ERP for Non Profit and Public Sector Organizations
We are independent ERP consultants specializing in ERP for non profit and public sector organizations, from software selection through to implementation. We do not accept compensation from any vendor or implementer, so our advice is entirely in your interest.
Compare Nonprofit & Public Sector ERP Software
Compare Nonprofit & Public Sector ERP software by scrolling down and across to see their applications/modules, number of customers, underlying technology and critical generic requirements.
| Compare Criteria |
|---|
| Product Information |
| System |
| Vendor |
| Description |
| Website |
| Primary Tier |
| Industries |
| Applications |
| Developer Information |
| Number of customers - all products |
| Number of customers - this product |
| Technology |
| % of application that is web based (just need a browser on workstation) |
| On premise, cloud or hybrid |
| Private or Public Cloud |
| Tenant Architecture |
| Generic Requirements |
| Customization/Configuration |
| Without changing source code |
User-defined fields
|
User defined screens
|
| Multiple Companies |
| Share inventory across companies |
| Share customers and suppliers across companies |
| Automate balancing of transactions across legal entities |
| PO of 1 company automatically generates the sales order in another company |
| Multiple Currencies |
| Maintain source and home currency amount for each transaction |
| Date effective currency exchange rates |
| Work Flow |
| Can apply an approval process to any transaction such as a journal entry or any master file such as a supplier or inventory item |
| Can generate alerts/escalation if something expected is late or reminders |
| Configurable approvals or alerts without needing programming |
| Mobility |
| Optimized for Android and iPhone |
| Offline mode and synch when internet connected |
| Sales tax compliance |
| Canadian sales tax compliance |
| US sales tax compliance |
| Reporting/Business Intelligence |
| Reporting |
| Industry standard reporting tool and can change existing reports or add new ones |
| Ad-hoc reporting (don’t need a programmer) with filtering, sorting and summarizing options |
| Dashboards |
| Based on real time updates from all transactions |
| Role specific |
| Configurable dashboards - don't need to be a programmer to create or change dashboard |
| Analytics |
| Drag and drop dimensions |
| Visualization/graphic representation of data |
Not all ERP systems are created equal. There is a big variance in functionality for a specific industry and for the size of company. Small companies don’t need the complexity required for larger companies. There is also a big difference in the ERP vendors which can be:
- Vendors with solutions for multiple industries. These systems are more complicated to setup because of all the industries they support.
- Vendors that offer a solution for a specific industry.
- Vendors that offer an extension developed by a 3rd party for a specific industry.
This page covers unique ERP requirements for non profit organizations, an non profit ERP system comparison across leading systems, and the ERP implementers that specialize in this space. If you would like independent guidance on which direction is right for your company, we would be glad to help.
ERP Requirements for Non Profit Organizations
Non profit companies and public sector organizations operate with requirements that generic ERP systems rarely support out of the box. The list below reflects what a purpose-fit system needs to handle:
– Commitment accounting
– Budget approval process
– RFQ Process
– PO approval process includes multiple levels and depends on organization structure
– Reporting structures
– Project accounting
– Forecasting by account and project
ERP Implementers for Non Profit and Public Sector Organizations
Drill down for information about implementers of Nonprofit & Public Sector ERP Software including number of employees, systems supported and industries supported.
180 Systems conduct dozens of ERP selections every year. With our deep knowledge of ERP for non profit companies and public sector, we will help you find the right ERP system for your company and the right professional services company to implement it.
Why Companies Choose 180 Systems as Their ERP Consultant for Non Profit and Public Sector Organizations
180 Systems Differentiators
1. Independence
We are independent ERP consultants and do not accept any compensation from vendors or implementers.
2. Requirements Analysis
Our analysis is mostly based on business process reviews rather than generic requirements checklists.
3. Strategic alignment
We identify requirements to attain critical success factors (CSFs) and use KPI’s to measure attainment of CSF’s as objectives for an ERP implementation.
4. Nonprofit & Public Sector ERP Experience
We have extensive experience in Nonprofit & Public Sector ERP software selection and implementation with testimonials below.
5. Methodology
We have a documented best practice methodology with numerous proven templates to manage ERP selections and implementations.
6. Efficient
We don’t waste anyone’s time. For example, ERP vendors are asked to only respond to critical requirements in an RFP with the goal of 20% of requirements deemed critical.
7. Cost
Our fees are low because we have little overhead, and don’t exceed a maximum unless there is a change in scope and it has been approved.
