How to Choose the Best ERP Software for Your Business

ERP Selection Is a Critical Business Decision

Choosing the wrong ERP is expensive — not just financially, but operationally. A system that's too complex confuses your staff. One that's too basic creates gaps you fill with Excel. One that doesn't understand Indian GST creates compliance headaches.

This guide gives you a practical, no-nonsense checklist to find the right ERP for your specific business needs in India.

Step 1: Define Your Business Requirements

Before evaluating any ERP, list your specific pain points:

• Am I losing money to billing errors?
• Do I know my exact stock levels at all times?
• Is GST compliance taking too much time?
• Can I see my daily profits in real time?
• Do I have multiple branches I need to manage?

Write down the top 5 problems you want ERP to solve. This becomes your evaluation filter.

Step 2: Must-Have ERP Features for Indian Businesses

Feature	Why It Matters	Check
GST Billing (CGST/SGST/IGST)	Legal requirement in India	✅
GSTR Reports (1 & 3B)	Monthly compliance	✅
Real-Time Inventory	Stop stock losses	✅
Mobile App Access	Monitor anytime, anywhere	✅
Customer Ledger	Track outstanding payments	✅
Profit Reports	Know your actual margin	✅
Multi-Branch Support	If expanding	✅
Hindi Language Support	For Indian staff	✅

Step 3: Evaluate Ease of Use

The best ERP is one your cashier, accountant, and purchase manager can learn in a day. Evaluate this by:

• Asking for a free demo
• Having your actual staff try billing during the demo
• Checking if menus are in simple language
• Asking how long training typically takes

Step 4: Verify India-Specific Compliance

Many ERP systems are built for international markets and adapted for India. This creates gaps in GST compliance. Verify:

• Are e-invoices generated with proper IRN?
• Does it support HSN code management?
• Can you generate GSTR-1 in the correct JSON format?
• Is ITC (Input Tax Credit) tracking built-in?

Step 5: Evaluate Total Cost of Ownership

The price tag is just the start. Factor in:

• One-time setup fee
• Annual renewal cost
• Cost per additional user
• Support and training costs
• Cost of add-ons (mobile app, barcode, multi-branch)

Step 6: Check Support Quality

When something goes wrong during billing season, you need immediate support. Ask:

• Is support in Hindi available?
• What are support hours? (Mon–Sat 9AM–6PM is minimum)
• Is setup training included?
• What is the typical response time?

Why MILAAN ERP Passes Every Test

• ✅ India-first GST billing with e-invoice
• ✅ Staff learns in hours — simple interface
• ✅ Mobile app included at no extra cost
• ✅ Hindi and English support
• ✅ All-inclusive pricing from ₹12,999/year
• ✅ Free demo with full training