Introduction
Let’s get this out of the way—hiring an ERP development company isn’t like shopping for a new printer. You’re not just picking a piece of software. You’re choosing the digital spine of your entire business. From inventory tracking in Switzerland to payroll processing in the UAE, your ERP system will touch every process, every department, and every frustrated email chain.
Unfortunately, too many companies treat ERP like an IT project instead of a business transformation. The result? Bloated systems no one understands, blown budgets, and an IT guy who now drinks three espressos before 10AM.
We’ve seen it all—from DIY disasters to “friend of a friend” developers who promised the moon but delivered a menu screen. At Kanhasoft, we believe ERP success starts long before the first line of code. It starts with clarity, strategy, and—brace yourself—asking the uncomfortable questions.
So before you sign anything (or worse, start building), read this guide. It’ll save you time, money, and possibly your sanity.
Point One: Know what you’re solving
If you can’t describe your business problem in one sentence, you’re not ready for an ERP system. That’s rule number one. Before hiring an ERP development company, you need to define the “why.” Not the “we want an ERP,” but the “we need to unify customer data from six platforms so we stop missing orders.”
Your developers aren’t mind readers (trust us—we’ve tried).
The clearer you are about what needs fixing, the more aligned your project will be. This includes gathering internal feedback from finance, HR, logistics—everyone whose daily pain points will either be solved or worsened by your shiny new ERP.
We once worked with a client who thought they needed CRM integration—turns out, what they actually needed was inventory accuracy. Different problem. Entirely different solution.
Bottom line: the most successful ERP projects don’t start with software. They start with diagnosis. Know the problem. Then start shopping.
Point Two: One-size-fits-all is for ponchos, not ERP
Let’s make this painfully clear—custom ERP software is called “custom” for a reason. If someone tries to sell you a templated solution that “works for everyone,” run. Fast.
Your business isn’t generic. Neither should your ERP be. While off-the-shelf tools have their place (usually in the “we just need something for now” phase), serious businesses need enterprise ERP solutions tailored to their workflows, compliance requirements, and scalability goals.
At Kanhasoft, we’ve seen clients try to wedge their processes into rigid systems, only to end up back at square one six months later—only poorer and more frustrated.
A custom ERP software build aligns with how you actually work. It integrates with your legacy systems, automates the right tasks, and speaks your team’s language—literally and figuratively.
Remember: you’re not buying software. You’re buying fit. And poor fit costs more than you think.
Point Three: Experience matters
Everyone starts somewhere. But your ERP system is not the place to be someone’s practice run. Hiring an ERP development company with real-world experience—across industries, tech stacks, and business models—isn’t just smart. It’s survival.
Ask for their portfolio. Check case studies. Demand to speak with past clients. We’ve seen ERP developers promise enterprise magic, only to deliver half-baked modules stitched together like Frankenstein’s monster.
At Kanhasoft, we pride ourselves on solving for your actual problems—not pushing a generic “solution” that worked for someone else in an entirely different industry. Experience isn’t just about how many systems someone’s built—it’s about whether they’ve built them right, and whether they’ve stood the test of daily business chaos.
You want a team that knows what not to do. That’s where experience pays off—avoiding the landmines you haven’t even seen yet.
Point Four: Ask about their ERP implementation process
Here’s a fun truth: everyone says they follow a “proven process.” Until you ask them to explain it. When hiring an ERP development company, if they can’t clearly outline their ERP implementation services—from requirements gathering to post-launch support—you’re in trouble.
A real ERP implementation is layered:
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Discovery and planning (not just “kickoff meeting”)
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Modular builds with sprint reviews
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Testing. Testing again. And yes, more testing
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Data migration without data migraines
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Go-live strategy and support (including post-launch babysitting, because trust us—it’s needed)
We’ve had clients come to us mid-project because their previous team “just started building” with no documentation, no roadmap, and no QA process. That’s not development—it’s gambling.
Your ERP is too critical to wing it. If their implementation plan fits on a napkin, find someone else.
Point Five: Integration isn’t optional—it’s oxygen
Repeat after us: if your ERP can’t talk to your other systems, it’s not a solution—it’s a silo.
