ERP Implementation and Challenges

This assignment delves into the complexities of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation, particularly focusing on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). It examines critical success factors for successful ERP implementations while analyzing common challenges faced by organizations. The analysis draws upon diverse case studies and research papers to shed light on current trends and best practices in the field.

Running head: Enterprise System 1
ENTERPRISE SYSTEM
Student Name
Institution

Enterprise System 2
Executive summary
Enterprise system is one of the current tools that assist in organizing, coordinating and
planning various business operation management aspects such as financial management,
customer relationship management, human resource management and Business intelligence.
Chris and Richard Legal’s support (CRLS) provides legal advice to their clients that had been
oral though currently, the business intends to implement computerized enterprise system. The
organization has specified that the main requirement for the computerised system is the ability to
do all the necessary operation management function tied to organization size. The organization,
therefore, settle for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) to assist in the management of the
increasing number of clients, employees, donations and reporting that include lawyers and
administrative employees. The organization also cited the advantages of using cloud-based ERPs
for the organization tied to maintenance and infrastructure requirement. Some of the vendors for
ERP are Microsoft, Odoo, SAGE, Infor Global Solution, Oracle, NetSuite and Lawson among
other many software vendors. Three ERPs that are selected are Microsoft Dynamics from
Microsoft, Odoo from Odoo S.A and SAGE from SAGE group. Out of these ERPs, Microsoft
Dynamics has proved to the best software owing to its adaptability or flexibility, cloud-based,
and business size matching the organization. Microsoft Dynamics uses readily available
hardware and software requirements for the enterprise system.

Enterprise System 3
Table of Contents
Executive summary.....................................................................................................................................2
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................4
Discussion....................................................................................................................................................4
Business requirement..............................................................................................................................4
The marketplace......................................................................................................................................6
Identification of software vendor............................................................................................................7
ERP systems requirements......................................................................................................................7
SAGE software.....................................................................................................................................8
Odoo software...................................................................................................................................10
Microsoft Dynamics...........................................................................................................................12
ERP evaluation criteria...........................................................................................................................14
The selected ERP...................................................................................................................................14
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................15
Recommendations.....................................................................................................................................16
References.................................................................................................................................................16

Enterprise System 4
Introduction
Enterprise resource planning is generation of software that is currently used in the
business organization as information system management with the capability to manage various
resources within an organization. ERP software remains some of the most important tools that
currently help the business management to organize, plan and manage various resources within
the organization. High court judge Chris and Richard need to manage its organization that offers
legal services to clients with increasing number of client prompting enlargement of human
resource. In order to plan and manage various elements such as employees, clients, and resources
the company intend to use computerized system design to manage all these resources. Therefore,
ERP offers the best solution to Chris and Richard Legal’s support (CRLS) especially cloud-
based ERP with few maintenance requirements. The organization decides to consider many
different ERP software that will assist the organization performs the operation management
functions for the business. The evaluation criteria for the organization are financial management,
human resource management, and client management. The following report explores various
enterprise systems and software that can be adopted by the CRLS with the selection of a single
most important software.
Discussion
Business requirement
The business requirement for the ERP includes financial management, client
management, and human resource management. Firstly, the CRLS need to manage both
donations and accounts records and this will be offered by the ERP that the organization that
wants to perform. Secondly, there are increasing clients that need to be managed including

Enterprise System 5
customer’s record, service delivery and customer’s relation (Gunawan & Surendro 2014, pp. 57-
62). The ERP should have CRM module that will help manage the client’s records and
feedbacks. Thirdly, managing employees that will include lawyers and administrative officials
are also need to be part of the ERP. Therefore, the software should have HR module for
managing human resources. Lastly, Business Intelligence is another business requirement that
enables the organization utilizes its accounting records to draw good report and decision making
(Loh & Lenny 2004, pp 3433–3455). A typical infrastructure for the organization is similar to
the below architecture.
Challenges that remain in the selection of software based on business requirement include
resources available, infrastructure and technical skills. Firstly, infrastructure remains one of the
critical features when adopting ERP for the organization as there is the need for technological
machines that can be used to host and maintain the computerized enterprise planning. Secondly,

