ERP Software Development for Logistics and Supply Chain Management

TRIARE develops personalized web and mobile applications with a focus on your company. Custom software development for SMB and Enterprise businesses at various levels of complexity is our primary area of expertise. We provide full-scale software development from the discovery phase to launch and maintenance. Our team has wide experience from custom logistics app for easy cargo expectation reports to custom delivery apps. 

Entrepreneurs occasionally run into situations when they can’t handle everything linked to their business on their own. Operations requiring high-level management and in-depth specialized knowledge include supply chain, accounting, risk management, and other areas. Enterprise resource planning software enables you to automate the majority of these procedures with little disruption to human labor. We’ll go through the idea of ERP software development in this article.

What is ERP software and how it interacts with Supply Chain

Enterprise resource planning, or ERP, is a category of software that allows companies to keep track of all of their ongoing operations and performance in one location. By providing a single source of truth for data, this software enables businesses to collect and analyze data from all sectors of the business from a single central center. This makes it possible to administer all departments quickly and effectively. Effective corporate interactions are essential, especially along the supply chain, and require an ERP system. 

Supply chain management is a key component of the ERP software development that many businesses have implemented. In order to get the resources and raw materials they require to sell finished goods at the appropriate time and in the correct quantity. To increase plant productivity, improve product quality, and lower manufacturing costs, businesses are actively focused on a number of supply chain tactics. The integration of SCM becomes even more crucial as operations expand and become more worldwide. The make-to-order, engineer-to-order, and configure-to-order modes are just a few of the many that an ERP in supply chain may provide. It also offers real-time operations support across different sites. Their products’ journey from supplier to warehouse to shop is streamlined using ERP development companies

What is ERP in supply chain management

Recent data shows that companies invest at least 25% of their budgets in ERP systems with effective supply chain management capabilities. No wonder: a custom ERP helps to integrate and manage a plethora of supply chain components in a centralized and efficient manner. 

Some of the reasons why supply chain management needs an ERP include:

• Improved visibility: ERP software provides real-time visibility into all aspects of the supply chain, which helps to identify bottlenecks and potential issues before they become major problems. 
• Enhanced collaboration: ERP allows different departments and stakeholders to share data and collaborate more effectively. 
• Increased efficiency: an ERP system automates many manual processes, reducing errors and increasing efficiency (for example, an ERP system can automatically generate and send purchase orders to suppliers based on inventory levels and production schedules).
• Better decision-making: for instance, an ERP system can help to identify the most cost-effective suppliers or the most efficient transportation routes. 

Overall, an ERP system helps to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and agility of the supply chain, enabling businesses to respond quickly to changes and stay competitive.

Types of ERP systems

There are three basic categories of ERP systems, each of which has a selection of deployment models. The three most popular forms are on-premise, cloud-based, and hybrid. 

• On-premise ERP software development is implemented onsite and maintained in actual office space within a business for complete management, support, and ownership of the entire system once established. It is hosted on the company’s own computers and servers. 
• Cloud-based ERP software is a web-based solution known as Software as a Service (SaaS). This is often accomplished through the payment of a subscription. An organization can access and save data on any device with an internet connection supported by the software vendor. 
• Hybrid software is an ERP software that combines on-premises and cloud installation. Each provider has a different hosting and deployment service combination. These models can give ERP users the freedom to switch between delivery paradigms or incorporate advantages not present in the current system.
  

  Cons of SaaS ERP system

  Security concerns 

  The biggest disadvantage of cloud-based solutions is that your data might be accessed by the provider. Many supply chain companies prefer the highest level of sensitive data protection. Therefore, it’s crucial to weigh potential advantages against potential hazards when choosing an EPR development company.

  Ownership 

  In a SaaS ERP, you don’t own the software you use. As a result, whether you want it or not, the supplier applies any updates uniformly. With cloud-based software, many businesses might need to provide additional training to employees in order to prepare for changes on time. 

  Unforeseen expenses 

  The fact that cloud ERP software can cost more over time is yet another issue. Since many of these systems are modular, the more modules you activate, the higher your costs will be. In addition, if you pay monthly fees for a long enough period of time, these costs may be greater than the initial investment you would need to make for on-premise solutions. 

  Accessibility 

  Not to mention, the reliability of your internet connection is crucial if you’re using a SaaS ERP system. You need a reliable internet connection to access the system, thus you should be careful while selecting an internet provider. 

  Limited customization options

  SaaS EPR systems often have limited customization options compared to on-premise solutions, which can limit their ability to meet specific organizational needs. 

  Limited scalability

  SaaS may not be able to scale as easily as on-premise solutions, which can be problematic for organizations that are growing rapidly.

  What problems can custom ERP system development solve?

