Strategizing and managing business processes is one of the most crucial things for a successful business. But by developing an ERP system, you can achieve it. An ERP system has all the features that can manage specific business operations.
But, do you know how to develop ERP software? We’ll help you learn about ERP systems and the crucial steps of building a custom ERP model. We’ll also discuss the various advantages that implementing an ERP system provides to the company.
Contents
What is ERP Software?
ERP systems assist firms in running their day-to-day operations and developing a strategic vision for the future of their organizations. ERP systems build an interconnected environment that can include all operational departments. To expand the company’s capacity and save costs, ERP gathers data from them and puts it to use.
An ERP system gathers information from various departments, processes it, and aids in streamlining various daily business activities. Its main benefits are the transparency and coherence it adds to various corporate operations. Enterprise performance management, a piece of software that aids in planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting financial outcomes for a business, is another component of an ERP system.
How to Develop an ERP Software?
You’ve come to the proper place if you’ve chosen to build a unique ERP web application that meets specific your company’s requirements. For example, to develop the best ERP software in UAE, businesses can connect with one of the top-most companies in Dubai, FirstBit.
One of the most challenging development projects is the creation of an ERP system, which calls for a clear understanding of your company’s expansion plans.
You’ll be halfway there if you understand how to approach this challenge. Here is a quick approach to creating an ERP system tailored to your company. Let’s get started.
Clarify your Expectations
ERP modules generally feature SME-specific components for small firms. Your business must provide answers to two key questions before establishing your development process:
- What business requirements should an ERP web app fulfill for your company?
- Is your business equipped with the knowledge necessary to construct ERP, or would working with an outside vendor be preferable?
When formulating the objectives and specifications for the enterprise resource planning system, involve key company stakeholders and IT professionals. Ensure to set realistic expectations.
To produce a valuable and high-quality product, it’s crucial to identify your company’s objectives. Then, you can speak with staff employees from various departments to learn about their issues and decide how to use the ERP system to resolve them. A good ERP system should be able to control data flows across various activities and automate repetitive tasks.
Develop an ERP System Design
If this is your first time implementing resource planning software, educate yourself on the basic requirements of ERP systems. Your next step in the ERP development process is to prepare a layout outlining the ideal structure for your resource planning system.
Including representatives from each department in planning is crucial when creating an ERP for a large organization. Ensure that the UI/UX design of your ERP module is user-friendly.
Begin Wireframing
The next step in the ERP development process is to start wireframing. But first, you must choose the type of system you want to install.
You need to choose the system that you want to install. There are two popular choices: client/server ERP or web-based ERP software.
Structure the development process step by step. Participating in wireframing is a good choice if you’re outsourcing your ERP to a third-party team so you can stay informed. The essential steps to do at this point are listed below:
- Define modules: List the modules your ERP needs based on their functions. Depending on your needs, these modules might combine CRM, finance management, supply chain management, etc.
- Resources needed: Specify the size of the development team and the help the team will need.
- Time required: Define an estimated timeline for the project, even if you might not be able to meet specific deadlines.
Choose the Appropriate Technology
For ERP system development, selecting the right technology is crucial. So let’s take a look at the choices below:
- Hosting: ERP systems can be hosted on local servers or in the cloud. Most businesses use cloud-based ERP software because the cloud is considered more secure and does not need constant in-house maintenance.
- Database: To store corporate data, pick a reliable database. Usually, there are two types of databases: relational and non-relational. The decision you make will affect how your system uses and organizes data. Small businesses that want standardization must use relational/SQL databases. Due to their ability to store data in various easily manageable formats, such as JSON files, NoSQL, or non-relational databases, they are a better choice for complex data infrastructures.
- Choose a programming language for ERP Software Development: JavaScript is a good option because it is a general-purpose web language. Front-end programming works best with JavaScript frameworks, and back-end development works best with Node.js.
Integrate The ERP Modules
Before any company develops an ERP system, they usually rely on various workflows and apps to manage crucial processes. So, before you start any progress on the ERP software development, you need to hand over the old apps and databases to the ERP development company. While creating a new app requires much work, ERP developers can enjoy reconfiguring legacy apps. Besides, the coding process will be significantly accelerated by doing this.
