ERP Development Career: Vaibhav Solanke’s Journey in Technology

Building a Career in ERP Development

An ERP development career combines technical expertise with an understanding of how businesses operate. For Vaibhav, moving from software development into ERP implementation has expanded his focus beyond coding to include business processes, system integrations, and practical technology solutions.

Could you share a short professional bio about your background, experience, and current role?

I’m currently working as an ERP Developer at Duncan & Ross, with over four years of experience in software development. I started on the development side, working with Python and web technologies such as Django, Flask, Frappe, JavaScript, and databases. Over time, I moved deeper into ERP development and implementation. That changed the way I looked at development because I started getting more involved in understanding business processes and not just the technical requirements. Today, my work involves ERP development and customization, implementations, integrations, and process improvements. I also get to work with different teams and stakeholders to understand their requirements and turn them into practical solutions. I still enjoy being hands-on with development, but I’ve also become much more interested in the business and solution-design side of technology.

From Problem-Solving to a Career in ERP Development

A career in ERP development brings together technical problem-solving and an understanding of real business operations. For Vaibhav, an early interest in mathematics and finding solutions evolved into a passion for building technology that helps organizations improve their processes and work more efficiently.

What inspired you to build a career in ERP development and IT?

I was always good at mathematics in school and naturally enjoyed solving problems. I liked the process of looking at something, breaking it down, and figuring out a way to get to the right answer. I think that way of thinking naturally drew me towards technology and development. When I started working in IT, I enjoyed the fact that development gave me a similar kind of problem-solving experience, but with the ability to actually build something from it. You have a problem or an idea, you break it down, try different approaches, and eventually turn it into something that people can use. ERP development made that even more interesting for me because it connects technology with how a business actually works. You’re not just writing code—you need to understand processes, how different departments work together, and where technology can make things simpler or more efficient. I also like that every ERP implementation is different. Even if you’re working with the same system, the business, processes, and challenges can be completely different. That keeps the work interesting and gives me something new to learn with every project. That combination of problem-solving, technology, and understanding real business processes is what made me want to continue growing in ERP and IT.

Understanding Business Needs Before Building Technology Solutions

Effective ERP development requires more than technical knowledge. Understanding the underlying business challenge, evaluating existing processes, and considering how changes affect users are essential to creating practical solutions. Through his experience with different ERP implementations, Vaibhav has developed a problem-solving approach that prioritizes business needs before technical execution.

What experience has shaped the way you approach problem-solving as a developer?

I’ve worked across different ERP implementations, and I think each implementation has taught me something different. Even when the technology is the same, every business has its own processes, priorities, and ways of working. One thing I’ve learned is that the requirement you initially receive is not always the actual problem. Someone might ask for a particular customization or report, but once you understand their process and ask a few more questions, you sometimes realize that the real issue is somewhere else. Because of that, I try not to jump straight into coding. I first try to understand what the person is actually trying to achieve, how the process works today, and what would make the solution useful for them. Working with existing systems has also taught me to think about the impact of a change. A solution may work technically, but you also need to think about the users, existing data, other processes, and the teams that might be affected. So over time, my approach has changed from simply asking, “How do I build this?” to first asking, “What are we actually trying to solve?”

How Cross-Team Collaboration Creates Better Technology Solutions

Successful technology solutions depend on more than technical expertise. Collaboration between developers, business teams, and end users helps ensure that systems address real operational needs. For Vaibhav, working with different perspectives has strengthened both his approach to ERP development and his ability to translate technical solutions into practical business outcomes.

How does working with different teams and perspectives help you build better technology solutions?

Working with different teams has made me realize that the same problem can look very different depending on who you ask. A developer might look at something from a technical perspective, while someone using the system every day might be more concerned about how many steps they have to go through or how much time a process takes. That’s why I think those conversations are important. They help me understand what people actually need instead of making assumptions based only on the technical requirement. It has also helped me become better at explaining technical things to non-technical people. You can’t always talk about a solution in terms of code or technical architecture. You have to explain what it means for their work and why a particular approach makes sense. I’ve found that when you bring those different perspectives together, you often end up with a solution that is more practical and useful than what you would have come up with from the technical side alone.

Professional Growth and Collaboration at Duncan & Ross

At Duncan & Ross, professional development extends beyond technical responsibilities. Working across teams, taking ownership of projects, and learning from experienced colleagues can help technology professionals build a broader understanding of business operations. For Vaibhav, these opportunities have shaped his approach to ERP development, collaboration, and project delivery.

How has your experience at Duncan & Ross influenced the way you approach your work and collaboration?

I’ve learned a lot during my time at Duncan & Ross, and a big part of that has come from the support and guidance I’ve received from my manager Haneef and the team. I’ve had the opportunity to work with different kinds of people, collaborate across teams, and take on responsibilities beyond just coding and development. I’ve also had the opportunity to handle projects and manage different aspects of the work from a management perspective. Getting the chance to work and interact with senior and top management has been a valuable experience for me. I’ve learned a lot just by seeing how they approach work, communicate, make decisions, and look at things from a broader perspective. Earlier in my career, I was naturally more focused on the development side—understanding a requirement and building the solution. With more experience at Duncan & Ross, I’ve started looking at things more broadly: why we are building something, how it fits into the business, how it affects other teams, and what the best approach is overall. I think that change in mindset has been one of the biggest things I’ve taken away from my experience here. I’m still very much interested in the technical side, but I’ve learned that good work also comes from communication, collaboration, taking ownership, and learning from the people around you.

Career Advice for Aspiring IT and ERP Developers

Building a successful career in IT requires continuous learning, adaptability, and a willingness to take on new challenges. Beyond technical skills, understanding business needs and communicating effectively can make a meaningful difference in a developer's professional growth. Drawing from his own experience, Vaibhav shares his advice for those beginning their journey in technology.

What’s one piece of career advice you would share with someone starting out in IT or development?

Don’t limit yourself to just the technology you’re working with. Learn the fundamentals and become good at what you do, but also try to understand the problem behind the technology. When I started in development, I was mainly focused on learning technologies and building things. As I gained more experience, I realized that understanding the business problem and being able to communicate with the people using the system is just as important as writing the code. I’d also say don’t wait until you feel completely ready before taking on something new. A lot of what I’ve learned has come from situations where I didn’t already know the answer. You research, ask questions, try things, make mistakes, and figure it out. So keep learning, ask questions, take ownership, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Sometimes the opportunities that initially seem unfamiliar are the ones that teach you the most.

Connecting Technology with Business Impact

Vaibhav's journey in ERP development highlights the importance of looking beyond technical requirements to understand the business challenges behind them. From software development to ERP implementation and cross-team collaboration, his experience reflects how continuous learning, problem-solving, and taking ownership contribute to professional growth.

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