Now that enterprise resource planning (ERP) is available to companies large and small, many newbies are jumping on the enterprise bandwagon. And many of them are confused. They see platforms with application modules for everything from manufacturing, construction and supply chain management, to accounting, professional services and wholesale distribution. These represent different types of enterprise platforms, but some small business managers seem to think that one size fits all. It would of course be convenient if you could just call up an enterprise software vendor and say, please come and install an ERP system for us. They can do that, but not without first knowing what type of system set up would work best for your company. And the ERP price comparison would certainly vary. Small businesses are more familiar with on-demand, online, software as a service (SaaS). Many of them don’t have a clear understanding about ERP installed on-site and the expensive tab for software, servers, storage and training. Some ask, is that the same ERP?

The ERP Price

The ERP Price comparison game

Well, yes and no. The cost of installing ERP on-site can be very high. It’s a tedious process that doesn’t always go off as planned. You are also purchasing software, servers and storage, that you will control and manage. It’s an expensive proposition, but one that large corporations prefer, for security reasons. Web-based ERP, on the other hand, does not require you to purchase software, servers or storage. You are renting it. As a result, the price is much cheaper.

Interesting enough, though, is the fact that there are still diverging price points for online ERP, as well. That is why any business, whether small or large, needs to make an assessment of their needs, in terms of how ERP can help them to better administer their business.

There are many enterprise software vendors servicing the online market space. Indeed, this market has become the biggest software market of all. When ERP became available online, it seems as though small businesses everywhere made a rush for it. They put it on the map in terms of popularity. They also discovered that there are many price points for Web-based ERP, as well. There are various packages based on the same theme, but the platforms differ. So does the ERP price comparison. That’s why when it comes time to investigate you need to really have some understanding of how you want this software system to help you. How do you want to apply it? Take some time to figure that out. When you have a good idea of what you want, a software vendor can help you to put it into greater perspective. A lot of your research will have to do with the type of business you run and packages that best fit it.

You can best streamline your application modules when you know exactly what you need. These modules may be either stand-alone or bundled. The software vendor can help you to determine which is best for your particular situation. There are many prices, but there are various options, as well.

So, do your homework before you do an ERP price comparison.