Test the ERP Implementation
After you have transferred all your company’s data into a centralized planning system, it is time to test it. The following steps are crucial in the review process:
- Check to see if the software meets the original integration, security, and functionality requirements.
- Conduct accounting or sales processes across various modules to test the ERP’s functionality. Determine the accuracy of the results the system produces.
- Test specific modules and module sets using focus groups. For instance, the HR division will probably use a mix of modules designed for payroll processing, human resource management, and personnel records. Ask a few members of the target department to use the modules, then gather their feedback to see how they function together.
- Perform a security audit. You can integrate Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with dynamic security testing. It will enable you to check emerging vulnerabilities and take action.
Test each part of your product when you build an ERP from scratch. Hire various QA engineers to test the system. The QA engineers will help you find and fix all the bugs. Engaging your employees while testing an ERP system is also a good idea. They can help you by revealing the weak sides of the system.
Cost of Developing an ERP System
There is no one-size-fits-all ERP. Developing an ERP might cost anything between $20,000 to several millions of dollars. When setting your budget, keep in mind that the price of developing an ERP system often depends on the number of departments that will use it and the functionalities it will provide. Large organizations demand greater users and a broader range of features. So developing an ERP system for a large company costs far more than for small firms.
You can always predict average expenses for companies of any size and determine a cost-effective approach for developing an ERP. So let’s take a look.
Determine the Number of Users
Most SaaS enterprise software vendors charge at least $400 per user per month. You need to make calculations depending on your department’s or business’s size. If your needs are simple, the price of custom software can decrease.
Choose Only The Priority Requirements
Before contacting providers and development teams, make a detailed list of the apps and modules you need. Businesses that want everything tend to overspend for ERP development. Keep in mind that the price of an ERP depends on the number of features, so you can end up paying for features you won’t use. Make sure your list only contains the necessary parts.
Break Down the Cost
If you outsource the development of your ERP, compare the value of several software development companies and request detailed explanations of each proposal’s cost breakdowns. Then, select a service provider with an affordable rate. For example, a custom ERP module from an offshore provider may be relatively inexpensive compared to SaaS ERP software.
Continual Support Costs
For your ERP to remain operational over the long term, your business must set aside funds for continuous maintenance charges and frequent upgrades based on business requirements. This budget can cover various costs, depending on the complexity of your system and its development.
If you create your own ERP, you’ll need to choose a person or team in charge of its functionality. This implies that you’ll have to spend money on ongoing employee training for ERP management. Besides, you must pay a yearly or monthly subscription to use licensed software and receive support. Integrations, hosting, the delivery of new features, and customer support are all included in ongoing maintenance.
In either case, you must invest in care to keep your company’s ERP operating smoothly. The companies that find it challenging to afford extensive support, a few steps to cut the cost can help.
Outsource ERP Support
Although hiring and training in-house maintenance employees is expensive, large ERP suppliers have costly support packages. But, organizations looking to outsource maintenance have more affordable options.
Negotiate Limited Support
Most ERP maintenance packages are detailed and contain many support services you may not need. Examine the maintenance packages that your vendor provides. Try to bargain a cheaper rate with your service provider if you can do without some support features.
Customization
With customized ERP, you do not have to make daily changes to the system.Personalizing your ERP system makes it a better choice for businesses. So ensure to customize your ERP system for specific business needs.
Benefits of Developing an ERP System
Specific Modules
Enterprise resource planning software must be simple because several stakeholders and employees often use it. With a custom-built ERP, you just use the modules that your company needs. Furthermore, you can install the system using the principle of least privilege, where each department can only access the modules they actually need for their job.
Easy Maintenance
If you internally develop ERP software, your team members can provide continual customization and support for the system.
No Changes in the Workflow
Unlike off-the-shelf ERP software, our business will only have to alter its operational procedures to fit a non-customized management system better.
Final Words
ERP software development offers firms the chance to grow significantly. You can improve team efficiency and expand your reach to scale your revenue by automating API-based ecosystems. On the other side, quicker, more gratifying interactions also improve consumer experiences. So, invest in the best service providers for developing an ERP system for your company.