Enterprise System 6
human resource is another resource challenge that is needed for application of ERP in the
organization as the business must employ or hires technical staffs to maintain the computer
system. The financial resource is another resource that is needed to purchase the machines that
are needed for the organization. These challenges make the organization to opt for cloud-based
ERP due to its low maintenance cost and infrastructure requirement (Grant, Richard, Nick &
Christopher 2006, pp 2–15).
The marketplace
The marketplace for ERP consists of many vendors that deals in many categories of ERP
that range from small business to large business organizations. In addition, the software works
for accounting, human resource, warehousing management, engineering, architect and industries
among many other businesses. For instance, the marketplace for ERP offers varieties of software
depending on size, shape, and type. This implies that marketplace for software has software for
both large and small organizations (Khosrow–Puor 2006, p. 865). Moreover, some software such
as Microsoft ERPs works mostly in the large organization though some are designed to meet the
needs of small and medium organizations. Software vendors in the marketplace provide ERPs
that can be evaluated based on the business requirements and the cost of software. In addition,
ERP is designed based on the size of the organization and the financial capabilities of the
organization or customer (Kraemmerand et al. 2003, pp 228–248). Another marketplace that is
currently trending is the mobile application platforms. This has contributed to the ERP
development since software currently is designed to fit on any device including mobile devices.

Enterprise System 7
Identification of software vendor
When identifying software vendor it is important to consider the friendliness of the
system that will make the software usable. Some of the software vendors are Microsoft
Dynamics provides Microsoft Dynamics ERP, Oracle provides Oracle e-Business, SAGE
provides SAGE Line 500 and 1000, Infor Global Solutions provides Infor ERP, NetSuite
provides NetERP, Lawson software provides Lawson S3 and M3, Odoo provides OpenERP
software and SAP provides (Yusuf, Gunasekaran & Abthorpe 2004). Microsoft Corporation
offers a variety of ERP software coming for different business requirement and size, for
example, Microsoft Dynamics X GP. Sage Group as software vendor provides 100, 200, 300,
500 and 1000 version with the different feature but retaining features from the Sage 100 version.
Odoo S.A, on the other hand, provides Odoo ERP that is open source software. Oracle provides a
variety of software that includes Oracle E-business, Oracle Fusion Application, Siebel, Hyperion
and PeopleSoft Enterprise among many others (Shaul & Tauber 2012, pp 360–384).
ERP systems requirements
ERP software is mostly built on UNIX system especially large EPR systems and most
operation system that is used for EPR system are Linux or Windows NT. EPR systems are built
to use other operating system and this makes the system to be unquestionable (Rubina, Paula &
Alta 2011, p. 229 – 238). The EPR system that CRLS can be built or can be purchased that is
already built. The system will use a database that can be Oracle 10Gr2, Oracle 12c, Oracle
11Rr2, and SQL Server. Based on the system requirement three best software for the
organizations are SAGE, Odoo and Microsoft Dynamics. The best ERP will be cloud-based ERP
and offers both small to medium enterprise business solution (Fryling 2010, pp 391–421). Some
other forms of ERP such as Oracle are good for a very large organization that is also paged to

Enterprise System 8
high cost, infrastructure, and maintenance requirement for running or using the software. The
organization further require a cloud-based ERP that will have low maintenance cost as most of
the data management is maintained by the data center offering the cloud hosting for the business
(Kovacs & Paganelli 2003, pp165–165).
SAGE software
The software is developed by SAGE Group with business solutions ranging from small
business to medium or large organization. The philosophy of the vendor lies on making a smarter
decision faster. This is based on gaining productivity and reducing operating cost thereby
increasing revenue. In addition, the philosophy seeks to serve customers with satisfaction priority
(Firra 2013). Software specifications include various components that depend on package
purchase by the customer. This implies that SAGE software is categorized into Sage 100, 500
and 1000 depending on modules in package and pricing plan. Hardware requirement for the Sage
software includes Window server 2012 R2 Essentials that mostly fits Sage 300. Another version
of Sage ERP Accpac Version 6.0 uses Windows 2008 R2 and Microsoft SQL 2008R2. Software
release has been progressive as the vendor initially consists of Sage 100, 500 and 100. The need
to add some more specification to the software prompted the vendor to release another version
that was Sage 300 (Duke 2010). The general architecture of SAGE ERP can be described as
consisting of three interfaces and this is database hosted at SAGE Group, cloud server and ERP

