Buy vs. Build ERP Systems
Even though it may initially be faster to install a canned Enterprising Resource Planning (ERP) system, what you sacrifice is the customization or tailoring your company needs to get the most out of the system. An ERP system which can be modified and tailored as a business' needs and practices change is almost invaluable in today's highly competitive global manufacturing market. When choosing whether to buy or build ERP software, businesses need to take into consideration price, functionality that is needed, potential for changes and growth within the company and how important a user friendly design is to productivity.

Many times a canned system can create road blocks for employees rather than constructive paths when it comes to usability and functionality. The templates used for canned software ERP are based on the processes and applications that the software providers feel have proven most efficient. The down side is that there is little room for change or customization for the customer in this situation. Also, with an excess of screens and menus that are not relevant, time is wasted and simple procedures can be unnecessarily complicated.

Having an ERP system homemade or built from the ground up can be beneficial as far as getting the exact functions your company needs to be productive. The downfall with the systems built from the ground up is that they traditionally take a long time to create and have to be re-created from scratch when it is time to upgrade. So keep in mind, if you build your own ERP software, you benefit from customization but that advantage comes at the expense of higher development and maintenance costs.

There is yet another avenue to explore in the buy vs. build arena. A few software companies, like Tuppas Software, are offering ERP software development that is both fast track and customized. They utilize a frame work tool with which the ERP software entry screens and reports can be quickly modified in a matter of hours, instead of weeks. This allows companies to have a software system which can grow with them and is easy to change. The customer's own IT personnel can even extend and modify the systems if desired.

Build-or-Buy questions to Consider:

• Cost
• Functionality
• Intuitiveness
• User-Friendly Design
• Easily Upgradable

Since canned systems contain restraints and customized systems built from the ground up can be costly and time consuming, you may want to consider a tailored ERP system for your business. Tailoring a system from a base module rather than starting from scratch can be both cost and time effective. A configured system allows for peak productivity due to its intuitive design. Upgrades and changes can be made quickly and easily and saves money in several ways. Money is saved in the workplace by having a system that is user friendly and by not having large amounts wasted on IT professionals to upkeep or build the software.

If packaged software is what is in your price range consider Seradex Software. Seradex ERP Software is used to support your entire business and consists of modules such as Estimating, Sales Orders, Field Service, Production, Inventory Control, Procurement, Distribution, Human Resources, Finance and Accounting. If tailored software is more appropriate for your business needs try Tuppas Software. Tuppas offers over 50 modules and provides a comprehensive collection of ERP software solutions that can be purchased as a collection or one at a time. Their highly configurable systems includes all of the functionality needed to run the entire organization from one application.