Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) consists of compelling and strategic process management tools that help manage data and information within an organization. These comprehensive and integrated ERP systems handle all phases of a manufacturing or distribution enterprise and govern human resource management, financial management, supply chain management and manufacturing, including the core function of accounting. Today's best ERP systems provide visibility within the entire business process by tracking all perspectives of sales or manufacturing, finance and back office.
As we all know, every company and organization operating today is unique in the way they operate, but they all suffer from a common difficulty, i.e. to remain competitive in today's business environment, they need a reliable and effective way to store and access information. This is where the ERP system comes into play. ERP systems integrate all aspects of the industry into a complete information system that can be accessed by individuals throughout the company. Different departments can monitor the information recorded by ERP systems to ensure accurate plans are executed.
Whenever updating or switching to a modern ERP system for your business, it is important to remain aware of the various options available. It depends on the nature of your business and overall operations, some of the best ERP systems can end up preventing you from fully optimizing your integration. Therefore, decision makers need to research the reputation of the software, evaluate its capabilities across a wide range of desired features, and select software that meets business needs without having an immense learning curve.
When a company reaches its peak and gets involved in some complex processes, it needs a powerful ERP system of the right size. For large companies, much of the groundwork is done by internal IT staff, while costs are spread across a large product base to reduce the impact on the organization. But for small manufacturing companies with 10-200 employees, these challenges are amplified. This sometimes leads the decision maker or business owner to select a system that is too inadequate, too powerful, or has such a long training curve for already harried employees that all of its functionality may never be realized.
Therefore, you should always choose ERP software that will help you automate the repetitive and time-consuming production/manufacturing tasks within the organization. It should help your business maintain and improve all processes by making more reliable business decisions that can lead to advances in operational efficiency by identifying processes that can interrupt manufacturing/production tasks.
Also read: top ERP implementation mistakes to avoid (learn from these mistakes).
Benefits of implementing ERP systems for businesses
An ERP system can replace the more traditional system with advanced analytics and functionality to provide reliable and best-practice element management across the enterprise. In addition, an ERP system can also help eliminate fragmentation. As production volumes increase, an ERP system eliminates fragmentation by combining business management and materials into a single platform with real-time data and analytics.
An ERP system processes the data while providing clear, systematic and automated functions to complete core business tasks and efficiently run production along with the appropriate level of material availability.
Some other benefits of ERP for the manufacturing industry include:
· Streamlines and automates business processes with greater adaptability/flexibility.
· A faster response to market conditions
· Strategic decision making
· Reduced costs
· Improved customer satisfaction
Also read: 11 ERP Success Factors That Can Make or Break Your Entire Operation
Top 10 ERP software systems for manufacturing.
Today, there are multiple options for almost every industry and business of varying size and complexity. To help you choose the right ERP system for your growing business, let's take a look at the top 10 ERP software systems you can implement in your production line:
1) Oracle ERP Cloud
Oracle ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Cloud is a cloud-based end-to-end software solution for automating back-office processes and daily business activities. It handles enterprise functions such as financial management, accounting, procurement and project management. This Oracle ERP promotes collaboration, accelerates business productivity, and helps make data-driven decisions by bringing together various business processes. This Oracle ERP Cloud also integrates with various Oracle services as well as other third-party solutions like QuickBooks, SAP, etc.
2) Microsoft Dynamics 365
Microsoft Dynamics D365 is a cloud-based business application platform that combines components of the customer relationship. This all-in-one solution allows users to use the Microsoft stack and work in MS Outlook while managing sales, finance, purchasing, CRM, and other similar tasks.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is well suited for larger and more diverse businesses because of the flexibility it offers. It offers a set of intelligent business applications (ERP and CRM) to help you manage your entire business and achieve better results using predictive AI-driven insights.
3) Epicor
Epicor ERP is a robust and instinctive solution designed to meet the unique needs of manufacturers around the world, while addressing the problems and difficulties encountered in business and operational growth.
