10 Greatest ERP Programs Put To the Take a look at: My Verdict

I’ve labored with numerous groups—gross sales, advertising, finance, and venture administration—and I’ve seen firsthand how enterprise useful resource planning (ERP) programs might be each extremely useful and a supply of infinite complications.

I really like how greatest ERP programs promise streamlined operations, higher insights, and a unified view of the enterprise. However generally it doesn’t take lengthy earlier than you’re asking, why is that this so difficult? Or why can’t it simply do what we want it to do?

I’ve been by way of all of it: making an attempt to adapt an ERP system to suit enterprise processes it wasn’t designed for, seeing groups study programs that really feel something however user-friendly, and even the invention of hidden prices after the implementation is already underway. 

I do know these challenges rapidly compound if you attempt to ‘get it proper’ throughout ERP software program choice course of. You may in all probability agree with me {that a} improper selection disrupts workflows, demoralizes staff, and wastes treasured sources.

Whether or not you’re upgrading from an outdated answer or exploring ERP programs for the primary time, I need to make it easier to determine pink flags and select a system that aligns together with your wants. That’s why I teamed up with Gabriel Gheorghiu, our resident ERP knowledgeable, and labored with people from every kind of groups that depend on ERPs that will help you discover the very best ERP programs on the market.

After exploring ERP programs, I discovered that the very best ones combine key enterprise processes like finance, HR, and provide chain into one platform. They provide real-time information for smarter decision-making, are scalable to develop with what you are promoting, and have user-friendly interfaces with sturdy buyer assist, making them important for streamlining operations and bettering effectivity.

My tackle what units greatest ERP programs aside

After I began consider ERP programs, I deal with a number of crucial components to make sure the system is an ideal match for the enterprise. Right here’s what I search for:

• Matches enterprise wants: I began by making certain the ERP system matches particular enterprise processes and necessities that the majority customers need. It has to deal with all of the necessities, like finance, HR, provide chain, and venture administration, whereas additionally addressing any industry-specific wants. For me, if it doesn’t assist the best way the enterprise works at this time and the place it’s headed, it’s not the appropriate selection.
• Scalability: I additionally evaluated whether or not the ERP software program can develop with the enterprise. A terrific ERP system ought to deal with elevated workloads, assist extra customers, and adapt to enterprise or course of modifications with out inflicting main disruptions. 
• Integrations: An ERP system additionally has to work seamlessly with current instruments, whether or not it’s CRM software program, e-commerce platforms, or different specialised purposes. If it doesn’t combine properly, it creates extra issues than it solves. I examined how simply the ERP communicates with different programs to make sure clean information movement throughout the group.
• Ease of use: If the ERP system isn’t intuitive, it may possibly result in frustration and low adoption charges amongst your staff members. That is why I paid shut consideration to the coaching and sources the seller supplies. For me, an excellent ERP goes past providing nice options. It makes it straightforward for individuals to truly use these options.
• Whole price of possession (TCO): I additionally seemed into the prices, not simply the upfront price ticket. This contains implementation, licensing, customization, coaching, ongoing upkeep, and upgrades. Understanding the long-term monetary dedication helps keep away from disagreeable surprises down the road. I at all times suggest evaluating the TCO in opposition to the worth the ERP answer brings to the desk.
• Vendor popularity: Lastly, I thought of the seller’s monitor file. I learn opinions, checked out their buyer base, and even talked to present customers once I may. Figuring out I can rely on the seller for assist with implementation, troubleshooting, and updates offers me peace of thoughts.

By specializing in these components, you’ll be able to confidently select an ERP system that meets present wants and units you up for long-term success. Over the previous few weeks, I examined over 20 ERP software program options. The highest 10 that made the checklist stood out for his or her capability to fulfill enterprise wants, ease of integration, user-friendly design, and general cost-effectiveness.

To be included within the ERP software program class, a product should:

• Basic ledger, accounts payable/receivable, budgeting, and money administration options
• Human sources performance like recruiting and payroll, or integration with HR and payroll options
• Fundamental gross sales and buyer administration options or integration with CRM options
• Features to create quotes, gross sales orders, and returns
• Buying workflows and buy order administration
• Work with stock and warehouse administration software program for selecting, packing, and transport
• Supply superior provide chain modules, together with demand planning and transportation administration for distribution corporations
• Present manufacturing modules like invoice of supplies (BOM), manufacturing useful resource planning (MRP), and high quality administration options for manufacturing corporations
• Characteristic reporting and analytics for all of the modules included within the ERP answer

After I labored with NetSuite, I discovered it to be technically strong, cloud-based ERP answer that brings all core enterprise features like finance, CRM, stock, and e-commerce onto a single, unified platform.

