Welcome to our blog post on the top ERP systems for manufacturing in 2023! In this post, we will be providing a comprehensive list of the best Cloud-based ERP systems on the market for manufacturing companies.
ERP systems are crucial tools for businesses in the manufacturing industry, as they provide a centralized platform for managing various business processes such as supply chain management, financial planning, and human resources. With the right ERP system in place, manufacturers can streamline their operations, improve efficiency, and make data-driven decisions.
In the following list, we will be discussing the features, pricing, and implementation process of each ERP system. We hope that this post will serve as a valuable resource for manufacturing companies looking to optimize their operations and improve their bottom line.
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As a IT or Finance leader, you understand the crucial role that enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems play in modern manufacturing businesses. These systems help organizations integrate and manage their core business processes, including inventory management, supply chain management, financials, and more.
When it comes to selecting an ERP system for your manufacturing business, there are several key criteria to consider. These include:
Features and functionality specific to manufacturing needs: Look for an ERP system that offers robust functionality for managing complex manufacturing processes, including capacity planning, production scheduling, and quality control.
Integration with other systems and platforms: Your ERP system should be able to easily integrate with other systems and platforms that your business relies on, such as CRM systems and e-commerce platforms. This will help ensure seamless data flow and improve efficiency across your organization.
Ease of use and implementation: It's important to choose an ERP system that is easy for your team to use and understand. Look for systems with user-friendly interfaces and consider the level of training and support that will be required for your team to get up to speed. Additionally, consider the complexity of the implementation process and whether the vendor offers professional services to help with the transition.
Scalability and flexibility for future growth: As your business grows and evolves, you'll want an ERP system that can scale with you. Look for systems that offer flexibility and customization to support your specific business needs, as well as those that offer modular design to allow you to add or remove functionality as needed.
In addition to these technical considerations, it's also important to involve key stakeholders in the selection process, clearly define and prioritize business goals and needs, and carefully plan and execute the implementation process to ensure a smooth transition to the new system.
By taking the time to carefully evaluate and select the right ERP system for your manufacturing business, you can improve efficiency, streamline operations, and support future growth. Hopefully this guide will help you get started in your evaluation process.
IFS ERP is a single, integrated, cloud-enabled application suite that is specifically designed to meet the demands of all types of mid-market manufacturers. IFS can be deployed in the cloud, on-premise, or as a hybrid. The system is comprehensive right out of the box and quickly improves business process agility. Users particularly like its efficient manufacturing reporting capabilities.
IFS has modules for financial management, engineering, HR, manufacturing, project management, supply chain management, maintenance, human capital management, and sales and service. There’s even support for the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), mobility, and augmented reality (AR).
Gartner recently named IFS as the leader in the Field Service Management category, displacing many well-known brands such as Oracle, Microsoft, ServiceMax, and Salesforce. If you're a manufacturing company with heavy project management and assets to manage look no further than IFS.
Unlike Oracle Cloud or SAP S/4 HANA, IFS solutions don't require an eight-figure budget and lengthy implementation time. IFS has simplified licensing with one price for the suite, modules, transaction volumes, and users.
Languages supported: Arabic, Czech, Danish, German, English (GB and US), Spanish, Finnish, French (France and Canada), Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese (Portugal and Brazil), Russian, Slovak, Swedish and simplified Chinese.
Deployment: Cloud or On-Premise
IFS Total ERP Project Cost: $250,000 - $1,000,000
IFS Software Pricing Details: To learn more about IFS ERP licensing take this interactive quiz to see how much you should budget for IFS Cloud ERP software.
Acumatica is a cloud-based software company that was founded in 2008. The company provides a range of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. The company has a global customer base and has offices in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. Acumatica is a privately held company and does not disclose its exact size, but it is considered a mid-sized software company.
Acumatica can be deployed in the cloud and on-premises and is a good fit for growing, small-to-mid market manufacturers. It’s a manufacturing enterprise system that’s ready to go off-the-shelf, but it also allows for the integration of other tools and software (such as SharePoint sites) that your business may already be using.