This platform brings a new sense of seamlessness and transparency to manufacturing operations and introduces innovations to integrate modern technologies into the ERP system. Epicor ERP empowers you to make informed decisions using predictive analytics to influence change and optimization at all levels of your business. It is easy to customize and compatible with all mobile devices.
4) SAP
SAP stands for systems, applications and products in data processing, and SAP ERP is one of the most influential enterprise resource planning systems. SAP software provides multiple business functions by centralizing data management.
This helps companies better manage complicated business processes by giving employees from different departments easy and secure access to real-time insights. This helps companies speed up workflows, improve operational efficiency, increase productivity, enhance the customer experience - and ultimately increase profits. SAP also has well-developed and focused production capabilities.
5) Net Suite
NetSuite is the most customizable ERP software that allows companies to handle all their key business processes in a single system. This service includes no hardware, no high upfront licensing fees, no maintenance fees associated with software or hardware, and no complicated setups.
NetSuite's dashboard can be customized to meet the unique needs of your business. This platform helps companies achieve business growth and development through efficient optimization of business processes. It automates business processes and activities in a cloud platform with some unmatched benefits.
6) DELMIA works
DELMIAworks, formerly known as IQMS, is the best ERP software that provides a reliable real-time ERP system designed specifically for manufacturing processes. DELMIAworks has manufacturing-specific ERP software to meet your business needs, whether you are a single-plant company or a large manufacturer with multiple plants.
Many companies with complicated supply chain operations have found several benefits of this software's functionalities. This platform makes it very easy to make tiny adjustments to your requirements without having to code full customizations.
7) Acumatica
Acumatica ERP is a cloud-based, industry-leading enterprise resource planning platform that provides adaptable mobile and cloud technology with a different all-inclusive user licensing model to provide a comprehensive, real-time picture of your business.
This software is designed to help small and medium-sized businesses achieve their organizational goals with a suite of applications that includes customer relationship management (CRM), financial management and sales management tools. Acumatica focuses exclusively on production and offers sufficient customizability, whether you need to deploy the software via the cloud or through an integration process.
8) Rootstock
Rootstock ERP is a system for distribution and manufacturing companies of all sizes. Rootstock provides real-time management of business processes and is suitable for a wide range of industries, including automotive, engineering, healthcare, and aerospace.
It is built on the Salesforce platform, allowing it to leverage powerful cloud benefits and better integration with applications. This cloud ERP is a flexible, practical, and digitally connected system that transforms businesses to deliver a more personalized customer experience while scaling operations efficiently, helping companies stand out from the competition.
9) QAD
QAD Cloud ERP is an adaptable solution for businesses looking to master their warehouse processes. It is scalable and adapts to growing business needs. It brings together ERP, financial, supply chain and consumer services functions into a single QAD enterprise platform.
QAD makes it manageable to customize and recode modules within the software, providing an added touch of customization that intrigues many. QAD ERP enables companies to design new extensions and applications in a low-code or no-code environment with user preferences and other personalization options.
10) Syspro
SYSPRO is an industry-specific, constantly evolving enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution that aims to refine complexity and provide important value to distributors and manufacturers. SYSPRO presents an end-to-end, fully integrated business solution that includes inventory management, accounting, order management, supply chain management, warehouse management, production management and more.
This software can be deployed in the cloud, making it accessible from any device. It also has a powerful scheduling feature that allows you to use both single constraint and multi-constraint scheduling.
Conclusion - finding the right ERP software?
The ERP implementation process is time consuming, tedious and costly. By implementing a new ERP platform, a manufacturing company is investing in a product with a longer lifecycle, longer than any production line.
One point to always keep in mind when selecting the best ERP system for your company is to get the product that fits you and your company's needs. If the right product is chosen, a business can reap the benefits of improved efficiency and customer service. If the wrong system is chosen, the company may suffer losses instead.