Enterprise System 9
linked to staffs via browsers.
Gap or fit analysis for the SAGE reveals some gaps in the implementation of software in
managing the business process in CRLS. SAGE ERP shows minimal adaptability for the
business changing environment. The software is advantageous in its ability to work at different
levels of the business depending on various versions. Since the software has proved good on-
premise operations, moving or implementing the online version of the software proves to be
difficult. This is evidenced by its minimal online versions showing the software inability to
work under cloud-based environment. Secondly, though the software has scalability features its
characteristics of allowing business size to count remains important; the software shows little
expansion features that can assist in the event the number of clients increases and lawyers
number also increase. In addition, SAGE software especially SAGE 100 and 500 has few
modules as compared to 1000, this gives the software for a smaller organization little feature that
is also connected pricing of software.

Enterprise System 10
Odoo software
Odoo software is a management software that composed many different management
tools all incorporated to form a single EPR software. The vendor for the software is Odoo SA
and is written in Python, JavaScript, and XML platform. The software works in Linux, Unix-
like, Windows, Android, and iOS. The software various components or types include ERP,
CRM, CMS and accounting though some have all these components joined to form a single ERP
software (Jaikumar 2010). The software architecture lies on the Python scripting with Postgres
database that is developed on GitHub. The main software module is an OpenObject framework
with 30 core modules and over 3000 community modules. The release strategy that the company
uses is based on the end of life strategy for older version when a new version is released into the
marketplace. Moreover, the company releases software under various license plans such as
GNU, AGL and LGPL license. Odoo software is multicurrency with the ability to change
different foreign currencies that allows various transactions and accounting activities (Mader
2015). The general architecture of the Odoo ERP consist of two main layers interconnected via
clouds and these are server and database. In between the server and database is connected by
cloud yet on the other side between server and browsers are also interfaced by clouds.

Enterprise System 11
Gap analysis of the software shows that Odoo EPR especially online version is cloud-
based and good for the business though it has some few weaknesses. The software supports small
to medium organizations and this also is true with CRLS (Reis 2015). In addition, the software
has types such as CRM for customer relationship management, HR for human resource
management and accounting. As an organization, CRLS wanted EPR with the ability to manage
increasing lawyers, clients and accounting records. The software is cloud-based ERP that allows
little management of infrastructure within the organization as most maintenance are offered by
data center (Nowak & Kurbel 2016, pp. 135-146). These business requirements are readily
provided by Odoo ERP software. The only weakness of the software remains on the software’s

Enterprise System 12
simplicity. The software is simple and with increasing users the software has limited capability
to expand and adapt to the larger size of the organization.
Microsoft Dynamics
Microsoft Dynamics is another ERP that also offers cloud-based or premise-based ERP
solution that allows management, planning, and organizing of various resources within an
organization. Microsoft Dynamics come in many different ERP with different functions or
components depending on the business need. The vendor for the software is Microsoft
Corporation with financial position reaching over $16.79 billion and $193.69 billion assets. The
vendor has the philosophy of the empowering all individuals throughout the world to achieve
their aspirations in the corporate world. Microsoft ERP works for a range of business ranging
from small business to larger international organizations (Dynamics Lifecycle Services
Communication 2016). Microsoft ERP is multi-currency ERP that allows the user to change to
their desired currency when performing transaction or accounting records management.
Hardware requirement for the software includes Runtime SQL License also provided by the
Microsoft Corporation. The ERP module can be described Starter Pack that consists of all the
modules that are offered by the software vendor. Each Starter Pack contains various components
of the software for managing different aspects such as Financial Management Human Resource
Management and Business Intelligence & Reporting (Yudin 2010). Microsoft as a vendor offers
many support systems that range from general support to software updates that are essential for
both optimizations of processes and security. The general architecture of the Microsoft ERP
consists of three layers or interfaces and this is server, cloud, and browser. The server has
various component attached to it that are hosted within the cloud hence can be accessed from any
place by clients, staff, and administrators.

