ERP software advantages and factors to be considered while choosing among the ERP vendors in India The abbreviation ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning. ERP software is business management software, mostly a combination of integrated applications that may be used by a company for various activities. Those service providers who provide the business concerns with ERP are referred as ERP vendors. ERP is important to keep track of fund, inventories, marketing, planning etc. it provides a platform for integrated database management of business process. Indian ERP market is growing and the availability of choice is wider. Then choosing right ERP software is crucial for a business concern. Good ERP software should cater the needs of the particular business concern. Choosing an ERP vendor who provides you with functionality suiting your business is important. For example, ERP software for a library and a bank is very different functionality. There are numerous ERP vendors in India, they spends fortune of funds for the research for innovating their ERP software packages. The signs of good ERP software are efficient, easy and flexible. An ERP vendor keeps on upgrading their packages with current advancements in technology. Vendor support is an important factor while choosing ERP vendors. In India, there are many small scale and large-scale ERP service providers, among them only few gives good vendor support for their clients. Having a good vendor support is important because these vendors will constantly update their packages according to your business’s needs. Therefore, vendor support is important criteria for selecting an ERP vendor in India. There are many ERP workshops conducted by ERP software vendors. It helps to empower the knowledge about ERP software. It is also a platform for exchange of ideas from key decision makers and businesspersons to ERP vendors. This helps them to update and innovate their software package. It also helps CEO’s, COO’s, CFO’s, accountants, businesspersons etc. to empower themselves with ERP technologies and concepts. One of the examples of ERP workshop conducted in India is ‘Workshop on ERP’ at Wagle estate, Thane. Customization is another important factor to be considered while choosing one among the ERP vendors in India. The nature of business varies from business to business; sometimes even same businesses may have different way of doing things. So in order to have an efficient ERP you need better customization options. It helps to simplify the nature of work. The main advantages of ERP software package are the following: •
Leads to better outputs in customer service and manufacturing which benefits the company
•
Data support for upper level management, which helps in decision making
•
Increases flexibility of the company both internally and externally
•
Improves data security
•
Easier data migration
The ERP software package is essential for a business concern in this competitive market to run the business smoothly and effectively. Remember the three essentials while choosing ERP software, which are – vendor support, customization and flexibility.