Every business has tools: CRMs, finance platforms, inventory managers, marketing suites. A great ERP development company knows how to connect them. We’re talking real-time syncs, not manual exports and copy-paste acrobatics.
At Kanhasoft, our ERP integration experts make sure your shiny new ERP doesn’t just sit there—it breathes. We connect to cloud services, payment gateways, eCommerce platforms, HR tools, and even that ancient legacy system your finance team refuses to let go of.
Because here’s the deal: integration isn’t a feature. It’s a foundation. If your ERP doesn’t integrate, your people will do the integration—manually—and mistakes will happen.
Seamless systems = faster workflows, happier teams, fewer fires. Don’t accept anything less.
Point Six: Beware the “We’ll Build Anything” trap
You know the type—those ERP system developers who respond to every request with “Sure, we can do that.” Sounds great on paper… until you realize their definition of “can” involves corner-cutting, feature creep, and timelines that go from weeks to “maybe next quarter.”
A solid ERP development company won’t promise the world. They’ll ask hard questions, push back on bad ideas, and focus on building what your business actually needs.
We once met a client whose previous developers agreed to build 32 modules—at once. You can guess how that ended (spoiler: it didn’t).
At Kanhasoft, we believe in honest ERP conversations. If something doesn’t make sense, we say so. If your process needs refining before building, we pause. Why? Because real ERP success comes from restraint, not reckless enthusiasm.
So if your vendor nods to everything with zero questions? Red flag. ERP development isn’t a yes-fest. It’s a strategy.
Point Seven: Support after go-live is everything
Launch day is not the finish line—it’s the starting gate. And if your ERP implementation services don’t include post-launch support, you’re going to feel it.
Bug fixes, user training, admin tweaks, performance tuning—these things don’t magically resolve themselves. In fact, the first few months after go-live are where the real battle begins.
We’ve had clients approach us after a “successful” launch only to discover their ERP partner vanished—ghosted, done, gone. That’s not partnership. That’s abandonment.
Kanhasoft stays. We stick around for bug squashing, hand-holding, and strategic enhancements. We offer support plans that actually support. Because we know the truth: software evolves, and your ERP has to evolve with it.
Ask upfront: What happens after go-live? Is there a support ticket system? Who handles updates? How fast is the response time?
If they stumble over those answers, it’s not too late to back out. Long-term ERP success is a relationship—not a one-night deployment.
Point Eight: Look under the hood—code, testing, deployment
Let’s get nerdy for a second. You don’t need to be a developer, but when hiring an ERP development company, you should still ask about the technical side of things.
What’s the tech stack? Is it scalable? Secure? Do they use version control? CI/CD pipelines? Is there automated testing? (If they don’t do testing, run.)
We once reviewed a codebase that looked like it had been written by seven different people, in three different languages, over a decade. Spoiler: it hadn’t. It was just that messy.
Kanhasoft follows strict code quality guidelines, maintains full documentation, and believes in repeatable, automated deployments. Not because it sounds impressive—but because it works.
And testing? We love it. Unit tests. Functional tests. Regression tests. Testing is what saves you from weekend firefights and Monday morning chaos.
Point Nine: Understand the real cost
Spoiler alert: the number on the proposal isn’t the whole story. When hiring an ERP development company, it’s tempting to chase the lowest bid—but ERP isn’t a one-time purchase. It’s an ecosystem.
You’ve got the upfront build, sure. But then come the costs for maintenance, hosting, third-party integrations, training, feature updates, and possibly therapy for your operations manager when the budget runs wild.
We’ve seen clients pick a “cheaper” vendor, only to spend twice as much later patching what wasn’t built right the first time.
Custom ERP software is like a house—you’re paying for more than just bricks. You’re paying for wiring, plumbing, insulation, and whether or not the roof collapses in the rain.
Ask for a full cost breakdown. Understand what’s included. Clarify licensing, support fees, future updates, and what happens if you want to scale. Because when it comes to ERP, you don’t just want “done.” You want done right—and done to last.
