1. Discovery & Strategy
We conduct intensive workshops with your team to understand your business inside and out. We map every process, define key performance indicators (KPIs), and create a detailed project blueprint and technology roadmap.
Transparent ERP Development Costs: Plan Your Budget with Confidence
Stop guessing. Get a clear, detailed breakdown of custom ERP pricing, from core modules and integrations to data migration and rollout. Build the exact ERP you need, without the budget surprises.
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The Hidden Costs of "Standard" ERPs Are Stifling Your Growth. There's a Better Way.
You've seen the promises of off-the-shelf ERPs, but you've also felt the pain. Rigid workflows that don't match your unique processes, expensive per-user licensing that penalizes growth, and a mountain of "customization" fees that were never in the original budget. The truth is, a one-size-fits-all solution rarely fits anyone perfectly. It forces you to adapt your business to the software, not the other way around. A custom-built ERP isn't an expense; it's a strategic asset. It's about creating a central nervous system for your business that is scalable, efficient, and perfectly aligned with your operational reality, giving you the data and control you need to outmaneuver the competition.
Why CIS? We Build Your ERP on a Foundation of Certainty.
Radical Transparency
No black boxes. We provide detailed, line-item cost breakdowns so you know exactly where every dollar goes. Our project dashboards give you real-time visibility into progress and budget adherence.
AI-Enabled from Day One
We don't just build ERPs; we build intelligent systems. Our AI-enabled developers embed forecasting, automation, and predictive analytics into the core of your platform for a decisive competitive edge.
Guaranteed Talent & Fit
You get access to our in-house team of 1000+ vetted ERP experts. If a resource isn't a perfect fit, we offer free replacement with zero-cost knowledge transfer, ensuring your project never loses momentum.
Verifiable Process Maturity
Our CMMI Level 5, SOC 2, and ISO 27001 certifications aren't just badges. They are your assurance of a predictable, high-quality, and secure development process that minimizes risk and maximizes outcomes.
Full IP Ownership
You paid for it, you own it. From the first line of code to the final deployment, you receive full intellectual property rights and source code. Your ERP is your asset, period.
20+ Years of Experience
Since 2003, we've successfully delivered over 3000 projects. We've seen the pitfalls and know the shortcuts to success, bringing decades of cross-industry expertise to your implementation.
Secure, Compliant Delivery
We build security and compliance into the architecture, not as an afterthought. Whether it's GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI DSS, we ensure your ERP meets the stringent standards your industry demands.
Fixed-Price Predictability
For well-defined scopes, we offer fixed-price contracts. This eliminates budget uncertainty and allows you to plan your investment with complete confidence, aligning our success with yours.
Scalable by Design
We build your ERP for where your business is going, not just where it is today. Our microservices-based architecture ensures your system can evolve and scale seamlessly as you grow.
A Comprehensive Approach to Custom ERP Development
ERP Consulting and Scoping
Before a single line of code is written, we dive deep into your business. Our experts work with your stakeholders to map existing workflows, identify inefficiencies, and define the precise requirements for an ERP that will drive real transformation. This blueprint is the foundation for a successful, on-budget project.
- Aligns the final product with strategic business goals.
- Creates a clear, actionable roadmap to prevent scope creep.
- Ensures stakeholder buy-in from the very beginning.
UI/UX Design for ERP Systems
An ERP is only effective if your team uses it. We focus on creating intuitive, user-centric interfaces that reduce training time, minimize errors, and increase adoption rates. We design dashboards and workflows that present complex data in a simple, actionable format, tailored to each user role.
- Boosts employee productivity and satisfaction.
- Reduces the likelihood of costly data entry errors.
- Accelerates user onboarding and system adoption.
ERP Rollout and Implementation Strategy
A successful launch is more than just flipping a switch. We develop a phased rollout strategy (e.g., by department, by module, or a 'big bang' approach) that minimizes business disruption. Our plan covers everything from user training and documentation to go-live support, ensuring a smooth transition.
- Minimizes operational risk during the transition period.
- Ensures your team is prepared and confident from day one.
- Structures the launch for measurable success and quick wins.
Change Management and User Training
Technology is only half the battle; people are the other. We provide comprehensive change management support, including tailored training programs, clear communication plans, and user documentation. Our goal is to turn your employees into advocates for the new system, ensuring its long-term success.
- Overcomes resistance to change within the organization.
- Maximizes the ROI by ensuring high user adoption and proficiency.
- Empowers employees to leverage the new system to its full potential.
Custom ERP Module Development
Move beyond the limitations of standard modules. We build custom modules from scratch, perfectly tailored to your unique business processes, whether it's a specialized inventory management system for your industry, a unique commission calculation engine, or a proprietary project management workflow.
