For manufacturers, the best choice of ERP depends on several factors, such as the size of the company, the complexity of the manufacturing process, and the company’s global needs. We outline the major ERPs that are suitable for manufacturing companies and examine their pros and cons.
Epicor ERP
Epicor focuses on manufacturing and distribution industries, with strong features in production management, inventory, supply chain, and financials. It is well-suited for manufacturers in industries like aerospace, automotive, and industrial machinery.
Epicor is highly regarded in the manufacturing sector due to its industry-specific solutions and deep production planning capabilities. It is highly customisable, and so implementations can be more complex and time-consuming compared to NetSuite.
Infor CloudSuite Industrial
Infor CloudSuite Industrial has been designed specifically for manufacturers, offering deep functionality for complex supply chains, discrete and process manufacturing, and multi-site operations. It is strong in areas like production planning, advanced scheduling, and inventory management.
Infor is often considered a close competitor to NetSuite for manufacturers, especially those in mid-market companies. It provides similar flexibility and industry-specific features but often requires a much more complex implementation and customisation process that can be challenging for the budgets available to small or medium-sized manufacturing businesses.
Microsoft Dynamics 365
Microsoft Dynamics 365 offers strong integration with other Microsoft tools (for example, with Office 365 or Azure), which can be a big advantage for manufacturing companies already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem. The ERP has powerful modules for finance, supply chain management, and advanced customisation through PowerApps.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is more suited to complex manufacturing environments with needs for deep customisation and integration with external tools. However, this need for customisation means that the system often requires significant investment in add-ons and customised development work compared to other ERP systems.
NetSuite
NetSuite offers several advantages for manufacturing companies. Its cloud-native platform provides real-time visibility across operations, making it easier for manufacturers to manage inventory, production, and supply chains. The system is scalable, allowing companies to grow without needing significant reconfigurations. With built-in modules for production planning, work order management, and demand forecasting, NetSuite supports a wide range of manufacturing needs, from small to large-scale operations.
NetSuite's unified platform also integrates financials, CRM, and supply chain management, reducing the need for third-party tools and ensuring data consistency across departments. Customisation is also a strength, as manufacturers can tailor workflows, reports, and dashboards to their specific processes.
Sage X3
Sage X3 is Sage’s more advanced ERP system (in comparison to the more affordable Sage 200), offers a cloud and on-premises solution for mid-market manufacturing businesses, and is especially suited for manufacturers and distributors. Sage X3 supports complex production planning, supply chain management, and financial management.
Sage X3 is better suited for manufacturers with complex production processes or multi-site operations. It can handle complex requirements but lacks the depth of cloud functionality and ease of use that an ERP like NetSuite offers.
SAP S/4HANA Cloud
SAP is well known for its comprehensive, feature-rich ERP systems that can handle the most complex manufacturing environments, including those in discrete, process, and hybrid manufacturing. SAP S/4HANA Cloud in particular, offers real-time data processing and powerful analytics.
Somewhat of an outlier in this conversation, SAP is better suited to large enterprises with very complex manufacturing processes and global operations. SAP is much more expensive and complex to implement than other ERPs outlined here, making it suited for large, enterprise level manufacturers rather than small or medium-sized manufacturing businesses.
Best fit for manufacturing companies?
For small to medium-sized manufacturers, NetSuite is often the best choice of ERP as it offers a fully integrated, cloud-native solution with real-time visibility across operations, and comprehensive features for manufacturing. It's ideal for those manufacturers seeking ease of use, scalability, and a single platform for financials, CRM, and supply chain management.
For larger enterprises or manufacturers with highly complex manufacturing processes SAP S/4HANA or Infor CloudSuite both offer deeper functionality and customisation, albeit for significantly increased budgets. Although both Epicor and Microsoft Dynamics 365 are strong ERP solutions for manufacturers, they often require more complex integration and customisation, requiring an appropriate uplift in the budget.
If you are considering the pros and cons of ERP systems for your manufacturing business, get in touch today as we can help you understand the features and benefits of NetSuite for Manufacturers.
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