Do you know ERP systems are helping manufacturing businesses reduce costs? Operational expenses are reduced by 23%. And administration costs are lowered by 22%. This is possible from the accurate real-time information that ERP systems produce about daily operations.
If you are someone who realises the value of ERP but doesn’t know how to choose one, keep reading.
In the UAE, the ERP software market is anticipated to attract over $150 million in revenue in 2025. The demand for cloud-based ERP solutions has surged in recent years. Demand for ERP systems has also particularly grown in the real estate sector.
ERP systems are software that make it easy for businesses to streamline their core processes like manufacturing, sales, HR, or supply chain. Real estate ERPs are just tailored to the specific needs of that particular industry.
Choosing the right ERP solution is not always easy. You need to ask certain questions to know if a system is right for you.
Essential Questions to Consider Before Investing In An ERP Software
Here are 8 key questions you should ask when deciding on the right ERP software for you.
Does The ERP Align With Your Industry Needs?
Ask if the ERP software aligns with your industry needs. Core business processes can vary with industry. For instance, an automotive ERP system in Abu Dhabi will be tailored to the needs of the automobile industry and not the real estate sector.
If you are in the healthcare industry, you will need an ERP software rich in features like patient records integration. Similarly, logistics businesses would benefit from features related to route optimisation and real-time tracking.
Retail businesses want omnichannel management and inventory tracking options. And real estate businesses want property management and asset tracking options. Construction businesses commonly use real estate software in Abu Dhabi. These are software that come as cloud ERPs.
ERP systems aligned with specific industry needs can help you optimize the process. But you may end up wasting resources if the system does not align with the unique industry requirements. There will be inefficiencies. Your competitive position will be weaker.
Is The ERP Vendor Experienced In The UAE Market?
Ask if the ERP vendor has experience in the UAE market. Local compliance is important for businesses. You want your business to be compliant with local regulations like the UAE VAT (taxation) and PDPL (data protection).
You also want to get the ERP system from a vendor that can support you with implementation in the UAE. Know if the vendor can support you or has implementation partners for that. Without support, you may find the transition process difficult.
The overall implementation cost will also be low with the right support. Vendors with market experience also tend to design solutions aligned to market-specific business needs.
Can It Be Customised Or Scaled For Future Growth?
Ask if the ERP system can be scaled and customised as your business grows. You want an ERP system that can be scaled to accommodate global operations or multiple divisions as your business grows.
You also want a system that can be customised with industry-specific modules. For example, a manufacturing business would benefit from modules for Manufacturing Execution Systems or Materials Requirement Planning. Similarly, a real estate business would benefit from modules related to property and lease management.
Also, remember that the UAE has a diverse workforce. And you will also have to deal with diverse trading partners. So, support for multiple languages and currencies will also be important if you have a growing business.
What Are The Total Costs Involved?
Ask about the total cost associated with the ERP system and its implementation. You will have the option for different licensing models, like on-premise or cloud-based.
Now, you will face higher costs for on-premise ERP systems. There will be upfront costs of hardware and IT infrastructure. And there will also be the cost of the ERP or real estate software in Abu Dhabi.
If you go for cloud-based systems, you will only pay the subscription fees. So, the initial spending is not needed for cloud systems. But in the long run, the total subscription fees paid can exceed the upfront costs of an on-premise system. Yet, a cloud-based system will be appropriate if you want more cost-predictability.
How Secure & Compliant Is The ERP?
Ask if the ERP system is secure and compliant. Understand the level of security and compliance offered. If your business handles personal data, you will have to comply with the PDPL. Similarly, you can not store or transfer health data outside the UAE without authorization.
You need an ERP system that can automate data management and help report on regulatory compliance. You want a system that is efficient and accurate about compliance-related activities.
You also want an ERP that can help you get real-time visibility into processes. It will help you track if business processes consistently adhere to the regulations. You also want to assess the industry-specific compliance features. For example, the compliance features have to be different in real estate and automotive ERP systems in Abu Dhabi.
How Smooth Is The Integration With Existing Systems?
Ask if the ERP platform is compatible with existing systems. These can be your existing HRM and CRM. You want the ERP platform to be compatible with the existing systems in your organisation. For example, you also want your ERP system to support integration with e-commerce and accounting tools smoothly.
Check for the number of API and middleware options supported by the ERP system. You also want your ERP platform to support integration with government systems in the UAE. For example,
you may require integration with VAT portals and eDirham. Make sure you are checking integration compatibility before finalising on an ERP system.
What Support & Training Resources Are Available?
Ask if there are adequate support and training resources available to move forward after ERP system implementation. You can check if support hours are in line with the working weeks in Abu Dhabi.
You also want to check if training materials are available in English and Arabic. Depending on your workforce composition, you may need to have bilingual training arrangements.
Remember that a new ERP system can be a learning curve for both experienced and inexperienced users. So, you must carefully assess the level of support available. You also want to check if onboarding support is available for both technical and non-technical staff.
Does The ERP Offer Real-Time Analytics & Reporting?
Ask if the ERP system has features for real-time analytics and reporting. You want to track the performance of employees and processes in real time. This will help you understand areas of process and skill improvement.
You also want an ERP system that can help you track key performance indicators in real time. This will help you optimise processes and make accurate decisions quickly. You will further benefit from customised dashboards tailored to the needs of your industry.
Also, check if there is mobile accessibility. This will help executives with performance tracking and decision-making on the go. Mobile accessibility will make it possible to make better use of real-time insights that ERP systems offer.
In Summary
ERP systems help businesses streamline operations, optimise processes, and reduce operational costs. The systems also help maintain compliance with local laws. But your business can benefit more from ERP by getting industry-specific solutions.
For your real estate business, you should go with the ERP platform that supports integration with property management functions. You also want support for modules like lease and asset tracking. Also, make sure the software vendor has local market expertise.
You also want to go with a vendor that can provide training and onboarding support to your employees. And, don’t forget to assess the real-time analytics and reporting features before making a choice.
So Is It Worth Investing In Real Estate ERP Software?
Yes! It is completely worth investing in a real estate ERP system. Not investing in one would lead to business inefficiencies, rising operating costs, and potential non-compliance. So, get an ERP solution now for your real estate business in the UAE.
