10 Finest ERP Programs Put To the Check: My Verdict

I’ve labored with varied groups—gross sales, advertising, finance, and challenge administration—and I’ve seen firsthand how enterprise useful resource planning (ERP) methods will be each extremely useful and a supply of limitless complications.

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

I’ve been by means of all of it: making an attempt to adapt an ERP system to suit enterprise processes it wasn’t designed for, seeing groups be taught methods 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 shortly compound whenever you attempt to ‘get it proper’ throughout ERP software program choice course of. You will most likely agree with me {that a} improper selection disrupts workflows, demoralizes workers, and wastes treasured sources.

Whether or not you’re upgrading from an outdated answer or exploring ERP methods for the primary time, I wish to provide help to establish pink flags and select a system that aligns together with your wants. That’s why I teamed up with Gabriel Gheorghiu, our resident ERP professional, and labored with of us from all types of groups that depend on ERPs that will help you discover one of the best ERP methods on the market.

After exploring ERP methods, I discovered that one of the best ones combine key enterprise processes like finance, HR, and provide chain into one platform. They provide real-time knowledge for smarter decision-making, are scalable to develop with your enterprise, and have user-friendly interfaces with robust buyer help, making them important for streamlining operations and enhancing effectivity.

My tackle what units finest ERP methods aside

Once I began consider ERP methods, I give attention to just a few crucial elements to make sure the system is an ideal match for the enterprise. Right here’s what I search for:

• Suits 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 challenge administration, whereas additionally addressing any industry-specific wants. For me, if it doesn’t help the best way the enterprise works as we speak and the place it’s headed, it’s not the fitting 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, help further customers, and adapt to enterprise or course of adjustments 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 functions. If it doesn’t combine effectively, it creates extra issues than it solves. I examined how simply the ERP communicates with different methods to make sure easy knowledge stream throughout the group.
• Ease of use: If the ERP system isn’t intuitive, it may well result in frustration and low adoption charges amongst your crew members. That is why I paid shut consideration to the coaching and sources the seller gives. For me, a very good ERP goes past providing nice options. It makes it simple for folks to truly use these options.
• Complete value of possession (TCO): I additionally regarded into the prices, not simply the upfront price ticket. This consists of 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 fame: Lastly, I thought of the seller’s monitor report. I learn evaluations, checked out their buyer base, and even talked to present customers once I might. Understanding I can rely on the seller for assist with implementation, troubleshooting, and updates provides me peace of thoughts.

By specializing in these elements, 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 means to satisfy enterprise wants, ease of integration, user-friendly design, and general cost-effectiveness.

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

• Normal ledger, accounts payable/receivable, budgeting, and money administration options
• Human sources performance like recruiting and payroll, or integration with HR and payroll options
• Primary gross sales and buyer administration options or integration with CRM options
• Capabilities to create quotes, gross sales orders, and returns
• Buying workflows and buy order administration
• Work with stock and warehouse administration software program for choosing, packing, and delivery
• 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
• Function reporting and analytics for all of the modules included within the ERP answer

Once I labored with NetSuite, I discovered it to be technically sturdy, 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 knowledge, which makes decision-making extra knowledgeable and strategic. Its flexibility is superb too, with a excessive degree of customization for workflows, studies, 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 best for companies getting ready to develop.

NetSuite additionally excels with its integration capabilities. Its software programming interfaces (APIs) make connecting with third-party functions simple, making certain easy knowledge stream throughout methods. I additionally appreciated its automation instruments, which scale back guide work and increase effectivity throughout departments. 

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

Buyer help is one other space the place I’ve seen room for enchancment. Whereas it’s obtainable, resolving extra technical points usually 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 shopper help can typically 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 prevailing workflows by the NetSuite subject material specialists to find out (a) how NetSuite might 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 moderately than coaching on the product as put in and configured in our surroundings. Whereas further coaching and help is on the market for a price, the fundamental implementation and coaching should be strengthened to help a profitable preliminary adoption.”

– NetSuite Evaluate, Richard Ok.

When utilizing Microsoft Dynamics 365 Enterprise Central, I discovered it to be a strong, 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 related with different Microsoft merchandise, like Workplace 365 and Outlook. I used to be additionally impressed by its monetary administration instruments which supplied our crew real-time insights into accounting, budgeting, and monetary efficiency.

