This blogpost corresponds to Chapter 4.1 – ERP Software Development. It is part of Unit 4 – Software Development and Data Analysis of the project training curricula. You can also check the full structure of the training curricula here. Alternatively, you can learn more about the project by accessing the homepage.

Thus, ERP SW: Introduction to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software for VET Teachers is a EU-funded project (reference code: 2023-1-DE02-KA210-VET-000150687). Moreover, Xient GmbH coordinates the project in partnership with L4Y Learning For Youth GmbH and Hadımköy Mesleki ve Teknik Anadolu Lisesi.

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ERP Software Development: Introduction

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are basically very important tools for businesses today. They help bring together all the different parts of a company so they can work more smoothly. Developing and also customizing ERP software means understanding how it works, the steps to build it, and the tools and programming languages used to create it. Moreover, ERP systems comprise many modules, like finance, human resources, sales, and inventory. Each of these modules helps manage specific tasks, and when they work together, they make the company run better. Learning how to develop and customize ERP software is essential because every business has unique needs that may require special adjustments to the standard system (McKinsey & Company, 2019).

ERP systems also help reduce manual work and streamline different processes. By using ERP software, businesses can also automate many of their day-to-day tasks, like managing orders, processing payroll, and tracking inventory. This automation not only makes the work faster but also helps reduce errors that can happen. ERP systems also help managers make better decisions because they provide real-time data about what is happening in the business. For example, managers can see how much inventory is left, how many sales have been made, and what expenses are coming up, all in one system. This gives them the information they need to make decisions quickly and also accurately (Microsoft, 2025a).

Basics of ERP Software Development and Customization

Process of ERP Customization and Development

ERP customization basically means changing parts of an ERP system to fit the specific needs of a business. This process usually involves these steps:

ERP Software Development: Needs Assessment

Firstly, the company looks at its current business processes to see what gaps exist and what changes are necessary. This step is very important because it helps the company understand exactly what they need from the ERP system. Moreover, without a clear needs assessment, it can be difficult to know what changes are necessary (Hustad & Stensholt, 2023).

System Selection

Then, they choose a flexible ERP system to meet their needs. There are many ERP systems available, and selecting the right one depends on how flexible the system is and whether it can be adjustable to fit the company’s requirements. Companies also consider factors like cost, ease of use, and scalability when selecting an ERP system (McKinsey & Company, 2019).

Design and Development

Thirdly, after choosing the system, developers create new modules or change existing ones to meet the business requirements. These changes must fit well with the main ERP system. During this stage, developers work closely with different departments to make sure the system will meet everyone’s needs. Moreover, the goal is to create a solution that works seamlessly across the entire business (Odoo S.A., 2023).

Testing

The next step is to test everything to make sure the new changes work well and also don’t cause problems with the rest of the system. Testing is a critical part of the development process because it helps catch any issues before the system in the company. Moreover, different types of testing, like unit testing, integration testing, and user acceptance testing, are to make sure everything works as expected (ScienceSoft, n.d.).

Deployment and Training

Finally, the new system is put into use, and employees are trained to use it effectively. Training is very important because if employees don’t know how to use the system, it won’t be as effective. Training sessions also help employees learn how to navigate the system, enter data, and use the features specific to their jobs. Providing ongoing support is also essential to help employees feel comfortable with the new system and solve any problems they encounter (Anirban, 2024).

Methodologies in ERP Software Development

There are different ways to approach ERP development, including:

Agile Methodology

This method uses small, repeated steps to develop the system, making it flexible and also open to continuous improvements. Agile is especially useful for projects where requirements might change over time, allowing teams to adjust as they go (McKinsey & Company, 2019).

Waterfall Methodology

This method uses small, repeated steps to develop the system, making it flexible and open to continuous improvements. Agile is especially useful for projects where requirements might change over time, as it allows teams to make adjustments as they go (McKinsey & Company, 2019).

