Oracle E-Business Suite, also referred as Oracle Applications/Oracle Financials is competing with other high-end ERP products, such as SAP R/3 or mySAP. Microsoft with its Microsoft Business Solutions subdivision is also coming into the competition arena with Microsoft Dynamics AX/Axapta. In this small article we will be concentrating on Brazilian MRP market niche with its specifics, challenges and opportunities.

• Localization. ERP localization includes two parameters: local tax compliance and local language support (in our case Brazilian Portuguese). The most challenging one is taxes – Brazil, being very large country has unique tax requirements and ERP compliance is challenging. Currently, among recognized international brands, the following ERPs have Brazilian tax compliance: Oracle E-Business Suite, SAP Business One/SAP R/3 mySAP, Microsoft Axapta/Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Navision/Microsoft Dynamics NAV. Language support is not a problem nowadays, however this was a big question in the past – all the systems, mentioned above have Portuguese translation.

• Corporate Clientele. Oracle Financials is targeting large clients and also upper mid-market. The interesting statement is this – in the case of Oracle Financials – it is easier to sell it to corporate clients, who have corporate headquarter in Europe, USA, Australia, New Zealand. If large company has 100% Brazilian ground – it probably tends to deploy one of the “local” solutions, such as Microsiga. Both scenarios have reasonable arguments – local MRP is good – it is advanced in compliance to local regulation, at the same time Oracle Applications would allow your corporation have and retain control over its Brazilian subsidiary, simply by deploying one or another Oracle E-Business Suite consulting partner – which is now a commodity.

• São Paulo & Rio de Janeiro markets. This is probably where you plan your penetration to begin. Here we would like you to read our publication on these two gateway markets specifics