SMBs to benefit largely from ERP tools   

HYDERABAD:

IT helps organizations to streamline resources for better productivity and

scalability. While this is a well-known fact, what SMEs need to concentrate

on, are the best application and IT hardware options.






Discussing this in detail during the panel discussion on 'Need for ERP tools
in the SMB space' conducted by CIOL, Federation of Andhra Pradesh Commerce &

Indian Industries (FAPCII) president OP Goenka said, “For a sustainable

growth, companies need to have the right tools in the right place that could

perform various functions such as product and design functions or process

control, etc.”






The panelists discussed at length the pros and cons of a custom-developed
application and a standard ERP. Existing standard ERP users opined in unison

that a custom-developed application doesn't give a better solution and

support would be a major issue.






Elaborating on the cost effectiveness, Nagarjuna Agri Chemicals Ltd CIO, V
Srinivas said, “Agreed that it is an expensive application, but one can

recover the costs in the long run. Besides, one can implement a standard ERP in

modules as and when required. Companies need to identify the need to

integrate these applications as the company starts growing over a period of

time.”






Though there are companies who would like to spend that extra penny opting
for a standard ERP, vendors should equally help customers by extending

support and quality consulting as far as adopting best practices are

concerned. “Vendors should get into the shoes of the customers and help them

give a holistic picture of various benefits of the application and also

suggest them in deciding about choice of the application keeping in view

their business roadmap,” explained FAPCII SME development committee chairman

Shekhar Agarwal.






“ASP model is an evolving concept but confidentiality is an issue. But it
equally offers business benefits and more and more companies are opting for

it,” added Srinivas.