Waterfall Methodology

This method follows a step-by-step approach that is good for projects with clear and set requirements. Each phase must finish before moving on to the next, making it easy to track progress but less flexible if changes are necessary later (Hustad & Stensholt, 2023).

Hybrid Approaches

This combines parts of both Agile and Waterfall to use the best of each. Hybrid approaches are adjustable to meet the specific needs of a project, providing both structure and flexibility (Hustad & Stensholt, 2023).

Best Practices in ERP Customization and ERP Software Development

To make ERP customization successful, businesses should follow these best practices:

Clear Definition of Business Requirements

Define what the business needs from the ERP system before starting the customization. This ensures that the customization process stays focused and meets the company’s goals.

Stakeholder Involvement

Get input from key people in the company throughout the project to make sure the system meets their needs. Stakeholder involvement helps identify important requirements and ensures everyone is on board with the changes.

Minimal Customization

Keep customization to a minimum to avoid making the system too complex and difficult to manage. Over-customizing can make the system harder to maintain and upgrade in the future.

Comprehensive Testing

Test the system carefully to find and fix problems before use. Testing should cover all the customized features and ensure that they work well with the rest of the system.

Ongoing Training and Support

Provide continuous training and support for users to make sure they can use the system well and get the most out of it. Training should be in the new version whenever new features are available or changes in the system.

Programming Languages, Tools, and Frameworks in ERP Software Development

Programming Languages

There are several programming languages commonly used in ERP development:

• Java: Java is popular because it works on many different types of computers and is very reliable. Java is famous for its stability, which makes it a great choice for large ERP systems that need to run smoothly without issues (Eclipse Foundation, 2024).
• C# (.NET): People often use C# for ERP solutions that work with Microsoft products. It is part of the .NET framework, which provides a lot of tools and libraries that make development faster and easier (Microsoft, 2025a).
• Python: Python is becoming popular for ERP systems because it is easy to learn and use. It is also very flexible, which makes it a good choice for businesses that need custom solutions (Odoo S.A., 2023).
• ABAP: ABAP is a special language created by SAP to customize their ERP systems. It is used to add features and make changes to SAP ERP solutions to better fit the needs of a business (Anirban, 2024).

Tools and Frameworks

There are also many tools and frameworks that help with ERP development:

• Odoo: Odoo is an open-source ERP framework that uses Python and has many different modules that can be customized. It is popular among small and medium-sized businesses because it is affordable and easy to customize (Odoo S.A., 2023).
• Moqui: Moqui is an affordable ERP framework that uses Groovy and Java and can be used by businesses of all sizes. It is known for being flexible and allowing developers to create custom features easily (Moqui Project, n.d.).
• Microsoft Dynamics 365: This is a set of ERP and CRM tools built by Microsoft using C# and .NET. It is often used by businesses that already use other Microsoft products because it integrates well with them (Microsoft, 2025a).
• SAP ERP: SAP ERP uses ABAP to create custom solutions for large companies. It is one of the most widely used ERP systems in the world and is known for its ability to handle complex business processes (Anirban, 2024).
• Oracle PeopleSoft: Oracle PeopleSoft uses PeopleTools to build and customize ERP applications. It is often used by large companies that need a reliable and scalable ERP solution (Oracle, n.d.).

Database Management Systems (DBMS)

ERP systems use databases to manage large amounts of information:

• Oracle Database: Oracle is a high-performance database often used for big ERP systems. It is known for its speed and reliability, making it a good choice for businesses that need to process a lot of data (Oracle, n.d.).
• Microsoft SQL Server: This database works well with Microsoft ERP solutions. It is easy to use and integrates well with other Microsoft products (Microsoft, 2025a).
• PostgreSQL: PostgreSQL is an open-source database that is reliable and has many features, making it suitable for different ERP uses. It is a good choice for businesses that need a powerful database without the high costs of commercial options (Odoo S.A., 2023).

