VARCoach MSPCoach Blog Helping VARs and MSPs build a bigger, better, stronger and smarter business
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is business management software—usually a suite of integrated applications—that a company can use to store and manage data from every stage of business, including:
- Product planning, cost and development
- Manufacturing
- Marketing and sales
- Inventory management
- Shipping and payment
You could say that an ERP solution encompasses an entire business. However, many VARs think of their Accounting System as their “ERP” but it only handles a portion of the requirements – “Financial”.
Typically, a VAR will have GL, Inventory, A/R, A/P and maybe a Payroll module. The first step for any VAR is to ensure they have not outgrown their current accounting system. Upgrading to the latest version of the software is usually a good next step. If you are using a very basic system, maybe it is time to consider the benefits of switching to a more robust solution.
VARs have a choice of either adding more functionality to their accounting system through third-party apps or migrating to a more comprehensive ERP solution.
Based on some of the challenges we discovered from VARs, here are a few questions to help you explore your needs:
1) Is your current system holding back your team back from doing their jobs or causing customer frustrations?
2) Do you have the latest version and what functions are available in new version of your application that you may need?
3) Is your team trained properly to use the system?
4) Can your system easily exchange data with different systems like e-commerce, Service Automation and CRM platforms?
5) Does your system offer convenient access through mobile devices?
6) How will managed services be processed?
7) How will recurring invoices and payments be managed?
8) What resources are involved in upgrading or migrating?
9) Should your application be in the Cloud?
10) Do you have the proper backup of data and disaster, security and recovery?
11) Can you get useful business intelligence from your system?
With the right ERP solution you can save a significant amount of time while improving performance on many levels. More importantly, it can help you get a competitive advantage. For example, the benefits of seamless integration with powerful tools like CRM can dramatically improve the performance of your company. As such, the end-result may justify the effort and cost to change.
We are not recommending any specific ERP brand, but we have seen HansaWorld’s ERP solution and it will get the job done for most VARs. In specific, the integrated CRM and the ability to run seamlessly on mobile devices are sure to increase your productivity. Most sophisticated ERP tools roughly do the same things so the key is to understand how tasks get done and how easy it is to use.
Is an ERP tool like HansaWorld right for your business? Is NetSuite, Dynamics, Sage, SAP or others better for you? We could never say yes or no until you go through the evaluation process. There are many white papers and tools available to help you research and formulate a decision, but even that does not really help. You should engage in some professional consultation services to ensure that your exact needs are met before you make the final decision.
A great side-benefit of using and mastering a World-Class ERP solution is that you will be in a better position to actually resell ERP to some of your SMB clients. It’s a lucrative market!
In case you are wondering, here is a comprehensive list of ERP companies:
| Vendor Company Name | Package |
| 3i Infotech | ORION Enterprise |
| 3rd Dimension Systems | Manufacturing Management |
| Abacus Data Systems | ADAMS |
| ABAS-USA | abas ERP |
| ABBASOFT Technologies | NetPartner & WebPartner |
| AccessIG | Pro-III Master |
| AccountMate Software Corporation | AccountMate for Express |
| AccountMate Software Corporation | AccountMate for LAN |
| AccountMate Software Corporation | AccountMate for SQL |
| AccountMate Software Corporation | Visual AccountMate |
