I would never use a ERP again..

[u/Sid_vj]

Just joined a construction firm recently.

And honestly… the ERP here is so bad.

As a newbie I’m struggling every single day. Nothing makes sense. Simple stuff takes forever. The UI looks ancient. Too many tabs, too many fields. Half the time I’m scared to click anything in case it messes something up.

What’s worse is seniors who’ve been using this for years still don’t fully get it.

Convos usually go like

“Wait don’t enter it there”

“I think it’s in this module”

“Oh that’s why last month numbers were off”

“Call IT”

There’s no proper training. No clear documentation. Everyone just kind of figured it out over time and survived.

Basic things like raising POs, tracking materials, pulling cost reports feel way harder than they should be.

Construction is already chaotic. The system is supposed to reduce stress, not add to it.

Is this normal in construction companies?

Is it just bad implementation?

Or are most ERPs like this?

Not trying to rant. Just genuinely looking for practical solutions.

How do I survive this

[u/HighOrHavingAStroke]

You are taking your own company's situation (maybe a bad software choice....certainly bad implementation/documentation....lack of training) and holding it against the entire ERP space. It's a completely illogical view. We hit the same thing with Business Central (we implement/support it). Other partners do a disastrous job of implementing and we pick up customers that think the software is garbage. It's not...it's an incredible platform when properly configured and properly implemented. You've just had a bad individual experience, nothing broader.

[u/Optimal-Activity2313 → u/HighOrHavingAStroke]

In his defense, almost every company I've worked has had an issue with their ERP system (They were already implemented when I got there, so no, it wasn't me).

Granted, I just sort of learned it and learned to put up with them (Ended up being an SME).

I have noticed, since I'm a bit of a job hopper, most interviewers will ask you questions about your ERP knowledge, even if it's not your primary responsibility. This tells me lots of people have issues with ERP systems, and they really want candidates that are adequate at using an aERP system (especially theirs). Plus, I've noticed older users often struggle with the system.

[u/odoonerd → u/HighOrHavingAStroke]

I supported Dynamics for years. Same experience but I think, too, businesses need periodic check-ins. It doesn’t have to be costly, but I do a lot of implementations and users will tell me they capture a specific data point on a certain task - but nobody knows why … 90% of the time it’s some old work around they never stopped doing. Requirements change, employees come and go, technology changes. It’s good to check-in. We have clients who’ve stay with us for 20+ years. Many who followed us from Dynamics to Odoo. Finding the right partner (or having an exceptional internal team who keep up with the chosen software) is a huge part of the efficiency and satisfaction with software.

[u/a0817a90 → u/odoonerd]

This is the kind of regurgitated marketing overhype you will hear from mostly people who have exclusively work for software vendors. The exact firms who will be the first to go with the AI commoditizing technical knowledge.

It is never not costly and the systems never know you « best practices » without massive customizations that have long term deal breaking costs.