Microsoft to drive EPM-ERP integration

Prashant L Rao / Bangalore

When Tata Honeywell implemented a 250-user Enterprise Project Management solution built around MS Project that integrates into its Oracle Applications ERP system, it was the first in what Microsoft hopes will be many such deals integrating Enterprise Project Management (EPM), with an organisation’s ERP system. “Most engineering companies have their finance and HR processes mapped onto an ERP system, so this is a logical extension where you tie the billings per consultant or project manager or his productivity, and the overall project cost to the profitability of the company. Since the basic premise of the EPM solution is to look at return on investment, this is making absolute sense to customers,” said Tarun Malik, product manager for business tools at Microsoft Corporation (India).

Microsoft has a dozen customers who have either implemented or are looking to implement EPM integration with their ERP systems. The company wins in this space have included L&T in Chennai, Airports Authority at Delhi, Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation, HCL Tech, Mastek and Indian Oil. “We expect several large deals to materialise in the next six months in the engineering and construction segment,” added Malik.

EPM deals are usually large, involving 500-1,000 seats. A single MS Project server can handle 150-200 users and implementations take between 1-3 months. A 1,000-user EPM with ERP integration can be rolled out in two months.

Microsoft’s partners have developed adapters for popular ERP solutions. Intelligroup, Hyderabad has developed an adapter to integrate MS Project with SAP. L&T Infotech has done the same for Oracle applications.