Excel is not the problem. One person's Excel file that nobody else can read, with last month's stock typed over this month's, is the problem. Small manufacturers should move to ERP when the cost of not knowing exceeds the cost of the software.
Signs it is time
Do not buy everything at once
The common failure is a full ERP installed in one go and abandoned in three months. Start with the one area that hurts most, usually stock and job work or sales and outstanding, and add modules once people trust the numbers.
An ERP used for two modules beats one bought with twenty and used for none.
Steps
People
Choose one person on the floor and one in the office as owners of the system. Train in Gujarati. Keep screens short. Reward accurate entry at the start.
Budget
MSMEs are often quoted a low entry price and then pay yearly subscriptions per user. We quote one development cost, include AMC for the first year and put no limit on users.