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

I felt the educational curve was steep, particularly for these new to ERP methods, so coaching is important to get probably the most out of it. Our crew additionally realized that customization will be advanced and create points throughout system upgrades, which could require further developer help. I additionally did not like how licensing charges and the price of superior options or customizations can shortly add up.

What I dislike about Microsoft Dynamics 365 Enterprise Central:

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

What G2 customers dislike about Microsoft Dynamics 365 Enterprise Central:

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

– Microsoft Dynamics 365 Enterprise Central Evaluate, 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 gives real-time knowledge entry, which helped our crew entry correct insights and make knowledgeable choices. 

I additionally admire its sturdy knowledge modeling options, which help superior reporting and predictive analytics. The system’s means to course of massive volumes of knowledge in-memory permits for fast and correct reporting, making it simpler to forecast developments and make strategic plans. Moreover, our crew favored how SAP S/4HANA Cloud provides robust connectivity with different SAP options and third-party instruments, enabling easy knowledge 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 more durable 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 prolong timelines and enhance bills.

What I dislike about SAP S/4HANA Cloud:

• I felt that the platform is extremely advanced, and it takes quite a lot 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 big funding, particularly for smaller organizations.

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

Utilizing Sage Intacct supplied our crew a transformative expertise for managing advanced 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 provides highly effective options like automated accounts payable and receivable, sturdy basic ledger performance, superior buying workflows, and extremely detailed monetary reporting.

I significantly worth its means to ship real-time insights, because of its superior analytics instruments, which preserve 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 methods, and expense administration software program, making a unified ecosystem. I additionally admire the multi-entity administration characteristic which simplifies consolidations, foreign money conversions, and inter-entity transactions, making it best for companies with subsidiaries or world operations. Its scalability ensures it may well deal with growing transaction volumes and customers as our enterprise grows, with out sacrificing efficiency.

Whereas the reporting instruments are complete, I discovered that customizing them will be extra advanced than anticipated, usually requiring superior information or help from a advisor. Some integrations, particularly with extra specialised instruments or configurations, will be difficult to arrange and keep. 

What I dislike about Sage Intacct:

• Whereas the reporting instruments are highly effective, I discover customizing them overly advanced, usually requiring further coaching or advisor help.
• The beginning worth of $400 per person per 30 days, together with further prices for modules and customers, can add up shortly, which is a problem for smaller companies.

What G2 customers dislike about Sage Intacct:

“The service course of is rarely as simple 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 simply be taught to work round, however restrict full performance. I additionally want the app was extra dynamic, as I’m incessantly on the transfer.”

– Sage Intacct Evaluate, Kendall W.

Once we first began utilizing Acumatica, what struck us was how seamlessly it introduced all the pieces 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 will give attention to getting work carried out as an alternative of determining the right way to use the system. It’s designed for effectivity, and that exhibits in how easily it integrates operations throughout our enterprise.

What I like most about Acumatica is its flexibility. I can customise workflows, studies, and dashboards to tailor all the pieces 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 will entry all the pieces 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 methods. And whereas the pricing mannequin is truthful, the price of add-ons and customizations can creep up, so it’s one thing we needed to finances for. Superior options, like automation and customized reporting, additionally took a little bit of time to grasp.

What I dislike about Acumatica:

• I noticed that establishing Acumatica required cautious planning and technical experience, which made the onboarding course of longer than I anticipated.
• Whereas the fundamental instruments are simple, mastering the extra superior options like automation and customized reporting took our crew time and additional coaching.

What G2 customers dislike about Acumatica:

“As a person of the payroll module, I feel having a human sources data system (HRIS) would tremendously improve the payroll processing. There’s fairly a disconnect between HR performance within the system that must be carried out outdoors of the system.”

– Acumatica Evaluate, Jennifer G.

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

For us, it acted as a command middle that related 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 maintaining all the pieces in sync.

We additionally beloved SAP ECC’s flexibility. We might decide 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 world operations.

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

The normal person interface can really feel a bit clunky and outdated, particularly when in comparison with newer ERP methods with modern, fashionable designs. It’s practical, however getting our crew on top of things took a while and coaching. Implementing SAP ECC required meticulous planning, expert experience, and a big monetary funding. Upkeep and upgrades additionally require ongoing consideration and sources.

I typically want the system supplied real-time analytics as an alternative of counting on batch processing, which may delay insights after we want them most. And whereas we admire its customization capabilities, setting all the pieces up can get sophisticated, usually needing exterior consultants to get it proper.

