Choosing an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is one of the most critical decisions a business will make.
Get it right, and your operations become seamless, your data more accurate, and your team more productive.
Get it wrong, and you are stuck with inefficiencies, frustrated employees, and mounting costs.
Before committing to an ERP, here are five key things you need to know to make the right choice. Here are the 5
1. An ERP Should Fit Your Business, Not the Other Way Around
A common mistake businesses make is choosing an ERP that forces them to completely change their operations to fit the software. While some process improvements are inevitable, your ERP should enhance your workflows, not complicate them.
Look for a system that aligns with your industry and core business functions. If you need inventory tracking, supply chain management, or multi-location support, make sure your ERP has those built-in. Avoid excessive customizations—they add complexity, slow down upgrades, and increase costs.
What to do: Choose an ERP with strong out-of-the-box capabilities that align with your industry. If customizations are necessary, keep them minimal.
2. Implementation Is More Important Than the Software Itself
An ERP is only as good as its implementation. Even the most advanced system will fail if it is not implemented correctly. Poor implementation leads to user frustration, low adoption rates, and operational disruptions.
A structured, phased approach—like Silverdale’s SIM (Silverdale Implementation Method) - ensures a smooth transition. This includes understanding business processes, testing workflows before go-live, and training teams early to avoid surprises.
What to do: Work with an implementation partner who has a proven methodology. Ask about their training process, support structure, and how they handle upgrades.
3. Not Every Business Needs a Highly Customized ERP
Many businesses fall into the trap of thinking that an ERP must be built around their exact needs. While this sounds good in theory, heavy customizations often lead to higher costs, longer implementation times, and compatibility issues with future updates.
A better approach is to find an ERP that leverages standard best practices while allowing for slight adjustments where needed. Over-customization locks you into expensive maintenance and complicates every upgrade.
What to do: Stick as close to standard features as possible. Ask your ERP provider if they offer a Business Process Library with pre-tested workflows that match your needs.
4. Scalability Matters More Than You Think
Your business will evolve, and so should your ERP. What works for you today might not support your growth in five years. Many businesses outgrow their ERP too quickly because they fail to plan for the long term.
Look for an ERP that supports multi-location operations, additional users, and process automation without requiring a complete system overhaul. The best ERPs provide flexibility while maintaining performance and stability.
What to do: Ask about upgrade paths, performance benchmarks, and how well the ERP scales with growth. Ensure it supports future expansion without excessive reconfiguration.
5. Ongoing Support Is Not Optional
Your ERP journey does not end at go-live. Without proper support, small issues turn into major problems, leading to downtime and lost productivity. Businesses that ignore post-implementation support often find themselves struggling with unresolved bugs, user frustration, and lack of optimization.
At Silverdale, we offer STAR (Support, Training, and Resources) to ensure businesses have continuous access to expert guidance. Whether it is troubleshooting, training new employees, or staying up to date with the latest ERP improvements, ongoing support keeps your system running smoothly.
What to do: Choose an ERP provider that offers long-term support, not just implementation. Ask about unlimited support options, training resources, and upgrade assistance.
Final Thoughts
Selecting an ERP is more than a software decision—it is a long-term investment in your business operations. The right ERP aligns with your needs, scales with your growth, and provides ongoing support without unnecessary complexity.
Before making a choice, ask yourself:
✅ Does this ERP fit my business model and industry?
✅ Is the implementation approach structured and proven?
✅ Am I avoiding unnecessary customizations?
✅ Will this ERP scale as my business grows?
✅ Do I have access to the right support after go-live?
If you are considering Odoo as your ERP solution, Silverdale ensures a smooth, scalable, and support-driven implementation so you can focus on what matters—running your business.
Need help choosing the right ERP? Let’s talk.
5 Things You Should Know Before Choosing An ERP For Your Business