Accounting
Chart of accounts, journal entries, banks and financial reports.
A plain guide to ERP systems
What is an ERP system? Meaning, modules and when you need one
An ERP system is one program that runs a company's different departments on a shared database, instead of a separate program for each. This guide explains what ERP means and includes, how it differs from accounting software, and when your company needs one.
What ERP means and what ERP software usually includes
ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning. The idea is that each transaction is recorded once and then used by every department that needs it: the sales order reaches the warehouse and the invoice reaches the accounts, with no re-entry.
An ERP system is made of modules, and a company picks the ones that fit its business. The most common are:
Inventory
Item balances, movements, costing and stock counts.
Sales and purchases
Quotations, orders, invoices, collection and payment.
Human resources
Employee files, attendance, leave and payroll.
Production
Bills of materials, production orders and product cost, for manufacturers.
Point of sale and customer service
Over-the-counter selling in shops and following up customer requests.
The difference between an ERP system and stand-alone accounting software
Stand-alone accounting software serves the accounts department: it records entries and produces financial statements. Stock, sales and payroll data come from other files or programs, and the accountant re-enters them.
In an ERP system accounting is one module within a larger system, and the entry arises from the transaction itself. The choice depends on company size: a small business that only needs books may be fine with accounting software, while a company with stock, branches and a sales team benefits from the link.
When does your company need an ERP system?
There is no fixed size at which a company needs ERP, but some signs come up again and again:
The same data entered more than once
The invoice is written in one program, then copied to the stock file, then to the accounts.
Numbers that do not match
Book stock differs from the count, or a customer's balance differs between sales and accounts.
Late reports
Finding out the month's profit takes days of gathering files.
Several branches and warehouses
It is hard to see the whole picture when each branch works from its own files.
How does Moon ERP cover these needs?
Moon ERP is an Arabic ERP program that runs in the browser with an Arabic and English interface. It includes accounting, inventory, sales, purchases, point of sale, HR, production and e-invoicing modules, with multiple branches and detailed permissions for each user.
It is developed by GT4 IT Solutions, in software since 2005 and based in Mansoura, and is used by hundreds of clients in Egypt and the Arab countries, with training and support in Arabic. A free trial company opens in about a minute with no payment card.
Modules behind this solution
Frequently asked questions
What does ERP mean and what does it stand for?
ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning: one system that runs accounting, inventory, sales and the other departments.
Is an ERP system suitable for small companies?
It can be, if the company has stock, more than one branch or several departments exchanging data. Modular systems let a company start with only what it needs.
How do I choose an ERP system?
Decide which departments you want to connect, check that the system covers them and works in your language, then try it on real data and ask about training and support.
How much does Moon ERP cost?
Pricing depends on the modules you need and the number of users; the sales team replies on WhatsApp with a quote.
Related solutions
Choosing accounting software
Six practical criteria and common mistakes before you buy.
Accounting software
Journals, banks, cheques, fixed assets and live financial reports.
Inventory software
Receipts, issues, transfers, counts and costing tied to the accounts.
Arabic Odoo alternative
An Arabic ERP with accounting, inventory, sales and training in Arabic.
Try Moon ERP on a trial company of your own
A free trial that opens in a minute. No payment card needed.
Start the free trial