Enterprise System 13
Gap or fit analysis of the Microsoft Dynamics ERP shows some matching with the
business requirement for the CRLS organization. Firstly, the ERP software is able to work for
both small and larger organization presenting the possibility of expansion in future. This gives
the software ability to manage all the elements of the organization without any future expansion
limitation as in many ERPs. Secondly, Microsoft ERP is good for the organization since it is
cloud-based though it is also premise-based ERP. One of the requirements for the organization
is the online ERP or cloud-based ERP with minimal infrastructure maintenance capability.
Thirdly, the software has all the required components that are linked together to form a good
resource planning tool for the organization. Some of these components are CRM, HR,
accounting and Business Intelligence (Sheilds 2005, p. 9). The business requirement includes

Enterprise System 14
client or customer record management, employee management for lawyers and administrative
employee and accounting management that give a clear record for both donations and
organization financial records.
ERP evaluation criteria
The evaluation criteria for the organization include the infrastructure requirement,
financial position of the organization that allows it purchase and flexibility and modules. When
evaluating the three ERP software business match is very important as it points to the ability of
the software to do the required task and this includes the ability to keep records and Report
(Ebrahim & Irani 2005, pp 589–611). The flexibility aspects allow the future expansion and
adaptation of the software to the ever-changing business environment. Modules are the various
components of the business that should be supported by the software. The cost of installing and
maintain the software is another criteria that are used to evaluate the ERP software. Some
software such as Oracle ERPs requires high infrastructure and maintenance that also come along
with software technical skills or manpower. Infrastructure limitation that makes some
maintenance difficult is also another criterion as it mostly focuses on software hardware and
software requirements (Almajali 2016, pp 549).
The selected ERP
One of the best ERP software from the above mention software is Microsoft Dynamics
software. Microsoft Dynamics software offers ERP solution with a range of elements that are
good for CRLS. These aspects of Microsoft Dynamics include HR, Payroll, CRM and Business
Intelligence (Costa, Ferreira, Bento & Aparicio 2016, pp 659–671). The beauty part of Microsoft
Dynamics GP software remains cloud-based ERP with the capability to access from any browser.

Enterprise System 15
Firstly, Microsoft Dynamics ERP offers both small and medium enterprise planning solutions
with the capability to expand to larger business. Secondly, the software is good for both business
and human resources with the ability to manage the human resource for the business. Thirdly,
software is good for accounting which enables the organization to organize, plan and manage
financial resources for the organization. Finally, the ERP software that is good for CRLS and
will also manage other business processes that include Business Intelligence incorporated with
customer support module (Vilpola 2008, pp 47–76). Microsoft Dynamics matches the range of
hardware requirement owing to its well-established software support system that is always
available for the business.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Enterprise Resource Planning remains critical operational, planning and
reporting tool in the current business environment. Chris and Richard Legal’s support (CRLS)
has seen an increase in a number of clients coming for legal advice. This has also lead to increase
in the number of lawyers that are hired for the organization. In order to manage clients,
employees and financial resources there is the need for a good managerial tool that is
computerized hence the need for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). There are many vendors
for ERP software in the marketplace that include, Microsoft, Oracle, SAGE, Infor Global
Solutions, SAP, Lawson, Odoo S.A and NetSuite among many more vendors. Among these
software three which include SAGE, Odoo and Microsoft Dynamics are selected owing to
various business requirement and gap/fit analysis.

Enterprise System 16
Recommendations
Based on the analysis of the ERPs and the business requirement I would recommend
Microsoft Dynamic ERP. Microsoft come with some advantages that include flexibility as it can
be used both in small, medium and large organization. The ERP is cloud based and this also
increases flexibility, limited space and infrastructure requirement. The software comes in various
versions, and types that you select based on the size of the business and type of the business
hence good for CRLS. For larger organizations, oracle remains one of the best ERPs for the
business. Another alternative to Microsoft is SAGE ERP though it require to purchase specific
version depending on size of organization.

