The Real Cost of an Enterprise Resource Planning System (2024)

Many companies began using enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems rather than accounting software applications.

An ERP system differs from accounting systems in that accounting systems only performaccounting-related tasks. An ERP system, however, can handle not only accounting tasks, but general business management tasks as well.

Overall, it's a more powerful platform.

An ERP system is essentially a suite of software packages that can perform accounting, product planning and development, manufacturing, inventory management, sales management, human resources, and other business tasks.

Like thecosts of an accounting system, you will want to consider not only the licensing fees when choosing an ERP system but the total costs of the ERP system itself:

  1. Implementation
  2. Training
  3. Development for Customization
  4. Process Redesign
  5. Maintenance
  6. Upgrades
  7. Support

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Cost 1: Implementation

The Real Cost of an Enterprise Resource Planning System (1)

It's necessary to have professionals install and configure your ERP system, so you will need to include these implementation costs in the total price of the ERP system. ERP systems are complex software applications, so you will likely need to change operating systems, upgrade or change servers, and change other hardware and software you use on your company’s network in order for the ERP system to run properly.

You will also need to –or should– set up a test environment as part of the implementation so you can test the ERP system without affecting your company’s real data. This can save a lot of potential working hours if there an issue with implementation.

Cost 2: Training

The Real Cost of an Enterprise Resource Planning System (2)

As mentioned, an ERP system is a complex software application that can be thought of as a suite of software programs that are simultaneously compatible. Your employees will need training on how to use the programs, because an ERP system is not as intuitive or easy-to-use like a basic accounting software program, such as QuickBooks or Peachtree.

Your company’s employees will need time and training. Often, the ERP vendor will provide additional training upon request at a standardized hourly rate. There will be times when a consultant becomes necessary, in the case of specialized content or particularly difficult need arises. In any case, you will need to factor these additional costs into your analysis when reviewing ERP systems for purchase.

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Cost 3: Development for Customization

The Real Cost of an Enterprise Resource Planning System (3)

The out-of-the-box functionality of an ERP system will not be enough for you to operate your business effectively. You willneed to incur some expense in developing customized reports so that your employees can perform their daily and monthly tasks with ease.

An ERP system can store a substantial amount of information, but users are limited in the ways that they can access the information. Therefore, it is not uncommon to have IT staff dedicated to developing customized reports for various departments so that business processes and analysis can be performed timely.

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Cost 4: Process Redesign

The Real Cost of an Enterprise Resource Planning System (4)

If your company is upgrading from an accounting software program to an ERP system, then you will certainly have a lot of processes that will need to be redesigned. For companies using accounting software, many tasks may be performed outside the software either manually in a paper format or a third party application such as MS Excel.

The acquisition of an ERP system should, in theory, mean that many of these tasks are being automated by the software to increase both accuracy and efficiency in performing these tasks. Even if your company is changing ERP systems, no two are alike so you can expect to have some changes in your company’s business processes to coincide with the software’s processes.

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Cost 5: Maintenance

The Real Cost of an Enterprise Resource Planning System (5)

You will need to maintain your ERP system so you will need to factor in these costs. ERP costs can include hardware, network, and labor costs from ITand other departments to ensure the system can run properly.

Maintenance costs for an ERP system typically run between 15–20% of the initial purchase price. An ERP set-up that cost $250,000, would carry, in theory, a maintenance cost of $37,500 to $50,000.

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Cost 6: Upgrades

The Real Cost of an Enterprise Resource Planning System (6)

Like all software programs, ERP systems require periodic upgrades to avoid becoming obsolete. You should consider how often you expect to upgrade your ERP system, and what these costs will be when you go through with the upgrade.

You should also consider that any upgrade may affect business processes, and require additional hardware or software so the system runs smoothly if your business is not run on a mirrored set-up while performing the updates or data transfer.

