ERP selection for small businesses and startups—how to do it right.

Want to choose an ERP system, but without falling into budget traps, feature overload, and nasty surprises after the purchase? In this practical guide, you'll learn how to find the ERP system that's right for your business. So that you know what matters.
Stephan Eicke
ERP-Auswahl für kleine Unternehmen & Startups - so klappt’s.

How do I find the right ERP?

Choosing an ERP system may seem overwhelming at first—like standing in front of a mountain of files and having to find a single invoice. But with a few clear steps, you can quickly make the right decision.

Cloud or server?

In the past, ERP often meant having your own server, high investments, and someone who had to take care of it alongside many other tasks.

Today, it’s much more relaxed. Cloud ERP runs online, is always up to date, and can be accessed from anywhere—office, home office, or even the beach with Wi‑Fi. You can work on the go, for example if you're stuck on the train or have a great idea on the beach. Growth doesn’t wait for hard drives.

This is a real advantage for small businesses. You don’t need your own technology, you don’t have to worry about maintenance, and you stay flexible as your business grows.

Cloud ERP is like electricity from the wall socket. It’s there when you need it. No generator in the basement.

Choosing an ERP system — step by step to the right system

1. Clarify your goals.

What do you want the ERP system to do for you? Write quotes, keep track of figures, simplify processes? Define what you really need before comparing tools—most of which won’t be suitable for you anyway.

2. Take an honest look at your processes.

Not everything has to be mapped perfectly. What matters is that the ERP supports your daily work and doesn’t make it more complicated. What do you really need? What can you simplify?

3. Choose the cloud.

Especially for small teams, this saves time, money, and nerves. With a cloud ERP like BC2GO, you only pay for what you use—no high upfront costs, no servers of your own, and no maintenance overhead.

4. Plan your budget realistically.

It’s not just the purchase price that matters. How much budget do you have? Implementation and operating costs should remain manageable. The key question is: what do you get for how much money?

5. Focus on simplicity.

A good ERP doesn’t feel like a project—it feels like a tool you enjoy using. Nobody wants unnecessary detours; you want to reach your goal quickly.

The ERP selection checklist

The following checklist helps you compare ERP systems realistically. As always, no one knows better than you what you need—whether you’re a founder or part of a growing company that wants more structure.

1. Strategic fit

☐ Does the ERP suit the size of our company (today and in 2–3 years)?

☐ Is the system suitable or adaptable for our industry?

☐ Does it support our growth strategy (more users, more volume)?

2. Range of functions & modules

☐ Financial accounting / bookkeeping

☐ Sales (quotes, orders, invoices)

☐ Purchasing (suppliers, orders, goods receipt)

☐ Warehouse & logistics (stock, inventory, tracking)

☐ Projects / Service / Production (if relevant)

☐ Evaluations & dashboards (real‑time KPIs)

Only evaluate functions you really need. You don’t want to pay for features you won’t use. ERP providers are not Netflix.

3. Usability & user acceptance

☐ Intuitive user interface

☐ Low training effort

☐ Suitable for non‑IT users

☐ Clear roles and permissions

4. Cloud vs. on‑premise

☐ Cloud (SaaS) or local installation?

☐ Access from anywhere (home office, mobile devices)?

☐ Automatic updates & maintenance included?

☐ Scalable without high IT costs?

For small businesses with limited budgets but big goals, cloud solutions are usually more flexible and predictable.

5. Integration & interfaces

☐ Microsoft 365 integration (Outlook, Excel, Teams)

☐ DATEV interface for tax advisors

☐ E‑commerce integration (shop, marketplaces)

☐ API or standard interfaces available?

6. Migration & data transfer

☐ Easy import from Excel?

☐ Clear migration strategy?

☐ Support during data transfer?

☐ Test phase with real data possible?

Switching systems shouldn’t mean starting from scratch. Time spent here is better invested in visible growth.

7. Implementation & go‑live

☐ Clear implementation structure (no project chaos)

☐ Realistic go‑live timeline

☐ Preconfiguration instead of full custom development

☐ Support during launch (onboarding, documentation, support)

The faster the benefits become visible, the higher the acceptance.

8. Costs & transparency

☐ Clear license prices (per user / month)

☐ Manageable implementation costs

☐ No hidden additional costs

☐ Scaling without cost shock?

An ERP should be predictable—financially as well.

9. Security & data protection

☐ GDPR‑compliant data processing

☐ Hosting in certified data centers (cloud)

☐ Regular security updates

☐ Backup and permission concepts?

Data security is not a nice‑to‑have. It’s a must‑have—and non‑negotiable.

10. Provider & future‑proofing

☐ Long‑term stable provider

☐ Active product development

☐ Reliable support

☐ Clear product roadmap

An ERP is a long‑term decision.

You may come to the same conclusion we present here: BC2GO from COSMO365 is ERP made simple. Preconfigured, ready to use, and tailored to small businesses. No feature circus. No guesswork.

How much does an ERP system cost?

The honest answer: it depends.

Cloud solutions like BC2GO are predictable and transparent. The packages and prices are clearly defined and easy to understand.

This saves time, protects your budget, and leaves room for growth.

BC2GO packages at a glance:

  • Core: €399 per month + €99 per user/month.
  • Standard: €699 per month + €165 per user/month.
  • Pro: €999 per month + €189 per user/month.

All packages have a minimum term of 24 months. After that, you can plan flexibly.

What does this mean for your budget?

The basic package is ready to use immediately: You start with a fixed base rate and decide how many users you really need.

Additional users are flexible: You can add team members at any time.

No hidden costs: Transparent pricing, including support and learning platform.

Conclusion.

Choosing ERP software doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With a cloud solution like BC2GO, you get clarity and a system that fits you.

You decide. You stay in control.

Why make things complicated when they can be simple?

You can test BC2GO for free here . No strings attached. If you have questions, feel free to contact us anytime .

Author

Stephan Eicke

Stephan Eicke

Content Writer