EXPERT SPEAK
‘ FREE’ ERP IS LIKE BUILDING YOUR OWN CAR – AND MIDDLE EAST MANUFACTURERS CAN’ T AFFORD THE DETOUR
Manufacturers in the Middle East are navigating rapid Digital Transformation and need ERP solutions that can keep pace with their growth. Vibhu Kapoor, Regional Vice President – Middle East, Africa & India, Epicor, tells us how purpose-built ERP platforms offer preintegrated modules and support that free systems cannot match, helping firms scale efficiently and stay competitive.
The manufacturing sector in the Gulf is in the midst of a major transformation. Driven by ambitious government initiatives like Saudi Arabia’ s Vision 2030 and the UAE’ s Operation 300bn, both nations are making significant strides to localise production, reduce reliance on imports and diversify their economies beyond oil. Industrial tariffs, global supply chain shocks and rising geopolitical uncertainty are only adding urgency to this agenda. Against this backdrop, both established players and a new generation of manufacturing firms are racing to scale up and modernise – fast.
One thing is clear: whether it’ s a greenfield factory or a seasoned industrial group looking to expand capacity, success increasingly hinges on operational resilience. And at the heart of that is Enterprise Resource Planning( ERP). A robust ERP system provides the foundation for streamlined operations, cost control, realtime visibility and regulatory compliance. But once a manufacturer reaches the point of selecting an ERP, a critical fork in the road appears – and the allure of a‘ free’ opensource ERP can be hard to resist.
Vibhu Kapoor, Regional Vice President – Middle East, Africa & India, Epicor
At first glance, it sounds like a win: no licence fees, complete flexibility and the promise of building something tailored to your exact needs. But in reality, choosing a free ERP can be like deciding to build your own car from a pile of parts and a workshop manual. What begins as a cost-saving project often turns into a drawn-out, complex journey – one that diverts energy from growth and innovation, and instead sinks valuable time into building what already exists.
1. Customisation Comes at a Cost
Imagine starting your journey by choosing every individual car part – engine, transmission, steering, electronics – with the idea of creating a bespoke vehicle. For a manufacturer choosing a free ERP, this is what customisation often looks like. The core system might be sound, but it won’ t include the specific features that manufacturers in the region depend on, from production routing and BOM management to work orders and cost tracking.
That means building everything from the ground up. Just as fitting an engine into a chassis designed for a different model
Choosing a free ERP can be like deciding to build your own car from a pile of parts and a workshop manual.
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