Fully integrated ERP

[clnmlls]

We are looking for a new integrated solution for our small company and hope someone on this forum may have experiences they can share.
I realise there is not a golden bullet to this question and also that we must adapt to new software and not expect a fully functional solution to our needs, however.

For reasons, too many to explain here, we need a new ERP/CRM platform integrated with a proven e comm site. My own thoughts fall into 2 somewhat conflicting reasoning.

One is that we should go with a robust well developed solution such as MSRMS linked with maybe Nitrosell. This gives us a more relaxed environment as most of what we need will be out the box and any upgrade (should) be straight forward and un-complicated. It's UK based and supported, however, it may also be relatively expensive and have long lead times to develop specific requirements.

Two is we go for an open source solution, cheaper to own and develop with a faster roll out of specific requirements that can be outsourced through any competent developer. An example here would be Magento with OpenERP. The downside would be that most customisations would need to be outsourced (html and a little CSS I can cope with but program language and SQL I have no time for). Also I would imagine that support, development, upgrading etc would be fragmented and that things would be more likely to break.

If anyone with any "hands on" knowledge with this situation can give us some pointers we would be very grateful.

 

[Hector.Mercury]

Salesorder.com is a small business ERP Software as a Service. You can deploy for free and connect as many users as you need. It's used by companies all over the world and EVERY customer gets free and personal support. Skyytek the largest SaaS ERP and CRM consultancy in the US who have successfully completed 750 SaaS implementations cited salesorder.com as probably the easiest to use and afford small business ERP.

 

[garyk]

Do you actually need ERP? I work with ERP systems and there is a huge difference between an accounting system and an ERP system, and to be blunt alot of people don't know the difference. Many systems claim to be ERP when in fact they are not. Additionally integration is a key issue, there is a distinct lack of a true integrated system, be it financials+CRM or ERP+CRM.

You should start with your detailed requirements first and work from there.

Gary

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

If you want something serious look mat Compiere or Adempiere. One of the most powerful and popular open source packages, it probably does what you require.

Please remember, to use ERP properly, it will probaly need a cultural change within your business.

FOr many/most smaller businesses, it is overkill!

 

[Hector.Mercury]

Gary makes a really good point. I would give the folks at salesorder.com a call, I found them remarkably impartial when we started on the quest for an ERP system. Their approach was refreshing in as much as they helped me think through what I did and didn't need and helped me understand which business processes should be added/improved and what my real system needs were and pointed me at the options in the market. They really are about finding the right fit and if their stuff doesnt fit then they will tell you.

 

[Hector.Mercury]

Gary makes a really good point. I would give the folks at salesorder.com a call, I found them remarkably impartial when we started on the quest for an ERP system. Their approach was refreshing in as much as they helped me think through what I did and didn't need and helped me understand which business processes should be added/improved and what my real system needs were and pointed me at the options in the market. They really are about finding the right fit and if their stuff doesnt fit then they will tell you.

Hope this helps

Hector

 

[clnmlls]

We have been using a "fully" integrated system for 7 years now we have EPOS, CRM, Ecom, Accounts, Reporting, Payment gateway. I fully understand all the differences between an accounting system vs ERP, for instance we used to run Sage Line 50 and Actinic for some years until we moved to an integrated platform.

My enquiry was whether any of the people on this forum had been through the same route and had any experiences and advice they could share.

Thanks for your reply Hector.

I would give the folks at salesorder.com a call, I found them remarkably impartial when we started on the quest for an ERP system. Their approach was refreshing in as much as they helped me think through what I did and didn't need and helped me understand which business processes should be added/improved and what my real system needs were and pointed me at the options in the market. They really are about finding the right fit and if their stuff doesnt fit then they will tell you.

I looked at salesorder.com but it did seem they were geared toward a USA market and also lacked the front end. You mentioned they helped find a solution for you so I may drop them a mail.

Colin

 

[stasilo]

We are looking for a new integrated solution for our small company and hope someone on this forum may have experiences they can share.
I realise there is not a golden bullet to this question and also that we must adapt to new software and not expect a fully functional solution to our needs, however.

For reasons, too many to explain here, we need a new ERP/CRM platform integrated with a proven e comm site. My own thoughts fall into 2 somewhat conflicting reasoning.

One is that we should go with a robust well developed solution such as MSRMS linked with maybe Nitrosell. This gives us a more relaxed environment as most of what we need will be out the box and any upgrade (should) be straight forward and un-complicated. It's UK based and supported, however, it may also be relatively expensive and have long lead times to develop specific requirements.

Two is we go for an open source solution, cheaper to own and develop with a faster roll out of specific requirements that can be outsourced through any competent developer. An example here would be Magento with OpenERP. The downside would be that most customisations would need to be outsourced (html and a little CSS I can cope with but program language and SQL I have no time for). Also I would imagine that support, development, upgrading etc would be fragmented and that things would be more likely to break.

If anyone with any "hands on" knowledge with this situation can give us some pointers we would be very grateful.

Check out SugarCRM. it's free(at least community edition).

 

[garyk]

crm is not erp and neither is an 'integrated' system.

 

[stasilo]

crm is not erp and neither is an 'integrated' system.

For reasons, too many to explain here, we need a new ERP/CRM platform integrated with a proven e comm site. My own thoughts fall into 2 somewhat conflicting reasoning.


There is Magento extension for integrating it with SugarCRM available on Magento site.

 

[mikejonesey]

I used to work for Factory Control Systems and would really really recommend you give them a ring. They provide ERP, CRM... and they can provide demos...

their phone no is 01273 271470

 

[davidww]

In the middle of this year, we start to use Openerp. It is a web based ERP software. By now we have integrated the purchase, manufacturing (mainly happened in our china shenzhen factory), stock managemetn, sales, customer support （in the UK area). This software has a free version and it is quite flexible and make tailored change for the business. It worth a try.

 

[blloyd]

Two is we go for an open source solution, cheaper to own and develop with a faster roll out of specific requirements that can be outsourced through any competent developer. An example here would be Magento with OpenERP. The downside would be that most customisations would need to be outsourced (html and a little CSS I can cope with but program language and SQL I have no time for). Also I would imagine that support, development, upgrading etc would be fragmented and that things would be more likely to break.

Last summer we evaluated 25+ open source CRM/ERP systems including OpenERP and found that none of the other packages out there even came close in terms of functionality, flexibility or extensibility. What was common to most of the platforms was the expectation of changing your business processes to match that of the software, as opposed to being able to adapt the software to match your business processes.

We are currently using a re-branded version of OpenERP (called junariCRM) which we have customised for use by the UK market. We have also been approached by a number of different vertical markets with a view to creating new modules for the system, each of which have been implemented with relative ease. We have also found that despite it's popularity, SugarCRM does not even come close in terms of adaptability.

Please feel free to check out some details of junariCRM or drop us a line via our forum. We'd love to receive any feedback from yourself as someone who has also investigated the Open Source ERP packages out there.