ERP Software

You and Custom ERP Software

Some companies want to do things their way. They prefer a set up that is comfortable for the way they like to work. They desire an applications platform that is either stand alone, or all bundled. They’d like to customize the process with custom ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software. This may be a more expensive way of implementing this software, but it is not at all unusual. Some businesses want a software package that will scale up with them as they grow. They want the ability to alter or tweak the platform should it become necessary; they want the option of customization.

This does not present a problem for most software vendors. However, businesses that  wish to customize their platform must be aware of what they are trying to accomplish. The vendor will expect as much. The business should also be prepared to pay a lot more money for a customized ERP platform. The vendor will require clear guidelines as to exactly what you want on the platform and how it is to be designed. The business cannot be vague about what they wish to achieve. If the software package requires a major overhaul then it is going to be an expensive proposition.

It’s important for the business to consider different types of ERP packages before deciding on the right path to take. Some vendors may be able to make some changes to a software package that does not require a whole lot of adjustments. This would be a partial customization that would not be too difficult to achieve. If you have a system designed and built from scratch, be prepared to pay a pretty penny. So, it would be wise to do a thorough investigation of your options before making a final determination on custom ERP software.

You might want to look into Web-based ERP packages to see if you can access all of the applications you want through cloud computing, where any number of applications might be available. There is also the Open Source option of customizing your platform by changing the source code. If you work with an Open Source vendor they can alter the code to work as you wish. It’s just a question of how much changes would be made and where.

So, as you can see, there are opportunities for custom ERP software, but you will need to do your homework and take some consultation before moving forward.

Written by :

Don Cooper