What I discovered spectacular was its real-time visibility into monetary and operational information, which makes decision-making extra knowledgeable and strategic. Its flexibility is superb too, with a excessive stage of customization for workflows, reviews, and dashboards, so I can tailor it to suit particular enterprise wants completely. Plus, its scalable structure handles rising transaction volumes and person bases with out skipping a beat, making it splendid for companies getting ready to broaden.

NetSuite additionally excels with its integration capabilities. Its software programming interfaces (APIs) make connecting with third-party purposes easy, making certain clean information movement throughout programs. I additionally appreciated its automation instruments, which cut back guide work and increase effectivity throughout departments. 

I’ve additionally discovered some challenges. Implementing NetSuite is usually a complicated course of, requiring time, experience, and thorough coaching for groups to completely undertake it. The pricing is one thing I at all times stored in thoughts, because the subscription charges, add-on modules, and ongoing upkeep can add up rapidly, particularly for smaller companies. I observed occasional efficiency points, like system sluggishness or downtime, which might be irritating throughout busy intervals.

Buyer assist is one other space the place I’ve seen room for enchancment. Whereas it’s out there, resolving extra technical points typically takes longer than I’d like, so I made certain to have both inner experience or dependable exterior consultants available. 

What I dislike about NetSuite:

• I discovered the implementation course of to be difficult and costly, particularly with the extra prices for superior modules and upkeep.
• I’ve skilled occasional system slowdowns, and the client assist can generally be much less responsive than I’d like.

What G2 customers dislike about NetSuite:

“The implementation course of was insufficient. There wasn’t enough evaluation of the present workflows by the NetSuite subject material consultants to find out (a) how NetSuite may accommodate current workflows or (b) if current workflows wanted to alter to accommodate NetSuite processes or maybe leverage NetSuite options and features. Equally, the coaching was missing. It was extra an illustration of default NetSuite options quite than coaching on the product as put in and configured in our surroundings. Whereas extra coaching and assist is offered for a payment, the essential implementation and coaching have to be strengthened to assist a profitable preliminary adoption.”

– NetSuite Evaluation, Richard Okay.

When utilizing Microsoft Dynamics 365 Enterprise Central, I discovered it to be a sturdy, cloud-based ERP answer that integrates important enterprise features like finance, gross sales, stock, and customer support.

What stood out to me is how seamlessly it linked with different Microsoft merchandise, like Workplace 365 and Outlook. I used to be additionally impressed by its monetary administration instruments which supplied our staff real-time insights into accounting, budgeting, and monetary efficiency.

I additionally favored the flexibleness of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Enterprise Central. I may customise workflows and reviews to suit particular enterprise wants. Plus, the flexibility to combine with third-party purposes lets us broaden its performance as wanted. 

I felt the educational curve was steep, particularly for these new to ERP programs, so coaching is crucial to get probably the most out of it. Our staff additionally realized that customization might be complicated and create points throughout system upgrades, which could require extra developer assist. I additionally did not like how licensing charges and the price of superior options or customizations can rapidly add up.

What I dislike about Microsoft Dynamics 365 Enterprise Central:

• I felt that getting began might be difficult, particularly for these new to ERP programs. It takes time and coaching to completely perceive and use all its options.
• Whereas I respect the customization choices, they’ll generally make issues overly complicated and result in points throughout system upgrades.

What G2 customers dislike about Microsoft Dynamics 365 Enterprise Central:

“It presents challenges emigrate enterprise information and workflows to totally different platforms or answer suppliers.”

– Microsoft Dynamics 365 Enterprise Central Evaluation, Ramy S.

I like how SAP S/4HANA Cloud simplifies every day operations, reduces upkeep time, and enhances general productiveness. This cloud-based ERP system supplies real-time information entry, which helped our staff entry correct insights and make knowledgeable selections. 

I additionally respect its strong information modeling options, which assist superior reporting and predictive analytics. The system’s capability to course of giant volumes of knowledge in-memory permits for fast and correct reporting, making it simpler to forecast developments and make strategic plans. Moreover, our staff favored how SAP S/4HANA Cloud affords sturdy connectivity with different SAP options and third-party instruments, enabling clean information alternate and course of automation.

Throughout testing, we realized that its complexity can result in a steep studying curve, requiring thorough coaching for groups to completely use its capabilities. Whereas customization is feasible, the cloud model has sure limitations, making it tougher to adapt the system to distinctive enterprise wants.

