Does building applications over my ERP database create security risks?

No, if done correctly. m-Power provides granular security controls including user authentication (integrates with Active Directory, OAuth, SAML), role-based access, and row-level data permissions. You control exactly who can read and write, and to which data, often with more precision than what your ERP offers natively.

Will this approach break my ERP or affect upgrades?

No. Because applications built this way only interact with the ERP's database and never modify ERP code, your upgrade path stays completely clean. This is the core advantage over traditional ERP customization, which does alter the code and creates upgrade risk.

Can my existing IT team do this, or do we need developers?

m-Power is designed for existing IT teams, not specialized developers. mrc, the company behind m-Power, has helped over 1,500 customers since 1981 build custom applications with their current staff. And if your team needs help, mrc's services team can assist with or fully execute projects. 96% of first-time services clients become repeat customers.

Which ERP systems does this work with?

m-Power works with any ERP system that uses a standard database (JDBC-compatible). This includes IBM i/AS400-based ERPs, SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and others. Customers use m-Power to extend ERP systems including BPCS, SAP, Retalix, Friedman Frontier, and many more.

How long does it take to build applications over my ERP?

It depends on complexity, but development is faster, often by an order of magnitude. Daiwa Sports built their first order-entry solution in two weeks. ComPair Data reports building applications in hours instead of weeks. The template-driven build process means most applications follow the same steps regardless of complexity.

ERP Systems – mrc's Cup of Joe Blog

How to Build Custom Apps Over Your ERP (Without Changing It)

By Sal Stangarone / ERP Systems

Let me ask you a question: Does your ERP system actually fit your business?

Does it match the way your people work and/or how your business operates day to day? Probably not…and you’re not alone. I talk to IT leaders all the time who tell me the same thing. Their ERP handles the core stuff fine. Beyond that? There are gaps.

Watch the full walkthrough: In this 20-minute video, we build a purchase order form, and approval workflow, all over ERP data (without touching the ERP).

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How to Build Custom Apps Over Your ERP (Without Changing It)Read More »

The surprising benefits of custom ERP reporting

By Joe Stangarone / ERP Systems, web reporting

Summary: ERP systems rarely provide a perfect fit for your company’s unique reporting needs. While this may seem like a minor problem, it leads to serious issues. These issues not only waste time, they can even halt business growth. Learn how one company created custom reporting over their ERP system–and the surprising benefits they saw as a result.
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The surprising benefits of custom ERP reportingRead More »

Tied to an outdated enterprise system (like an ERP)? Watch this…

By Joe Stangarone / ERP Systems

Summary: Enterprise systems pose something of a “Catch-22.” If you don’t customize the system, it won’t perfectly fit your needs. If you do customize it, you’re locked into that system. Watch this short video to learn how to avoid these problems and customize your enterprise system without locking your company down.
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Tied to an outdated enterprise system (like an ERP)? Watch this…Read More »

Webinar Replay: Create custom reporting over your enterprise system

By Joe Stangarone / ERP Systems

Summary: Enterprise systems (like ERPs) pose something of a “Catch-22.” If you don’t customize the system, it won’t perfectly fit your needs. If you do customize it, you’re locked into that system. If you’re facing this challenge, check out this webinar replay and learn how one company delivered custom reporting over their ERP system–without altering the system at all.
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Webinar Replay: Create custom reporting over your enterprise systemRead More »

How to augment your ERP to fit your needs (without expensive customization)

By Joe Stangarone / Enterprise Software, ERP Systems

Summary: Enterprise systems pose something of a “Catch-22.” If you don’t customize the system, it won’t perfectly fit your needs. If you do customize it, you’re locked into that system. In this article, you’ll learn how to avoid these problems and customize your enterprise system without locking your company down.
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How to augment your ERP to fit your needs (without expensive customization)Read More »

Deliver real-time data from your SAP system

By Joe Stangarone / ERP Systems

Summary: ERP systems rarely provide a perfect fit for your company’s needs. Many organizations struggle to get the right information out of their systems, and deliver it to the right people. If you face this issue, learn how one company automated data delivery from their SAP system, and how you can do the same.
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Deliver real-time data from your SAP systemRead More »

How to avoid ERP module fees

By Joe Stangarone / ERP Systems

Summary: While ERP systems include basic modules for running your business, they rarely include every feature you want. While the ERP vendor offers those features in the form of extra modules, these modules aren’t cheap. How can you integrate these features into your ERP system, without spending an arm and a leg on an expensive module?
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How to avoid ERP module feesRead More »

Webinar Replay: Create custom reporting over your enterprise system

By Joe Stangarone / Enterprise Software, ERP Systems, web reporting, Webinar

Webinar Replay: Create custom reporting over your enterprise systemRead More »

How to create custom budgeting over your enterprise system

By Joe Stangarone / Budgeting, Enterprise Software, ERP Systems

Summary: Enterprise systems (like ERPs) rarely provide the budgeting capabilities to precisely fit your business. As a result, budgeting becomes a time-consuming, spreadsheet-driven process. Learn how one company solved this problem, automating their budgeting process and delivering custom budgeting applications to their executives on-demand.
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How to create custom budgeting over your enterprise systemRead More »

Learn how other companies deliver custom ERP reporting

By Joe Stangarone / ERP Systems, web reporting

Summary: ERP systems rarely provide a perfect fit for your company’s unique reporting needs. The problem is, you’re stuck in something of a “Catch-22.” If you don’t customize the system, it won’t perfectly fit your needs. If you do customize it, you’re locked into that system. In this article, you’ll learn how other businesses are creating custom reporting over their ERP systems, without locking themselves down.
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Learn how other companies deliver custom ERP reportingRead More »