The user interface is highly intuitive and the app can be tailored for specific business processes. The Acumatica Marketplace is where you’ll shop for specific solutions to add to the ERP. Recently added were Container Tracking, True Commerce Pack & Ship, and Solver, a corporate performance management solution.
Acu Process Manufacturing (APM) is a specialized solution that fully integrates into the Acumatica Cloud ERP. APM is ideal for medium-to-large batch processing manufacturers who work with recipe development and recipe version control. It supports traceability, documenting manufacturing instructions, order management, lot control ability, and regulatory compliance.
Acumatica Cloud ERP pricing is per modules chosen and per cores. With this type of pricing model, you do not pay when you add users.
Languages supported: English, French, Spanish
Deployment: Cloud or On-Premise
Acumatica Total ERP Project Cost Estimate: $75,000 - $250,000
Acumatica Software Pricing Details: Instead of a “one-size-fits-all” cost structure, Acumatica ERP pricing is determined by the functionality needed, not user licenses. Acumatica allows unlimited users by following this consumption-based pricing model. Contact the vendor for complete details on pricing and subscription plans. A third-party provider is needed for implementation and support.
Aptean is a global software company that has been helping businesses streamline their operations and improve efficiency since 2002. With a range of enterprise software solutions for various industries, including manufacturing, distribution, and supply chain management, Aptean's software is designed to automate and optimize business processes to increase profitability and reduce costs. Offering both on-premises and cloud-based deployment options, Aptean serves a diverse customer base around the world, with offices in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. As a privately held, mid-sized software company, Aptean is dedicated to helping businesses succeed in today's competitive market.
Aptean MES ERP supports manufacturing and production, warehouse and inventory, plant maintenance, reporting and analytics, and traceability. Its target market is small to mid-size product, food, and beverage manufacturers. It’s earned accolades for its user-friendly interface and functionality.
The available modules listed below provide businesses with the flexibility to expand their operations.
Languages Supported: English
Deployment: On-premise
Aptean Total ERP Project Cost: $75,000 - $250,000
Aptean Software Pricing Details: The typical subscription is $1,500 - $2,500 per month, but the cost will vary depending on the modules chosen. The implementation fee is an additional cost. A subscription is month-to-month, but a discount is given if it’s paid yearly. The subscription fee scales with the implementation fee, so larger implementations will have larger subscription fees.
DEACOM is a leading provider of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, founded in 1993. The company has a strong track record of helping businesses in various industries streamline and optimize their operations through its comprehensive software solution. DEACOM offers a range of features and functionality to manage financials, supply chain, production, sales, and more. With a single platform and seamless integration, the system allows businesses to efficiently manage data across departments and processes. DEACOM's ERP solution is flexible and scalable, able to meet the unique needs of each business. With a customer base of over 150 companies, DEACOM has a proven track record of helping businesses increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve decision-making through automation and optimization of key business processes.
Deacom was developed as an ERP solution specifically for small to mid-size manufacturers and distributors. It’s built on a .NET framework and can be installed either on-premise or in the cloud. This software unites all departments on its platform, providing a real-time view of the company’s entire operation. Its “all in one” functionality includes warehouse management, lot traceability, formulation, CRM, point of sale, inventory management, direct store delivery, forecasting, and e-commerce.
Deployment is on the cloud or on-premise.
Upgrades are provided at no additional cost, and the company adds many new features annually.
Deacom’s configurable platform supports many languages and currencies. The software is compatible with Excel and many payroll software applications.
Deployment: Cloud or On-Premise
Deacom Total ERP Project Cost: $75,000 - $250,000
Deacom Software Pricing Details: Perpetual license starts at $4,000 per license; an upfront sum is required to own the tool on-premises for a fixed term. Contact Deacom for full pricing and subscription details. Implementation is not included in the subscription price.
Epicor Software Corporation, based in Austin, Texas, was founded in 1972. For many years, its enterprise resource planning solution was known simply as Epicor ERP. Epicor ERP was first released in 1992. It was revamped and renamed Epicor Kinetic in 2019.