| Acero Solutions | ACERO Enterprise |
| Activant | Prelude |
| Activant | Prophet 21 |
| Adonix | X3 |
| Advanced Business Software | ADaM |
| AIM Computer Solutions | AIM Vision |
| American Software | e-Intelliprise |
| AmericanERP | Automated Formula/Food Processing(AFP) |
| Aria Systems | ARIA Advantage Series |
| Avexus | Impresa |
| Axis Computer Systems | AXIOM |
| B&L Information Systems | BLIS-400 |
| BatchMaster Software | BatchMaster Enterprise |
| Blue Link Associates | Blue Link Elite |
| Bluebird Software LLC | Bluebird Accounting |
| BMA Software | BMA |
| Bowen & Groves | M1 |
| CIMA | CIMA |
| Cimnet Systems | Paradigm |
| Cincom Systems | CONTROL |
| CMS Software | CMSi5 |
| CompuEx | CompuEx Easy Accounting |
| CompuEx | CompuEx Express Accounting |
| CompuEx | Enterprise Accounting |
| Computer Generated Solutions | BlueCherry Enterprise |
| Computer Insights | The BUSINESS EDGE |
| Consona | DTR Plastics ERP |
| Consona | Encompix |
| Consona | INFINACS II |
| Consona | Made2Manage |
| COSS Systems | COSS Manufacturing |
| Cougar Mountain Software | CMS Professional Accounting Software |
| Cougar Mountain Software | Denali Premium Accounting |
| CRC Information Systems | THE System |
| CSB-SYSTEM International | CSB-System |
| Cubicorp,LLC | Cubic ERP |
| CYMA Systems, Inc. | CYMAIV Accounting for Windows |
| Datacom International | dataSTOR |
| Datacor | Chempax/CS |
| DataModes | TM4 |
| DBA Software | DBA Manufacturing Next-Generation |
| Deacom,Inc. | DEACOM |
| Discovery Solutions International | Discovery Management Software |
| Electronics For Imaging | EFI Print |
| EMR Innovations | ProcessPro |
| Enhanced Systems & Services | Finesse ERP |
| Enterprise Logix | Logix |
| Epicor Software Corporation | Epicor Financials Suite |
| Epicor Software Corporation | iScala |
| Epicor Software Corporation | Vantage |
| Epicor Software Corporation | Vista |
| Eshbel Technologies, Ltd. | Priority |
| ESI/Technologies | Emis |
| Everest Software Solutions | Everest Manufacturing Software |
| Exact | e-Synergy |
| Exact | Macola ES |
| Exact | Macola Progression |
| Exact Software | Alliance |
| Exact Software | JobBOSS |
| Exact Software | Macola ES |
| Exact Software | MAX ERP |
| Execontrol Global Solutions | EXEControl |
| Expandable Software | Expandable |
| Foresight Software | MXP |
| Freedom Applications | A.M.M.O. |
| Friedman Corporation | Frontier |
| General Data System | ProfitTool |
| Gillani | Endura iDistribute |
| Global Shop Solutions | Global Shop |
| Glovia International | glovia.com |
| HarrisData | HarrisData ERP |
| Henning Industrial Software | Visual EstiTrack |
| Horizon Software | MRP Plus |
| IFS North America | IFS Applications |
| IndustriOS Software | IndustriOS |
| InfoPower International | ERPDBO |
| Info-Power International | ABW |
| Infor Global Solutions | SyteLine |
| Infor Global Solutions | Adage ERP |
| Infor Global Solutions | Infor XA ERP |
| Infor Global Solutions | SSA ERP LN |
| Infor Global Solutions | SSA ERP LX |
| Infor Global Solutions | System21 Aurora |
| Infor Global Solutions | TRANS4M |
| Infor Global Solutions | VISUAL Enterprise |
| Infor Global Solutions | VISUAL Jobshop |
| Infor Global Solutions | Baan |
| Infor Global Solutions | Infor FMS (Financial Management System) |
| Ingenuity Software Corporation | Ingenuity Business Suite |
| Innov8 Computer Solutions | StepUp Accounting |
| Innovative Solutions International | EnterVision |
| In-Style Software | In-Style Software |
| Integrated Inventory Solutions | inxsql |
| Integrated Systems Technology | Intrust Win |
| International Business Systems | IBS |
| InterNetworkX Systems | ShopWorX ERP |
| Intertul | Info.Net |
| Intuit | Eclipse DMS |
| Intuit | QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions |
| Intuit | QuickBooks Online Edition |
| Intuit | QuickBooks Premier Editions |
| Intuit | QuickBooks Pro |
| Intuitive Manufactoring Systems | Intuitive ERP |
| IQMS | EnterpriseIQ |
| IT3 | IT3 Workspace |
| Jaas Systems | JAMS |
