An ERP project rarely fails because of the software alone. It struggles when the need is vague, the scope keeps growing or nobody has agreed who decides. This ERP guide hub brings together our independent articles so that you can prepare each stage of your ERP project with the right information, whatever your sector or size.
Who these guides are for
The guides are written for the people who carry the decision in UK small and mid-sized businesses:
- Managing directors and owners who need to understand the investment, the risks and what the business must contribute.
- Finance directors and financial controllers who want reliable month-end figures, clean VAT handling and control over costs.
- IT managers who must weigh hosting, security, integrations and long-term support.
- Operations and project leads who will live with the system every day and shape the processes it supports.
None of this requires technical knowledge. Each guide explains terms as they appear and focuses on decisions rather than jargon.
Where to start, depending on your stage
You do not need to read everything in order. Pick the row that matches where you are today.
| Your stage | What you are asking | Guides to read first |
|---|---|---|
| Discovering | What is an ERP, and do we need one? | What is an ERP, ERP for small business, open-source ERP |
| Comparing | Which approach and which product fit us? | How to choose an ERP, cloud vs on-premise ERP, ERP cost |
| Preparing | What exactly do we need, and who will help? | ERP requirements template, choosing an ERP integrator |
| Launching | How do we deliver this without disruption? | ERP implementation, ERP migration, ERP project mistakes |
If you are just discovering ERP
At this stage the goal is to describe your problem accurately. Spreadsheets that no one trusts, stock figures that differ from the books, re-keying between sales and accounts: these are the symptoms an ERP addresses.
The introduction to what an ERP is explains the modules and how they share one set of data. If you run a smaller business, ERP for small business explains what is proportionate for your size, and open-source ERP clarifies what that label does and does not mean for cost and support.
UK-specific questions come up early too. Making Tax Digital for VAT and the move towards electronic invoicing affect how your system must record and send documents, which our guide on ERP and e-invoicing addresses.
If you are comparing options
Comparison goes wrong when it starts with product names. Begin with your criteria, then test the shortlist against them. How to choose an ERP gives you a method, and cloud vs on-premise ERP helps you settle the deployment question before you talk to suppliers.
Budget deserves its own attention. ERP cost explains what makes up the total: licences or subscriptions, implementation, data migration, training, integrations and ongoing support. We deliberately do not quote figures, because they depend on scope and the number of users.
When you are ready to look at specific products, our ERP software section presents Odoo, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Sage, Oracle NetSuite and SAP Business One. Side-by-side views are in our comparisons.
If you are ready to launch
Once the choice is made, the quality of the preparation decides the outcome. Write your needs down using the ERP requirements template, then read choosing an ERP integrator to know which questions to ask and which answers should reassure you.
The delivery phase is covered by the ERP implementation guide: governance, data preparation, testing, training and go-live. If you are replacing an existing system, ERP migration deals with data quality and parallel running. Before signing anything, spend time on ERP project mistakes: most of them are avoidable when you know where to look.
Guides for specific sectors
Needs differ widely between a manufacturer, a wholesaler and a professional services firm. Our ERP by industry pages complement the guides with sector-specific points, for example manufacturing ERP or wholesale and distribution ERP.
From reading to talking to an integrator
Reading is only the first step. When you are ready, how our matching service works is simple: you describe your project, and we put you in touch with a certified integrator suited to it. The service is free for you. We are not affiliated with any software vendor, and the integrator, not us, carries out the project.
What is an ERP?
Definition of an ERP (enterprise resource planning): one database, shared modules, and the signs it is time to adopt one.
How to choose an ERP
A selection method for UK firms: needs, criteria, scoring grid, demonstrations and reference checks.
ERP cost guide
Licences, integration, data migration, training and support: every line of an ERP budget, and how to compare quotes.
ERP project stages
The stages of an ERP project: scoping, selection, design, configuration, data migration, testing, training, go-live.
ERP requirements template
How to write an ERP requirements document, with a section-by-section plan and a complete model you can copy.
Choosing an integrator
What an ERP integrator actually does, how to compare firms, the questions to ask and the contract terms that matter.
ERP migration guide
When to replace your ERP, how to move the data and how to cut over safely, with a rollback plan.
ERP project mistakes
The mistakes that derail ERP projects, from vague scope to weak sponsorship, and the remedy for each.
Cloud vs on-premise ERP
Cloud (SaaS), hosted or on-site ERP compared on cost, security, data location, customisation and upgrades.
ERP for small business
When a small business needs an ERP, which systems suit its size, and how to start small and extend over time.
ERP e-invoicing
What UK businesses must know about e-invoicing and ERP: rules, formats, platforms and the checks to run.
Open source ERP
Open source ERP and free ERP compared: Odoo Community, Dolibarr, real costs, limits and the cases where it makes sense.
ERP legal requirements
VAT, Making Tax Digital, RTI payroll, auto-enrolment, UK GDPR and e-invoicing: what a UK ERP must cover.
Making Tax Digital
What Making Tax Digital requires of your ERP for VAT and Income Tax, and what to test before you sign.
Payroll, RTI and ERP
How RTI reporting to HMRC and auto-enrolment fit with an ERP, and what to check before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I start if I have never worked on an ERP project?
Start with the guide explaining what an ERP is and what it replaces in your current set-up. Then read the guide on choosing an ERP, which helps you turn day-to-day frustrations into criteria. You will then be ready to write requirements.
Are these ERP guides tied to a particular software vendor?
No. We are not affiliated with any vendor, and the guides treat Odoo, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Sage, Oracle NetSuite and SAP Business One on the same footing. The aim is to help you decide, not to steer you towards one product.
How do the guides relate to finding an ERP integrator?
The guides prepare the ground: clear needs, a realistic scope and sensible questions for suppliers. Once you are ready, our free matching service puts you in touch with a certified integrator suited to your project. The integrator then delivers the work.
Do I need a detailed specification before I contact an integrator?
No, but a short, structured brief saves time on both sides. The requirements guide gives you a template to capture processes, integrations and constraints. An integrator can help refine it during the discovery phase.
Which guide should I read if my current ERP is no longer working for us?
Read the migration guide first, then the guide on project mistakes. Together they cover how to move data and processes safely, and which pitfalls make replacement projects overrun or disappoint.
Software names mentioned are trademarks of their respective publishers and are referred to for information only. This site is independent and is not affiliated with any software publisher.