Each company is different in their own unique ways however as much as we would like to think our processes are different than everyone else, we are all the same in certain ways. When it comes down defining the correct ERP software system it is often hard to decide what applications should be included within the system. Is scheduling production a large part of your organization or would you benefit better from a system which included a financials application?

There are benefits to researching software packages before purchasing a solution. First knowing your options is a large benefit. In general there are two types of ERP packages which can be purchased, canned and engineered. A canned solution is an application which can be installed into your enterprise and “turned on” immediately. These systems are created based on industry standards and while they offer a great deal of functionality sometimes they include unnecessary screens and functionality. Canned solutions are offered with a lower price tag and do not require or allow for modifications.

Engineered solutions present the option for users to customize the application to their specific company instead of conforming to industry standards. These applications may cost more than a canned system but do not include extra functionality of a canned solution. Generally these systems will take more time to develop and are not the best option if you need a system in place within a short time frame. Engineered solutions are more agile and user friendly, which means they require less training time for employees. Some of the engineered applications even offer the ability to be upgraded after the application is installed on your server.

Knowing whether your company will require a browser based solution is an area which should be looked into. Browser based allows for easier access in addition to anywhere access from any device which carries a browser. Search for a solution which your company will benefit from the most, sometimes it is worth paying a little more so that the system includes the applications your organization will require.

Some of the options available with and ERP solution include: Financials, Human Resources, Scheduling, Inventory, Purchasing, Training, Downtime, and Customer Service to name a few.