An ERP system’s primary purpose is to automate business processes in order to increase business efficiency and provide better visibility. Most ERP deployments start out as a few functional processes around order processing and accounting functions out of the box. As companies grow the ERP tends to lack specific enterprise process functionality which requires the company to seek external stand alone solutions on the side or very complex and expensive engagements with the ERP provider for custom development. Customization of commercial ERPs have many negative consequences mostly around ability to migrate to new versions of software without reinventing the entire customized work that was done prior. In addition the cost to do so is a non started for most companies.
Building enterprise applications that meet business process requirements, provide competitive advantage and have superior synchronous integration is what all companies need to focus on. Going without these enterprise solutions, wishing the ERPs could mirror your desired process or engaging in customizing at your own peril with expensive price tags should not be options. Building them with insight and smart architecture to seamlessly connected with ERPs is the new Imperative.