Integrated Development Environments (IDEs)

IDEs are software tools that help developers write code efficiently:

• Eclipse: Eclipse is an open-source IDE that supports many programming languages, like Java and Python. It is widely used because it has many features that make coding easier, like debugging and code suggestions (Eclipse Foundation, 2024).
• Visual Studio: Visual Studio is a Microsoft IDE for .NET development, and it is very useful for building ERP solutions. It includes many tools that help developers write, test, and debug their code (Microsoft, 2025b).
• PyCharm: PyCharm is an IDE specifically for Python, making it easy for developers to code in Python. It has many features that help with coding, like error checking and code formatting (JetBrains, n.d.).

Version Control Systems

Version control is important in ERP development to keep track of changes:

• Git: Git helps track changes in the code and allows multiple developers to work together. It makes it easy to go back to previous versions if something goes wrong (Chacon & Straub, n.d.).
• Subversion (SVN): SVN is a version control system that keeps all changes in a central location. It is less flexible than Git but is still used in many projects to manage code changes (Apache Software Foundation, n.d.).

Project Management Tools

To manage ERP projects effectively, teams use different tools:

• Jira: Jira is a tool that helps track tasks and issues, especially for projects using Agile methods. It helps teams stay organized and ensures that everyone knows what needs to be done (Atlassian, 2024).
• Trello: Trello is a simple tool that helps organize tasks and workflows, making it great for smaller projects. It uses boards and cards to help teams see what tasks are in progress and what needs to be done next (Atlassian, 2024).

Testing and Quality Assurance Tools

Testing is important to make sure the ERP system works as expected:

• Selenium: Selenium is a tool that helps automate the testing of web applications, including those used in ERP systems. Automated testing can save a lot of time and make sure that changes to the system don’t cause new problems (ScienceSoft, n.d.).
• Junit: Unit is used for testing Java applications and helps make sure the code works correctly. It is especially useful for developers who need to test individual parts of their code before adding them to the main system (Eclipse Foundation, 2024).

ERP Software Development: References

• Anirban, A. (2024, August 21). Custom business configurations for S/4 HANA 2023 private cloud edition: Tips & tricks. SAP Community. https://community.sap.com/
• Apache Software Foundation. (n.d.). Subversion documentation. Retrieved April 18, 2025, from https://subversion.apache.org/
• Atlassian. (2024). Jira Software: Project management for Agile teams. https://www.atlassian.com/software/jira
• Atlassian. (2025). Trello product guide. https://trello.com/guide
• Chacon, S., & Straub, B. (n.d.). Pro Git (3rd ed.). git‑scm. https://git‑scm.com/book
• Eclipse Foundation. (2024, February 23). Eclipse IDE for Java developers (Version 2024‑03). https://www.eclipse.org/downloads/
• Hustad, E., & Stensholt, J. (2023). Customizing ERP‑systems: A framework to support the decision‑making process. Procedia Computer Science, 219, 789–796. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2023.01.352
• JetBrains. (n.d.). PyCharm: The Python IDE for professional developers. Retrieved April 18, 2025, from https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/
• McKinsey & Company. (2019, August 29). Agile in enterprise resource planning: A myth no more. https://www.mckinsey.com/
• Microsoft. (2025a, March 16). Get started with the Dataverse Web API (C#). Microsoft Learn. https://learn.microsoft.com/
• Microsoft. (2025b, March 13). Visual Studio 2022. https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/downloads/
• Moqui Project. (n.d.). Introduction to the Moqui framework. Retrieved April 18, 2025, from https://moqui.org/
• Odoo S.A. (2023). MRP white paper. https://www.odoo.com/
• Oracle. (n.d.). Deploying Oracle E‑Business Suite on OCI [White paper]. Retrieved April 18, 2025, from https://docs.oracle.com/
• ScienceSoft. (n.d.). Automated testing of a web ERP application [Case study]. Retrieved April 18, 2025, from https://www.scnsoft.com/