- Automates unique processes that off-the-shelf software can't handle.
- Creates a sustainable competitive advantage through operational excellence.
- Eliminates the need for inefficient manual workarounds.
AI-Powered Reporting and Analytics
Transform your data from a historical record into a predictive tool. We build AI-driven analytics dashboards that go beyond standard reports, offering predictive sales forecasting, demand planning, and anomaly detection. Get the insights you need to make proactive, data-driven decisions.
- Uncovers hidden trends and opportunities in your business data.
- Enables proactive decision-making instead of reactive problem-solving.
- Provides a single source of truth for all business intelligence.
Mobile ERP Application Development
Empower your team to be productive anywhere. We develop secure, intuitive mobile ERP applications that give your sales, field service, and warehouse teams real-time access to the data and functionality they need on the go, from inventory checks to quote generation and approvals.
- Increases the efficiency and responsiveness of your mobile workforce.
- Accelerates sales cycles and improves customer service.
- Ensures data accuracy by capturing information at the source.
ERP Modernization and Re-engineering
Is your legacy ERP holding you back? We specialize in modernizing outdated systems. We can re-architect your application for the cloud, rebuild it on a modern tech stack, or break down a monolithic system into scalable microservices, all while preserving your critical business logic and data.
- Reduces technical debt and lowers long-term maintenance costs.
- Improves system performance, security, and scalability.
- Enables integration with modern cloud services and APIs.
Third-Party System and API Integration
Your ERP shouldn't be an island. We ensure it communicates seamlessly with your entire tech ecosystem. We build robust, real-time integrations with your CRM (e.g., Salesforce), e-commerce platform (e.g., Shopify, Magento), accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks), and any other critical third-party APIs.
- Creates a single, unified view of your customer and business data.
- Eliminates manual data entry and reduces the risk of errors.
- Automates cross-platform workflows for maximum efficiency.
Legacy System Data Migration
Your historical data is a valuable asset. We manage the complex process of extracting, cleaning, transforming, and loading data from your legacy systems into your new ERP. Our meticulous, phased approach ensures data integrity, minimizes downtime, and guarantees a clean start on your new platform.
- Preserves years of valuable business data for analytics and compliance.
- Ensures data accuracy and consistency in the new system.
- Mitigates the risk of data loss or corruption during the transition.
IoT and Hardware Integration
Connect your physical operations to your digital core. We integrate your ERP with IoT sensors, manufacturing equipment (MES), and warehouse hardware (scanners, RFID). This enables real-time tracking of assets, automated data capture from the factory floor, and a live view of your entire supply chain.
- Provides unprecedented visibility into your physical operations.
- Automates data collection for improved accuracy and efficiency.
- Enables predictive maintenance and real-time operational adjustments.
BI and Data Warehouse Integration
Make your ERP the central source of truth for all business intelligence. We integrate your ERP with data warehouses like Snowflake, BigQuery, or Redshift and BI tools like Tableau or Power BI. This allows for sophisticated, enterprise-wide reporting and analysis without impacting the performance of your transactional system.
- Enables powerful, in-depth analysis across multiple data sources.
- Improves the performance of your operational ERP system.
- Democratizes data access for decision-makers across the organization.
24/7 ERP Support and Maintenance
Your ERP is mission-critical, and our support reflects that. We offer flexible support and maintenance plans, including 24/7 monitoring and incident response, to ensure your system is always running at peak performance. We handle everything from routine updates and security patches to performance tuning and bug fixes.
- Maximizes system uptime and business continuity.
- Provides peace of mind with expert support on standby.
- Frees up your internal IT team to focus on strategic initiatives.
Performance Tuning and Optimization
As your business grows, your ERP needs to keep pace. We proactively monitor system performance, identify bottlenecks, and optimize database queries, application code, and server configurations. Our goal is to ensure your ERP remains fast and responsive, even as data volumes and user loads increase.
- Ensures a smooth user experience and high productivity.
- Prevents system slowdowns that can impact business operations.
- Extends the life and value of your ERP investment.
Security Audits and Compliance Management
Protect your most sensitive business data. We conduct regular security audits, penetration testing, and vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate potential threats. We also help you maintain compliance with industry regulations like SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR, ensuring your ERP adheres to the highest security standards.
- Protects your business from data breaches and cyber threats.
- Ensures continuous compliance with evolving industry regulations.
- Builds trust with your customers and partners.
