What ERP software does
ERP (enterprise resource planning) software connects core business functions such as purchasing, inventory, production, sales, dispatch, accounting and HR in one system with a shared database. Every department works from the same up-to-date numbers instead of separate spreadsheets that have to be reconciled.
Signs your business is ready for an ERP
- Stock, purchase and sales spreadsheets regularly disagree with each other.
- The same transaction is typed into more than one system, for example billing software and then accounting software.
- Stock is held in several godowns, plants or branches with no consolidated view.
- Production or dispatch status is only known by phoning the plant or warehouse.
- Month-end reports take days to prepare and are out of date when they arrive.
Step 1: Define your requirements
Before looking at any software, list what the system must handle. A written requirement list keeps demos focused on your business instead of on the vendor's standard presentation.
- Departments and modules: inventory, purchase, production, sales and dispatch, accounting and GST, HR and payroll, field teams.
- Users: how many people in each department will use the system, and whether field staff need mobile access.
- Locations: plants, godowns, branches and whether stock must be tracked separately at each.
- Industry-specific needs: for example batch-wise inventory in FMCG, plant operations in cement, or distributor stock in consumer goods.
- Reports: the reports owners and managers need every day, week and month.
- Integrations: accounting software (Tally, Busy), payment gateways, WhatsApp messaging, CRM or e-commerce tools you plan to keep.
Step 2: Decide on deployment
ERP software is usually deployed in the cloud (hosted by the vendor or a data centre and used through a browser) or on-premise (installed on servers you own). Cloud deployment avoids buying and maintaining servers and makes access from several locations easier. On-premise deployment keeps data on your own hardware but makes you responsible for servers, backups and security.
Ask each vendor which deployment options they support, where data is hosted, how backups work and how users are given or removed access.
Step 3: Understand what drives ERP pricing
ERP prices vary widely, so compare quotes on the same basis. The main cost factors are:
- Number of modules selected.
- Number of users, and whether pricing is per user, per module or a fixed licence.
- Customisation needed for your industry or processes.
- Data migration from existing spreadsheets or software.
- Integrations with accounting, payment or messaging tools.
- Training and onboarding.
- Ongoing support and annual maintenance contracts (AMC), including on-site support if needed.
Step 4: Plan the implementation
Most ERP projects that struggle do so because of process and data issues, not software. A sound implementation usually follows these stages:
- Business analysis and process mapping, so the system is configured around how the business really works.
- Configuration and customisation of modules.
- Data preparation: cleaning item masters, customer and supplier lists and opening balances before import.
- Integration setup and testing with the tools you keep.
- User training, ideally by role, with recorded or video material for new staff.
- A planned go-live, often in phases by module or location, followed by a support period.
Questions to ask an ERP vendor
- Can you show the software using our own workflow and sample data?
- Which parts are standard and which need customisation, and how is customisation priced?
- How will our existing data be migrated, and who is responsible for cleaning it?
- Which integrations do you support today, and with which tools?
- What training is included, and how are new employees trained later?
- What support is available after go-live, and what does an AMC cover?
How Perfect ERP Software approaches ERP selection
Perfect ERP Software develops DialERP, an ERP covering production tracking, multi-location inventory, purchases, sales and dispatch, HR and payroll, GST-ready accounting and field force management. Every project starts with business analysis and process mapping, followed by configuration, onboarding and video-based training, with ongoing support and on-site and AMC options after go-live. Pricing is quote-based because it depends on the modules, users and customisation required.
Frequently asked questions
How much does ERP software cost?
There is no single price. Cost depends on the modules, number of users, customisation, data migration, integrations, training and support you need. Ask each vendor for a quote based on the same written requirement list so the quotes can be compared.
How long does ERP implementation take?
It depends on the number of modules, locations and integrations, and on how ready your data is. Phased rollouts, starting with the most important modules, reduce risk for growing businesses.
Can I keep Tally or Busy if I move to an ERP?
Often, yes. Many ERPs, including DialERP, integrate with Tally and Busy so operational transactions flow into the accounting software your team already uses.
Is ERP only for large companies?
No. Small and medium businesses use ERP when separate billing, stock and accounting tools start causing duplicate entry and mismatched numbers. Starting with a few modules and adding more later is common.
More buying and implementation advice: all guides.
Talk to us about your requirements
Book a free, no-obligation demo. Our team will show the software using your workflow and prepare a quote based on the modules and users you need.
or call +91-9999365655
