ERP Software

What is the best ERP Software?

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems provide an integrated suite of tools to access business data, create reports, and analyze important details about your entire business in one centralized system.

What is ERP Software Used For?

ERP systems can help improve and streamline your business across departments such as:

  • Accounting & Finance
  • Human Resources
  • Customer Relationship Management
  • Manufacturing
  • Inventory
  • Sales
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Risk Management
  • Compliance & Security

The Best ERP Business Benefits

  • Improved Productivity
  • Increased Efficiency
  • Improved Reporting
  • Better Customer Service
  • Enhanced Customer Experience
  • Improved Vendor Relationships
  • Enhanced Data Security and Integrity
  • Reduced Risk and Improved Compliance

Another benefit of modern ERP systems is data flexibility, which makes it easier for more people to use business data to not only create reports and track operations, but also make important decisions for the future of the company. 

While ERP solutions have been around for decades in the manufacturing industry, and what is ERP software used for depends on business needs and company data and system complexity. Companies in other industries are beginning to realize the drastic benefits of centralizing and organizing all the important data related to their business and growth strategies across all business departments.

ERP solutions are quite powerful and can bring immense benefits to your business, but they are one of the most complex software solutions on the market as well, which makes both selecting and implementing ERP more difficult than many other business software solutions. Knowing what is ERP software used for in your business will help you choose the best ERP software and features. 

ERP solutions are rapidly gaining popularity across all types of companies and industries, and as a result, the technology that powers ERP systems is transforming to fit all the changing and growing needs of unique businesses. 

Cloud ERP is growing more quickly than many other hosted software solutions and this trend toward the cloud will only continue as more companies realize the benefits of ERP (and can afford the technology earlier than in the past).

AI and machine learning are two technologies that are appearing more and more in mainstream technology, and they could play a role quite soon in making ERP solutions more interactive and immersive for users, as well as facilitating further automation opportunities. While intelligent ERP is in its early phases, advancements in this area of technology could revolutionize how you make sales projections for your upcoming business year and monitor and learn from ongoing trends that develop.

Top 10 ERP

NetSuite / Oracle / SYSPRO / SAP S/4HANA / IFS / Aptean / Kinetic / Sage Intacct / Infor / Passport

WH Score
9.9
SYSPRO
34reviews
Starting Price:N/A
Syspro is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software that is designed to help businesses streamline their operations and improve efficiency. It integrates multiple business processes, including finance, supply chain management, manufacturing, and distribution, into a single platform. With Syspro...
WH Score
9.9
IFS
2reviews
Starting Price:N/A
IFS is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software solution designed for large and medium-sized organizations. It provides a comprehensive suite of applications for various departments within a company, including finance, supply chain, manufacturing, and human resources. IFS offers on-premise and...
WH Score
9.9
SAP S/4HANA
97reviews
Starting Price:N/A
Developed by the German company SAP SEP, SAP Enterprise Resource Planning software is a robust business management solution that incorporates all operational aspects within an organization under a single integrated system. As of 2015, it is the world’s most widely used enterprise application s...
WH Score
9.9
Oracle
81reviews
Starting Price:N/A
Oracle ERP represents one of the globe’s leading enterprise software organizations. They have built a sophisticated portfolio of business software applications through high-profile acquisitions. The company is well-known for its strengths in the database, and infrastructure systems. It offers ...
WH Score
9.9
NetSuite
87reviews
Starting Price:N/A
Oracle's NetSuite is the world's #1 cloud ERP solution. This ERP provides over 40,000 organizations worldwide with a modern, scalable, and unified platform to streamline all crucial back-office processes, from financial management and planning, to warehouse and fulfillment, and beyond. With built-in...
WH Score
9.2
Aptean
38reviews
Starting Price:N/A
Aptean Enterprise Resource Planning Software is a product of the Aptean Corporation, a company formed in 2012 after the merging of CDC Software and Consona Corp. The highly customizable ERP solution is designed on a flexible framework that incorporates finance, manufacturing, and distribution functi...
WH Score
9.1
Kinetic
29reviews
Starting Price:N/A
Epicor ERP is a worldclass Enterprise Resource Planning business management solution used by over 20,000 customers in more than 150 countries. It is a single, end-to-end software solution used mostly by mid-market firms. It is guided by user needs in the current market. It is also built on 100% Micr...
WH Score
9.1
Sage Intacct
87reviews
Starting Price:N/A
Sage Intacct is a powerful ERP software that provides businesses with a comprehensive suite of tools to manage their financials, operations, and customer relationship management. With Sage Intacct, businesses can streamline their processes and gain greater visibility and control over their operation...
WH Score
9.0
Infor
26reviews
Starting Price:N/A
Infor is a well-established software solutions provider that has over the past grown to be a formidable player in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software market. The company offers full set applications that range from ERP to EAM ( Enterprise Asset Management). It also provides Product Life-...
WH Score
8.9
Passport
22reviews
Starting Price:N/A
Passport Business Solutions is a comprehensive modular solution designed to provide greater control on companies’ operations and enhance operational efficiency and profitability. It provides unique features such as audit trails for transactions, flexible and custom reporting, graphic-based des...

Learn more about ERP Software

What is the Meaning of ERP Software?

The acronym ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning; ERP Software encompasses a number of systems and software programs that help with resource planning on an enterprise level.

