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FAQ - Best of breed (BOB) versus fully integrated system (FIS) which is best? |
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Summary
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BOB |
FIS |
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Time cost and resources |
Y | |
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Degree of fit |
Y |
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Simplicity of use |
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Y |
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Project management |
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Y |
This is the summary to the full article on this subject. For larger companies, say over 50 people, in most cases the core functionality of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is best served by an ERP system rather than a collection of best of breed packages. The place best of breed scores is in the degree of fit and this is more than offset by the other factors.
Best of breed packages give you the option to spread the resources required for implementation over a longer period but the total cost and resource required will usually be more in the end. If you just do not have the resources to properly implement a fully integrated system you could compromise with best of breed implementations spread over time but if you can possibly muster the resources for a fully integrated system you will get a better return on your investment.
There are many applications such as CAD, customer contact management, sales forecasting and many human resource functions where best of breed is the best solution with managed manual interfaces to a fully integrated system. As ERP suppliers strive to extend their functionality so these peripheral applications may increasingly be effectively carried out within the integrated system.
For larger companies that have an ERP system partially implemented or implemented badly, completing the implementation or re-implementing will be very cost effective.
Phil Robinson - www.bpic.co.uk
BPIC - your manufacturing planning resource