In business processes, the configuration is the process of establishing a system’s systematic order. Customization, in contrast, is the process of making specific changes to existing systems. While configuration helps business strategists and managers build a system that meets their needs, customization is necessary for business owners to get the system functioning as per their requirements.
Choosing an ERP system can be daunting. There are many factors that should be taken into consideration before investing in it. An ideal ER0 solution will be one that not only suits your business requirements but also helps you save time and money. In this blog, we will discuss the difference between configuration and customization and how it impacts an enterprise resource planning implementation process.
What is ERP Configuration?
ERP configuration is the process of setting up an ERP system. It includes changing settings such as business process, financial, analytics, and BI preferences. ERP configuration allows enterprises to change settings within the ERP without modifying the source code.
It is a complex process that requires careful planning and customization of various parameters to meet business needs. It involves the effective use of frameworks and best practices for each parameter to be configured effectively. It also requires an understanding of business requirements and specifications to precisely define functionalities for it.
ERP configuration requires best practices for each parameter. An example of this is generating page layouts which can be changed after the system is deployed. However, once configured, these settings cannot be reversed. So, it is essential to plan and customize them carefully and ensure they are accurate and relevant.
What is ERP Customization?
ERP customization is a process in which business-specific functionalities are added or modified to an ERP system to meet the needs of a business. This process requires coding and/or special implementation. It can optimize a business by providing an improved user interface, resolving business issues, and providing quick access to business insights. This process includes creating cosmetic changes, custom layouts, and source code customization.
The process of ERP customization is complex and involves rigorous system testing and experienced ERP partners. The key difference between configuration vs customization is that configuration refers to the process of manufacturing a product by following specific steps, while customization suggests making changes according to specifications.
A good example of ERP customization is creating cosmetic changes such as customizing the logo or color scheme of a software application. However, customization implies making changes according to specifications rather than following specific steps.
Advantages of Configuration over Customization
Customization and configuration are terms often used interchangeably to describe the process of adding features, modules, and functionalities to an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. However, the two terms hold important distinctions that businesses must understand before embarking on a customization or configuration project.
The configuration offers businesses the ability to add new modules to existing ERP software without changing the source code, increasing the efficiency and accuracy of their business processes. This is because these modules are pre-configured with specific parameters, workflows, and fields for optimal performance. In contrast, customization involves the coding customizations into an ERP system’s source code, which requires extensive planning and time to execute.
Additionally, the configuration doesn’t require any coding, making it easy for business professionals to make changes using native tools in the system. On the other hand, customization involves business experts coding functionalities into their ERP system’s source code, which can be time-consuming and complicated.
Key Considerations for ERP Implementation
– ERP system configuration is vital to the success of any business. An ERP system requires thorough knowledge and technical expertise, as well as a deep understanding of business processes.
– When setting up an ERP system, it’s essential to consider business requirements and goals. This includes factors like language, time zones, currencies, and more. Depending on your business needs, you can choose from a wide range of configurations for your ERP system.
– Some of the most common configurations include:
– Database type – Whether a single or multi-tenant database, scale as per business needs
– Access rights – Define who has access to the system
– User privileges – Determine who has access to specific areas of the system
– Units of measurement – Choose between imperial and metric units for your business‟s measurements
Just like any other software system, when configuring an ERP system, you must consider the implications of certain configuration settings. This includes whether or not to allow negative inventory values. Also, it’s important to regularly update your choices as business requirements evolve.
How to Choose the Right ERP Solution?
– Think about the modules and features of the ERP software, and whether they fit your business requirements.
– Estimate the time and resources needed for the ERP implementation. This will help you decide on a solution that is affordable and within your budget.
– Look at the timeline regularly and adjust it if necessary. This will help you plan for any delays in the process and avoid any last-minute rush or expense. In addition to this, assess the customization options available with each solution before making a final choice.
– Set up the ERP configuration carefully and consider the choices available. This will ensure that you get all of the features you need in a way that works for your business.
– Compare different ERP solutions for customizations, configurations, and personalization options to get an idea of what suits your business best.
Get Expert Advice on ERP Configuration and Customization
ERP configuration and customization are terms used interchangeably by businesses. However, there is a significant difference between the two. When it comes to ERP customization, businesses make changes to the existing parameters, workflows, and fields of the system. This process is known as coding.
When it comes to ERP configuration, businesses make changes to the actual code of the system. This process is called coding through a system software development kit (SDK). To understand each process better, we must look at the differences in terms of time taken and costs incurred.
With customization, business often needs to invest time and resources in understanding the system thoroughly before making any meaningful changes. It can take months or even years for businesses to work on the customization of an ERP system. In comparison, with configuration, the business does not have much effort or cost involved as the business easily makes changes to its system.
For businesses looking to minimize customization needs while using an ERP system effectively, it is important to select an ERP solution that best fits their requirements without making too many customizations.
