A Comprehensive Guide to ERP Software Development Strategies
Published: 2024-03-28 19:44:45

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software refers to large-scale software packages that help organizations manage day-to-day business processes and optimize operations. ERP systems integrate various business functions into a unified system with a shared data source.
The origins of ERP can be traced back to the 1960s when inventory management and control systems were introduced. By the 1990s, ERP systems had evolved to incorporate additional functions such as finance, HR, manufacturing, etc. Today's ERP systems are highly sophisticated and aim to integrate all core business processes into a single unified system.
Leading ERP vendors today include SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, etc. However, the ERP market has seen a rise in cloud-based solutions from vendors like NetSuite, Workday, etc. With the move to the cloud, ERP systems have become more flexible, accessible, and configurable.
Choosing an ERP Vendor
Selecting the right [ERP software development company](https://existek.com/erp-software-development-company/) is a critical decision that impacts your organization's operations, efficiency, and bottom line. With many solutions to choose from, it's essential to take the time to evaluate your options and find the best fit.
Top ERP Vendors
The ERP market is dominated by a few major players, including SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, and Infor. These vendors offer full-scale ERP systems designed for large, global enterprises. Mid-market companies often look at vendors like Sage, Epicor, NetSuite, and SYSPRO, which provide more flexibility and lower costs. Industry-specific solutions are also offered by vendors that specialize in manufacturing, distribution, or field service.
When examining vendors, look at their market share, stability, implementation partners, and ability to support your geographic locations and business needs. Also, consider the technology platform, tools, and integration capabilities.
Evaluation Criteria
Develop selection criteria based on your business requirements, objectives, and pain points. Some key aspects to evaluate include:
Functionality—Assess how well the system handles your core processes, such as finance, HR, inventory, manufacturing, CRM, and more. Prioritize must-have features over nice-to-have features.
Flexibility - Look for configuration over customization and the ability to adapt as needs change.
Ease of use - The system should have an intuitive interface and role-based access. Evaluate workflows and automation capabilities.
Scalability - Ensure the ERP can support growth in transactions, users, sites, and data volume. Assess cloud vs on-premise deployment.
Implementation approach - Vendors should provide methodologies, resources, and best practices to guide implementation.
Total cost of ownership - Consider license costs, implementation services, hardware, support fees, and training.
Vendor viability - Assess the vendor's financial health, customer base, reputation, and roadmap.
Technical fit - Validate integration with existing infrastructure and applications. Review security, reporting, and analytics.
Vendor Selection Process
Once you've identified vendors that meet your requirements, follow these steps to make your final choice:
Develop a request for proposal (RFP) outlining your functional and technical needs, implementation expectations, and must-have capabilities.
Ask vendors to conduct a demo tailored to your key workflows and use cases. Identify how they support your requirements.
Speak with references to gain insight into ease of use, implementation experience, ongoing support, and total cost.
Negotiate contracts, including costs, services, milestones, change management, and SLAs.
Select a single vendor based on how well they fulfill all criteria, align with your goals, and provide confidence in a successful implementation.
Choosing the right ERP requires in-depth diligence across all options. Taking the time upfront to evaluate vendors thoroughly will help you gain organizational alignment and select a long-term solution to meet your needs.
Types of ERP Implementations
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems can be implemented in different ways, with the two main approaches being on-premises ERP and cloud ERP.
On-Premises ERP
With an on-premises ERP implementation, the software is installed locally on a company's servers and computing infrastructure. Some benefits of this approach include:
The company has complete control over the system and data security
It can be customized more extensively to the company's unique needs
It may have lower long-term costs compared to cloud ERP
However, on-premises ERP also comes with some downsides:
Requires significant upfront investment in hardware and infrastructure
Ongoing maintenance and upgrades are the company's responsibility
Limited scalability and flexibility for changing business needs
Cloud ERP
Cloud ERP systems are hosted remotely by the software vendor and accessed by users via the Internet. Advantages of cloud ERP include:
Faster implementation timelines
Lower upfront costs compared to on-premises
Automatic updates and maintenance by the vendor
Scales easily with the business
Accessible from anywhere with an internet connection
Potential disadvantages of cloud ERP include:
Less customization options
Reliant on the vendor for uptime and performance
Concerns over data security being outside company firewalls
Ongoing subscription fees make long-term costs higher
When evaluating ERP options, companies should weigh the pros and cons of each deployment method based on their budget, IT resources, and business needs.
ERP Implementation Methodology
Selecting the right approach for implementing ERP is crucial to the project's success. There are two main methodologies used for ERP implementations:
Waterfall Method
The waterfall method follows a sequential, phased approach with clearly defined requirements and milestones for each stage:
Planning - Detailed requirements gathering, process review, gap analysis
Design - System configuration and customization
Development - Coding modifications, integrations, reports, interfaces
Testing - User acceptance testing, integration testing, performance testing
Deployment - Data migration, training, go-live, support
Using the waterfall method provides a structured process with clear deliverables. However, it lacks the flexibility to change requirements.
Agile Method
The agile methodology takes an iterative approach by dividing the project into smaller development and testing cycles. Requirements are refined over multiple iterations:
Iteration 1 - Implement core processes for finance module
Iteration 2 - Add manufacturing module capabilities
Iteration 3 - Integrate sales order and inventory management
Iteration 4 - Finalize reporting and analytics features
Agile provides flexibility to improve and adapt the system based on user feedback continuously. However, greater customer involvement is required throughout the process.
Choosing Between Waterfall and Agile
Factors to consider when selecting an implementation methodology include the project scope and requirements, availability of resources, and timelines.
Many ERP projects now use a hybrid model, starting with a waterfall approach for initial planning and design phases and then transitioning to agile for more iterative configuration and testing activities.
Consultants experienced with both methods can guide the pros and cons of a given ERP implementation scenario. The methodology should align with the organization's culture, goals, and resources.


