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The Best Manufacturing ERP Systems to Help Grow Your Business

When it comes to ERP systems for manufacturing companies, there are plenty of great options out there, but not all of them will be the best fit for your business. To help you determine which ERP systems you should consider and which you should skip, here are 10 of the best manufacturing ERP systems on the market for small to mid-sized companies. To ensure that you're choosing the right system, we've categorized these software programs based on their approach, size, and industry application so that you can find what fits best with your company's needs.

The Software Selection process that a company undergoes when beginning its journey toward implementing a new ERP is an extremely important step, as selecting the right software for your business from the onset can make or break the project. Occasionally companies will select software based on what business leadership has used in the past at another organization. This approach may leave a better fitting ERP system out there undiscovered. Considering all options and methodically working from a long list to a shortlist to a selection produces a confident decision and provides knowledge along the way.

Sage 300 ERP

When it comes to project governance for your ERP manufacturing system, look no further than Sage 300. With this software, you can keep track of all your manufacturing projects in one place while also getting real-time insights into how they're progressing.

Moreover, Sage 300 is specifically designed to help businesses streamline their manufacturing processes. As a result, your team can expect increased efficiency and productivity.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain

Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance & Supply Chain (F&SC, also known as Finance & Operations or F&O) is a cloud-based system that helps businesses with operations, customer service, and marketing. The software offers a comprehensive set of features for each area, making it a great choice for businesses that want an all-in-one solution. One of the benefits of using Microsoft Dynamics 365 is the ability to connect with other Microsoft products, such as Dynamics CRM, Power BI, Office 365, and SharePoint. This can make managing your ERP project governance easier and ensure everyone is on the same page.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

The product formerly known as Navision is another offering from Microsoft that is intended to service smaller manufacturing operations. Still holding many key manufacturing and supply chain features, it is less costly than the above-mentioned Finance & Supply Chain Product and allows businesses that do not yet scale to a Tier-1 Enterprise solution to still enjoy the Microsoft platform. There is a grey area that a company can exist in between these two products, and as such, some companies consider both as part of their initial selection process.

Epicor Software

Epicor Software offers enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions for manufacturing, distribution, retail, and services businesses. With more than 40 years of experience in the industry, Epicor has manufacturing-specific functionality and features that can help you streamline your operations, improve customer service, and increase profitability.

NetSuite

NetSuite is a cloud-based ERP software offering integrated applications, including financials, inventory, e-commerce, and CRM. NetSuite was designed specifically for manufacturing businesses and offers advanced inventory management, manufacturing process management, and quality control features. One of the key benefits of NetSuite is that it can be easily customized to fit the specific needs of your business.

IFS

A long-standing player in the manufacturing ERP space, IFS is a robust solution that has been developed into the solution it is today since being introduced 40 years ago. Boasting 10,000 customers across 50 countries with over 5,000 employees to support the new and existing customer base, IFS is functional, well-supported, and carries with it the multi-national and multi-language capabilities that are required by global manufacturing companies.

Acumatica

Cloud-based Acumatica is a relatively newer player in the manufacturing ERP space but with the powerful backing of $45b EQT partners, who also own IFS. This software includes all the basic manufacturing and supply chain functions that one would expect for a small-to-medium-sized manufacturing company. Additionally, the ease of use and short learning curve for end-users make this a faster and cheaper implementation than competing products.

SAP S/4HANA

One of the most popular enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, SAP S/4HANA, is designed specifically for manufacturing businesses. It can help you streamline your manufacturing processes, improve communication and collaboration between departments, and make better decisions with real-time data analytics.

Infor M3

Infor M3 (formerly Lawson M3) is a comprehensive and robust ERP manufacturing system that offers deep industry-specific functionality. One of its key benefits is its strong project governance capabilities, which can help keep your ERP implementation on track. And It's a scalable and flexible solution that offers robust manufacturing capabilities.

Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne

Oracle's JD Edwards EnterpriseOne is a comprehensive manufacturing ERP system that offers a wide range of features and functionality. It can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your business, making it a good choice for businesses of all sizes. JD Edwards EnterpriseOne includes modules for financials, supply chain management, manufacturing, and more. Plus, it offers strong integration capabilities, making it easy to connect with other systems.

What to Consider When Choosing ERP Systems

There are many different types of ERP systems on the market, so it can be hard to know which is right for your business. Here are some things to consider when choosing an ERP system for your manufacturing business:

What do you want to achieve with your new system? The first thing you should think about is what business benefits you're after. Do you want a more accurate supply chain management or better tracking of manufacturing assets? How important are multi-company/location features or language/currency capabilities?
Having specific goals and key business requirements in mind will make choosing an ERP system that meets your needs easier.
You might also want to consider how long the software has been around and how many companies use it. Make sure you review all installation, integration, and training costs before deciding. Can the vendor provide good references to businesses like yours?

The Choice is Yours - ERP Systems

An effective ERP software selection process and project governance structure are critical for the success of any ERP manufacturing implementation. The following 10 systems have been identified as the best manufacturing ERP systems based on their ability to provide the necessary functionality to support your business goals. Each system has unique features and benefits that can be tailored to meet your organization's specific needs. For more information on ERP systems, Click here to learn more.