ERP Solutions are cost effective for SMB: Sudheer Nair

eresource Infotech founded by Sudheer Nair, CEO, eresource Infotech Pvt Ltd. provide services in the ERP field to the SMB sector. With the cost of solution is high on pockets for the medium size companies, it becomes almost impossible for the small players to opt for the ERP solutions. However, breaking this myth, Sudheer has introduce Software-as-a-Service (Saas) model which provides the client only what they required instead of burdening them with the full package. In an exclusive chat with Sudheer Nair, Bhawna Satsangi finds out more about the revenue model of ERP Solutions.

Please throw light on the web based ERP Solutions that you are providing to the Indian Market?

Eresource is an affordable, flexible, reliable and user-friendly web-based ERP system developed by eresource Infotech Pvt. Ltd., Thane, Maharashtra. Web-based eresource ERP solution simplifies back-office process automation. It provides real-time information about finance, order management, purchase, inventory, employee management, e-commerce and much more. With eresource ERP solution, companies can accelerate business cycles, improve productivity and reliability and provide higher levels of service to customers, suppliers and partners.

What are the major challenges as a service provider you are facing?

It is not challenges but competition in the market that we have to tackle in a successful manner. There are many ERP products and vendors in the market today. Some of them are large players they normally focus on big firms. Though eresource system is capable of handling any volume of business process, we have fenced our business arena to Small and Medium Size businesses in every major industrial verticals.  

What is the network of channel partners you carry forward and what strategy do you develop in taking the practice forward?

We have our channel partners in different parts of the country and some Middle Eastern states whose business operations and functionalities are closely knitted and monitored by our corporate office in Thane, Maharashtra. We also encourage IT firms or other solution providers to be part of our network setup that could fetch good business opportunities and reap rich dividends.

Who all are your clients and how the ERP solutions are beneficial to them?

We have hundreds of clients that are spread over across the country. A complete client list can be found on our website.

What is the revenue model?

There are many small and medium sized companies in India that cannot afford to implement a conventional ERP system, which demands a huge capital investment. Taking this matter into account and overcome this hurdle, eresource has introduced an innovative plan which will enable every organizations, irrespective of their size or budget, to implement an ERP system. The prime objective of this SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) model is to provide the client ONLY what they required instead of burdening them with the full package.

We have categorized our Saas model into three packages. These are eresource ERP-Lite, eresource ERP-Pro, eresource ERP-Enterprises. These models are available out of the shelf. As eresource SaaS model is a scalable solution, organizations can further extend or curtail the modules as per the requirement.

What kind of services are you providing to the SMB market?

You may be aware that ERP implementation is a costly affair therefore it may not be possible for every organization to implement the system. However, Web-based or Cloud-based or SaaS Model ERP system that are economically reasonable enabled the Small and Medium-Sized Businesses to go for this facility, which ultimately helped their business process.  Web-based eresource ERP system can cover a wide range of functions and integrate them into one unified database. For instance, functions such as Human Resources, Supply Chain Management, Customer Relations Management, Financials, Manufacturing functions and Warehouse Management functions were all once stand alone software applications, usually housed with their own database and network, can now fit under one umbrella. This kind of functionality helps all organizations, including the Sibs a lot.

Please throw light on the ERP training session?

ERP training holds a considerable importance in the success of an ERP system. While organizations spend whopping amounts on ERP software and its implementation, training of employees who are assigned to run the system is getting neglected or not provided adequately. This act amounts to improper handling of the ERP system which ultimately results in sub-optimal performance of the system or in some cases failed implementations. Eresource has its own trailing method to overcome this issue. Apart from our normal training that is provided to users at their working place during the implementation and after implementation, we have an exclusive ERP training centre for anyone who would like to take up this special training. The training centre known as eresource Academy is becoming very helpful for software trainees as well as other corporate who would like to get a deep knowledge on functioning of an ERP system.

Can you explain how ERP solutions helpful do for the SMB Market?

Globalization and IT sophistication are forcing even small businesses to automate processes and integrate applications to facilitate stronger communication, data collection and analysis. ERP software systems are integrated business solutions intended for the planning, managing, controlling and accounting for all of a company's resources.

It is the administrative and operational requirements, not the size of the company that determines if an ERP solution is required or not. Even small companies require most of the same basic ERP functions needed by larger companies.

eresource's cost-effective, web-based ERP solution, combined with eresource's flexible and affordable pricing structures, provides SMBs with a technology solution having all of the functionality and benefits of a "big company" ERP system - but with minimal investment and risk.

What are the strategies/steps involved while applying ERP solutions in SMB sector?

Our implementation strategies are identical for large, small and medium sized businesses.  It starts with our consultants and the company representatives meet together and prepare a work plan. This plan details each and every activity that needs to be carried out and when they should be carried out. Our consultant team would lead the process of the work plan preparation, because they have the experience of implementing the same package in similar conditions.

The in-house team from the company should point out the issues that are specific to them and help our constants in creating a realistic work plan. The work plan forms the basis for project tracking and monitoring. The project plan contains numerous activities, the man-hours required to complete them and the resources need perform the tasks.

Usually the project plan is built using a project management package that permits one to focus on planned activities from various perspectives - the chronological sequence or timetable, specific activities and who is responsible for them. Preparing the project plan using such a tool helps in improving the quality of the plan and it easier for us to make changes and adjustments. Once the project is underway the plan can be updated on a regular basis and the planned vs. actual reports can be produced in varying detail and in varying formats including graphical formats.