| JBM Logic | INTEGRA e-business |
| Jobscope Business Solutions | JOBSCOPE |
| JOMAR Softcorp International | E+ebusiness Application Suite |
| Knovalent | Knovalent Automotive |
| Lawson Software | Lawson M3 |
| Lawson Software | M3 Enterprise Financial Management |
| Lawson Software | S3 Enterprise Financial Management |
| ManEx | Manex ERP |
| Manufactoring Advisors | Catalyst Manufacturing |
| Manufactured & Distribution Systems | Myte Myke |
| Manufacturing Action Group (MAGI) | WinMAGI |
| Metalsoft | FabriTrak |
| Micron Software Systems | Hardgoods Distribution |
| Micron Software Systems | HDX |
| Microsoft Business Solutions | Dynamics AX |
| Microsoft Business Solutions | Dynamics GP |
| Microsoft Business Solutions | Dynamics NAV |
| Microsoft Business Solutions | Dynamics SL |
| Microsoft Business Solutions | Small Business Manager |
| Minotaur Software, Ltd. | Minotaur Business System |
| MISys | MISys Manufacturing System |
| MSI International | PowerShop ERP Software |
| MYOB | AccountEdge |
| MYOB | BusinessEssentials |
| MYOB | Premier Accounting Small Business Suite |
| NetSuite, Inc. | NetSuite |
| New Generation Computing | Redhorse |
| Nexxlink | Scoopsoft |
| OmegaCube Technologies | PowerERP |
| Open Systems, Inc. | TRAVERSE |
| OpenMFG | OpenMFG |
| Option Systems Limited | STYLEman |
| Oracle Corporation | JD Edwards EnterpriseOne & World |
| Oracle Corporation | NetLedger |
| Oracle Corporation | Oracle Financials (E-Business Suite) |
| Oracle Corporation | PeopleSoft Enterprise |
| Parity Corporation | ParityPro Food Enterprise |
| Passport Software | PBS Manufacturing Series |
| Peartree Software | MMS Suite |
| Peeriod Systems Corporation | NetCycle |
| Pentagon 2000 Software | Pentagon 2000 |
| Plexus Systems | Plexus Online |
| Pogressive Solutions | Lumber Track |
| proALPHA Software Corporation | proALPHA |
| Profit Solutions International | Abaci |
| ProfitKey International | Rapid Response Manufacturing |
| PRONTO North America | PRONTO Xi |
| QAD | MFG/Pro |
| Qantel Technologies | QMRP |
| Ramco Systems Corporation | Ramco Applications |
| Red Wing Software | TurningPoint |
| RES Software | CBI |
| Ross Systems | iRenaissance |
| Rover Data Systems | Millennium III |
| Sage Software | Accpac ERP |
| Sage Software | BusinessVision |
| Sage Software | BusinessWorks |
| Sage Software | ePeachtree |
| Sage Software | MAS 90 |
| Sage Software | MAS200 |
| Sage Software | MAS 500 |
| Sage Software | Peachtree |
| Sage Software | PFW ERP |
| Sage Software | Pro ERP |
| Sage Software | Sage PFW |
| Sage Software | Sage Pro |
| Sage Software | Simply Accounting |
| Sage Software | Timberline |
| SAP | Business One |
| SAP | mySAP All-in-One |
| SAP | mySAP ERP |
| SAP | R/3 |
| SapphireOne Pty Ltd. | SapphireOne |
| Sentai Software | Trax |
| Seradex | Seradex Manufacturing Software |
| Shoptech Software Corporation | E2 Shop System |
| SoftBrands | evolution |
| SoftBrands | Fourth Shift Edition of SAP Business One |
| Softrak Systems, Inc. | Adagio |
| Software 21 | FlexGen 4 – AE |
| SouthWare Innovations, Inc. | SouthWare Excellence Series™ |
| Synergistic Software Solutions | JobOps |
| SYSPRO | SYSPRO |
| Syspro | Syspro ERP |
| Technology Group International | Enterprise 21 |
| The Fredrick Group | TFG |
| TimberSoft | Woodwork for Windows |
| TIW Technology | shopLink |
| TIW Technology | WorkShop |
| Trakware Systems | TRAKware Software |
| TTW Incorporated | WinMan |
| Tuppas Corporation | Tuppas |
| Universal Business Systems | Paper Master |
| User Solutions | Resource Manager – DB |
| Vertical Systems | Manufacturing Systems |
| VerticalSoft | VerticalSoft 800 Series |
| Verticent | ERP Plus Suite |
| Vicinity Manufacturing | Vicinity |
| Visibility Corporation | VISIBILITY.net |
| Vision ERP Group North America | Caliach Vision |
| Visual 2000 International | Visual 2000 IIS |
| Vormittag Associates, Inc | S2K Enterprise |
| Vormittag Associates, Inc. | System 2000 |
| WorkWise | TCM |
| Xantel | AMAPS+PLUS |
| Xdata Solutions | GXD |
| Xperia | Comprehensiv |
