ERP for all ?

alokechakravartty writes:

12/6/2007 #

I consider this comment made without much thought. Need for ERP was there even when we used to implement manual systems. The computer software is just a tool. The need for integrated system will always be there and will grow as long as there is growth in industry. In future also there will be requirement for control, connectivity and visibility which is possible if only there is a solution like computer software being offered now. Nature of computing may change but basic requirement will remain.

The main problem is that ERP is dominated by IT professional where as it should be dominated by people having business experience and knowledge.

The operating people know what they require and how the IT professional will have to understand or fallow what the consumers actually need then only that ERP will get accepted by all the companies. Most of the ERPs fail at post implementation and on implementation stage.

ERPs will have to be easy to handle and the user should be able to customise it they way they want. The manufactures of ERP should just make the basic structure and all customer specific requirements should be customised by the user. I think this change in coming sooner the ERP manufactures acknowledge it better it will be. Days of standardisation are over. No company or organisation can be cloned. Every organisation is different hiving different style of operation. Regulations also vary from county to country to country and region to region which is difficult to incorporate in one single product.

ERP keeps an organisation tight. One has to also look at the cost of ERP. In the world the percentage of small and medium companies are more and they can not afford large ERP solutions. Most expensive part is the implementation cost. I think if this part is transferred to the customer/user by giving them more training will give accelerated growth to ERP.

I do not think ERP has yet gone down below the elite level yet but need of the hour is to make it affordable for all .

Dr.Aloke Chakravartty
Dean -TIG Business Schools, Calcutta, India