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Cost 7: Support

The Real Cost of an Enterprise Resource Planning System (7)

Your employees will run into trouble using the program, and you will detect numerous bugs with any ERP system so you will want to ensure that your vendor will provide you with adequate technical support to resolve these issues.

You should ask your vendor if this support is included in the licensing fee or is an additional cost, as tech support can end up affecting your bottom line if not included in the initial purchase, and isn't closely monitored.

The Real Cost of an Enterprise Resource Planning System (2024)

FAQs

The Real Cost of an Enterprise Resource Planning System? ›

A 2022 ERP report showed that the average budget per user for an ERP project is $9,000. When you factor in how many users your system may have (especially for larger businesses), and added costs, you'll find an ERP implementation can cost anything between $150,000 and $750,000 for a mid-sized business.

What is the real cost of an enterprise resource planning system? ›

A 2022 ERP report showed that the average budget per user for an ERP project is $9,000. When you factor in how many users your system may have (especially for larger businesses), and added costs, you'll find an ERP implementation can cost anything between $150,000 and $750,000 for a mid-sized business.

Which is true of an enterprise resource planning ERP system quizlet? ›

Which of the following statements is true of enterprise resource planning (ERP)? ERP systems are used to forecast sales and to create manufacturing plans and schedules to meet those forecasts.

Why are ERP systems so expensive? ›

Company Size and Industry

Larger companies will pay more for an ERP since they'll require more features and functions. Plus, the scale of their implementation will be larger, and therefore, will need more manpower. The industry your business is in will also affect the cost of an ERP.

How much does ERP cost per month? ›

This guide can help you at least get in the ballpark when estimating the total cost of ownership (TCO) of a new ERP. To start, the average cost of ERP software is between $1,740 and $9,330 per month, though this range can significantly increase depending on your annual revenue.

What is an enterprise resource planning system ___? ›

Definition of enterprise resource planning (ERP)

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) refers to a type of software that organizations use to manage day-to-day business activities such as accounting, procurement, project management, risk management and compliance, and supply chain operations.

What is an enterprise resource planning system quizlet? ›

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Combines departments and functional information systems into a single, integrated software program that runs off a single database so that the various departments can more easily share information and communicate with each other.

Which of the following statements about ERP system is true? ›

The correct answer is "option 2". CONCEPT: ERP which stands for Enterprise Resource Planning is a software used by organizations for business activities like: Project management.

Which of the following is true regarding enterprise resource planning quizlet? ›

Which of the following is true regarding enterprise resource planning (ERP)? It makes the process of sharing information between business activities easier.

What is true about enterprise resource planning? ›

Definition of enterprise resource planning (ERP)

A complete ERP suite also includes enterprise performance management, software that helps plan, budget, predict, and report on an organization's financial results. ERP systems tie together a multitude of business processes and enable the flow of data between them.

Does ERP reduce cost? ›

It is an effective way to reduce operational costs and increase profit margins within a business. Despite ERP being labeled as a single software, there are multiple different forms of ERP systems. Various modules and features can be added or removed to an ERP software to meet the unique demands of a business.

Is cost a disadvantage of ERP? ›

Key disadvantages include the high costs of ERP software, its complexity, slow implementation, and data migration. If you want your procurement process to be as efficient as possible, it's best to invest in a P2P solution that provides integration with an ERP system.

What is the most expensive ERP system? ›

Sage ERP solutions is one of the most expensive on the market, with ERP costs of $2600 per month, but this price accounts for three users.

What factors affect the total cost of an ERP system? ›

The price you pay for an ERP depends on your company's needs and how good a job you do at planning for implementation. The cost of ERP doesn't just hinge on your subscription to or licensing of a program — it includes aspects such as the number of users, deployment method and training.

Are ERP systems worth it? ›

Since an ERP records and stores all the data users input, it makes for an excellent business intelligence tool. As long as your vendor provides strong functionality, ERP software makes it easier and faster for your team to generate various reports.

