Tips by ERP gurus:

Here are a few tips by ERP gurus:


1. Create workable ERP implementation goals and plan. Be smart and create a process that has stages and involves all concerned at each stage. Test the ERP at every stage; this will smoothen out kinks when they are small.
2. The ERP implementation should be a hands on process for end users. Involve the employees who will handle ERP process in both planning and execution.
3. In case ERP is not in your skill set then get a ERP consult who will work hand in hand with your team. This will iron out the implementation process and give insights.
4. Give training in ERP importance. Include training costs in the ERP implementation budgets. A well trained team means a lot especially when the organization is new to ERP systems.
5. Tone down ERP ambitions to workable levels. Implement ERP in stages this will ensure returns on your investments. Teams often get carried away and push for going all the way in one go
6. If you are using a ASP for your hosting model then think about aspects like cookie cutter solutions and customization options.
7. Be smart and choose an ERP that is industry standards based.
8. Well before purchase find out about training and maintenance costs.
9. Look into aspects like expansion / upgrade possibilities.
10. Take a close look at your business processes and determine the changes you may need to implement to fit into the ERP software functions.
11. Before contracting with an ERP vendor do a market survey to determine vendor’s stability. Find out how long the vendor has been in the ERP business and his performance.
12. Ensure that the “return on investment” is in figures. Simulate the ERP suite and make calculations to verify figures. Never go buy promises that are not definite numbers.
13. Ask about customization assistance from the vendor. A good vendor must be willing to hold your hand through the ERP implementation process.
14. Get professional help in contract negotiations. Ensure that your interests are well protected.
15. Pay close attention to the ERP implementation, quality of data, workflow. Track the process during season and off season too.

Which Tier of ERP software is Right for You?

For your understanding, ERP Software classified into three categories: Tier I, II and III.

Tier I
These are the most well known of the software packages such as SAP®, BAAN®, ORACLE®, and PeopleSoft®,...... These software packages handle everything from the banking industry to supermarkets.

Characteristics include:

Used by many Fortune 500 companies. Tier I vendors are starting to market to midsize manufacturers. In some cases, they sell software purchased from other vendors. Other vendors offer a subset of their own software under the assumption that smaller companies don’t need as much functionality.

Used by large international companies In a lot of cases a full time “team” is required on the part of the company implementing the software.Implementation teams are usually augmented with third party consultants

Usually priced by modules and by number of users

Tier II - this is where ICIM ERP fits
These vendors are a good fit for most small and midsize manufacturers. The software provided by these vendors offer rich functionality and run on a variety of technologies. Expect higher involvement from these vendors or their representatives in the implementation of the software. For companies with any type of complexity in manufacturing, sales or engineering processes; software packages in this Tier would be a good choice.

Characteristics include:

• Offer a high degree of functionality.
• May be targeted to a specific industry. Some software packages were first developed to support a specific industry. These work well in their particular industry but struggle when used outside that industry.
• The software is normally sold through a Value Added Reseller (VAR). The same VAR will offer implementation services as well (see note below).
• A significant amount of consolidation has taken place amongst Tier II vendors. It is not uncommon to see one vendor offer many different ERP packages.
• Usually priced by user

Tier III
These vendors offer what is often referred to as “canned” software. If across the board, standard business practices are used throughout the company or if all that is required is accounting and light inventory control, these packages will probably be a good fit.

Characteristics include:

• Easy to use screens.
• Installation CDs. Usually windows based.
• Self-taught tutorials are usually the extent of the training.
• Many times priced by module.

Why Choose Custom Software?

Why Choose Custom Software?

To meet the software needs of your business, there are two main paths:
Buy software “off the shelf”
Build custom software

In most cases, off-the-shelf makes the most sense, and it should be your default choice:

buy off-the-shelf software is usually faster than getting custom software developed. Even complex installation and configuration it typically faster than developing new software.

buy Off-the-shelf software is generally cheaper than developing your own. The development cost of an off-the-shelf package is distributed among multiple firms, possibly many firms worldwide. These many customers more than offset the extra cost of mass production and distribution. Comparatively, with custom software your business alone bears most of the costs.

Off-the-shelf software typically has years of testing and years of production use, as well as feedback and improvement, giving confidence that it actually works.

Off-the-shelf software may include a money-back guarantee in case it does not meet your needs.

There are good reasons, though, to consider custom development, especially in mid-sized or large companies. Under the right circumstances, these advantages can make the decision to develop software the best choice.

When come to "Build custom software " it is a Exactly the Software You Want

The features might not actually work.
The features might work but still not meet your needs.
The features might interact with each other badly, even though they work in isolation.

Custom software, though, is almost infinitely adaptable to your needs. A custom development firm will develop the features you request, and will make them interact properly for your specific needs only.

To Get Different Results, Use Different Software
If you are running a for-profit business in a competitive industry, you have an added incentive to consider custom software. With off-the-shelf software, you will end up using the same software that your competitors are using.

What’s is Microsoft Dot NET ?

Microsoft .NET (pronounced “dot net”) is a completely new development platform. There is a lot of press and hype about .NET. What will .NET do for you and your company?” Microsoft has incorporated many significant improvements into this completely new platform.


This platform offers many tangible benefits for both manufacturing companies and ERP developers:

.NET insulates software developers from the different operating systems so its easier to deploy, install, maintain
It runs faster, is more secure and hacker-resistant

The .NET platform makes it easier to leverage the Internet and conduct E-Commerce with your supply chain
.NET-based systems will be reduce the cost of software ownership

Many ERP vendors with products using outdated technology will require a huge development cost and a complete rewrite to fully incorporate .NET. Many vendors will add minimal .NET functionality to be able to state their products use .NET.

Select the best team members for ERP project.

Select the best team members for the project.


The better the project team members, the better the project’s results. Having knowledgeable, team-oriented people on the project will be invaluable for success. Remember the following criteria for selecting team members:

1. Choose Members Based on Knowledge and not Tenure
2. Keep the Group Size Between Five and Ten People
3. Identify Not Only the Team Members but Departmental Back Up Representatives as well
4. Choose Members Who Can Dedicate the Time Required for Project Participation
5. Choose Members Who are Well-Liked, Well-Known, Considered Knowledgeable, and   Respected within the Organization
6. Choose Positive Individuals Who Welcome Change

Selecting team members who are the least valuable to the organization to be on the project team because it will minimize the disruption to daily operations will doom a software selection project before it begins.

BANK RECONCILIATION

BANK RECONCILIATION MODULE
Manage all bank-related transactions through a single, automated process and ensure fast access and tight control for mission-critical financial information.

The Server: Do you have what you need?

It is highly recommended that mid-market accounting packages reside on their own dedicated server.


Your Partner will be able to provide you with the minimum system requirements, but servers come in “Honda Civic” to “Rolls Royce” versions – so you will need to rely on a trusted IT advisor.

If you decide to set up a portal (a secure online site to view data) for your system, this may require an additional server called an IIS server.
 
If you have a large number of reports, and run them on the same server as your application, it can dramatically impact performance. The result is frustrated users and complaints.

Plan ahead and distribute the processes evenly across multiple servers if necessary.