Walk into any mid-sized company in the Middle East, and ask what keeps their operations from running smoother. The answers are often the same: too many disconnected tools, duplicate data entry, and more. In nearly every case, the root problem leads to the same conclusion, the business outgrew its systems, and no one realized it until things started to strain.

That’s why choosing an ERP partner is one of those moves that sits quietly at the foundation of a business’s operations. When done right, it can quietly improve nearly everything a company does, but the wrong choice can tend to echo loudly in daily operations, sometimes for years.

Here are nine questions that have proven to be essential when evaluating a software development company for ERP projects through years of lived experience.

1. Has the Company Built Real ERP Systems, Not Just Business Software?

Many companies say they “do ERP,” but the truth is, ERP isn’t just software, moreover it’s a system of interconnected logic that touches nearly every part of an organization. 

There’s a world of difference between a team that can build an app and one that understands how finance flows into procurement.

What to Look For:

So, look for experience building, not just configuring ERP systems. 

Ask them:

• Have they developed finance modules with tax compliance? 
• Have they built inventory workflows with multi-warehouse logic?

Always remember, ERP leaves behind a trail of complexity—see if they’ve walked that road before.

Consider:

Industry relevance really matters when you are looking for a perfect ERP system for your business. If their work includes clients operating under UAE regulations or handling GCC-specific workflows, that’s a sign they know how to adapt business logic to local reality.

2. Do They Truly Understand the Local Business Landscape?

In the Middle East, local norms, reporting requirements, and even seemingly small things - like bilingual document templates are often non-negotiable.

An international portfolio looks good on paper. But it doesn’t always translate well to this region’s day-to-day business logic.

What to Look For:

Look for their work history with companies in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, or Doha. More specifically.

Ask them:

• Have they handled things like Arabic invoicing, UAE VAT filings, or WPS-compliant payrolls?

Consider:

When ERP systems reflect the rhythm of how business is done in the region, adoption improves. And when that local insight is missing, even a technically solid system can feel misaligned.

3. Are They Willing to Understand the Business First?

One of the early signs of a capable development partner is how they approach the discovery phase. It begins with how well the company listens. Do they take time to understand how the business operates, or are they directly jumping to features?

This early phase sets the tone. It often reveals whether the company sees itself as a service provider or a true partner.

What to Look For:

Search for a team that asks the right questions about data flow, user roles, bottlenecks, and reporting gaps. This isn’t just “requirements gathering.” It's an active discovery.

Consider:

Good ERP partners are curious. They’ll want to understand both the big picture and the operational nuances.

4. Can They Seamlessly Integrate with Other Systems?

Very few businesses start with a blank slate. But lots of companies already have some systems in place including accounting tools, CRMs, and HR portals. Now all these need to be communicated with the new ERP system.

Some developers ignore this part, assuming it’s a technical formality. But integration is often where ERP systems either thrive—or quietly fall apart.

What to Look For:

• Ask for hands-on experience integrating with tools like: Tally Prime, QuickBooks, Salesforce, Shopify, or POS systems. 
• Track their familiarity with APIs, secure data transfer, and real-time syncing.

Consider:

Integration is about more than connections, it’s about trust in the data. The best ERP systems must behave like central command centers, not like some isolated towers.

5. Are Their Tools and Methods Built for Long-Term Stability?

It’s very easy to get swept away by all the demos or UI mockups. But underneath all that is the code and the process behind that code. Must Remember, a modern, maintainable tech stack with disciplined development practices doesn’t always make headlines, but it makes all the difference months and years down the line.

What to Look For:

It’s salient to check the frameworks that are widely supported, languages that are scalable, and processes that include things like code versioning, automated testing, and proper documentation.

Consider:

In this part, where many businesses expand across borders quickly, systems need to grow with them. The wrong technology decisions early on can quietly become roadblocks later.

6. Are They Transparent About Timelines and Cost?

Nobody likes surprises halfway through a project. Especially the expensive kind. ERP development is complex by nature but that doesn’t mean planning has to be vague.

A good Software Development Company will walk you through what’s possible, what’s practical, and what might change along the way—with clear reasoning behind every estimate.

What to Look For:

Ask them about their detailed project phases and milestone-based billing. Also, look for clarity about what’s included versus what falls under change requests.

Consider:

In a business environment that’s as fast-paced and margin-sensitive as the UAE’s, timeline and budget accuracy are essential for operational continuity.

7. How Seriously Do They Take Security?

ERP systems hold sensitive information including financial data, employee records, vendor contracts, and more. If it lives in a database then someone must take responsibility for keeping it safe.

Security isn’t only about tech—it’s also about mindset. Some companies design with caution while others bolt on security later.

What to Look For:

That’s why you need to find out about their data encryption, secure authentication protocols, and user access control. This will help you to get a clear understanding of regulatory compliance.

Consider:

Also, look at how they handle backups and disaster recovery. If things go wrong (and eventually, something always does), how quickly can the system get back on its feet?

8. What Do Their Past Clients Say About Working With Them?

Portfolios can often be curated but references, on the other hand, offer a less filtered view.

When clients talk about a company, they don’t just talk about features—they talk about overall behavior. 

What to Look For:

Find out specific references from their past clients. Even better if those businesses are in similar industries or markets.

Consider:

Try to learn what happened when the project hit friction. Every ERP project has difficult moments. The real measure of a company is how it handles them, with accountability or avoidance.

9. What Happens After Go-Live?

ERP projects rarely end the day they are integrated into the business. In fact, that’s often when the real work begins—fine-tuning reports, onboarding users, and addressing the gaps that only surface during real-world use.

In this phase the difference between a partner and a vendor often becomes clear.

What to Look For:

Carefully observe their ongoing support, structured maintenance packages, proactive check-ins, and willingness to revisit modules.

Consider:

Even the best systems need tweaks post-launch. What matters is how the company shows up during that time.

ERP is rarely a plug-and-play solution. It’s built slowly, with precision. And for that kind of transformation to work, the software partner behind it has to be more than just technically competent.

At Penieltech, ERP development is not just a service, it’s a responsibility we carry with care. We've worked closely with businesses across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the GCC, building ERP systems that reflect both global best practices and regional realities.

Our strength lies in listening first, building second—and always being available when it matters most.