What is ERP?
ERP stands for “enterprise resource planning”. The definition of enterprise resource planning is an integrated software solution used to manage a company’s resources. ERP systems integrate all business management functions, including planning, inventory/materials management, engineering, order processing, manufacturing, purchasing, accounting and finance, human resources, and more.

Why implement an ERP system?
ERP software integrates all departments and functions across a company onto a single computer system that can serve all those different departments' particular needs. ERP combines finance, HR, manufacturing and distribution all together into a single, integrated software program that runs off a single database so that the various departments can more easily share information and communicate with each other. This integrated approach can have a tremendous payback provided the software is installed and used correctly.

What are the benefits of an ERP System?
The benefits derived from ERP can far outweigh the costs of the system, providing that the system is selected carefully and is appropriate for your company from a feature, cost, and technology standpoint. Some of the benefits realized are:
• A single integrated system
• Streamlining processes and workflows
• Reduce redundant data entry and processes
• Establish uniform processes that are based on recognized best business practices
• Information sharing across departments
• Improved access to information
• Improved workflow and efficiency
• Improved customer satisfaction based on improved on-time delivery, increased quality, shortened delivery times
• Reduced inventory costs resulting from better planning, tracking and forecasting of requirements
• Turn collections faster based on better visibility into accounts and fewer billing and/or delivery errors
• Decrease in vendor pricing by taking better advantage of quantity breaks and tracking vendor performance
• Track actual costs of activities and perform activity based costing
• Provide a consolidated picture of sales, inventory and receivables
An ERP system provides the solid operational backbone manufacturers and distributors need to improve the volume of production and fulfilment of orders while reducing costs. By optimizing your manufacturing and distribution operations with ERP, you'll also be able to focus on new business opportunities.

Do I need a new ERP system?

Here are some of the warning signs that your current software is limiting your business growth:
• Increasing customer complaints about poor service
• Using multiple systems for the same task
• Failing to get accurate, up-to-date information for decision-making
• Using handwritten notes because it's easier to jot it down than use the current system
• Having to enter the same data into more than one system
• Inability to expand the business due to limitations of current information system

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you are a good candidate for a new information system. The return on investment from implementing an ERP system can be very attractive.

What kind of training do you offer?
Training is done on-site and in the same environment that will be used once the ERP system goes live. This helps to re-enforce the knowledge transfer and practical use after "Go Live".

Can I purchase individual modules?
Modules can be purchase individually. Some modules have integrated functionality and must be purchased together.

How can I be confident of the quality and reliability?
At ITPL Quality is a main priority. We do everything to ensure our customer satisfaction. The goal of our company is to build customized software applications and management information systems that meet the highest standards of quality. We develop a deep understanding of your needs, wants and expectations. The result is an exceptional product.

What are the key factors for assuring quality?
ITPL follows strict methodology to assure quality as below:
• Perfect project management
• Efficient process
• Complete documentation
• Excellent communication
• Testing
• Document management
• Code inspections and reviews
• Bug-tracking
• Configuration management
• Process monitoring
• Risk management

Do you conduct software testing, verifications and QA services?
Yes, we do conduct software testing: QA, system testing, functionality & feature testing, integration testing, regression testing, web software testing, compatibility testing on various platforms, load and performance testing, test case preparations, execution of test cases, reporting, etc.

Do you provide post-development maintenance?
Yes, we do support all software we design on the basis of a product license. This generally includes bug-tracking and fixing. Feature enhancements and developments are handled.

How do you deal with urgent bug fixing?
We are doing our best to avoid programming errors in products delivered to our customers. However, everybody familiar with software development practice knows that from time to time bugs appear even in the highest quality products. We are trying to fix bugs as soon as possible.

How detailed set of requirements do you require from us?
It's an interactive process. For successful design project realization we need a detailed specification. We need to know your project specification, description of the application the design will be developed for. It would be great to have demo versions of your programs for further design development.

How can I monitor and control project development progress?
There is a number of approaches for reviewing status of the project: The Internet allows us to communicate with your as easily as if we are next door. We can provide you direct secure access to our site where you can participate in your project discussion database, download/upload all relevant to the project information. We will provide you with regular status reports based on time sheets from our developers. Regular updates of the schedule with specified current status provides upper level view to the state of project. Once again the most convenient ways are E-mail, Net-meeting. Lots of tools allow you to talk directly to your programmer team in real time. It is also possible to appoint a team leader, if you prefer to have a single point of contact. Based on reviewing these status artifacts you may propose changes to the project process, features, etc. Our assigned Project Manager will be your single point-of-contact for all issue resolution, and will work closely with your guidelines.

What time zone is ITPL in?
We are located in +5 GMT time zone. The exact time of contact is certainly whatever suits you best, but it is best to make a time at which you can meet daily. A planned daily meeting makes the development process go much more smoothly.

What if my question is not answered on this page?
The most convenient way of making contact seems to be via the Internet. E-mail is a quick way to send information, questions, and comments. You can send your questions and comments to the following E-Mail support@itpl.co.in

What functions are covered under Web site development?
ITPL provides Web design service and Web Development service. It includes, but not limited to, static website development, Dynamic Website development, Portal Development, E-Commerce website development.

What is the difference between a “static” and a “dynamic” site?
A static site is one that is written in HTML only. Each page is a separate document and there is no database that it draws on. What this means functionally is that the only way to edit the site is to go into each page and edit the HTML - so you'd either have to do it yourself using a webpage editor like FrontPage or pay us to go in and edit the site each time you wanted something changed. A dynamic site is written using more complex code and can do a lot more. For instance, we can make an area where you can log in and change various parts of the site, such as adding information or products. This is because each page is constructed based on the information in a database, and the information in that database can be changed via another interface. Dynamic sites can reduce ongoing maintenance costs if you don't want to change things yourself with a webpage editor or with the HTML. They usually cost more to develop, as they require more complex coding and a content management utility needs to be developed to help you manage your website information. Many clients do a combination, having some dynamic areas such as a product catalogue where they have to change information or pictures regularly, and leave other pages such as contact information as static pages.

