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One of our clients recently asked us to research the best solution for their business operations. They have multiple platforms & software packages to run their financials, operations, and ecommerce transactions. We considered making custom middleware to make the data transition between the disparate systems, but it appears that a complete ERP solution was most suitable. The information listed in this report is designed to solve the following problems:

• Manage financials, supply chain, ecommerce, and CRM
• Remotely Accessible
• Cost effective for a small to medium sized business
• Supports a single unified inventory database that feeds 2 separate ecommerce sites

OpenPro ERP

Overview:
One of the older web-based ERP systems, OpenPro utilizes open-source technologies to provide both software & hosted ERP solutions. They have various packages available to companies of varying sizes & they have a strong reseller network with over 72 companies nationwide.

Cost Breakdown:

• Module cost of $40/ea - $160/mo
  • Financials, Supply Chain, eCommerce, CRM
• Hosted Service (5 users) - $200/mo
• Implementation (Estimated @ 5 days) - $6000

1st Year Cost: $10,320
On-going: $4,320
3 year cost: $18,960

Primary Modules:

• Financials – Includes A/P, A/R, G/L, and Job Costing. Complete reporting and analysis available.
• Supply Chain – Order Entry, Purchasing, Inventory Control, Point of Sale, Sales Analysis, and Customer Service Management.
• Sales Force automation – Now your salespersons can track leads, opportunities, and manage their existing accounts. Also provides access via portable devices such as Palm Pilots.
• Time Clock / Payroll – Have your employees clock in/out and accurately process their payroll
• ECommerce – Complete eCommerce platform with Shopping cart functionality & customer support features.
• http://www.openpro.com/erp.html

CentreSource Opinion:
Being lovers of open-source software, we think OpenPro is a very viable product for a complete ERP solution. Our concerns lie with their unprofessional website & unattractive user interface. We feel that these are minor issues and that OpenPro is a great solution to a small/medium sized ERP requirement – especially for the cost!

We also like the fact that they have a large number of resellers that support the system – this gives a customer many choices when selecting a provider. The downside is that a reseller may reflect poorly on OpenPro if they do poor work.

Web based: Yes
Financials: Yes
Supply Chain: Yes
* Unified Inventory: Yes - One inventory base for 2 sites
Sales Automation: Yes
ECommerce Integration: Yes (Also has its own platform)
Cost: Least Expensive

Jim Clark (Technical) or Ellie (Sales)
(714) 378-4600

NetSuite Full Edition

Overview:
A completely web-based ERP & CRM integrated system, NetSuite has most of the features of the Oracle product with a price that is more affordable than both Oracle & Intacct. Netsuite has a long list of clients/success stories – as well as a long/capable list of features & modules.

Modules:

• Financials – Standard AP, AR, and GL functions. Also includes multi-level companies & fiscal budgeting.
• Inventory – Complete inventory management that’s integrated with eCommerce platforms so changes are instantly reflected to customers and salespersons.
• Advanced Order fulfillment & integration with UPS
• Purchasing & Vendor Management
• Sales Force Automations – Helping your salespersons track leads, opportunities, and dive deeper into existing accounts. Easily identify up-sell & cross-sell opportunities.
• Marketing Automation – Track the success of online, offline, and direct marketing campaigns. Use promotion codes to apply limited time pricing and referral offers.
• Customer Support and Service – Helping customer loyalty by offering tools to handle issues more quickly and improve customer relationships. Customers can create/open their own cases or even search from an online knowledge-base for self service.
• http://www.netsuite.com/portal/products/netsuite/main.shtml

Cost Breakdown:

• Initial setup / implementation for 5 users - $12,400
  • One time fee
• Hosted NetSuite (full) with Support - $12,400/yr
  • Full NetSuite required for Marketing Automation
  • Additional modules may have extra expense
    • Ex: Web Analytics, $199/mo

1st Year Cost: $24,800
On-going: $12,400
3 year cost: $49,600

* Note: Full edition required for Marketing Automation, as well as features such as eCommerce analytics.

CentreSource Opinion:
A well-oiled machine, NetSuite didn’t miss a single step in the ERP analysis process. Their response was timely, their product offering is complete, and their cost is inexpensive compared to the other services.

The only negative side to Netsuite was their ‘a la carte’ pricing for additional modules. Their website doesn’t clearly explain what is included and what is additional, so we remain concerned that the price could rise rapidly. For example, the Web Analytics module costs an additional $199/mo – which translates to $7,200 over three years.

Web based: Yes
Financials: Yes
Supply Chain: Yes
* Unified Inventory: Yes – One inventory base for 2 sites
Sales Automation: Yes
ECommerce Integration: Yes (Also has its own platform)
Cost: Normal

Carlo Cristofari (ccristofari@netsuite.com)
(905) 219-8308

Axis Accounting (Local ERP Integrator)

Overview:
Axis is a reputable ERP consultancy firm with extensive experience on multiple software platforms such as Best Software, Epicor, and Microsoft. Axis provides complete financial and ERP solutions to clients on Windows networks.

Suggested Software Solutions:

• Microsoft Great Plains – Financial Management, Supply Chain Management, Customer Relationship Management, E-Business, and Business Analytics
  • http://www.microsoft.com/BusinessSolutions/GreatPlains/default.aspx
• Best Software, Platinum for Windows (PFW) – PFW is a comprehensive ERP system for small to medium sized businesses. The package contains modules for financials, distribution, payroll, human resource management, project management, business intelligence, eCommerce, and customer relationship management.
  • http://www.bestsoftware.com/pfw/
• For more information on Axis Accounting, you can visit their site: http://www.axisaccounting.com

Cost Breakdown:
Note: These prices are rough estimates provided by the consultancy firm

• Initial Software Cost, 5 user license -$32,000 (approx)
• Initial Implementation / Training - $32,000 (approx)
  • One time cost
• Yearly software maintenance (for upgrades, support, etc.) - $10,000
  • Approx $5000 for software maintenance (18% of original licensing fees)
  • Approx $5000 for consultancy support & modifications

1st Year Cost: $64,000
On-going: $20,000 / yr
3 year Cost: $84,000*

* Note: The 3 year cost projection DOES NOT account for additional costs related to servers, desktops, and software fees for applications such as Citrix. These additional components will cost approximately $30,000 over the course of 3 years (assuming 5 new desktops, 2 new servers, and software/consultancy).

