When it comes to choosing an ERP system, material suppliers often face a tough decision: go with a fully customized solution tailored to their unique operations, or opt for an off-the-shelf platform that’s quicker and cheaper to deploy. On the surface, it might seem like a choice between flexibility and convenience—but the real-world results tell a deeper story.
Here’s how two different building materials suppliers approached their ERP implementation—and what happened after go-live.
Company A: Fully Customized ERP Built for Their Business
Background:
A regional supplier of concrete, aggregates, and masonry products with six distribution yards and a complex delivery network.
Challenge:
They needed an ERP that could manage bulk inventory, schedule deliveries by truck load capacity, and handle location-specific pricing for contractors. Off-the-shelf options couldn’t match the specifics of their workflow.
Solution:
They partnered with a software developer to build a customized ERP solution from the ground up—integrating dispatching, quoting, inventory, and mobile job-site tracking.
Results:
Improved operational accuracy: Reduced loading errors by 60% through customized ticketing and real-time yard inventory.
Faster quoting and invoicing: Quoting templates tied to delivery zones saved the sales team hours per week.
Longer rollout period: The project took nearly 18 months from planning to go-live, with significant investment in IT resources and change management.
High long-term satisfaction: Custom workflows matched their business so well that adoption was smooth once live—and performance gains continue year over year.
Company B: Off-the-Shelf ERP with Minimal Customization
Background:
A growing supplier of lumber, fasteners, and job-site materials with three warehouses and a mobile delivery fleet.
Challenge:
They wanted to replace outdated spreadsheets and disjointed software with a modern ERP that could centralize operations and scale with growth.
Solution:
They implemented an off-the-shelf ERP system designed for distributors, focusing on standard modules for inventory, purchasing, and basic delivery tracking.
Results:
Faster implementation: Deployed within 4 months using out-of-the-box features and basic configuration.
Lower upfront cost: Spent about 40% less than a custom build, with lower internal resource strain.
Process compromises: Had to adjust warehouse workflows to fit the ERP’s structure, which led to some inefficiencies in handling bulk and bundled products.
Good short-term gains: Improved inventory visibility and reduced stockouts, but some teams continued to rely on spreadsheets for edge-case tasks.
Key Takeaways
Customization pays off in the long term if your business has highly specific workflows or logistics requirements that standard ERPs can’t handle well.
Off-the-shelf ERPs are faster to deploy and easier to support, but may require your team to adjust how they work—sometimes sacrificing operational efficiency.
The right choice depends on your scale, growth plans, and how much you’re willing to invest in aligning tech with your processes versus aligning your processes with the tech.
Whether you’re managing rebar bundles or bulk gravel loads, the decision between custom and off-the-shelf ERP isn’t just about software—it’s about how your business runs. Take the time to map your workflows, involve your end users, and think beyond implementation to long-term usability and ROI.
