An ERP for manufacturing can be a game changer in managing operations. Choosing the right ERP system for manufacturing can benefit SMEs and large businesses equally and quickly lead to significant growth and success. Before you begin investing in a system for your company, take a look at our guide, which will be informative and help you decide.
Come along as we learn all about the best ERP for the manufacturing industry, the kind of system you may require as per the size of your manufacturing business, and which one to choose between cloud and on-premise.
Business Size and ERP Systems: Finding the Perfect Fit for Your Manufacturing Operations
The size of your business is one of the most important factors in helping you determine the best ERP for manufacturing. Learn all about the different levels in an ERP system and decide which one fits your business. Although all these boundaries are malleable, these help manufacturing companies establish the framework, especially with what they are looking for in their ERP manufacturing software:
- For small businesses: Businesses with 1 to 50 employees usually don’t have a dedicated IT department.
- For medium businesses: Businesses with 50 to 500 employees usually have IT specialists but need a dedicated IT department.
- For large businesses: Businesses that have over 500 employees with a dedicated IT department.
Cloud-Based vs. On-Premises ERP: Which Is Best for Manufacturing?
One of the significant decisions a manufacturing company must make when choosing an ERP system is to opt for on-premises ERP and cloud ERP. To make the choice easier and seamless, we have listed the differences between both the systems so it’s easier to choose the right ERP system for manufacturing: The Cloud ERP software model is a business purchase of the ERP system from the vendor using the SaaS framework. In cloud ERP, rather than installing software on-site, the vendor gathers the information and stores all the processes through the cloud-based servers. The business can then pay a monthly subscription fee to the vendor to allow access to the software. On-premises manufacturing ERP software, on the contrary, is installed and maintained on on-premises servers and hardware.What are some advantages of Cloud-based and on-premise ERP?
Using cloud-based and on-premises ERP both have their advantages. Some of the benefits of the cloud ERP include the following:- The upfront costs are usually lower in some cases.
- It can be updated and patched by a team of professionals.
- In-house security is provided by the team of the vendor.
- It eliminates the need for hiring in in-house team, eventually down operational costs.
- Cloud ERP is the future of businesses.
- Can be a decent investment in the long term.
- The data and information remain in-house rather than stored by a third-party operator.
- Flexible, especially during the implementation process.
The Top ERP Systems for Manufacturing Industries
NetSuite ERP
NetSuite ERP is the global-leading cloud-based ERP provider as it assists with full-fledged business operations from financial processes and the management of back-office operations. They serve about 38,000 global customers and offer a solid supply chain, CRM, inventory management, economics, and real-time analytics. This platform prioritizes growth and innovation and helps businesses make instant decisions. It is one of the best ERP for the manufacturing industry as it also offers the facility of mobile ERP. NetSuite is a good alternative as it replaces QuickBooks systems better than any other ERP system these days.Microsoft Dynamics
Microsoft Dynamics has been among the leaders in ERP solutions for the past 30 years, offering different manufacturing products like Dynamics AX, GP and NAV. Today, Microsoft Dynamics 365 BC combines the strengths of these legacy systems into a modern, all-cloud platform. It’s a flexible and cost-effective solution that different manufacturers of various sizes and industries can quickly implement. With straightforward pricing and cloud-based implementation, Dynamics 365 BC is an ideal choice for manufacturers, whether midsize, small, or enterprise, seeking a strong digital transformation, making it a good ERP system for manufacturing.Acumatica Cloud ERP
Acumatica ERP is a recent option, especially since 2008, and has created a positive impact throughout the ERP industry. It is also one of the fastest-growing ERP systems on the market. Acumatica has a special consumption-based licensing system that allows manufacturers to scale their system as they grow and move forward. They offer excellent and flexible options available privately, publicly, and through hybrid cloud models, which are made to fit nearly all types of deployment situations. Acumatica portrays a unique commitment to technology by allowing about 70% of the resources to technical roles. It is the perfect choice for mid-sized manufacturers with about $10-$50 Million in revenue. They have a user-friendly interface and are accepted globally, making it a good and affordable ERP for manufacturing.Epicor Kinetic
Kinetic by Epicor, previously known as Epicor ERP, is proven and popular for its solid capabilities across different manufacturing industries. As a leading manufacturing ERP, Epicor Kinetic is one of the systems to compare and measure other systems against, especially for manufacturers who are discrete with a mid-market revenue range of $10-$100 Million. It has one of the gold standard systems available for manufacturing industries.IFS Cloud
Industrial and Financial Systems or also known as (IFS )has had a proven ERP system for years, especially for manufacturers. With IFS Application 10.0, it offers some of the leading industry-specific ERP solutions. This makes it one of the best ERP systems for manufacturing industries with revenues of $75 million and higher. The system supports multiple domestic manufacturers, as well as global companies, by offering both cloud and on-premise services. Built on a component-based SOA (Service Oriented Architecture), it emphasizes adaptability across processes like Supply Chain and Manufacturing.Infor CloudSuite Industrial
Infor has a wide range of ERP products available across different industries. The CloudSuite Industrial ERP is known as one of the most comprehensive and robust for discrete manufacturers. Previously known as Syteline, CloudSuite Industrial ERP offers both cloud and on-premises services. With a higher rate of core capabilities, it also caters to mixed-mode manufacturing. The extended and evolved components allow companies to design and deploy applications as per their requirements. This tool is best suited for large manufacturing businesses with about $250 Million in revenue and even above.Global Software Solutions
GSS combines advanced technology with personal service. As a family-owned business, you might also get a call from the CEO, Dusty Alexander, to ensure everything is going well. With Global Shop System, you have a reliable ERP system supported by a team that cares about your business. It is an excellent choice for manufacturers who want a long-term solution for their business. It is designed to cater to small and mid-sized companies and is a choice for those who wish to expand their business. For a better clarity of the picture, see the table below:| Features | NetSuite ERP | Microsoft Dynamics 365 BC | Acumatica Cloud ERP | Epicor Kinetic | IFS Cloud | Infor CloudSuite Industrial | Global Software Solutions |
| Primary Focus | Comprehensive business operations | Flexible ERP for various industries | Fast-growing ERP for scalable licensing | Solid manufacturing capabilities | Industry-specific solutions for manufacturing | Comprehensive for discreet and mixed-mode manufacturing | Reliable ERP with personal service |
| Ideal For | Manufacturing, growth-focused businesses | Mid-sized to enterprise manufacturers | Mid-sized manufacturers | Mid-sized manufacturers | Large manufacturers | Large manufacturers | Small to mid-sized manufacturers |
| Deployment Options | Cloud-based, mobile ERP | Cloud-based | Private, public, hybrid-cloud models | Cloud-based, on-premises | Cloud-based, on-premises | Cloud-based, on-premises | On-premises, potentially cloud |
| Licensing Models | Subscription-based | Subscription-based | Consumption-based | Subscription-based | Subscription-based | Subscription-based | Subscription-based |
| Key Features | Financial processes, CRM, supply chain, real-time analytics | Flexible implementation, straightforward pricing | User-friendly, flexible deployment | Gold standard in manufacturing ERP | Component-based SOA, global support | High core capabilities, mixed-mode manufacturing | Personal service, long-term support |
| User Interface | Comprehensive and innovative | Modern and easy to implement | User-friendly and globally accepted | Proven and popular | Adaptable and flexible | Resilient with extended capabilities | Reliable and supportive |
| Scalability | High, suitable for businesses of all sizes | Suitable for small to medium businesses | Scalable as business grows | Suitable for mid-market manufacturers | High, supports large enterprises | Suitable for large enterprises | Suitable for small and mid-sized businesses |