What benefits can you guarantee?
All projects we take up carry the following guarantees:
• Confidentiality guarantee: All client details will be kept confidential
• Support guarantee: Free 3-12 months support for defect resolution
• Results guarantee: Progress-linked payments weighted toward the end

How do you assure confidentiality?
• We sign NDAs and Confidentiality Agreements as required by you.
• All our employees are full-time employees, and are bound by the company Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure clauses.
• Additionally, for sensitive projects, we create isolated cells disconnected from any public network.
• At a practical level, all CD-Writers need authorization for usage. Internet uploads larger than a threshold also need authorization.

What methods do you follow in design and development?
We follow the iterative model of development - an intermediate model between the traditional waterfall method and the extreme programming methods. In this methodology, once the preliminary requirements are clarified, the next step is to quickly build the prototype of the website/web application. From then on, the process is one of a continuing evolution of this prototype until it becomes the final product, exact to specifications.

Our customer fulfillment process begins with initiating the project once the estimates are given to the Client engagement team.
Plan and Elaborate
Once the project is confirmed, an Enhanced feature list is prepared. The project and its associated tasks are then assigned to the respective leads in the Design and Development team. The Use cases and the Software Requirements documents are created here. The design architecture is then communicated to the organization. The work on prototypes then begins.
Design and Development
We follow the iterative model of development. In this methodology, once the preliminary requirements are clarified, the next step is to quickly build the prototype of the website/web application. From then on, the prototype will go through continuous evolutions until it becomes the final product, exact to specifications. Our design and development processes are well defined. These processes are strictly adhered to through all cycles of evolution in the product life cycle.
Some of the notable features are:
Visibility of Work in Progress-
This is a revolutionary, new approach to software development and extremely suited to offshore development and outsourced services. When you outsource your web solutions to us, we are sensitive to the fact that you require high visibility of the WIP (work in progress). This is the reason why we have adapted this methodology to our web development process. At each stage along the development, the website/web application evolves before your own eyes. Here are the broad milestones in this process:
Prototype
The most crucial phase that gives you an idea of the shape of things to come. Keeping in mind the customer requirements, a more than visual representation of the same is displayed in the prototype. The client evaluates this and we deliver the final product from the final "evolutionary prototype".
A prototype ensures smooth communication between user and developer with different backgrounds. Vague requirements can be given a clear definition while risks and costs are reduced in development.
The Proof of Concept
The prototype evolves to its more complex level of existence. Many parts of the prototype spring to life. This is an intermediate delivery stage before the final delivery that aims to establish the proof of concept. The client can now almost feel the solution that he/she had entrusted us to develop. Our production engine then hauls the project to completion.
Functional specifications document
This is a blueprint for how a particular web project or application looks and works. It details what the finished product will do, how a user will interact with it and what it will look like. This enables easy management of client expectations and saves time on productivity. The development process is streamlined here.
This document marries user experience with the various departments, business and technology required for the project. The application being developed is defined and its purpose is stated clearly here. Information models that help convey the concepts of the application like the user model, the designer model and the programming models are developed here.
The flow chart showing the Customer fulfilment process lists out the various deliverables and documents that are created and delivered during the development and deployment phase.
Processes are measured at every stage and detailed reports elucidating the same are submitted at every stage of our work. Our processes also take into account change and risk management functions.
Final delivery
A QC (Quality control) resource is assigned to every project at the very beginning and proposes a Software Test Plan (SFT) for the project. This prescribes the scope of the testing involved and ensures that all the functional and design specifications are implemented. The QC representative ensures that Unit testing of all the phases in a project beginning from the requirements capture through the design, development and the final product are completed. Future recommendations are also made here.

What are the employee’s strengths
The quality of a software development company is ultimately the quality of its people. Our people are very strong for software projects:
• Are English-speaking Graduate/Post-Graduate Engineers
• Have multiple years of industry experience
• Most people are from premier engineering institutes or have proven exceptional abilities
• Are industry-certified
• ITPL's selection process includes a 1-hour written technical test, 4+ hours of interviewing, reference checking and actual problem-solving on the computer

How do I know if I need a consultant?
If you’re like most people, you don’t have the time to properly set up and maintain a network of computers & software, or you may not have someone on your payroll to whom you would entrust that mission-critical responsibility. Consultants can bring a high level of technical knowledge and expertise in giving various services to you and your company. The solutions they deliver often more than pay for themselves in reduced costs, increased productivity, and other tangible benefits, and there are other benefits to hiring a consultant, such as reduced payroll taxes, no pension or profit-sharing expenses, and the flexibility to use their skills on an as-needed basis. In addition, consultants have a depth of experience in strategic planning and are able to quickly identify opportunities for improving your business with technology that you may not have considered.

What types of businesses use consultants?
Companies of all sizes and in all industries use consultants. To avoid the high costs of a full-time IT staff, many small businesses use consultants as a "virtual" IT staff. Consultants can assess business needs, recommend solutions then implement and support them at a fraction of the cost of a full-time employee.

Do consultants typically offer training?
Many consultants provide seminars and training in addition to delivering technical solutions. Some offer regularly scheduled seminars at training centers. Others are available to provide on-site training at your facility, either one-on-one or in groups. Consultants can teach your employees to make optimal use of custom solutions, or they can deliver training in other standard applications.