Standard or customized ERP? Discover the difference

When it’s time to choose an ERP system, the question is always the same: is it better to go for a standard or a customized (custom) ERP? Both options have their advantages and limitations, but understanding which one truly fits your company’s needs can make the difference between a solution that simplifies work and one that complicates it.

💼 What is a standard ERP

A standard ERP system is a ready-to-use solution designed to suit various industries and business processes. It offers proven features, automatic updates, and a stable structure — ideal for companies looking for a reliable solution that’s quick to implement.

However, its strength can also be its weakness: when business processes require specific customizations, a standard ERP may become too rigid. The company has to adapt to the software, instead of shaping it around its workflows.

🛠️ What is a customized (custom) ERP

A custom ERP, on the other hand, is a fully tailored solution developed according to the company’s specific needs. It allows you to create unique functions adapted to internal processes and gives you complete control over the interface and management logic.

But this flexibility comes with high costs and long development times. Each update or integration may take weeks of work and, with the rapid evolution of cloud technologies and artificial intelligence, many customized systems risk becoming obsolete or difficult to maintain.

⚙️ The balance point: So Smart, the flexible and ready-to-use cloud ERP

There is a third way between standard and custom ERP systems: So Smart. Based on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, So Smart combines the reliability of a standard platform with the flexibility of a customizable solution.

• ✅ Ready to use – start right away with a complete cloud ERP designed for integrated business process management.
• ✅ Customizable – vertical modules, integration with Excel, Teams, and Copilot to adapt to your way of working.
• ✅ Always up to date – with Microsoft updates, you stay aligned with the latest technologies without costly development projects.

🚀 Why choose a flexible ERP like So Smart

With So Smart, you don’t have to choose between standard and custom: you get the best of both worlds. You have a solid, secure, and always up-to-date foundation, along with the flexibility to quickly adapt it to your business processes.

In a fast-changing market, an ERP should support your company’s growth, not slow it down. That’s why choosing a solution like So Smart can make the difference between a system that merely manages and one that helps you evolve.