Talking of implementation, I felt that it’s a resource-intensive course of that calls for detailed planning and expert personnel, which may lengthen timelines and enhance bills.

What I dislike about SAP S/4HANA Cloud:

• I felt that the platform is very complicated, and it takes lots of coaching and time for groups to completely perceive and use its options successfully.
• The excessive licensing charges and resource-intensive implementation course of make it a major funding, particularly for smaller organizations.

What G2 customers dislike about SAP S/4HANA Cloud:

Utilizing Sage Intacct provided our staff a transformative expertise for managing complicated monetary operations.

It’s a cloud-based ERP answer constructed with monetary administration at its core, and what stands out for me is its intuitive, user-friendly interface that reduces the educational curve and boosts productiveness. The system affords highly effective options like automated accounts payable and receivable, strong common ledger performance, superior buying workflows, and extremely detailed monetary reporting.

I significantly worth its capability to ship real-time insights, due to its superior analytics instruments, which hold me knowledgeable about each facet of our enterprise’s monetary well being.

I additionally like how Sage Intacct connects effortlessly with third-party instruments like Salesforce, payroll programs, and expense administration software program, making a unified ecosystem. I additionally respect the multi-entity administration characteristic which simplifies consolidations, forex conversions, and inter-entity transactions, making it splendid for companies with subsidiaries or international operations. Its scalability ensures it may possibly deal with rising transaction volumes and customers as our enterprise grows, with out sacrificing efficiency.

Whereas the reporting instruments are complete, I discovered that customizing them might be extra complicated than anticipated, typically requiring superior information or assist from a guide. Some integrations, particularly with extra specialised instruments or configurations, might be difficult to arrange and keep. 

What I dislike about Sage Intacct:

• Whereas the reporting instruments are highly effective, I discover customizing them overly complicated, typically requiring additional coaching or guide assist.
• The beginning worth of $400 per person per 30 days, together with extra prices for modules and customers, can add up rapidly, which is a problem for smaller companies.

What G2 customers dislike about Sage Intacct:

“The service course of is rarely as straightforward as I would like it to be. It’s a must to log into the neighborhood. Moreover, some modules are higher than others. The pay as you go expense module has glitches that you just study to work round, however restrict full performance. I additionally want the app was extra dynamic, as I’m regularly on the transfer.”

– Sage Intacct Evaluation, Kendall W.

Once we first began utilizing Acumatica, what struck us was how seamlessly it introduced every part collectively.

It’s a cloud-based powerhouse that may deal with our core enterprise processes, from funds and stock to CRM and past. The interface is clear and user-friendly, which implies we are able to deal with getting work finished as a substitute of determining learn how to use the system. It’s designed for effectivity, and that reveals in how easily it integrates operations throughout our enterprise.

What I really like most about Acumatica is its flexibility. I can customise workflows, reviews, and dashboards to tailor every part to how our groups work. And Acumatica scales effortlessly, dealing with elevated transactions and customers with out lacking a beat. Plus, because it’s cloud-based, we are able to entry every part from anyplace, whether or not we’re within the workplace or on the go.

Implementing Acumatica took us some effort because it’s not a plug-and-play answer. The setup course of required planning and experience, particularly when integrating it with our current programs. And whereas the pricing mannequin is honest, the price of add-ons and customizations can creep up, so it’s one thing we needed to funds for. Superior options, like automation and customized reporting, additionally took a little bit of time to grasp.

What I dislike about Acumatica:

• I spotted that organising Acumatica required cautious planning and technical experience, which made the onboarding course of longer than I anticipated.
• Whereas the essential instruments are easy, mastering the extra superior options like automation and customized reporting took our staff time and additional coaching.

What G2 customers dislike about Acumatica:

“As a person of the payroll module, I feel having a human sources info system (HRIS) would tremendously improve the payroll processing. There may be fairly a disconnect between HR performance within the system that must be finished exterior of the system.”

– Acumatica Evaluation, Jennifer G.

Once we examined SAP ECC or SAP ERP Central Element, we cherished the way it’s constructed to deal with complexity with precision and effectivity.

For us, it acted as a command middle that linked each a part of our enterprise, from finance and gross sales to stock and provide chain. The sheer vary of its modules, like Monetary Accounting, Supplies Administration, and Gross sales & Distribution, gave us the instruments we have to streamline operations throughout departments, all whereas conserving every part in sync.