It's also important to evaluate the entire ecosystem for the systems you're considering to ensure there's enough support if you're aiming for digital transformation. So, decision makers should always choose to purchase a new ERP system with cost, lifecycle changes, ease of use, and essentially the unique needs of their business in their industry in mind. All the best!
As we all know, every company and organization operating today is unique in the way they operate, but they all suffer from a common difficulty, i.e. to remain competitive in today's business environment, they need a reliable and effective way to store and access information. This is where the ERP system comes into play. ERP systems integrate all aspects of the industry into a complete information system that can be accessed by individuals throughout the company. Different departments can monitor the information recorded by ERP systems to ensure accurate plans are executed.
Whenever updating or switching to a modern ERP system for your business, it is important to remain aware of the various options available. It depends on the nature of your business and overall operations, some of the best ERP systems can end up preventing you from fully optimizing your integration. Therefore, decision makers need to research the reputation of the software, evaluate its capabilities across a wide range of desired features, and select software that meets business needs without having an immense learning curve.
When a company reaches its peak and gets involved in some complex processes, it needs a powerful ERP system of the right size. For large companies, much of the groundwork is done by internal IT staff, while costs are spread across a large product base to reduce the impact on the organization. But for small manufacturing companies with 10-200 employees, these challenges are amplified. This sometimes leads the decision maker or business owner to select a system that is too inadequate, too powerful, or has such a long training curve for already harried employees that all of its functionality may never be realized.
Therefore, you should always choose ERP software that will help you automate the repetitive and time-consuming production/manufacturing tasks within the organization. It should help your business maintain and improve all processes by making more reliable business decisions that can lead to advances in operational efficiency by identifying processes that can interrupt manufacturing/production tasks.
Also read: top ERP implementation mistakes to avoid (learn from these mistakes).
Benefits of implementing ERP systems for businesses
An ERP system can replace the more traditional system with advanced analytics and functionality to provide reliable and best-practice element management across the enterprise. In addition, an ERP system can also help eliminate fragmentation. As production volumes increase, an ERP system eliminates fragmentation by combining business management and materials into a single platform with real-time data and analytics.
An ERP system processes the data while providing clear, systematic and automated functions to complete core business tasks and efficiently run production along with the appropriate level of material availability.
Some other benefits of ERP for the manufacturing industry include:
· Streamlines and automates business processes with greater adaptability/flexibility.
· A faster response to market conditions
· Strategic decision making
· Reduced costs
· Improved customer satisfaction
Also read: 11 ERP Success Factors That Can Make or Break Your Entire Operation
Top 10 ERP software systems for manufacturing.
Today, there are multiple options for almost every industry and business of varying size and complexity. To help you choose the right ERP system for your growing business, let's take a look at the top 10 ERP software systems you can implement in your production line:
1) Oracle ERP Cloud
Oracle ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Cloud is a cloud-based end-to-end software solution for automating back-office processes and daily business activities. It handles enterprise functions such as financial management, accounting, procurement and project management. This Oracle ERP promotes collaboration, accelerates business productivity, and helps make data-driven decisions by bringing together various business processes. This Oracle ERP Cloud also integrates with various Oracle services as well as other third-party solutions like QuickBooks, SAP, etc.
2) Microsoft Dynamics 365
Microsoft Dynamics D365 is a cloud-based business application platform that combines components of the customer relationship. This all-in-one solution allows users to use the Microsoft stack and work in MS Outlook while managing sales, finance, purchasing, CRM, and other similar tasks.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is well suited for larger and more diverse businesses because of the flexibility it offers. It offers a set of intelligent business applications (ERP and CRM) to help you manage your entire business and achieve better results using predictive AI-driven insights.
3) Epicor
Epicor ERP is a robust and instinctive solution designed to meet the unique needs of manufacturers around the world, while addressing the problems and difficulties encountered in business and operational growth.
This platform brings a new sense of seamlessness and transparency to manufacturing operations and introduces innovations to integrate modern technologies into the ERP system. Epicor ERP empowers you to make informed decisions using predictive analytics to influence change and optimization at all levels of your business. It is easy to customize and compatible with all mobile devices.