What is ERP in product planning and cost? ›

ERP software helps the business or manufacturer to provide the complete set of their cost. It can handle the data about the production. It helps the manufacturer, business to maintain their cost of raw material, material transportation charges, advertising cost, maintenance cost, etc.

What are the 3 common types of ERP? ›

There are three main types of ERP systems that function with different deployment model options. The most common types of ERP systems include cloud ERP, on-premise ERP, and hybrid ERP.

What is an ERP system examples? ›

For example, ERP systems typically include accounting, inventory management, human resources, customer relationship management (CRM), supply chain management (SCM), manufacturing execution systems (MES), production scheduling, and financial reporting.

What is another name for enterprise resource planning? ›

There are a lot of synonyms for enterprise resource planning (ERP): financial suite, system software, basic operating system, business planning software, and so on.

What is the main function of enterprise resource planning? ›

As the name suggests, ERP's primary goal is to manage the various resources within the company to make sure they are being utilized in a cost-effective way. It is also designed to make sure that all resources are being used efficiently.

What are the primary business benefits of an ERP system? ›

Benefits Of ERP
  • Enhanced Business Reporting: Better reporting tools with real-time information. ...
  • Better customer service: Better access to customer information. ...
  • Improved Inventory Costs: ...
  • Boosted Cash Flow: ...
  • Cost Savings: ...
  • Better Data & Cloud Security: ...
  • Business Process Improvements: ...
  • Supply Chain Management:
May 25, 2021

Which statement best describes a enterprise resource planning ERP system? ›

Expert Answer. Option (d)- ERP tool is an integrated software platform that allows organizations to perform day-to-day business operations like accounting, procurement, risk management, and supply and chain operations.

Which is the main characteristic of an ERP system? ›

The present study outlines what could be considered as an ERP by first determining the essentially required characteristics of such a system: integration, flexibility and transversality. Indicators are then provided in order to operationalise these three characteristics.

Which of the following statements is not correct about ERP system? ›

Basically, it is a software which manages or integrate the planning, sales, financing and purchasing inventory. So, the option which is not true is that it only records the quantitative, not the qualitative information. Hence, the correct option is D.

Which one of the following items is the advantage of an enterprise resource planning system? ›

One of the most significant advantages of ERP system leveraging is data security. After all, at the heart of the ERP concept is data. Sharing data across functional silos such as customer service, sales, marketing and business development enhances collaboration throughout a company.

Which one of the following is not in the scope of enterprise resource planning system? ›

​Hence, the Employee promotion policy is not the scope of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

Which three of the following processes are part of enterprise resource planning? ›

Generally there are three deployment options for ERP systems; Cloud-based, on-premise, and a hybrid of the two. Within these options, a business can choose from hundreds of types such as finance, supply chain management, and human resource management.

On which of the following is the ERP system based? ›

ERP is usually referred to as a category of business management software—typically a suite of integrated applications—that an organization can use to collect, store, manage and interpret data from many business activities. ERP systems can be local based or cloud-based.

Is ERP implementation an expensive and time consuming? ›

A new ERP system is a major investment and its implementation is always time consuming.

Why not to use ERP? ›

It's expensive. On-premise ERPs have a reputation for being expensive. At first, you incur the upfront cost to acquire the hardware and software for setting up the system at your premises. Then you must pay the IT team for regular maintenance and debugging.

What can go wrong with ERP systems? ›

Not preparing your staff for the change, and not giving your staff enough training on the new system are some of the most common reasons that ERP projects fail — and they can also result in employees resenting the new system because they don't understand the point of the system, or how to use it.

What is the failure rate of ERP? ›

According to Gartner, ERP implementations failure rates can exceed 75%. Meanwhile, global consultancy McKinsey estimates that more than 70% of all digital transformations fail. Understanding some of the reasons why ERP implementations fail before starting your project can help you mitigate risks and ensure success.

