Checklist for school ERP software selection
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Running a school is a challenging task. There are some activities on which you can have control, and on some it is challenging to have control. Like having a school vision, 5-year plan, Annual Operating Plan (AOP), academic calendar, extracellular activities, food, sports, hobbies, academics, teachers, administrators, students, parents, related activities can be controlled by you. One of the key challenges faced by school management are to have the right information at the right time with the right person. School ERP software or school management software can help you get this relevant data for a relevant role at a relevant time.
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According to TRUELIST survey, 72% of schools using ERP systems reported
improved administrative efficiency.
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Many decision-makers tend to take decisions about school ERP based on price. They prefer the one that costs the least. This is one of the biggest mistakes made while selecting school ERP.
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According to a survey by Education Technology Insights, 68% of school administrators stated that price should not be the sole factor when choosing an ERP system,
highlighting the need for functionality and reliability.
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Imagine you have selected the lowest-priced school ERP software, and after certain time you understand you have made a mistake. In such a situation, correcting such a mistake is also a time-consuming and costly situation. Since, implementing and changing school ERP software will cost money, time, patience, re-training, etc.
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Studies show that schools using ERP reduce administrative errors by 35% and
improve parent communication by 40%.​​​​​
Checklist for school ERP software selection
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Feature-based Pricing: Ensure the ERP software has no hidden fees or tiered pricing where essential
features are locked behind premium plans. -
Customization: A good ERP system should be adaptable to school-specific needs, such as grading
systems, attendance policies, or communication methods -
No Hidden Costs: Always clarify if there are setup fees, training costs, or per-student pricing beyond a
threshold. -
New Features at No Extra Cost: Many vendors charge for upgrades. Check if feature
enhancements are included in the package. -
Single Point of Contact: Dealing with multiple representatives slows down issue
resolution; hence, a dedicated support manager is beneficial. -
Regular Training: Frequent staff training ensures high adoption rates and fewer technical issues.
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Flexible Payment Options: Subscription-based pricing with monthly, quarterly, or annual plans allows
better budgeting for schools. -
User-Friendly Interface: A complex ERP system leads to low adoption rates; intuitive design
improves usability.