Real questions Indian manufacturing business owners ask us during scoping calls. Detailed answers, no fluff.
How much does custom ERP software cost for a mid-sized Indian manufacturer?+
For a mid-sized manufacturer (50-500 employees) in India, a custom ERP typically ranges from ₹8 lakh to ₹35 lakh depending on modules, integrations, and number of plants. A focused build covering inventory, production, dispatch, and basic accounting integration usually lands around ₹12-18 lakh and ships in 4-6 months. Off-the-shelf options like SAP B1 or Odoo Enterprise involve recurring licensing and steep customisation fees, so we often recommend a hybrid: open-source ERP core plus custom modules for the workflows that actually differentiate your plant. We also build mobile-first add-ons that ride on top of legacy ERPs you may already own.
Can you integrate IoT sensors with our existing machines for real-time monitoring?+
Yes — most Indian factories run a mix of older PLCs and newer CNC machines, and we work with both. For legacy equipment we add non-invasive current sensors, vibration sensors, and digital input loggers (typically ₹6,000-25,000 per machine) and stream data to AWS IoT Core or a local edge device. For modern machines we read directly from Modbus/OPC-UA endpoints. Dashboards show OEE, downtime reasons, and shift-wise output to plant heads in real time, with WhatsApp/SMS alerts for critical events. Pilot deployments on 3-5 machines usually go live in 6-8 weeks.
How do you ensure GST e-invoicing and Indian compliance in the ERP?+
Every dispatch and tax invoice flows through certified IRP (Invoice Registration Portal) APIs to generate IRN and QR codes automatically — no manual JSON uploads. We support all current GST slabs, e-way bill auto-generation for inter-state movement, TDS/TCS handling, and reverse charge for unregistered vendors. The system maintains a complete audit trail for GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, and 6-year data retention as per CGST Act. We also integrate with Tally Prime or Zoho Books if your CA prefers a separate accounting tool, so finance and operations stay in sync without double entry.
Will the system work in low-bandwidth or no-internet shop floor conditions?+
Yes. Our shop-floor apps are built offline-first using Flutter with local SQLite caching, so operators can log production, scan barcodes, and complete QC checks even when WiFi drops. Data syncs automatically when connectivity returns, with conflict-resolution rules that favour the latest edge timestamp. For plants in industrial estates with patchy 4G, we deploy a local edge server (around ₹40,000-80,000 hardware) that holds 30 days of buffered data. This pattern is proven across cement, ceramic, and food-processing clients in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
How long does manufacturing software implementation take?+
A focused MVP (inventory + production + dispatch) typically goes live in 12-16 weeks, with parallel running for 4 weeks before full cutover. Full ERP rollouts including accounting, HR, and CRM modules take 6-9 months. We follow a phased approach: discovery (2-3 weeks), prototype on 1 plant or product line (8-10 weeks), then expand to additional plants. Critical to success is dedicating 1-2 internal SPOCs (usually plant manager + accounts head) for 4-6 hours a week. We provide on-site training in Gujarati, Hindi, or English and post-launch support for 6 months.
Can your software help with export documentation and compliance?+
Absolutely — exports are a strong fit for digitisation. We automate proforma invoices, packing lists, commercial invoices, certificates of origin, and DGFT-compliant shipping bills. The system pulls HSN codes, FOB values, and incoterms from master data so each shipment generates a complete document set in under 5 minutes. We integrate with ICEGATE for shipping bill status, and with banks for BRC (Bank Realisation Certificate) reconciliation. Exporters in Morbi, Surat, and Rajkot using these workflows report 60-70% faster document turnaround and far fewer customs queries.