• Tailored solutions for your unique company requirements. An out-of-the-box ERP system is solely intended to address your specific issues. The solutions will come out unique, yet effective. Custom ERP software is created by programmers who draw inspiration from their prior clients for their design, features, and services. Because it draws on the experiences of so many different clients and organizations, your own ERP solution can be so engaging.
• Automated processes without alterations to the workflow. Your company can automate processes with the help of specialized ERP software development services without major overhauls or modifications to the current systems, infrastructure, networks, and applications. Additionally, there won’t be any gaps between the company’s systems and the ERP software because bespoke ERP developers construct the software while following specifications provided by the customer. This enables your company to automate a number of jobs and procedures without having to make any major changes.
•  Improved user experience and client interface. Custom ERP software development enables smooth interaction with current infrastructure systems, processes, and applications. Customers and consumers benefit from a more satisfying website interface as a result. When trying to connect to any servers, there are fewer problems and lags thanks to the seamless integration. Custom ERP systems can also improve customer service by providing a centralized system for managing customer data and communication.
• Difficulty adapting to change. Custom ERP systems can be flexible and customizable, allowing businesses to easily adapt to changes in their industry or market. They can be designed to grow with a business, allowing for easy scalability as the company expands.
  

  What does a custom ERP system include

  A custom ERP system typically includes the following components: 

  Financial management	modules for accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting
  Supply chain management	modules for inventory management, purchasing, and logistics
  Human resources	modules for employee payroll, benefits, and performance management
  Sales and marketing	modules for customer relationship management, sales forecasting, and marketing campaigns
  Manufacturing	modules for production planning, scheduling, and quality control
  Project management	modules for project planning, scheduling, and resource allocation
  Data analytics	tools for data visualization, reporting, and business intelligence
  Integration	the ability to integrate with other systems, such as CRM or e-commerce platforms, to streamline business processes

  Based on TRIARE’s experience, the most requested components of the ERP system include finances, HR, and CRM. Let’s discuss them in more detail.

  Finances. All of your financial information, such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, costs, budgets, and projections, are tracked by an ERP system. It is beneficial to maintain track of cash flow, reduce expenses, boost profits, and guarantee that all payments are paid on time. The requirement for a single system to handle all financial transactions and accounting for numerous business units or product lines is vital given the expanding complexity of the industry.

  Human Resources (HR). This component of the ERP system is in charge of automating employee payments, paying taxes, creating performance reports, tracking attendance, promotions, and determining the staff’s working and holiday schedules.

  Customer Relationship Management (CRM). The component collects client information through several means. As a result, CRM keeps thorough records of individual information and trends of purchasing activity. It benefits by tracking the customer’s purchasing history and recommending subsequent purchases.

  What does the process of custom development of an ERP system look like?

  The process of creating ERP software is intricate and full of variables, necessitating a clear understanding of the development plan. Developers must take a lot of effort to create navigation systems and all limitations for each user group because of this. Here is a little guide to help you get a better understanding.

  • Discovery phase. Create expectations first. You must be very specific about the concept and objectives you want to pursue. If there aren’t clear specifications, developers can’t work on the project. During the initial contact, we first assist the clients in creating a feature list and a rough project estimate.
  • Design. As this type of software involves several user roles, navigational features, charts, and other interactive components for various departments, design is one of the main issues with ERP software development. It is the responsibility of the designer to integrate all components and user responsibilities into a smooth experience. At this point, well-designed wireframes (a plan for the future interface) are quite important. Together with designers and business analysts, you will approve this plan and decide what should be included and excluded.
  • Tech stack. Our engineers use a range of technologies and development methodologies. If the ERP system is primarily designed for desktop platforms, our developers will choose C++/C# for Windows or Swift/Objective-C for macOS. For a more flexible web-based project, the tech stack might consist of Angular, Bootstrap, JavaScript, Node.js, and frameworks like jQuery. Either way, the final stack will vary depending on the features and project needs.
  • Integrations. Businesses use a variety of third-party products. The ERP system ought to be integrated with services like G Suite, Office 365, FreshBooks, and others. Your staff will have access to more business-related information as a result, making the ERP system more flexible and functional.
  • Testing. To evaluate the compatibility of new features with previous ones, our developers will constantly perform unit tests. System testing, on the other hand, verifies a final, integrated version of the product to ensure that the ERP software development complies with initial specifications.

  Which EPR cases TRIARE has strong expertise in? 

  Digital inspection apps. Leading air freight forwarder and expert in shipping perishable commodities was one of our clients. At first, they used SaaS tools like Record 360 to take pictures of the shipment and provide PDF reports for their database. However, they have been forced to explore other options because of the demand for more useful functionality and expensive licenses. 

  Their initial attempt to obtain a custom app failed. The functionality was difficult for warehouse workers to use and did not provide a solution. Finding and developing trust in a new development provider required some time for the business. When they began working with TRIARE, the outcomes matched their expectations.

  Custom delivery apps. One of our customers offers a variety of services from different specialists, including delivery of food and goods from stores, restaurants, markets, etc., as well as a large range of products and services from hairdressers, cosmetic artists, photographers, gardeners, plumbers, etc. 

  Users of the app are able to purchase goods and services with just a few clicks, see the status of their order in real-time, and either receive it right away or schedule it for a later time. This project has some unique features: it is the only one that enables you to both view and post user comments. Based on the profile, cost, and actual reviews, users can book the best service provider. 

  Final Thoughts

  To elevate your company for operational excellence, you need an ERP solution that integrates directly to your SCM system. TRIARE provides custom ERP systems with an infinitely scalable, single source of technology that offers a seamless user experience across sales, SCM, CRM, and beyond. 

  Our knowledgeable team of developers and ERP experts can assist your company in choosing the best ERP in supply chain solution. We will be happy to discuss the advantages of incorporating an ERP system into your supply chain management procedures