Understanding the Building Blocks: ERP Modules & Their Cost Impact
The absolute core of any ERP. This module handles general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, cash management, and financial reporting. Cost is driven by the complexity of your accounting rules, multi-currency requirements, and the number of automated financial reports needed.
Manages everything from procurement and supplier management to order fulfillment. Complexity and cost increase with features like real-time shipment tracking, multi-warehouse logic, and automated reordering based on predictive demand forecasting.
Provides a 360-degree view of the customer, managing leads, sales pipelines, and customer service interactions. Costs are influenced by the need for marketing automation integrations, complex commission structures, and custom sales analytics dashboards.
Handles payroll, benefits administration, time tracking, and recruiting. The cost driver here is the complexity of payroll calculations (e.g., multi-state, union rules), benefits packages, and the level of automation required for the employee onboarding and offboarding processes.
Crucial for retail, manufacturing, and distribution. Tracks stock levels, locations, and movements. Advanced features like barcode/RFID scanning, serial number tracking, and integration with warehouse management systems (WMS) will increase development costs.
Manages the entire production lifecycle, including bill of materials (BOM), work orders, and quality control. The cost is highly dependent on the complexity of your manufacturing process, the need for shop floor control, and integration with MES or IoT devices.
Built with Proven, Scalable, and Secure Technologies
Real Results: How Our Custom ERPs Drive Tangible Growth
Custom Manufacturing ERP for a Mid-Sized Automotive Parts Supplier
Industry: Manufacturing
Client Overview: A $50M automotive parts manufacturer was struggling with disconnected systems for inventory, production scheduling, and accounting. This led to production delays, inaccurate inventory counts, and an inability to accurately cost jobs, eroding their profit margins.
"The custom ERP from CIS became the central nervous system of our operation. For the first time, we have a single source of truth from the shop floor to the top floor. The impact on our efficiency and profitability was immediate."
- Michael Brooks, COO, Precision Auto Parts
Key Challenges:
- No real-time visibility into raw material inventory.
- Manual and error-prone production scheduling process.
- Inability to track job profitability accurately.
- Frequent stock-outs of critical components, halting production.
Our Solution:
- Developed a unified ERP with custom modules for BOM, shop floor control, and inventory management.
- Integrated the system with their CNC machines via IoT sensors for automated progress tracking.
- Built a real-time analytics dashboard for job costing and profitability analysis.
- Implemented an AI-powered module for predictive raw material demand forecasting.
25%
Reduction in Production Delays
99.8%
Inventory Accuracy Rate
15%
Increase in Gross Profit Margin
Scalable E-commerce ERP for a High-Growth Online Retailer
Industry: E-commerce & Retail
Client Overview: A direct-to-consumer brand experiencing explosive growth was hitting a wall with their combination of Shopify and multiple disconnected apps. Order processing, inventory syncing across multiple channels (website, Amazon), and customer service were becoming unmanageable and chaotic.
"We were drowning in manual processes. CIS built us a custom ERP that automated everything. It seamlessly integrated our sales channels and warehouses, allowing us to scale our order volume by 300% without hiring more staff."
- Sarah Jenkins, Founder, Urban Bloom
Key Challenges:
- Overselling products due to poor inventory synchronization.
- High labor costs from manual order entry and processing.
- Lack of a unified view of customer data for support teams.
- Inability to get accurate, consolidated financial reports.
Our Solution:
- Built a headless ERP that integrated directly with Shopify's and Amazon's APIs.
- Created a centralized order management system that automated fulfillment logic.
- Developed a unified CRM module that pulled customer data from all sales channels.
- Implemented a robust financial module for real-time, multi-channel P&L reporting.
40%
Reduction in Order Processing Time
95%
Decrease in Overselling Incidents
300%
Increase in Order Capacity
Logistics & Fleet Management ERP for a Regional Delivery Service
Industry: Transportation & Logistics
Client Overview: A regional logistics company with a fleet of 200 vehicles was using spreadsheets and manual dispatching to manage their operations. This resulted in inefficient routing, high fuel costs, and poor visibility into driver location and delivery status.
"The mobile ERP application is a game-changer for our drivers and dispatchers. The route optimization alone has saved us a fortune in fuel, and our customers love the real-time tracking. Our on-time delivery rate has never been higher."
- David Chen, VP of Operations, SwiftLogistics
Key Challenges:
- Inefficient manual route planning.
- No real-time tracking of vehicle location or delivery status.
- High administrative overhead for invoicing and proof-of-delivery.
- Difficulty in tracking vehicle maintenance schedules.
Our Solution:
- Developed a cloud-based ERP with a custom logistics module.
- Built a mobile app for drivers with GPS tracking, route optimization, and digital proof-of-delivery capture.