CentreSource Opinion:
With a system as sensitive as ERP, we really like having a local vendor to establish an on-going relationship. Local vendors often give faster response and are capable of coming on site for immediate expert support. It’s also typical to have a dedicated consultant that understands your business model & can provide best practices consultation – which can be extremely invaluable.

However, the need for additional infrastructure is a major deterrent for this project. Whether we choose Navision or PFW, there will be additional costs for servers, desktops, and additional fees associated with Citrix. This can quickly result in increased expenses and headaches.

Web based: No – Only accessible via Citrix / Server login
Financials: Yes
Supply Chain: Yes
* Unified Inventory: Yes – See comment on eCommerce below
Sales Automation: Yes
ECommerce Integration: Possible, but not a forte’
* Consultant expressed doubts about eCommerce, but did not say they could not provide the work.
Cost: Normal / Expensive (considering additional technology)

Axis Accounting
(615) 665-2545

Intacct ERP OnDemand

Overview:
Touting itself as the ‘best of breed’ web based ERP, Intacct focuses primarily on Financial and Supply Chain management. The service is designed to easily integrate with other third party systems and they have an extensive list of vendors they work with, including CRM leader Salesforce.com & payroll leaders such as ADP.

Primary Modules:

• Financials – Powerful set of tools that include A/P, A/R, G/L, and Cash Management. Also focuses on Cash Management.
• Supply Chain – Consists of Inventory, Sales Order Management, Billing, and Purchasing.
• http://www.intacct.com/solutions_enterprise.html

Cost Breakdown:

• 5 users | Monthly fee - $2,000/mo
  • Additional users: $125/mo
• Implementation Estimate - $10,000/entity
  • Depends on how you want to setup your business (2 entities)

1st Year Cost: $44,000
On-going: $24,000
3 year cost: $92,000

* Note: The Intacct system will integrate with your current eCommerce system. If you want a more robust eCommerce platform, they suggest CoreSense. It costs $6,000 to implement with a monthly hosting fee of $800. This can increase your three year cost by another $34,800

CentreSource Opinion:
A little slow on the original customer service inquiry, they surged back with a clear goal of providing the ‘best’ system for financial and supply chain management. While they lack modules that other systems provide, we like their open approach to integrating with any other third party system. This leads to maximum flexibility for future expansion.

They also have a ‘multi-entity’ feature they touted that allows you to track financials of your two Ecommerce sites, but still manage the inventory & financials from a unified platform.

Web based: Yes
Financials: Yes
Supply Chain: Yes
* Unified Inventory: Yes – One inventory base for 2 sites
Sales Automation: No – However, it can integrate with Salesforce.com
ECommerce Integration: Yes
Cost: Very Expensive

Bob Ackerman (backerman@intacct.com)
(630) 369-1105

Oracle eBusiness Suite (Special Edition)

Overview:
The eBusiness Suite (Special Edition) is Oracle’s entry level ERP product that allows for complete management of your business. Typically the favorite of large companies, Oracle is trying to make inroads in the small to medium business segment.

Primary Modules:

• Oracle Financials – Complete management of your financials, including performance metrics, cash management, collections, planning & budgeting, payables, receivables, and much more.
  • http://www.oracle.com/applications/financials/catalog.html
• Oracle Inventory – Complete management of your inventory, including demand/supply forecasting.
  • Purchasing
  • Order Management
• Oracle Sales – Helping your team manage leads, identify sales opportunities, and improve the entire sales process.
  • Telesales (phone related)
  • Field sales (field related)
• Oracle E-Business Intelligence – Comprehensive reporting, analysis, and alerts on all aspects of your business.
• Oracle iStore – The eCommerce platform that integrates with the other components, iStore gives you a single area to manage your ecommerce sites, promotions, affiliate web links, other marketing components.
  • This is an extra module (not included with eBusiness Suite)
• http://www.oracle.com/solutions/mid/ebs_specialedition.html

Cost Breakdown:

• Licensing $2000/yr per user (Minimum 10 users) - $20,000/yr
• OnDemand Hosting & Support in Oracle Datacenter - $96,000/yr
• Setup, Implementation - $40,000
  • One time fee
  • Training NOT included - $? (no price given)
• iStore eCommerce Platform (module) - $100,000
  • Yearly maintenance - $15,000/yr
  • On-Going support - $7,000/yr

1st Year Cost: $278,000
On-Going: $138,000/yr
3 year cost: $554,000

CentreSource Opinion:
Oracle has the brand name and history, but the price is extremely inflated compared to similar offers on the market. Their ASP hosting price is very high and their eCommerce platform is even higher. While they indicated they would negotiate, they also made it clear that they weren’t interested in many ‘small’ businesses.

They do have many modules that help run advanced parts of your business – including a scorecard application that helps improve efficiency in your operations.

Web based: Yes
Financials: Yes
Supply Chain: Yes
* Unified Inventory: Yes – One inventory base for 2 sites
Sales Automation: Yes
ECommerce Integration: Yes (Also has its own platform)
Cost: Ridiculous

Ray Mohammed (ray.mohammed@oracle.com)
(905) 501-2238

** Also contacted by Ian @ (905) 501-5257