ERP software makes it easy to automate, which saves time and money. It is being adopted by all kinds of organizations at a fast pace.

ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning and enables the storage, management and interpretation of data. Ideal for maintaining voluminous data, ERP software makes it easy for companies to manage data related to product planning, shipping and payments, human resources, finances, etc.

Although 100% of companies still do not trust ERP, most of them are aware of its existence, largely due to its great advantages.

Generally speaking, there are two forms of ERP implementation: on-premises ERP and cloud-based ERP. On-premises ERP is primarily about keeping the ERP software and associated data in the customer’s own organization. Cloud-based ERP, on the other hand, requires clients to get their software and data hosted on another server, which can be accessed online.

ERP on premises

According to research firm Gartner, the on-premises ERP industry in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 17%, taking it to $538 million by 2017 from $178 million in 2013.

Currently, a large number of healthcare facilities, educational institutions, hotels and resorts, multinational companies, and banking organizations are using ERP. Directly related to the ROI of organizations, ERP facilitates better management of resources and data. And when India is strong in terms of technically skilled professionals, the ERP market is sure to witness impressive growth.

Cloud-based ERP / SaaS implementation

SaaS-based ERP is most likely preferred by small and medium-sized businesses. Gartner studies state that reduced cost and faster implementation are the main reasons behind this development. This is because ERP solutions based on ‘software as a service’ help client organizations implement ERP applications in cloud environments. ERP software and related data is centrally hosted and accessed via the web.

While even large corporations are shifting to cloud-based ERP models, apprehensions due to data security, network issues, and limited customization have kept their uptake rate so far. However, continued improvements will surely give SaaS-based ERP implementation a much-needed boost in the near future.

ERP Software Service Providers

Like any other technology, the ERP world is teeming with service providers. The products they offer differ in a variety of ways, including performance, features, capacity, etc. Considering the various options that businesses have, the selection is not only made based on features, but also taking into account business requirements and budget constraints.

Small companies

For small businesses, the ERP solution from Microsoft, ie Microsoft Dynamics, plays a crucial role. It provides solutions for business intelligence and reporting, operations and human resources, and financial and supply chain management. Of the various standalone solutions, Microsoft’s Axapta (Dynamics AX) and Navision (Dynamics NAV) products offer amazing distribution and manufacturing capabilities. These products are widely used in European regions. Microsoft also offers the Great Plains (GP) ERP solution that has strong financial capabilities. GP enjoys wide acceptability in the United States.

Medium businesses

Epicor and Infor are the two organizational names that appear in terms of ERP implementation for midsize companies. Serving more than 20,000 customers in nearly 150 countries, Epicor has robust ERP solutions for distribution, manufacturing, lumber and construction, retail, and more. The company’s ERP implementations have led to 100% growth in ROI for various configurations such as hospitality, finance, apparel, medical, etc. Epicor has also been recognized once for achieving the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO) and total cost per user of software for midsize corporations.

Infor, the third largest ERP maker, has more than 70,000 customers in 200 countries. You have ERP software for product configuration management, customer relationship management, enterprise asset management, product lifecycle management, and various other business tasks. Over the years, Infor has greatly enhanced its service offering not only through innovation, but also through critical business acquisitions.

Enterprise level/large companies

SAP SE (Systems, Applications & Products in Data Processing), known for its SAP ERP solutions, is the largest enterprise software company. SAP software is used primarily in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Canada, the United States, Asia Pacific, and Japan. Its software solutions include ERP systems for human resource management, manufacturing, finance, payroll, and customer relationship management. Highly preferred by large enterprises around the world, SAP ERP systems are effectively consolidated for the latest mobile, cloud, and in-memory technologies.

Oracle Corporation, the world’s second largest software company, is certainly another highly preferred ERP system provider. In cutting-edge competition with SAP SE, Oracle ERP solutions are known for their robustness, data integrity, and security features. With the acquisitions of PeopleSoft (with JD Edwards) and Siebel Systems, Oracle’s customer base includes some of the most reputable companies in the world. It offers ERP solutions for supply chain management, human capital management, etc.

Due to the huge profits, continuous innovations and several other advantages that ERP implementations offer, your market is poised for a bright future! So it makes a lot of sense for people to undertake this domain as a career goal. This is because the need for ERP-trained technicians will undoubtedly increase as the market progresses.

What product to choose?

Well, that completely depends on your professional vision and level of commitment!