In my earlier article, I explained the difference between a 4-foot pool and a 16-foot pool in ERP selection.
A 4-foot ERP is shallow.
- It handles generic transactions.
- The moment manufacturing complexity increases, users hit the bottom.
A 16-foot ERP is different. It is purpose-built for deeper manufacturing operations:
- Multi-level BOM
- Landed costing
- WIP tracking
- Subcontracting
- Real-time costing
- COGS-based accounting
- Plant maintenance
- Integrated QC
For many manufacturing companies, this depth is exactly what is needed.
But here comes the next mistake.
Some companies assume:
“If 4 feet is insufficient, then let us go for Deep Sea Diving.”
That is where large global enterprise ERP implementations begin.
Deep Sea Diving ERPs are typically:
- highly globalized
- heavily customizable
- consultant dependent
- process rigid
- implementation intensive
Examples include large-scale deployments of:
- Large Global ERPs
- Customised Opensource ERPs
- Customised CRMs and Accounting softwares
These are not software installations. These become transformation projects.
Typical characteristics:
- 8 to 15 months implementation
- massive consulting teams
- endless workshops
- process redesign exercises
- expensive change management
- multi-country architecture planning
And many times:
- implementation cost alone crosses a million dollars
- users become exhausted before go-live
- management loses visibility during transition
- Excel survives longer than the ERP itself
Industry research consistently shows that large ERP implementations frequently exceed budgets and timelines.
The goal of ERP selection should not be: “Choose the deepest ocean.”
The goal should be: “Choose the right depth.”
Most manufacturing companies do not need Deep Sea Diving.
They need:
- a functionally fit ERP for a lower resistance
- industry readiness from Day 1 for predictable Cost & ROI
- practical implementation for the faster user adoption
A properly designed 16-foot pool is still safer, faster, and far more practical than Deep Sea Diving for most businesses.
Read the original article here:
Why does your ERP Implementation feel like diving into a 4-Foot Pool?
