The slowdown in sales, stagnation of capital values, and an imperative to manage resources more effectively are compelling Indian real estate firms to embrace technology solutions aimed at achieving optimum productivity, seamless information access, and adherence to regulatory standards.
Among these technological advancements, end-to-end enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are progressively gaining acceptance. ERP providers are experiencing a surge in inquiries, prompting them to develop customized offerings specifically designed to cater to mid-market real estate firms.
For instance, after experiencing a setback with a standalone ERP implementation, New Delhi-based RDS Projects opted for Aurigo Brix, which delivers efficient management capabilities for projects across multiple locations and serves various customer needs. Similarly, IDEB also utilized Aurigo’s product for several real estate projects spanning Southeast Asia and India.
In a noteworthy recent development, SAP, a global technology leader, announced that Maharashtra-based developer City Corporation has launched its ERP solutions. This implementation aims to expedite its business initiatives, including the ambitious goal of constructing 50,000 houses in five townships across Pune, featuring Amanora Park Town, which is touted as India’s first digital township.
SAP has forged partnerships with other firms as well — including Chennai's True Value Homes and Kolkata-headquartered Tantia Construction. Major players in the industry, such as GMR Infra and HCC, have also aligned with SAP.
The competitive landscape has drawn not only tech giants but also mid-tier IT companies keen to assert themselves in this market. For example, Bangalore-based Sonata Software has introduced SonnetCONSTRUCT, a dedicated ERP solution tailored for the real estate sector. In another collaboration, Oracle India and HP have together launched the Oracle Accelerate Solution for HP ProLiant servers, aimed at helping mid-sized businesses across various sectors sustain and enhance their operations.
While specific figures for the vertical-specific ERP market remain elusive, the overall market is projected to surpass $250 million by 2009, with an anticipated CAGR of over 25.2% from 2004 to 2009. Notably, a firm has recently rolled out its fifth-generation product, BRIX 2009, which serves as an industry add-on to Microsoft's ERP solution suite, Dynamics AX, and is available via select partner channels in regions including the US, Middle East, and Africa.