If you’re looking into ERP solutions, you’ve likely seen that the general practice among ERP software providers is to charge a hefty upfront implementation fee.
Are you wondering if this means you could blow your ERP budget before your project even goes live? Are you questioning whether modernizing your business operations is worth the cost?
We’ve helped many small and midsized companies implement ERP systems. We understand how implementation costs can impact project success and satisfaction after deployment.
In this article, we share what we know about the current state of ERP implementation costs. You'll also see how and why Stellar One takes a different approach.
Traditional ERP implementation costs
Charging upfront, separate fees for ERP platform implementation is common in the industry. On average, these costs are around 2-3x the annual subscription cost.
In our experience, ERP implementation costs can add anywhere from $20,000 to $250,000+ to the ERP system price tag. This amount differs based on business size and complexity.
Time-and-materials billing structures offer the least certainty for the final amount. Fixed-fee implementations should remove billing surprises but can still be high.
Get an unbiased look at the billing structures
used by ERP system providers.
The ERP industry is seeing changes in how implementation fees are handled.
Common practices for ERP implementation costs
As implementation costs rise, fewer companies are interested in or capable of paying a big ERP implementation fee upfront.
To solve this problem, many ERP providers are turning to third-party financing with lenders that write separate loan contracts and repayment terms with their ERP customers.
Financing ERP implementation costs can make it possible to launch an ERP project without an upfront cost. But does it help with overall costs in the long run? Not unless the interest rate charged is 0%. Anything higher than that just drives up your total investment.
Why Stellar One isn’t following implementation fee norms
At Stellar One, we see an ERP system as a strategic investment for businesses that want to grow and scale.
It’s our philosophy that you shouldn’t have to take out a loan or pay a hefty fee to get started with an ERP solution.
That’s why we don’t charge for implementation upfront. We want setting up an ERP platform to be straightforward and less stressful.
As more ERP providers work with third-party lenders, we take a different path by rolling implementation costs into your subscription costs.
How Stellar One covers ERP implementation costs
Implementing an ERP system isn’t the end goal for a business. Using an ERP system to improve processes, operations, and customer satisfaction is.
So, when it comes to ERP implementation, we tie our success to yours. We include implementation in your price-locked monthly subscription.
When we looked at building our pricing, we factored in a number of different variables. You can see some of these in the list of what’s included in your subscription below.
How does this work for our revenue? Since implementation fees aren’t where we are looking to make our money, we consider any costs we carry for implementation as part of developing and investing in strong, long-term partnerships with our members.
Your Stellar One member subscription includes:
- Implementation
- 5-Year Price Lock
- Dedicated Member Success Manager
- Unlimited assistance and training
- Always current software with updates and upgrades
- Site configuration and low-code automation
- Activation and deployment of additional modules
- Historical data migration
- Free access to enhancements by Stellar One
- Member-only purchase options for modules developed by Stellar One
Benefits of no upfront implementation cost in our subscription model
Your Stellar One subscription includes everything you need for successful ERP deployment and use.
Here’s why that matters:
- No upfront costs: We remove the hurdle of large implementation fees so you can get started without feeling financial strain.
- Faster ROI: You can see a faster return on your ERP investment as your operations and efficiency improve.
- Peace of mind: You don’t have to worry about hidden charges creeping up as you go live. Our pricing is transparent, so you always know what you’re paying for.
Stellar One partners with you for growth
Our approach puts ERP capabilities within reach for more businesses. Stellar One combines affordability with expertise, supporting your business growth from day one.
If you like the idea of inclusive ERP platform pricing, the next step is to see if Stellar One’s ERP subscription fits your budget. Use our online calculators to get custom pricing for your business.
Calculators
eCommerce and Retail Distribution