Point Ten: Trust your gut—and your checklist
At some point, you’ll be on a call with a potential ERP partner and think: “Hmm… something feels off.” Trust that feeling. Then back it up with a solid ERP development checklist. Here’s what that checklist should cover:
- Clear understanding of your business model
- Proven experience in ERP systems
- Transparent tech stack and development process
- Willingness to say “no” when needed
- Realistic timeline and budget alignment
- Post-launch support plan
- Willingness to explain without jargon
- References or case studies that actually match your project
Your ERP partner should challenge your assumptions (politely), bring fresh ideas, and communicate clearly. At Kanhasoft, we always say: a good ERP partner doesn’t just build what you ask—they build what you actually need. And sometimes, that requires hard truths and a better checklist.
Anecdote: That time we fixed a 6-month “almost-done” ERP in 6 weeks
We once took on a client who came to us in full panic mode. They’d been working with another team for six months on a “custom ERP solution” that was supposedly 90% done. (It wasn’t. Not even close.)
The system had no usable dashboards, inventory couldn’t sync, and the client had no idea what had been built—or why it worked the way it did.
We rolled up our sleeves, audited the code (and nearly cried), rebuilt core modules, re-architected the database, and delivered a clean, functioning ERP in—yes—six weeks.
What was the difference? Process, clarity, and experience. We didn’t just slap on fixes. We rebuilt with intent.
The client? Back on track. Their team? Finally using a system that actually worked. Us? Just another day at Kanhasoft. Moral of the story: when things go sideways, a real ERP development company doesn’t blame the code—they rewrite the ending.
Bonus: Kanhasoft’s ERP hiring cheat sheet (you’ll want to print this)
We know attention spans are short and meetings are long, so here’s a quick-hit cheat sheet to help you stay sharp when hiring an ERP development company:
ERP Hiring Checklist
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Do they understand your industry?
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Have they handled similar-sized projects?
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Can they walk you through their implementation methodology?
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Do they offer integration and post-launch support?
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Can they show real code or system demos?
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Are they transparent about timelines and costs?
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Do they use documentation, testing, and version control?
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Do they ask you hard questions (they should)?
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Are they proposing a scalable, modular architecture?
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Do they offer training and knowledge transfer?
Stick this on your (digital) wall. Refer to it before every vendor meeting. Because ERP isn’t just another software buy—it’s a long-term strategic move. And checklists, as we’ve learned, are the unsung heroes of success.
Conclusion
Let’s face it—hiring an ERP development company is one of those decisions that can quietly make or catastrophically break your business operations. It’s not about finding the cheapest option. It’s about finding the right one.
The right partner doesn’t just throw code at your problems. They understand your goals, your workflows, your frustrations—and then craft solutions that stick. They challenge your assumptions, respect your deadlines, and disappear only when everything works beautifully.
At Kanhasoft, we’ve walked through fire with clients, rebuilt disasters into delight, and helped teams transform their day-to-day with smart, scalable ERP solutions.
So if you’re ready to go beyond the buzzwords and build a system your team actually uses—and maybe even likes—start here. Ask the hard questions. Follow the points. Trust the process.
Because in ERP, as in life, the right partner changes everything.
FAQs
How do I know if my business is ready for an ERP?
If you’re struggling to manage data across departments, spending too much on manual tasks, or lacking process visibility—it’s time.
What should I prioritize when hiring an ERP development company?
Look for relevant experience, transparency, a defined process, and strong post-launch support. Avoid anyone who promises everything with no specifics.
How long does ERP development usually take?
It depends on complexity. A basic build may take 2–3 months, while enterprise-grade systems can span 6–12 months or more.
Should I go custom or off-the-shelf?
Custom ERP software offers flexibility and scalability. Off-the-shelf can be quicker to deploy but may not align with your unique processes.
How much does a custom ERP cost?
Costs vary, but expect anywhere from $20,000 to $150,000+ depending on scope, integrations, and support. Always ask for a detailed breakdown.
Can ERP systems integrate with my existing tools?
They should. A good ERP company will ensure seamless integrations with your CRM, accounting software, inventory tools, and more.