4) SAP
SAP stands for systems, applications and products in data processing, and SAP ERP is one of the most influential enterprise resource planning systems. SAP software provides multiple business functions by centralizing data management.
This helps companies better manage complicated business processes by giving employees from different departments easy and secure access to real-time insights. This helps companies speed up workflows, improve operational efficiency, increase productivity, enhance the customer experience - and ultimately increase profits. SAP also has well-developed and focused production capabilities.
5) Net Suite
NetSuite is the most customizable ERP software that allows companies to handle all their key business processes in a single system. This service includes no hardware, no high upfront licensing fees, no maintenance fees associated with software or hardware, and no complicated setups.
NetSuite's dashboard can be customized to meet the unique needs of your business. This platform helps companies achieve business growth and development through efficient optimization of business processes. It automates business processes and activities in a cloud platform with some unmatched benefits.
6) DELMIA works
DELMIAworks, formerly known as IQMS, is the best ERP software that provides a reliable real-time ERP system designed specifically for manufacturing processes. DELMIAworks has manufacturing-specific ERP software to meet your business needs, whether you are a single-plant company or a large manufacturer with multiple plants.
Many companies with complicated supply chain operations have found several benefits of this software's functionalities. This platform makes it very easy to make tiny adjustments to your requirements without having to code full customizations.
7) Acumatica
Acumatica ERP is a cloud-based, industry-leading enterprise resource planning platform that provides adaptable mobile and cloud technology with a different all-inclusive user licensing model to provide a comprehensive, real-time picture of your business.
This software is designed to help small and medium-sized businesses achieve their organizational goals with a suite of applications that includes customer relationship management (CRM), financial management and sales management tools. Acumatica focuses exclusively on production and offers sufficient customizability, whether you need to deploy the software via the cloud or through an integration process.
8) Rootstock
Rootstock ERP is a system for distribution and manufacturing companies of all sizes. Rootstock provides real-time management of business processes and is suitable for a wide range of industries, including automotive, engineering, healthcare, and aerospace.
It is built on the Salesforce platform, allowing it to leverage powerful cloud benefits and better integration with applications. This cloud ERP is a flexible, practical, and digitally connected system that transforms businesses to deliver a more personalized customer experience while scaling operations efficiently, helping companies stand out from the competition.
9) QAD
QAD Cloud ERP is an adaptable solution for businesses looking to master their warehouse processes. It is scalable and adapts to growing business needs. It brings together ERP, financial, supply chain and consumer services functions into a single QAD enterprise platform.
QAD makes it manageable to customize and recode modules within the software, providing an added touch of customization that intrigues many. QAD ERP enables companies to design new extensions and applications in a low-code or no-code environment with user preferences and other personalization options.
10) Syspro
SYSPRO is an industry-specific, constantly evolving enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution that aims to refine complexity and provide important value to distributors and manufacturers. SYSPRO presents an end-to-end, fully integrated business solution that includes inventory management, accounting, order management, supply chain management, warehouse management, production management and more.
This software can be deployed in the cloud, making it accessible from any device. It also has a powerful scheduling feature that allows you to use both single constraint and multi-constraint scheduling.
Conclusion - finding the right ERP software?
The ERP implementation process is time consuming, tedious and costly. By implementing a new ERP platform, a manufacturing company is investing in a product with a longer lifecycle, longer than any production line.
One point to always keep in mind when selecting the best ERP system for your company is to get the product that fits you and your company's needs. If the right product is chosen, a business can reap the benefits of improved efficiency and customer service. If the wrong system is chosen, the company may suffer losses instead.
It's also important to evaluate the entire ecosystem for the systems you're considering to ensure there's enough support if you're aiming for digital transformation. So, decision makers should always choose to purchase a new ERP system with cost, lifecycle changes, ease of use, and essentially the unique needs of their business in their industry in mind. All the best!