Enterprise System 17
References
Almajali, D, 2016, Antecedents of ERP systems implementation success: a study on Jordanian
healthcare sector. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, Emeralad. Vol.29, no.4, pp
549.
Costa, C; Ferreira, E; Bento, F, & Aparicio, A 2016, Enterprise resource planning adoption and
satisfaction determinants. Computers in Human Behavior, Vol.63: pp 659–671
Duke, S, 2010, Sage chief Paul Walker is set to exit with £21m. London: Daily Mail. Retrieved 2
April 2011.
Dynamics Lifecycle Services Communication, 2016, May 2016 release notes. Microsoft.
Microsoft Dynamics Lifecycle Services Engineering Blog. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
Ebrahim, Z, & Irani, Z, 2005, E‐government adoption: architecture and barriers". Business
Process Management Journal, vol.11, no.5, pp 589–611.
Firra, C, 2013, A Brief Sage 300 ERP Retrospective. BTerrell Group. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
Fryling, M, 2010, Estimating the impact of enterprise resource planning project management
decisions on post-implementation maintenance costs: a case study using simulation modeling.
Enterprise Information Systems, vol.4, no.4, pp 391–421.

Enterprise System 18
Grant, D; Richard H; Nick W, & Christopher W, March 2006, The false promise of
technological determinism: the case of enterprise resource planning systems. New Technology,
Work & Employment, vol.21, no.1, pp 2–15.
Gunawan, AI, & Surendro, K, 2014, Enterprise architecture for cloud-based ERP system
development. In Advanced Informatics: Concept, Theory, and Application (ICAICTA), 2014
International Conference of (pp. 57-62). IEEE.
Jaikumar V, 2010, OpenERP aims to impress U.S. market. Computerworld. Retrieved July 27,
2015.
Khosrow–Puor, M, 2006, Emerging Trends and Challenges in Information Technology
Management: Idea Group, Inc. p. 865.
Kovacs, GL, & Paganelli, P, 2003, A planning and management infrastructure for large,
complex, distributed projects — beyond ERP and SCM. Computers in Industry, vol.51, no.2,
pp165–165.
Kraemmerand, P; et al. 2003, ERP implementation: an integrated process of radical change and
continuous learning. Production Planning & Control, vol.14 no.4, pp 228–248
Loh, TC; & Lenny KSC, September 2004, Critical elements for a successful ERP
implementation in SMEs. International Journal of Production Research, vol.42 no.17, 3433–
3455
Mader, G, 2015, Financial Accounting with Odoo: Versions 6, 7, and 8.

Enterprise System 19
Nowak, D, & Kurbel, K, 2016, Understanding the Flexibility of Cloud ERP Software.
In International Conference on Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (pp. 135-146). Springer,
Cham.
Reis, D, 2015, Odoo Development Essentials. Packt.
Rubina, A, Paula K, & Alta VDM, 2011, Acceptance of enterprise resource planning systems by
small manufacturing Enterprises. In: Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on
Enterprise Information Systems, edited by Runtong Zhang, José Cordeiro, Xuewei Li, Zhenji
Zhang and Juliang Zhang, SciTePress. , p. 229 – 238
Sheilds, MG, 2005, E-Business, and ERP: Rapid Implementation and Project Planning. John
Wiley and Sons, Inc. p. 9.
Shaul, L; & Tauber, D, 2012, CSFs along ERP life-cycle in SMEs: a field study. Industrial
Management & Data Systems, Vol.112 no.3, pp 360–384.
Thin Enterprise Resource Planning (Second ed.). 2006, Boston: Thomson Course Technology.
Vilpola, IH, 2008, A method for improving ERP implementation success by the principles and
process of user-centered design. Enterprise Information Systems, vol.2, no.1, pp 47–76
Yudin, V, 2010, Dynamics GP build numbers and service packs. victoriayudin.com. Retrieved
29 December 2016.
Yusuf, Y, Gunasekaran, A, & Abthorpe, M, 2004, Enterprise Information Systems Project
Implementation: A Case Study of ERP in Rolls-Royce, International Journal of Production
Economics, vol.87, no3, February.