What I dislike about SAP ECC:

• The interface feels previous and clunky, which makes it more durable for brand new customers to be taught and slows down adoption inside our crew.
• Implementing and sustaining SAP ECC requires quite a lot 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. Attributable to its complexity, there’s usually a steep studying curve related to SAP ECC. New customers would possibly require intensive coaching to successfully use the system. Additionally, implementing and sustaining SAP ECC will be costly, not solely by way of software program licenses but in addition by way of {hardware}, coaching, and ongoing help.”

– SAP ECC Evaluate, Bhavesh G.

Deltek Costpoint stood out to me for its give attention to compliance and regulatory help 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 quite a lot of the stress out of making certain authorities contractor companies keep audit-ready.

I like the built-in instruments for monitoring oblique charges, managing time and expense reporting, and sustaining correct challenge accounting. I’ve discovered that this degree of compliance integration is one thing different ERP methods usually battle to match.

One other characteristic I really admire is its workforce administration capabilities. Deltek Costpoint additionally manages big selection of functionalities from automating payroll processes to monitoring worker hours and challenge 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 one of the 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 big time funding to configure it correctly and combine it with our current methods. Whereas the interface is intuitive when you’re acquainted with it, mastering its full capabilities meant investing in thorough coaching for our crew.

I observed efficiency can typically be a difficulty, significantly when processing massive knowledge units or working advanced 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 vital planning and technical experience to configure all the pieces correctly.
• Whereas the system is highly effective, mastering its huge performance took quite a lot of coaching. Plus, I’ve skilled occasional slowdowns when working with massive knowledge units, which will be irritating throughout busy instances.

What G2 customers like about Deltek Costpoint:

“I do not like that with a view to reverse a previous bill, it’s important to reverse all the invoices that got here after it. Not solely is that this time-consuming, but when price updates occurred because the subsequent invoices have been first posted, you could possibly give you totally different totals when they’re re-calc’d. And if the shopper 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 observe up, a larger character restrict, and so on. We ended up choosing a unique software to trace assortment statuses.”

– Deltek Costpoint Evaluate, Deanna U. 

Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne felt like a dynamic ERP system that retains all the pieces working easily, regardless of how advanced issues get. Its complete suite of options spans finance, manufacturing, gross sales, and distribution, giving me all the pieces 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 choices with confidence, figuring out we now have the info to again them up. The seamless integration capabilities imply we don’t have to fret about disconnected methods or guide knowledge entry—it’s all related, environment friendly, and dependable. I additionally love how sturdy 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 all the pieces arrange appropriately. And whereas the system’s performance is unimaginable, it has a steep studying curve. It took thorough coaching to get our crew 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 serious challenge that required vital time, sources, and experience, making the method difficult for our crew.
• The system’s huge performance meant our crew wanted intensive coaching, and the licensing, customization, and upkeep prices make it a big funding.

What G2 customers dislike about Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne:

“Whereas Oracle JD Edwards will be personalized to satisfy particular enterprise wants, it requires further time and sources to make the required adjustments. This is usually a problem for companies with restricted sources.”

– Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Evaluate, Kaushal Z.

Utilizing Odoo ERP made us really feel like having a totally 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 satisfy our particular wants. The system is constructed on Python, and whereas we wanted expert builders to fine-tune some options, the customization choices have been almost 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 well function on Home windows, Linux gave us higher efficiency and neighborhood help, which is a big bonus.

To get one of the 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 functions or customizing the supply code. Its intensive performance meant we needed to make investments time in coaching our crew to make use of it successfully. Moreover, whereas the interface is user-friendly, we’ve sometimes skilled slowdowns when dealing with massive knowledge volumes, which will be irritating.

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

What I dislike about Odoo ERP:

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

What G2 customers dislike about Odoo ERP:

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

– Odoo ERP Evaluate, Khurshid A.

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

It lets us add customers, modules, and functionalities as our enterprise grows while not having vital {hardware} investments. The system is designed to deal with advanced workflows and provides sturdy knowledge safety, adhering to strict compliance requirements, which is reassuring for delicate enterprise operations.

I admire how the embedded analytics instruments ship real-time insights by means of customizable dashboards, enabling us to observe key efficiency indicators (KPIs) and acquire deeper visibility into operations. 

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

What I dislike about SAP Enterprise ByDesign:

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

What G2 customers dislike about SAP Enterprise ByDesign:

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

– SAP Enterprise ByDesign Evaluate, Syed Umer W.

Seeking to implement ERP? Study one of the best practices to observe for ERP implementation.