It’s now one of Epicor’s two main ERP products.
Epicor Kinetic and Epicor Industry ERP
Epicor Kinetic and Epicor Industry ERP are both enterprise resource planning (ERP) software suites. They share many business management tools, but there are key differences between them.
Epicor Kinetic is designed to serve small to medium-size businesses in a variety of industries. It offers a comprehensive suite of business processes, including financials, manufacturing, supply chain management, customer relationship management, and more.
Epicor Industry ERP is designed for businesses in targeted industries, such as automotive or aerospace. Industry-specific features and functionality help companies optimize their operations.
Similarities between Epicor Kinetic and Epicor Industry ERP:
Epicor Industry Cloud ERP is a comprehensive, cloud-based ERP solution designed to meet the needs of manufacturers and distributors. It delivers the functionality manufacturers need to run their business, including product planning and design, manufacturing and production, sales and order management, inventory and supply chain management, financials, and reporting.
And it can all be delivered as a service via the cloud, so there's no need for costly hardware or software.
Epicor Industry Cloud ERP is ideal for smaller companies in a range of industries, including automotive; building products; chemicals and plastics; food and beverage; forest products; general manufacturing; high-tech/electronics; industrial distribution; medical devices; metal fabrication; mining/resources.
Some of the key features and benefits of using Epicor Industry Cloud ERP include:
Epicor Industry Cloud ERP has Industry-specific modules:
Epicor for Automotive is a comprehensive solution designed for the automotive industry. It offers a wide range of features and functions that can help auto dealers manage every aspect of their business, from sales and marketing to finance and accounting. Some key features include:Some of the key functions that Epicor for Building Supply offers include:
Epicor for Distribution is designed specifically for businesses in the wholesale distribution industry. It provides all the essential functions that distributors need to manage their operations, including managing inventory, orders, pricing, and customers. Epicor for Distribution is fully-integrated with other Epicor software solutions, providing a comprehensive process management solution for distributors of all sizes. It offers a complete suite of modules to help distributors streamline their operations, improve customer interaction and team collaboration and increase efficiency and profitability
Some of the key functions that Epicor for Distribution offers include:
Epicor for Manufacturing is designed for manufacturers. It offers a comprehensive set of features and functionality that can help manufacturing companies streamline their operations, improve efficiencies, and drive profitability. Epicor for Manufacturing includes modules for material requirements planning (MRP), production scheduling, quality control, labor tracking, inventory management, and financials. It also offers extensive capabilities for product lifecycle management (PLM), customer relationship management (CRM), and supply chain management (SCM). In addition, Epicor for Manufacturing provides powerful tools for business intelligence (BI) and analytics.
Epicor for Retail offers end-to-end functionality to help retailers manage every aspect of their business, from point of sale and inventory management to marketing and financials. It provides a single platform to streamline all aspects of operations. This makes it easier for retailers to keep track of their business performance and make informed decisions about where to focus their efforts to improve sales and profitability. Epicor for Retail also includes features specifically tailored to the needs of retailers. Inventory planning tools help store managers forecast demand and allocate stock accordingly. Its customer relationship management (CRM) feature allows businesses to build detailed profiles of their customers and target them with relevant marketing campaigns.
Epicor Kinetic is a cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) system designed for small businesses to mid-size organizations. It offers a suite of modules that cover financials, manufacturing, supply chain management, project management, customer relationship management, compliance, and analytics.
As your business grows and changes over time, you can add modules as needed.
Epicor Kinetic is used by small to medium-sized businesses in a wide range of industries. Some of the most common industries include manufacturing, distribution, retail, and services. Kinetic helps these businesses manage their operations more effectively and efficiently with its comprehensive suite of features and modules.
It was built specifically to enable companies to quickly respond to changing market conditions and customer demands. With Epicor Kinetic, you can configure your products and pricing on the fly, making it easy to switch between production methods as needed. Additionally, Epicor Kinetic offers a comprehensive set of tools for planning and managing your inventory, so you always have the materials you need on hand when you need them.