We additionally cherished SAP ECC’s flexibility. We may choose and select the modules we want, customizing the system to suit our distinctive enterprise processes. As our firm grows, SAP ECC grows with us, scaling effortlessly to deal with extra customers, transactions, and even international operations.

Plus, I cherished how we may join SAP ECC with different SAP instruments, like Enterprise Warehouse, and even non-SAP programs. This created a seamless movement of knowledge, saving us from the complications of disconnected platforms and guide workarounds. For specialised wants, the industry-specific options really feel like they had been made only for our enterprise.

The standard person interface can really feel a bit clunky and outdated, particularly when in comparison with newer ERP programs with modern, trendy designs. It’s practical, however getting our staff up to the mark took a while and coaching. Implementing SAP ECC required meticulous planning, expert experience, and a major monetary funding. Upkeep and upgrades additionally require ongoing consideration and sources.

I generally want the system provided real-time analytics as a substitute of counting on batch processing, which may delay insights once we want them most. And whereas we respect its customization capabilities, setting every part up can get difficult, typically needing exterior consultants to get it proper.

What I dislike about SAP ECC:

• The interface feels outdated and clunky, which makes it tougher for brand spanking new customers to study and slows down adoption inside our staff.
• Implementing and sustaining SAP ECC requires lots of time, experience, and monetary funding, which may really feel overwhelming, particularly throughout preliminary setup.

What G2 customers dislike about SAP ECC:

“One of many main issues I disliked about SAP ECC is the educational curve and value related to the software program. Resulting from its complexity, there may be typically a steep studying curve related to SAP ECC. New customers may require in depth coaching to successfully use the system. Additionally, implementing and sustaining SAP ECC might be costly, not solely when it comes to software program licenses but in addition when it comes to {hardware}, coaching, and ongoing assist.”

– SAP ECC Evaluation, Bhavesh G.

Deltek Costpoint stood out to me for its deal with compliance and regulatory assist for presidency contractors  It’s designed to deal with the complexities of assembly the Protection Contract Audit Company (DCAA), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and Value Accounting Requirements (CAS) necessities, taking lots of the stress out of making certain authorities contractor companies keep audit-ready.

I really like the built-in instruments for monitoring oblique charges, managing time and expense reporting, and sustaining correct venture accounting. I’ve discovered that this stage of compliance integration is one thing different ERP programs typically wrestle to match.

One other characteristic I actually respect is its workforce administration capabilities. Deltek Costpoint additionally manages big selection of functionalities from automating payroll processes to monitoring worker hours and venture allocations. We love how the expertise administration instruments assist companies with hiring and onboarding, which saves corporations time and ensures they’ll discover and retain the very best expertise for initiatives. 

Implementing Deltek Costpoint was an in depth and resource-intensive course of. It took us cautious planning, technical experience, and a major time funding to configure it correctly and combine it with our current programs. Whereas the interface is intuitive when you’re accustomed to it, mastering its full capabilities meant investing in thorough coaching for our staff.

I observed efficiency can generally be a problem, significantly when processing giant information units or working complicated queries. These moments of slowdown can disrupt workflows. 

What I dislike about Deltek Costpoint:

• Getting Deltek Costpoint up and working was a protracted and resource-intensive course of for us. It required important planning and technical experience to configure every part correctly.
• Whereas the system is highly effective, mastering its huge performance took lots of coaching. Plus, I’ve skilled occasional slowdowns when working with giant information units, which might be irritating throughout busy occasions.

What G2 customers like about Deltek Costpoint:

“I do not like that in an effort to reverse a previous bill, you must reverse the entire invoices that got here after it. Not solely is that this time-consuming, but when fee updates occurred for the reason that subsequent invoices had been first posted, you possibly can provide you with totally different totals when they’re re-calc’d. And if the client already paid these subsequent invoices, it actually complicates issues. I additionally want there was extra performance for collections – methods to inform us when it is time to comply with up, a larger character restrict, and so on. We ended up choosing a unique device to trace assortment statuses.”

– Deltek Costpoint Evaluation, Deanna U. 

Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne felt like a dynamic ERP system that retains every part working easily, regardless of how complicated issues get. Its complete suite of options spans finance, manufacturing, gross sales, and distribution, giving me every part we have to handle operations in a single place.

The true-time reporting and analytics are a standout for me. Having instantaneous insights into key efficiency indicators permits us to make selections with confidence, understanding we’ve got the info to again them up. The seamless integration capabilities imply we don’t have to fret about disconnected programs or guide information entry—it’s all linked, environment friendly, and dependable. I additionally love how strong and secure the system is, dealing with our enterprise’s progress and complexity with ease.

