An ERP decision is a choice your business will live with for years. This guide explains 10 real evaluation criteria honestly and plainly, so you can ask the right questions.
The best ERP is not the one at the top of the list; it is the one that best fits your processes, your regulations and your growth plan. The criteria below help you ask the right questions, whichever solution you evaluate.
Evaluation Criteria
10 critical criteria in ERP selection
For each criterion: why it matters, what to ask the provider, and how Qera approaches it.
01
Cloud-native, or just moved to the cloud?
Between an ERP genuinely designed for the cloud and an older architecture simply placed on a server, there are significant differences in update speed, scalability and total cost. The phrase "runs in the cloud" alone says nothing about the architecture.
What to ask
Was the software designed for the cloud from the start, or was an existing product moved to the cloud?
How and how often do updates arrive; do they require downtime?
Which cloud provider does the infrastructure run on, and where is data kept?
Qera's approach: Qera is built with a modern architecture to run on enterprise cloud infrastructure; updates are managed centrally.
02
Modularity and scope
Paying for modules you do not need is as risky as a module you will need as you grow not existing at all. The ideal is to start with today’s needs and expand on the same backbone.
What to ask
Can I start with only the modules I need and add more later?
Do the modules share the same database, or are separate systems integrated?
Are processes specific to my sector within the standard scope, or do they require extra development?
Qera's approach: Qera offers a broad family of modules — from finance to manufacturing, from sales to human resources — on a single backbone; they can be rolled out gradually as needed.
03
Local regulations and e-transformation compliance
VAT, e-Fatura, e-İrsaliye, e-Defter and constantly changing local regulations are a direct operational requirement for every business operating in Türkiye. Adding regulatory compliance later often creates dependence on external integrations.
What to ask
Do e-Fatura, e-İrsaliye and e-Defter processes come built into the product?
How quickly are updates reflected when regulations change?
Are local accounting and tax reports supported as standard?
Qera's approach: Qera is designed to cover e-transformation and local regulatory needs in Türkiye; e-Fatura, e-İrsaliye and e-Defter processes are handled in an integrated way.
04
Implementation time and risk of failure
ERP projects running long or missing their goals is a well-known risk in the sector. The most important factor reducing this risk is the provider having a clear implementation methodology and an experienced team.
What to ask
What phases does the implementation consist of, and how is a realistic timeline produced?
How are data migration, training and go-live managed?
How long does post-go-live support (hypercare) last?
Qera's approach: Qera implementations are carried out with a phased methodology spanning discovery, go-live and post-go-live support.
05
Total cost of ownership (TCO)
The license or subscription fee is only one part of the real cost. Items such as implementation, training, customization, integration, maintenance and hardware all affect the overall decision. Looking only at the initial price is often misleading.
What to ask
Apart from license/subscription, what cost items exist (implementation, training, support)?
How does cost change as the number of users or transaction volume grows?
Is hardware and infrastructure cost on me or the provider?
Qera's approach: Qera aims to reduce the hardware and maintenance burden with its cloud model; because scope is set to need, the quote is prepared specifically for each business.
06
Scalability
A system that is right today can become limiting when your user count, transaction volume or company structure grows. An ERP should support your future growth, not stand in its way.
What to ask
How is performance maintained as user and transaction volume grow?
Does it support multi-company, multi-location or multi-currency structures?
How easy is it to add a new company or branch?
Qera's approach: Qera is designed to support multi-company structures and growing transaction volume; consolidation needs are handled on the same backbone.
07
AI and automation capabilities
AI is increasingly used in ERP for forecasting, anomaly detection and process automation. What matters is not the label but whether these capabilities turn into a real operational benefit.
What to ask
Which concrete processes do the AI capabilities help with (forecasting, automation)?
Are these capabilities a separate product, or part of the platform?
Can automation rules be defined without the technical team?
Qera's approach: Qera is developed with a vision that aims to address AI capabilities such as forecasting and automation in connection with business processes.
08
Integration and openness
No ERP works alone; it needs to talk to e-commerce, marketplaces, banks and your existing tools. Open and documented interfaces (APIs) determine your future integration flexibility.
What to ask
Is an open and documented API provided?
Do e-commerce, marketplace and bank integrations come ready?
How is data exchange with my existing systems handled?
Qera's approach: Qera is designed to support frequently needed integrations such as e-commerce, marketplace and banking, along with API-based data exchange.
09
Support and consulting
The people behind the software matter as much as the software itself. Who you reach when you have a problem, how quickly you get a response, and how well the consultants understand your sector determine long-term success.
What to ask
What are the support channels and are response/resolution times committed (SLA)?
Is the consultant team experienced in my sector?
Are training and documentation permanently accessible?
Qera's approach: Qera treats consulting and support — during and after implementation — as part of its methodology.
10
Data security and compliance
An ERP holds your business’s most critical data. Data security, backups, access management and GDPR/KVKK compliance are non-negotiable requirements. These should be clarified before any contract.
What to ask
Where is data stored and how is GDPR/KVKK compliance ensured?
How do backup, access authorization and log management work?
What security measures and processes are applied?
Qera's approach: Qera treats data security, access management and GDPR/KVKK compliance as a fundamental requirement; details are explained on the Trust & Compliance page.
Take It With You
ERP selection checklist
Walk into demo and proposal meetings with this list; evaluate every provider with the same questions, fairly.
Have you turned your needs into a written requirements list?
Have you asked whether the software is genuinely designed for the cloud?
Have you clarified that you can start today and add modules later?
Have you confirmed that e-Fatura, e-İrsaliye and e-Defter come within the product?
Have you seen a realistic implementation timeline and methodology?
Have you asked about all cost items beyond the license (TCO)?
Are you confident the system will scale with you as you grow?
Have you questioned the concrete benefit of AI and automation capabilities?
Have you confirmed the existence of an open API and ready integrations?
Have you evaluated support times (SLA) and consultant experience?
Have you clarified data security, backups and GDPR/KVKK compliance?
Where possible, have you requested a demo / proof of concept with your own data?
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ERP selection
Before comparing software, start by putting your own processes and requirements in writing. Once you have clarified which problems you want to solve, you can evaluate demos and proposals fairly, against the same criteria.
On-premise ERP runs on your own servers, with the responsibility for hardware, maintenance and updates resting on you. Cloud ERP runs on the provider’s infrastructure; updates are managed centrally and it generally reduces the hardware burden. A cloud-native solution, designed for the cloud from the start, offers advantages in scalability and updates.
ERP projects mostly stumble due to unclear requirements, incomplete data preparation, inadequate user training and the absence of a clear methodology. A clear requirements list, a phased implementation plan, a serious data-migration effort and post-go-live support significantly reduce this risk.
Looking only at the license or subscription fee is misleading. Total cost of ownership (TCO) also includes items such as implementation, training, customization, integration, maintenance and, if needed, hardware. Clarifying all of these at the proposal stage is important for a fair comparison.
The duration varies with the size of the business, the number of modules to deploy, the complexity of processes and data quality. So rather than a single standard duration, the healthiest approach is to request a realistic, business-specific timeline based on the provider’s methodology.
An ERP becomes meaningful when spreadsheets and disconnected tools start to slow growth. Starting with today’s needs using a modular solution and growing on the same backbone is a workable path for small businesses too.
Let's test the criteria together with Qera
We listen to your processes and assess together how Qera ERP fits your business. Explore the ready packages or request a demo directly.
