Most ERP projects that struggle in Bangladesh do not fail because of the software. They fail because the company chose a system before it understood its own processes. As an implementation partner, we are often invited in after a shortlist already exists. Our first job is usually to step back and make the selection itself more reliable.
Start with how the business actually runs
Before we look at any product, we spend time with finance, sales, purchasing, stores and HR. We map how an order becomes an invoice, how stock moves between warehouses, how salaries are approved and how management reports are produced today. The result is a short list of must-have processes, nice-to-have features and pain points the new system has to remove.
- Must-haves: VAT and tax handling, multi-warehouse stock, approval workflows, Bangla and English documents.
- Integration needs: banks, e-commerce, Salesforce or another CRM, biometric attendance.
- Constraints: budget, internal IT capacity, hosting preference and go-live deadline.
Build a shortlist that matches your size
A garments factory with 3,000 workers and a trading company with 20 staff need very different systems. We usually compare a cloud ERP such as Reckon ERP, an open-source platform such as ERPNext or Odoo, and, for larger groups, Salesforce combined with a finance system. Each option is scored on fit to the must-haves, total cost over three to five years, local support and how easy it is to leave if needed.
Run scripted demos with your own data
Generic sales demos hide gaps. We give each vendor the same script: create a customer, raise a sales order, deliver part of it, invoice with VAT, receive payment and report the margin. Using your real items and customers quickly shows which system handles your edge cases and which needs expensive customisation.
Check the implementation plan, not just the product
The same software can succeed or fail depending on who implements it. We review each proposal for named consultants, a realistic timeline, data migration scope, training and post-go-live support. A plan that skips data cleaning or user training is a warning sign, whatever the licence price.
A clear recommendation
At the end of selection you receive a written recommendation: the preferred platform, why it fits, the expected cost range, a phased rollout plan and the risks to manage. Many clients then ask us to implement it, but the decision document is designed to be useful whoever does the work.
Frequently asked questions
How long does ERP selection take?
For a small or mid-sized company, two to four weeks is typical, depending on how many departments are involved.
Do you only recommend your own products?
No. We work with Reckon ERP, ERPNext, Odoo and Salesforce, and recommend the option that fits your processes and budget.
Related reading
For the product view of this topic, read ERP Software in Bangladesh: A Buyer’s Guide on the Reckon ERP blog.
Planning a project? Book a free consultation with our team, or see our ERPNext implementation service.