Benefits of ERP Customization & Configuration
When it comes to ERP customization and configuration, there are many advantages that come with it. This includes the ability to make changes to existing features, as well as add new ones. For example, customization allows users to add new functionalities and features. This gives them the freedom to choose their favorite features and functionalities.
However, customization also enables business owners to tailor the system according to their specific requirements. Thus, business owners can customize the system as per their needs and requirements. For example, business owners can customize workflows for improved processes in an easier manner. In addition, customization also makes it easy for business owners to add new functionalities without spending much time and money on coding and testing the system.
An ERP system is a valuable tool that businesses can rely on to manage their operations efficiently and effectively. However, businesses must customize their ERP system in a way that best suits their business needs and requirements.
Making the Right Choice for Your Business
– When it comes to ERP implementation, business owners are often confused between configuration and customization. The key difference is discussed below. Configuration refers to the pre-built features of an ERP system into one system and customization involves customizing the features in the system according to business needs. You must consider your business size and needs before making a decision on whether to go for configuration or customization as each has its own advantages.
– Configuration gives a stable business environment with fewer bugs. It also makes it easy for business users to understand the system quickly. On the other hand, customization ensures a better user experience and ensures increased business efficiency. Depending on business requirements, you can opt for either configuration or customization.
– To begin with, configuration reduces the time and cost incurred in custom coding and testing. Also, system stability is ensured by using pre-built features in the system.
– Finally, using configurations instead of customizations ensures quicker time to market and improves business efficiency. So, it all depends on your business requirements and needs as to which variant would be beneficial to your business.
Key Differences Between Configuration and Customization
ERP configuration occurs when business organizations make standard changes to existing parameters, workflows, and fields in the ERP application. It is often a time-consuming process, but businesses can be assured that the changes are safe and reliable. With ERP customization, businesses can modify the source code of the ERP application without making any changes to the underlying system. This process requires coding and planning for implementation. By contrast, business organizations cannot add new modules to an ERP system without making changes to the source code and changing settings based on departmental requirements. In essence, customization requires more effort from businesses but provides greater customization and control over their business processes.
What is the key difference between configuration and customization in ERP implementation?
When it comes to ERP implementation, the key difference is that configuration involves making changes to existing parameters, workflows, and fields while customization involves making changes to the code (and sometimes, rewriting portions of it).
Customization allows businesses to add new modules to the existing ERP software without changing the source code. This means that you can have different modules working in tandem with each other, without having to worry about conflicting code.
Configuration includes changing the settings of financial reports, time zones, language, currencies, business workflows, and data analytics. By changing these settings, you can have a better system in place for managing your business data.
Why is it important to understand these two concepts before embarking on an ERP implementation project?
Before starting a business process like ERP customization or configuration, it’s essential for business owners to understand these two concepts.
ERP customization involves optimizing the software’s settings to meet the specific needs of the business. This process might entail adjusting system functions and components to integrate with an existing system environment.
On the other hand, ERP configuration refers to the process of optimizing basic system functions and components to enable ERP system integration. By doing this, business owners can reduce the time and effort necessary to get their ERP system up and running.
In addition to improving system efficiency, successful ERP customization, and configuration work together to deliver tangible business benefits. For instance, by customizing ERP settings, businesses can increase data accuracy and improve overall communication between different departments within the company. Consequently, an ERP implementation can help to boost team productivity and efficiency.
What are some common challenges that can arise when implementing an ERP system using configuration vs customization?
There are some common challenges that can arise when implementing an ERP system using configuration vs customization. These include:
1. Establishing business needs is a key challenge when customizing an ERP system, as changes are made at the source-code level, requiring comprehensive planning. This process can involve identifying specific business processes and user requirements, then modifying the source code accordingly.
2. ERP customization can involve adding new modules and training users, as well as fixing bugs and errors. In order to do this effectively, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the system’s functionalities and how users should be able to access and use them.
3. Configuring an ERP solution involves making standard changes to existing parameters, workflows, and fields. This can be time-consuming and require expertise in various programming languages and database systems.
4. ERP customizations typically require changes to the system’s source code and can involve adding new features, custom reports, or integrations between the ERP solution and third-party applications. Because of this, it’s important to have a detailed understanding of the system before starting any customization work.
Conclusion
In a time when business needs are changing rapidly, business owners must adapt to new practices and technology. When it comes to business management software customization, business owners have more options than ever. From an array of configuration tools to extensive training resources and third-party system integrations, there are plenty of customization options available. If you’re planning on using an enterprise resource planning solution, we hope the above information helped you understand the process better. Get expert advice on customization and configuration here.
OVATIX is an ERP Software Company based in Pune providing comprehensive software solutions for managing business operations. Our ERP software solutions help you to simplify, automate and streamline your business processes for optimal results. Get the best ERP solutions from us
