Microsoft launches ERP for small firms

Small and mid-sized businesses can now align their operations using the tools of enterprise resource planning (ERP) without having to pay top dollar. Under a new Microsoft programme, SMEs can sign up for its Dynamics ERP which offers five user-licences for the price of one at $3,000 (Dh11,019). This, according to a statement issued by CEM Business Solutions, translates into savings of $12,000 per purchase. "Companies with huge IT budgets and highly skilled people have managed to implement ERP, while SMEs have hardly adopted this powerful technology," the statement added. The Microsoft ERP solution allows customers to customise their logos in document prints. "There is a temptation to customise the ERP to make it work like current business practice of an individual company," the statement said. "It is ideal to follow the best practices than customisation. Article continues below "ERP implementation is generally considered complex. It is a joint effort equally from IT vendor and customer and starts with customers specifying their needs. Once the needs are specified, the respective modules are identified. "The IT vendor enables those modules and conducts training for the system navigation. Customers put in their data and start using the system."