Choosing to buy an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system isn’t just about choosing the best price, or choosing because it is a famous system — because the way Thai people work means each organisation has its own specific way of working.

And some companies have ways of working that are not standardised, so ordinary accounting software alone does not meet the work needs enough. If you want to choose an ERP system suited to Thai people, you should consider the following factors.

1. Understand your business first

Identify the problem: what is the problem you want to solve with ERP? For example, inaccurate stock management, production planning that is not on time, poor cost management.

Set goals: what do you want the ERP to help with? For example, increasing work efficiency, reducing costs, increasing competitiveness.

Analyse work processes: analyse the work steps in each part of the business, to know which parts the ERP can help improve.

2. Set a budget

Initial costs: including the system purchase fee, installation fee, and employee training fee.

Ongoing costs: maintenance fees, system update fees, after-sales service fees.

3. Choose a trustworthy provider

Experience: does the provider have experience installing ERP for businesses of the same type?

Expertise: does the provider have knowledge and understanding of your business?

After-sales support: is there a consulting service, a repair service, and a training service?

4. Compare the functionality of the ERP

Basic functions: covering customer management, stock management, production management, financial management.

Additional functions: such as a CRM system, a BI system, an SCM system.

Customisation ability: can the system be customised to suit your business?

5. Consider the ability to support business growth

Flexibility: can the system be expanded as the business grows?

Technology: does the system support new technologies such as Cloud Computing and Mobile Application?

6. Trial use

Request a trial: request a trial of the real system to see whether it is easy to use and meets your needs.

Ask for advice: ask for advice from other users of the ERP system.

7. Consider other factors

Compatibility with the existing system: can it connect with the existing system you have?

Data security: does it have sufficiently good data-security measures?

Support from users: is there a user community you can ask for advice?

From the article above, in conclusion, an ERP system suited to the way Thai people work must take into account: understanding your business thoroughly, setting a budget, choosing a trustworthy provider, comparing each vendor’s functionality, and looking at future growth — whether the system can support growth all the way. After that, have a trial, or ask for advice from a consultant, because most ERP systems do not have a trial.

But if you want to reduce the work of all the steps mentioned, just choose a system that supports the way Thai people work — like the PlanetOne ERP system, developed specifically for Thai people, supporting the tax system, and having looked after businesses in Thailand for nearly 30 years.

How to choose an ERP that meets the needs of Thai businesses