The implementation course of required time, sources, and experience to get every part arrange accurately. And whereas the system’s performance is unimaginable, it has a steep studying curve. It took thorough coaching to get our staff snug utilizing it successfully. 

We additionally observed Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne turns into a considerable funding with licensing charges, customizations, and ongoing upkeep. 

What I dislike about Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne:

• Setting it up was a significant venture that required important time, sources, and experience, making the method difficult for our staff.
• The system’s huge performance meant our staff wanted in depth coaching, and the licensing, customization, and upkeep prices make it a major funding.

What G2 customers dislike about Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne:

“Whereas Oracle JD Edwards might be custom-made to fulfill particular enterprise wants, it requires extra time and sources to make the required modifications. This is usually a problem for companies with restricted sources.”

– Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Evaluation, Kaushal Z.

Utilizing Odoo ERP made us really feel like having a completely customizable and versatile system at our fingertips.

From a technical perspective, Odoo’s open-source nature is a large benefit. It allowed us to customise workflows, dashboards, and even the core performance to fulfill our particular wants. The system is constructed on Python, and whereas we would have liked expert builders to fine-tune some options, the customization choices had been practically limitless. We run Odoo on a Linux-based atmosphere, which we’ve discovered to be probably the most secure and environment friendly setup. Whereas it may possibly function on Home windows, Linux gave us higher efficiency and neighborhood assist, which is a major bonus.

To get the very best efficiency, we’ve had to make sure our {hardware} meets Odoo’s necessities. For smaller deployments with as much as 10 customers, a dual-core CPU, 2 GB of RAM, and 10 GB of storage are enough. Nonetheless, as our operations expanded, we scaled as much as a quad-core CPU, 16 GB of RAM, and 50 GB of storage to deal with bigger datasets and extra customers. 

We felt that implementing the system was a fancy course of that required planning and technical experience, particularly when integrating third-party purposes or customizing the supply code. Its in depth performance meant we needed to make investments time in coaching our staff to make use of it successfully. Moreover, whereas the interface is user-friendly, we’ve sometimes skilled slowdowns when dealing with giant information volumes, which might be irritating.

Buyer assist has been hit and miss for us. Whereas there’s loads of community-driven assist out there, official assist can generally be inconsistent, which made resolving crucial points a bit difficult. 

What I dislike about Odoo ERP:

• It required us technical experience and lots of planning, particularly when integrating third-party purposes or customizing options.
• Whereas the neighborhood is useful, I’ve discovered the official assist to be hit and miss, which might be irritating once I run into crucial points.

What G2 customers dislike about Odoo ERP:

“Though Odoo ERP is very customizable, the method might be complicated and requires an excellent understanding of each the platform and its underlying code. For companies with out in-house technical experience, this could result in reliance on exterior builders, which can enhance prices and time for implementation.”

– Odoo ERP Evaluation, Khurshid A.

SAP Enterprise ByDesign‘s cloud-native structure supplies unmatched scalability.

It lets us add customers, modules, and functionalities as our enterprise grows without having important {hardware} investments. The system is designed to deal with complicated workflows and affords strong information safety, adhering to strict compliance requirements, which is reassuring for delicate enterprise operations.

I respect how the embedded analytics instruments ship real-time insights by way of customizable dashboards, enabling us to watch key efficiency indicators (KPIs) and achieve deeper visibility into operations. 

Efficiency-wise, SAP Enterprise ByDesign usually handles duties effectively, however I’ve encountered occasional slowdowns, significantly when processing giant datasets or working complicated queries. I’ve discovered these efficiency points to be irritating throughout crucial operations, requiring technical changes or assist. 

What I dislike about SAP Enterprise ByDesign:

• Whereas the system is flexible, I’ve discovered the customization choices a bit restrictive, which generally requires workarounds or exterior integrations to fulfill particular wants.
• Sometimes, I skilled slowdowns with giant datasets, and the pricing can really feel steep, particularly for smaller companies, making it a major funding.

What G2 customers dislike about SAP Enterprise ByDesign:

“SAP Enterprise ByDesign does lack in fast buyer assist for any points confronted. Regardless that nearly all points are solved, the assist has typically taken a very long time to answer complaints raised by our organisation. This could trigger frustration.”

– SAP Enterprise ByDesign Evaluation, Syed Umer W.

Seeking to implement ERP? Be taught the very best practices to comply with for ERP implementation.