- Created an automated invoicing system triggered by successful delivery confirmation.
- Included a fleet management module to track fuel usage and schedule preventative maintenance.
20%
Reduction in Fuel Costs
98%
On-Time Delivery Rate
50%
Decrease in Invoicing Time
Our Blueprint for Success: A Phased ERP Implementation Strategy
2. Architecture & UX Design
Our solution architects design a scalable and secure system architecture. Simultaneously, our UX designers create wireframes and interactive prototypes, ensuring the system is powerful, intuitive, and user-friendly.
3. Agile Development Sprints
We build your ERP in iterative, two-week sprints. This agile approach allows you to see and test functional parts of the software early and often, providing continuous feedback to ensure the final product meets your exact needs.
4. Integration & Data Migration
This is where we connect your new ERP to your existing software ecosystem. We build and test all third-party integrations and execute the carefully planned data migration from your legacy systems, ensuring data integrity.
5. UAT & Training
We facilitate User Acceptance Testing (UAT), where your team rigorously tests the system in a real-world environment. We use this feedback for final refinements and conduct comprehensive training sessions to prepare your team for launch.
6. Deployment & Support
We manage the go-live process according to the rollout strategy. Our team provides hyper-care support during the initial launch period to quickly resolve any issues, before transitioning to your long-term support and maintenance plan.
What Our Clients Say About Their Custom ERP Journey
"We were quoted seven figures by a major ERP vendor for a system that only did half of what we needed. CIS built us a completely custom solution for a fraction of that cost. The ROI was clear within the first year."
"The level of detail in their project planning and the transparency throughout the development process was incredible. We always knew the status of the project and the budget. It was a stark contrast to our previous experiences."
"Their AI-enabled forecasting module has revolutionized our inventory management. We've reduced carrying costs by 30% while simultaneously decreasing stock-outs. It's like having a crystal ball for our supply chain."
The Architects Behind Your Solution
Amit A.
Founder & COO - Expert Enterprise Technology Solutions - For Startups and SMEs to Large Organizations
Girish S.
Delivery Manager - Microsoft Certified Solutions Architect
Sudhanshu D.
Delivery Manager - Microsoft Certified Solutions Architect
Yogesh R.
Manager, Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert
Flexible Engagement Models to Match Your Needs & Budget
Fixed Price
Ideal for projects with well-defined requirements and a clear scope. We provide a single, fixed price for the entire project, giving you complete budget predictability.
- Best for: MVPs, specific module development.
Time & Materials (T&M)
Perfect for complex, long-term projects where requirements may evolve. You pay an hourly rate for the resources utilized, offering maximum flexibility to adapt and iterate.
- Best for: Large-scale ERPs, projects with R&D.
Dedicated Team
Your own full-time team of ERP experts, operating as a seamless extension of your in-house staff. This model provides deep integration, knowledge retention, and complete control over the project roadmap.
- Best for: Ongoing development, support, and evolution.
Frequently Asked Questions About ERP Development Costs
A custom ERP is a significant investment. For a mid-sized business, a project can range from $75,000 for a core system with a few modules to over $500,000 for a complex, enterprise-wide solution with extensive integrations and AI features. The final cost depends entirely on your specific requirements.
Timelines vary with complexity. A foundational ERP (MVP) might take 4-6 months. A comprehensive, multi-module system for a larger enterprise can take 9-18 months or more. Our agile approach ensures you see value and can start using core features much earlier in the process.
We believe in radical transparency to avoid this exact problem. Our detailed proposals outline all costs. The primary areas where costs can change are due to "scope creep" – adding significant new features mid-project. We manage this through a clear change request process so there are never any surprises.
Yes, you should budget for ongoing costs, which typically include server/cloud hosting fees, an annual support and maintenance contract (usually 15-20% of the initial project cost), and potential costs for future enhancements or new module development.
The initial development cost of a custom ERP can be comparable to or less than the licensing and implementation fees of a major vendor. The real savings come in the long run: no per-user licensing fees, greater flexibility to adapt without expensive consultants, and a system that perfectly fits your processes, leading to greater efficiency gains.
We use a combination of a thorough initial scoping phase to create a detailed blueprint, agile development to catch issues early, and a dedicated project manager who provides you with real-time budget tracking and regular progress reports. For well-defined projects, we also offer fixed-price contracts for complete peace of mind.
Ready to Build an ERP That's a Strategic Asset, Not a Cost Center?
Let's talk about your specific needs. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our ERP solution architects. We'll help you define your requirements, explore technology options, and provide a detailed, transparent cost estimate for your project.