Customization vs Configuration
Most ERP systems are designed to be highly configurable to meet the needs of different organizations and industries. Configuration involves setting up the system using built-in settings and options without changing the core software code. Customization consists of modifying the core software code and building unique add-ons to meet specific business requirements.
Pros of configuration:
It is faster and cheaper to implement since you are using built-in functionality
Easier to maintain and upgrade later on
Allows you to still benefit from best practices embedded in the software
Cons of configuration:
It may not meet all unique business needs
Requires adopting new processes to match the software
Pros of customization:
Provides closer fit to your organization's specific requirements
It lets you customize the system to match existing processes
Cons of customization:
More expensive and time-consuming to build and maintain
Increases complexity of system integrations
Upgrades will be more difficult and expensive
The decision between configuration and customization depends on the organizational fit, timeline required, budget, and long-term upgrade strategy. Extensive customizations can make upgrading to newer versions of the ERP more difficult and costly.
Configuration allows organizations to adjust the system using built-in settings while benefiting from best practices. Customization provides a closer fit but increases costs and complexity. Organizations should aim for configuration first and limit customization to unique areas of competitive differentiation.


Change Management
The most complex and often underestimated aspect of an ERP implementation is managing the change's impact on users. Without proper change management, users may resist adopting the new system or fail to take full advantage of its capabilities. Here are some strategies for driving user adoption:
Training
Conduct training needs analysis to identify who needs training and which parts of the system need it. Some users may need intense training, while others need only an overview.
Offer training in multiple formats - instructor-led, online, job aids, etc. Accommodate different learning styles.
Schedule training in phases - initial overview training, then role-based training, which is closer to going live. Refresher training may be needed post-go-live.
Make training mandatory, not optional. Monitor attendance and assess understanding.
Communication
Communicate early and often about the upcoming implementation. Be transparent about reasons for change, timeline, impacts, etc.
Use multiple communication channels - email, intranet, town halls, flyers, etc.
Involve managers. Have them reinforce key messages with their teams.
Listen to feedback and address concerns. Keep communication two-way.
User Engagement
Involve user representatives in implementation aspects, like requirements, testing, and training content.
Identify change champions who can promote adoption within their departments.
Celebrate go-live! Have executives recognize teams for a successful transition.
Address issues post-go-live to maintain user buy-in. Provide heavy support immediately after launch.
With a structured approach to change management, organizations can gain user mindshare and maximize the adoption and usage of the new ERP system. This directly impacts the ROI realized from the significant investment in the implementation.