In an endeavour to boost competitiveness and efficiency of MSMEs, the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) will be providing enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions to 300 MSMEs in Andhra Pradesh (AP).

“MSMEs need a powerful information tool to effectively manage their operations. ERP, though a great tool in this regard, is very expensive for MSMEs to procure. Initially the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) will fund us. Under the project, small entrepreneurs will be given an account and password to use the software. They will have to pay their usual Internet bills and a monthly fee for the Software-as–a-Service (SaaS) tool,” said MV Rajeshwara Rao, secretary of FAPCCI.

Besides installing the software for AP MSMEs, the apex body for industries will also provide ERP-trained people to work for small and micro firms.

“MSMEs often tend to ignore the need for business information tools. This initiative will help us monitor our business growth better, thereby helping us increase our turnover, quality and purchases,” said Rajesh Jain, owner of Kinetic Polymers, a small-sized apparel products manufacturer and exporter in Hyderabad.

The software model will be distributed among AP MSMEs with the help and supervision of Hyderabad-based IT firm Syscon Solutions Private Ltd.

Sreemita Bhattacharya