500 level. Companies with large implementation budgets rushed to replace their old outmoded systems during the approach of the new millennium, and the return they saw on their ERP investments inspired other large businesses to consider installing ERP systems during the first years of the 21st century. By the early 2000’s,anERP vendor comparison was not complete unless it accounted for the largest providers who had begun to come forward at that time. Some of those big names included PeopleSoft, Oracle, Microsoft and later, SAP. These large providers began partnering and buying out software providers like Great Plains and smaller developers of software packages specific to HR, accounting and other business management tools.

At this point the enterprise level market is mostly saturated, and the largest providers have turned their attention to smaller businesses with smaller budgets and industry specific needs. To court these smaller clients, vendors have worked to customized their services and product suites, and they’ve also had to compete with a host of smaller ERP vendors that offer that offer less expensive and often industry tailored solutions. For small business owners in 2010, an ERP vendor comparison requires more than a simple side by side look at the reliability and services offered by Microsoft and SAP. In fact, an ERPvendor comparison can be an extensive process, one that should begin with complete evaluation of current business needs. If you’re a small business owner beginning and ERP vendor comparison process, consider the strengths and weaknesses of your current software platform. What are your areas most in need of improvement? If you are a manufacturer, you may want to improve inventory control or lot tracking. If you’re in pharmaceuticals, you may be concerned with regulation compliance. In any business, you may require accounting, HR, or payroll tools and your budget may impose restrictions on any or all of these functionalities. Proceed with your ERP vendor comparison once you’ve identified the tools you require and the cost you’re willing to incur.

Erin Sweeney

Written by :

tracey boxer