What is ERP Software and How Does it Work?

Enterprise Resource Management (ERP) Software refers to applications that can streamline or automate accounting, production, sales, and other key business features. ERP systems work in an integrated software suite by consolidating and sorting business data in order to automate other business functions.

What is a Tier 2 ERP System?

A tier 2, also known as a two-tiered ERP system combines two systems to better fulfill the needs of larger organizations that may be situated across more than one location or subsidiary. This two-pronged approach to enterprise resource planning produces superior data management and consolidates data from across the entirety of the enterprise into a single source.

What are the Common Features of ERP Software?

Most ERP software systems use a variety of features ranging from human resource management to data analysis. Other common features include integration, automation, reporting, customer relationship management, accounting, and tracking and visibility. 

What is the Central Feature of any ERP System?

ERP software is designed to increase visibility and efficacy for all sizes of businesses. The central feature of any ERP system is thus a synchronized database that is shared across different business units and used for multiple key functions. 

What are the Applications of ERP?

Enterprise resource management software has many useful applications that can help to improve workflows and existing systems. Some common applications include program management, functional consulting, technical consulting, implementation, optimization, migration, upgrading, interface programming, and customizations. 

What are the Benefits of ERP Software?

With so many functions and applications, ERP software can support all sorts of business processes in various departments through one centralized application. ERP software helps to supply cross-functional information reports; all of this consolidated business data provides the context necessary to make important and informed decisions. 

The manufacturing industry in particular has been reaping the many benefits of ERP solutions however, the advantages of centralization and organization can be applied to companies from other industries. Human resources, finances, relationship management, and supply chain management are industries that may reap significant benefits from enterprise resource planning software.

Who Uses ERP Software?

ERP is used by a number of different business sectors but is most commonly used in manufacturing and supply chain. Companies working in this industry use ERP to keep track of the many moving parts of manufacturing, shipping, and distribution. Alternate industries that use ERP software include healthcare, nonprofits, construction, and hospitality. More industries than ever before are embracing ERP as more companies realize the benefits of using these systems.

What are Different Types of ERP?

ERP, although typically marketed as a single solution, can be broken down into four different types of enterprise resource planning. These categorizations help to understand the general landscape of the ERP market and specify different utilizations. The four categories are: Box ERPs, Industry Specific ERPs, Intermediate and Flexible ERPs, and Large Scale ERPs. 

What are the Challenges with ERP Software?

While ERP can help solve many problems within a business, there are challenges that come with this type of software. It is important to be cognizant of the maintenance costs and work that comes with ERP. Integrated processes need to be planned and thought through prior to making changes, and some systems provide inadequate flexibility to make said changes. Also, key features need to be properly understood and put into place. 

What are the Typical Challenges of ERP Integration?

ERP implementation can be complex and challenging, and some of the typical issues that arise during the process include:

  • Properly securing and storing data.
  • Managing costs to keep ERP implementation on-budget.
  • Customizing ERP to your business needs.
  • Migrating all business data into the ERP system.
  • Ensuring all environments are compatible for ERP integration.
  • Communicating effectively with customers and suppliers.

How Can ERP Challenges be Overcome?

ERP challenges can be overcome by creating and clearly defining ERP implementation goals with special attention paid to activities and processes such as:  

  • Creating standard processes and procedures 
  • Limiting the amount of manual data entry and work that needs to take place during an ERP integration
  • Keeping cycle times short and costs in budget
  • Ensuring efficiency is improved with each aspect of implementation 

What are the Risks of ERP Implementation?

The risks of an ERP implementation can include:

  • Failing to use a project manager to guide the implementation process from start to finish.
  • Lacking the expertise needed to implement an ERP system
  • Neglecting to properly test during the implementation
  • Viewing ERP implementation as a sole responsibility of the IT team.

Which Companies Should Buy ERP Software?

ERP software is rooted in the manufacturing industry, and these systems have been used to support manufacturers and supply chains for decades. However, many companies across industries such as retail, finance, farming, healthcare, and others are beginning to leverage ERP systems more regularly as a strategic way to improve data integrity, reporting, and information transfers. 

How to Buy an ERP?

When buying an ERP, follow these steps to ensure you choose and implement the best options for your business:

  • Conduct a business review of company needs (internal and external)
  • Consider company size, growth plans, and budget 
  • Identify the must-have ERP tools and features your business will benefit from most
  • Research ERP vendors, plans, and pricing
  • Make a list of top ERP vendor choices and set up demos

Do Small Businesses Need ERP?

Small businesses can use ERP software to build strong processes, consolidate and automate finance processes, and streamline communication between departments as well as customer or clients. Cloud ERP systems are much more affordable than traditional on-premise ERPs, which means that companies can make the investment in these tools much earlier than in the past. 

What is ERP Lifecycle?

ERP implementation can typically take anywhere form 6 months to 1 year, depending on the size of a company and the complexity of migrating data and processes into a centralized ERP ERP.

What Should I Look for in a New ERP system?

Below are some of the most important things to look for in a new ERP system:

  • Scalable, flexible modules and features to support growth
  • Ease of use 
  • Mobile accessible system that can be accessed remotely (and securely)
  • Reviews from current or past ERP users that are similar to your business
  • Costs, efficiency, and savings (long and short-term)
The right software for your business

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