Start with the process, not the software
Most failed ERP projects did not fail because of the software. They failed because nobody wrote down how the business actually works before choosing a tool.
Spend two weeks mapping your order-to-cash, procure-to-pay and month-end processes. The right choice usually becomes obvious.
When an ERP is the right call
If your accounting, inventory and payroll follow common rules, an ERP gets you live faster and cheaper. You benefit from years of other companies' feedback built into the product.
- Standard accounting and VAT rules
- Fewer than three unusual workflows
- You want to go live within a quarter
When custom software wins
Custom software makes sense when your process is your advantage, such as a unique pricing model, a field operation or an industry rule no ERP supports. In that case forcing an ERP to fit costs more than building.
A simple decision checklist
Score each question from 1 to 5. A total under 12 points to an ERP; above 18 points to custom software; anything in between often means an ERP plus custom modules.
- How unique is your core process?
- How many systems must it connect to?
- How fast do you need to go live?
- How much will the process change in two years?
Key takeaways
- Map your processes before you compare tools
- Use an ERP for standard work, custom code for your advantage
- A hybrid of ERP plus custom modules is often the best answer