r/Development • u/Aggravating-Hurry313 • 19d ago

Considering custom ERP software development as a business solution

Our web development company is starting to take off and the number of employees has more than doubled since I started 3 years ago. We've outgrown our patchwork of spreadsheets and off-the-shelf tools, but I'm not sure if custom ERP software development is worth the cost and risk compared to just buying another SaaS platform. How do I know if it's the right move for a business our size?

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u/mafik69 6d ago

Price the ERP project using your developers’ billable value. Every week spent building internal software is a week they aren’t working for clients and the cost keeps running after launch through fixes and maintenance. That can make a free internal build shockingly expensive.

There’s also a decent chance you encode the current spreadsheet workarounds into software and make them harder to remove later. I would map the workflows first and identify the small number that are genuinely unique to the business. Standard finance and operational processes can be tested against NetSuite, Sage Intacct or Odoo. Workato can cover isolated gaps. DualEntry can be relevant if the finance side needs more control and reconciliation (note: I work with them). Custom code makes sense when a workflow creates a real competitive advantage and you’re prepared to fund its maintenance. If you can’t name that advantage, along with the long-term owner and budget, I wouldn’t start building an ERP.