8. Trusted Advisors
Our clients know that we will always act with integrity and honesty.
Testimonial
From clients we’ve helped with Nonprofit & Public Sector ERP Software selection and/or implementation
Michael had very good insights on our process and provided management with an independent voice and organizational help on meeting deadlines and that was very helpful. I also think his reports were done very well. They were very thorough, even though it was a difficult time with Hurricane Irma. Conditions made it really hard but he still did a great job. It was very valuable that he and I were able to talk on the side, as I was mulling over ideas of delaying some of the implementation at the time and he agreed with my take. I was afraid that it would be too much for the team to manage, and having Michael there on the side really helped. It turned out to be a good decision.
Michael helped in our System Selection. He was excellent. Michael provided a high level of expertise in the various software systems, and helped us sort out our requirements. He was very personable, and his billing rates were reasonable and appropriate, compared to the big consulting firms.
Michael helped us to do a Gap Analysis and a Process Review with review of some System alternatives. He is an extremely strong professional to work with, I only have good things to say. Michael is extremely knowledgeable, especially in ERP systems, and really knows about Business Process as well.
Michael was excellent. He kept us focussed, analyzed our situation and guided us through the process. He attended all the demonstrations and took notes so we could stay focussed on the demonstrations. He summarized the notes and sent them back to us quickly. When called with a question he was very responsive and would always get back to us in a timely manner.
Michael set up the process for determining our requirements with templates he had developed, and he would look over our shoulder and make sure we didn't get into trouble. That was his main role, and that's exactly what we wanted. All of these templates were an added bonus. We're happy with the process that went on and with our decision. Perhaps Michael could still play a role during the implementation, as a high level advisor to the project management team, maybe check in every week to ensure they are not forgetting something, or getting off track. We're in good shape having chosen our vendor and we would certainly consider using Michael again.
180 Systems is very professional, and they have provided excellent advice. We would not have been able to select the systems effectively without their help. We had a lot more confidence because of the process they went through with us. It made us rethink the approach to selecting software, and this was far better than what we had originally thought.
Resources for Non Profit and Public Sector ERP Selection and Implementation
ERP Software & Implementers Selection Tool
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System Selection Methodology
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ERP Total Cost of Ownership
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Frequently Asked Questions: ERP for Non Profit and Public Sector Organizations
What is non profit ERP and why do non profit organizations need a specialized system?
ERP for non profit organizations is an enterprise resource planning system configured to handle the specific financial and operational requirements of charities, foundations, associations, and public sector entities. Unlike commercial ERP systems, non profit software manages fund accounting, grant tracking, donor management, program-based reporting, and compliance with public sector reporting standards. Without these capabilities, non profit organizations often rely on manual workarounds that make it difficult to demonstrate accountability to funders and boards.
What are the key ERP requirements for non profit and public sector organizations?
The most critical requirements for non profit ERP include fund and grant accounting, budget management by program or department, compliance reporting for government and regulatory bodies, donor and membership management, project tracking, and audit trail documentation. For public sector organizations, ERP for public sector operations also requires procurement controls, multi-entity reporting, and adherence to government accounting standards. Requirements vary significantly depending on the size of the organization and the complexity of funding sources.
How do I choose the right software for nonprofits and public sector entities?
The selection process should start with a clear understanding of your fund accounting requirements, reporting obligations, and the number of funding sources you manage. Some organizations are well served by non profit specific systems, while others with complex operations may need a broader ERP platform configured for the sector. Independent ERP consultants can help you evaluate both options based on your specific compliance and operational needs, without a preference for any particular vendor.
How much does ERP for non profit organizations cost?
ERP costs for non profit and public sector organizations vary depending on the size of the organization, number of users, complexity of fund accounting requirements, and deployment model. Many vendors offer non profit pricing tiers, but implementation, data migration, and staff training represent a significant portion of the total investment regardless of licensing costs. For a detailed breakdown of what to expect, read our article on ERP Total Cost of Ownership.
Why should non profit and public sector organizations use independent ERP consultants rather than going directly to a vendor?
ERP vendors and their implementation partners are motivated to sell their own solution. Independent ERP consultants like 180 Systems do not accept compensation from any vendor or implementer, so the advice you receive is based entirely on your organization’s requirements. This is especially important for non profit and public sector organizations, where budgets are constrained and the cost of a poor selection decision falls directly on the programs and communities you serve.