Who uses ERP the most? ›

Industries that benefit most from ERP
  • Manufacturing.
  • Distribution.
  • Professional Services.
  • Construction.
  • Industrial Services.
  • Healthcare.
  • Automotive Parts.
  • Transport & Logistics.
Jan 24, 2023

How much is ERP 2023? ›

Latest ERP Increase in Singapore Effective 13 February 2023

With ERP rates varying anywhere from $0.50 to as high as $5, which is lower than the $6, we saw pre-COVID-19.

Is Excel an ERP? ›

ERPs are a single integrated system, making them less vulnerable to human error. On the other-hand, Excel is an extremely manual tool. Instead of being centralized and integrated like an ERP, multiple departments within your organization will rely on different sets of Excel spreadsheets containing the same data.

What percentage of revenue is ERP cost? ›

The bottom line of ERP cost

But as a rule of thumb, you can plan on a software and services project that's between one and two percent of your annual revenue, including training. If your business is on the smaller side ($3,000,000 or less), you should expect the percentage to be closer to two percent of annual revenue.

What is not a reason why ERP systems are expensive? ›

ERP systems are expensive for all of the following reasons EXCEPT: They do not require business process redesign. This is an approach that links a company with providers of the raw components it needs to make a product or service, manufacture that product or service, and delivers it to customers.

Why is ERP so expensive? ›

Larger companies will pay more for an ERP since they'll require more features and functions. Plus, the scale of their implementation will be larger, and therefore, will need more manpower. The industry your business is in will also affect the cost of an ERP.

Does ERP improve efficiency? ›

ERP helps to automate various business tasks and processes while increasing efficiency in numerous departments. It also helps to reduce repetitive tasks, allowing more time for other operations. An ERP system helps to streamline business processes by automating manual tasks and improving inventory management.

Which is one of the major cost component in a ERP implementation? ›

1. Labor costs. Labor is a major part of ERP implementation.

What is ERP in budgeting? ›

The power of budget planning and forecasting tools lies in its ability to deliver seamless integration with ERP systems. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems are powerful tools that no organization can do without.

How much does an enterprise content management system cost? ›

Enterprise Content Management Software Pricing

Monthly subscriptions can range from $2 up to $70. In contrast, one-time licensing fees can cost between $2,000 and $25,000, depending on total users, facilities, and content volume.

Is ERP system free? ›

Using a free ERP system can be a great starting point for small businesses looking for their first system. A free ERP system is exactly that - free. These systems are typically open-source or have a free pricing tier where businesses can use the software either at its full capacity, or use limited features.

Which of the following is the biggest cost component incurred in an ERP implementation? ›

1. Labor costs. Labor is a major part of ERP implementation.

How much does a management system cost? ›

Performance management software costs between $5 and $10 per employee per month based on the number of employees. If you have under a few hundred employees expect to be on the higher end. Minimum annual contract sizes range from $5,000 to $15,000.

How much is file management system? ›

Cloud-based document management software typically costs between $15 and $200 per user, per month.

How much does it cost to implement OMS? ›

The cost of implementing custom OMS ranges from $200,000 to $400,000.

Can you build ERP on Excel? ›

Developing prototype applications using Excel is an inexpensive way for companies to hone in-house processes and determine exactly what they need before migrating to a powerful, yet costly, ERP system.

Should you build your own ERP? ›

To meet specific business requirements, it is better to build your own customized ERP system. The main benefit of choosing an ERP custom software is that it gives businesses total control of their development processes.

How do you create an ERP budget? ›

Top Ten Factors when Setting a Budget for ERP
  1. The deployment model of the solution.
  2. The software license agreement.
  3. The number of users needing access to ERP.
  4. Applications, feature sets requirements.
  5. Infrastructure investments needed to support the new system (hardware, software)
  6. Integration and other third-party tools.

Why people don't use ERP? ›

ERP systems can sometimes fail

With ERP software, companies often fail to follow the discipline that they follow in other areas of their business. Essential steps are sometimes missed, such as benefit analysis and risk assessment, cash flow and performance goals.

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