Key Modules / Functional Areas
Typical modules or areas included in an ERP solution are:
| Module | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Finance & Accounting | General ledger, accounts payables / receivables, cash flow, budgeting, financial reporting and compliance. |
| Human Resources (HR) & Payroll | Staff records, recruitment, payroll, performance management, leave and attendance, benefits administration. |
| Procurement / Purchasing | Supplier management, purchase orders, invoice matching, contract management. |
| Inventory & Supply Chain Management | Stock levels, warehouse management, order fulfilment, procurement, demand/supply forecasting. |
| Sales & Customer Relationship Management (CRM) | Order management, quotations, customer data, sales pipeline, customer service. |
| Manufacturing / Production / Operations (if relevant) | Production planning, scheduling, work orders, quality management. |
| Project Management | Costs, scheduling, resources, delivery, tracking of tasks and budgets. |
| Analytics, Reporting & Business Intelligence | Dashboards, KPIs, real-time and/or scheduled reporting, data visualisation. |
Deployment Models
SMEs usually have different requirements, resources, and constraints, so offering flexible deployment is vital. Key options include:
- On-premises deployment — ERP is installed and run on client’s own servers. Greater control; more responsibility around maintenance, backups, security.
- Cloud / SaaS deployment — Vendor hosts the ERP in the cloud. Advantages include lower upfront hardware cost, easier updates, remote access, scalability.
- Hybrid deployment — Some parts of ERP in cloud, others on-premises. Combines benefits and trade-offs.
Service Components You Provide
To deliver a full ERP service, your consultancy should offer:
-
Needs Assessment & Gap Analysis
Evaluate the SME’s existing systems, processes, data flows and identify pain points and requirements. -
Solution Selection & Vendor Evaluation
Help the client choose between off-the-shelf ERP systems, open-source or custom software, cloud vs on-premise, module sets, etc. -
Process Mapping & Reengineering
Map existing business processes and reengineer them if needed for efficiency and to fit best practices. -
Customisation & Configuration
Tailor the ERP implementation to the SME’s specific workflows, preferences, regulatory needs, and industry specifics. -
Integration
Connecting ERP with other systems: CRM, e-commerce, payroll, legacy systems, etc. Ensuring data flows smoothly. -
Data Migration
Cleanse, map, migrate historical data to the new ERP system without losing integrity. -
Implementation, Testing & Go-Live
Setting up the system, rigorous testing (user acceptance, functional, performance), training staff, cutover planning. -
Training & Change Management
Helping the client’s people adapt: training, developing guides, managing resistance, ensuring adoption. -
Support, Maintenance & Upgrades
After go-live, provide support (bug fixes, user queries), periodic upgrades (new versions, patches), performance monitoring. -
Analytics & Continuous Improvement
Build dashboards, KPI tracking; review performance periodically; propose further tweaks, automations, or module add-ons.
Benefits for SMEs
When you deliver ERP/Enterprise Software solutions, here are the benefits SMEs can expect:
- Streamlined Operations — Elimination or reduction of manual, duplicated or error-prone tasks.
- Improved Visibility & Decision-Making — Access to real-time data across the business. Consistent, accurate reporting.
- Cost Savings Over Time — Reduced overhead, fewer systems/vendors to maintain, lower administrative/operational costs.
- Scalability — As the business grows, adding modules or capacity becomes easier.
- Better Customer Experience — Fulfilling orders more reliably; having consistent customer data; quicker response times.
- Regulatory Compliance & Financial Control — Better audit trails, accounting accuracy, compliance with tax, payroll, data protection laws.
Challenges & Risks
It's also wise to be upfront about risks when offering this service, and to plan accordingly:
- Mis-aligned expectations: scope creep, underestimating time or cost.
- Resistance to change: staff may be used to legacy systems; adoption issues.
- Data migration issues: legacy data may be messy; mapping errors can lead to data loss.
- Integration complexity: connecting with older or disparate systems can be difficult.
- Cost overruns or delays if requirements are unclear.
What Clients Can Expect from Working with You
A potential client contracting your service should expect:
- A clear proposal / scope document describing which modules will be delivered, timelines, responsibilities.
- Transparent cost estimates (licensing, implementation, training, ongoing maintenance).
- Regular check-ins, progress updates, testing milestones.
- Post-launch support: you don’t just deliver and leave; you help smooth out the issues.