ERP Selection: You Need A Ford, Not A Ferrari

It is almost inevitable that ERP systems will offer more functions than your shop needs. It’s easy to get swept up by all the bells and whistles, but this will make your ERP system more expensive and harder to use.

Occasionally, we all think about buying that Ferrari. It looks pretty, has all those extra features, and you can show it to your friends.

But the Ferrari F8 Tributo costs almost $300,000, six times more than the Ford F-150, which costs around $50,000. Also, do you really need the ultra-premium interior that makes you double-check everything and everyone before it/they can ride in it? Do you really need over 700 horsepower?

Ford F-150’s have a lovely leather interior with anywhere from 325 to 700 horsepower. It’s not a one-model fit, but it gives you the flexibility to choose the suitable model.

Instead, you need a complete ERP for a great price, but also versions that include scheduling, quality control, or any other modules you can purchase whenever you are ready.

ERP evaluation

You need an ERP designed for flexibility to easily fit the demands of your shop, not force your shop to fit it. Focus on an ERP that’s easy to use. One that is intuitive and your machinists and office workers won’t be intimidated to use.

Keeping the system simple and streamlined will ensure adoption and long-term success. Having an ERP that’s intuitive and proven will help increase usage. The fewer required fields, the better. The simpler the layout, the easier it is to enter information. Sure, it’s best practice to start at an estimate and put in BOM and routing, yet you need an ERP that will let you, on some days, simply put in that free-form order.

These are all important points to consider when evaluating ERPs. JobBOSS² was built from the ground up for job shops and prioritizes ease of use and flexibility. It’s cost-effective but also streamlined and intuitive. See how it has full quote-to-cash functionality and how you can create an order in just a handful of clicks if needed.

See It In Action Now

If you enjoyed reading this article, check out these other posts:

• ECI Software Solutions’ JobBOSS² and M1 are ready for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC 2.0) Standards
• The Importance of Manufacturing Software Training
• How Does Job Shop Software Efficiently Track Jobs?