ERP modules, compared by capability — not by vendor logo
Eight core module categories, the question worth asking about each before you sign off, and the watch-out we see most often during implementation review.
CAPABILITY REFERENCE · FOR CFOS, CIOS & COOS
ERP modules, compared
by capability —
not by vendor logo.
Eight core module categories, the question worth asking about each before you
sign off, and the watch-out we see most often during implementation review.
PREPARED BY
ORPINGTON ADVISORY
VENDOR-NEUTRAL BY DESIGN
FIN
PROC
INV
MFG
CRM
HR
PROJ
BI
ERP
CORE
01
Module-by-Module Evaluation
8 CORE CATEGORIES
MODULE
WHAT IT COVERS
KEY EVALUATION QUESTION
IMPLEMENTATION WATCH-OUT
Finance & GL
Chart of accounts, general ledger,
sign off, and the watch-out we see most often during implementation review.
AP/AR, multi-entity consolidation,
period-end close.
period-end close.
How many days does period-end close
take today, and what shrinks that?
take today, and what shrinks that?
Multi-entity consolidation is often the
most under-scoped requirement.
Procurement
Purchase requisitions, PO approval
most under-scoped requirement.
workflows, vendor management,
three-way match.
three-way match.
Does approval routing match our actual
authority limits, not a generic default?
authority limits, not a generic default?
Three-way match (PO / receipt / invoice)
is frequently configured loosely.
is frequently configured loosely.
Inventory &
WMS
WMS
Stock tracking, warehouse locations,
cycle counts, replenishment triggers.
cycle counts, replenishment triggers.
Can it handle our actual unit-of-measure
and lot/serial tracking needs?
and lot/serial tracking needs?
Real-time inventory accuracy depends
on integration testing, not just the
module.
Manufacturing
Bill of materials, work orders,
on integration testing, not just the
module.
capacity planning, shop floor
tracking.
tracking.
Does it support our production model —
discrete, process, or mixed?
discrete, process, or mixed?
Capacity planning modules are often
licensed but never configured.
CRM / Sales
Opportunity tracking, quoting, order-
to-cash handoff.
licensed but never configured.
How cleanly does quote-to-order-to-
invoice flow without manual re-entry?
invoice flow without manual re-entry?
A CRM bolt-on with poor ERP integration
recreates the silo it was meant to fix.
HR / Payroll
Employee records, time and
recreates the silo it was meant to fix.
attendance, payroll processing,
benefits.
benefits.
Does payroll meet our specific
provincial/state and multi-jurisdiction
rules?
provincial/state and multi-jurisdiction
rules?
Payroll compliance gaps surface only at
the first real pay run.
the first real pay run.
Project
Accounting
Accounting
Project budgets, time and expense
capture, revenue recognition by
project.
capture, revenue recognition by
project.
Can it recognise revenue the way our
accountants actually need to report it?
accountants actually need to report it?
Often the weakest module in horizontally-
focused ERP platforms.
BI / Reporting
Dashboards, ad hoc reporting, data
focused ERP platforms.
export for board and management
reporting.
reporting.
Can a non-technical user build the report
the board actually asks for?
the board actually asks for?
“Reporting included” often means raw
data access, not usable dashboards.
How to use this —
module selection is a purchasing decision; module configuration is where implementations fail. Every watch-out above describes
a gap that appears after the contract is signed, not before.
Selected your modules. Now verify the build.
data access, not usable dashboards.
This reference helps you evaluate what to buy. The Confidence Score evaluates
whether what actually got built matches what you approved.
VERIFY THE
BUILD
orpingtontech.com/free-diagnostic
ORPINGTON
ERP STEWARDSHIP, END TO END
CAPABILITY REFERENCE
Orpington Technologies Inc. · Saskatchewan, Canada ·
info@orpingtontech.com
·
https://www.orpingtontech.com/
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whether what actually got built matches what you approved.