Roshana
developer
Roshana Ghemoshu has a keen interest in the evolving world of technology and its impact on everyday business. She enjoys exploring new trends, innovative ideas, and the ways digital advancements are shaping how businesses operate and connect with people.
Many Nepali manufacturers and distributors face the same choice when they look for ERP software: buy a well-known imported ERP, or build software around how they actually work. Neither is always right. This guide gives you the questions to ask first.
It is written for finance heads and operations managers at businesses that have outgrown Excel or basic accounting software, such as a manufacturer with 20 to 200 staff, or a distributor selling through dealers across several provinces.
Start with your own process
Before you look at any product, write down how an order moves through your business: quote, order, stock, production or purchase, delivery, invoice, payment. Mark where it breaks today.
Bring this one page to every vendor meeting. It lets you judge each option against your real work instead of a demo.
What to check on any option
| Question | Imported ERP | Custom software |
|---|---|---|
| Nepal VAT and billing fit | Confirm it supports current IRD requirements | Built to your exact rules |
| Local features (Nepali date, local banks) | Often need add-ons or workarounds | Included in scope |
| Fit with your process | You may need to change how you work | Built around your process |
| Upfront cost | Licence and implementation fees | Development cost |
| Ongoing cost | Annual licences, user fees, partner support | Maintenance and hosting |
| Foreign currency exposure | Licences often priced in foreign currency | Typically local currency |
| Local support | Depends on local partner's skill | Depends on the vendor you choose |
| Time to go live | Often faster for standard needs | Longer for large scope |
| Control over changes | Vendor roadmap | You decide |
| Proven at scale | Used by many companies worldwide | Only as proven as your vendor's past work |
| Risk if the vendor leaves | Another partner can often take over | You need source code and documentation to move on |
Billing software used for VAT invoices in Nepal needs approval from the Inland Revenue Department, so ask every vendor for proof. See the IRD website and this Kathmandu Post report on the e-billing guideline for background.
A fair way to decide
Imported ERP tends to fit when your processes are fairly standard, you want a proven product, and you can accept some changes to how you work.
Custom software tends to fit when your process is a real competitive advantage, local rules are central, or ERP customization would cost nearly as much as building.
A mix often works best: keep a standard accounting package and build custom modules for the parts that are unique, such as dealer orders, route planning, or production tracking.
Hidden issues to ask about
- Who owns the data, and can you export it in a usable format?
- What happens if the local partner leaves the market?
- What does each customization cost, and who maintains it through upgrades?
- Can it connect to your payment, courier, and banking tools?
- If custom: do you get source code, documentation, and a handover?
How to evaluate
Run a pilot of one real process, such as dealer orders to invoice, in each option. Score them on fit, speed, cost over five years, and support.
When you work out the five-year cost, include every line, not just the first payment:
- Licence or development
- Implementation and setup
- Customization
- Training
- Hosting
- Support and maintenance
- Upgrades
- The cost of changing later
Risks: Buying features you will never use, underestimating customization, and choosing custom without clear requirements.
How Quark Infotech can help
At Quark Infotech, we build custom ERP software for manufacturers and distributors. We offer a short discovery phase that includes:
- A workshop to map your order-to-payment process and where it breaks
- A review of what is standard in your business and what is unusual
- A written recommendation: buy, build, or mix
- A rough five-year cost comparison, delivered within reasonable days
If an imported ERP is the better fit for you, we will say so.
FAQs
Is custom software more expensive?
Not always. Compare total cost over several years, not just the first payment.
Can we start small?
Yes. Build or buy for one process first.
Can custom software work with our existing accounting software?
Often yes. Many businesses keep their accounting package and connect custom modules to it. Confirm the integration method before you commit.
What should be in the contract?
Ownership of your data, source code and documentation (for custom), the scope of support and maintenance, a price for each customization, and a clear handover plan.
Need help integrating payments? Book a free 30-minute call with our team.
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