One of the benefits of Epicor Kinetic is that it can scale to meet the needs of any company size. Some of the companies that use Epicor Kinetic include ABC Carpet & Home, Chicago Cubs, and Culligan International.
The software streamlines operations and helps managers make informed decisions. It provides visibility into every area of operation, from finances and inventory to sales and customers. Epicor Kinetic also offers real-time reporting and dashboards, so users can track their performance against key metrics.
Both Epicor Kinetic and Epicor Industry ERP can be deployed on-premise or in the cloud. And both include additional modules for specific industries, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and retail.
Epicor ERPs support many manufacturing operations like discrete, make-to-order (MTO), engineer-to-order (ETO), and configure-to-order (CTO). But if you are a large organization or have a lot of complex processes or need advanced inventory management, you will still want to look at other ERPs.
If your business has a strong field service component, Epicor might not be the best choice. Some reviewers have found its field support is limited.
And, you’ll want to take a good look at Epicor’s reporting features if you need a lot of customized forms. Some reviewers have complained that its forms can’t easily be edited.
Other users have complained that the software is expensive. Each module adds to the overall cost and requires a yearly subscription renewal.
Epicor ERP supports major languages used globally and regionally.
Deployment: Cloud or On-Premise
Epicor Total ERP Project Cost: $250,000 - $1,000,000
Epicor Software Pricing Details: The on-premise cost is based on a named user license model where each license is tied to a specific user. Licenses start at $175/user/month. On-premise deployment requires an upfront fee to own the software and IP for a fixed term. The license fees do not include implementation/installation, maintenance, system upkeep overtime, customization, and third-party integration costs.
With the cloud-based/SaaS, the recurring subscription fee is per user, per month. Cost varies based on the number of named user licenses that the organization requires, the level of access users require, the number of applications, the size and type of organization, and the level of customization required.
Fishbowl is a leading provider of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software specifically designed for QuickBooks users. Founded in 2001, the company has a long history of helping small to medium-sized businesses optimize and streamline their operations through its comprehensive software solution.
Fishbowl offers a range of features and functionality to manage inventory, manufacturing, shipping, and more. With seamless integration with QuickBooks, the system allows businesses to efficiently manage their financial data and operations. Fishbowl's ERP solution is designed to be user-friendly and easy to implement, making it a good fit for businesses looking to automate and optimize their operations without the complexity of a more comprehensive ERP system.
With over 100,000 customers, Fishbowl has a proven track record of helping businesses increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve decision-making through automation and optimization of key business processes.
What it does, it does well. It offers barcoding, asset management, raw materials management, cycle counting, reporting, automated ordering, and purchasing. Get real-time updates on the stock level in multiple warehouses of an organization. Analytics help managers predict inventory needs based on sales trends.
Users like Fishbowl’s affordability and flexibility and consider its warehouse tracking one of its strongest features. Its weaknesses are in its e-commerce inventory management and inventory forecasting. It also doesn’t allow customized reporting.
Fishbowl integrates with Quickbooks and Salesforce, but be warned that if you have custom fields in Quickbooks, these may not transfer.
Languages Supported: English
Deployment: Cloud-based
Fishbowl Total ERP Project Cost: $25,000 - $100,000
Fishbowl Software Pricing Details: Pricing starts at $4,395. SaaS user licenses are non-expiring and include unlimited access to online training videos, and an unlimited phone call support period. Licenses include one year of maintenance and support. Additional training and support options are available.
Infor CloudSuite is a comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) software solution designed to help businesses streamline and optimize their operations. Developed by Infor, a leading provider of business software founded in 2002, CloudSuite offers a range of features and functionality to manage financials, supply chain, production, sales, and more. With a single platform and seamless integration, the system allows businesses to efficiently manage data across departments and processes. Infor CloudSuite is flexible and scalable, able to meet the unique needs of businesses in various industries. With a customer base of over 68,000 companies, Infor CloudSuite has a proven track record of helping businesses increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve decision-making through automation and optimization of key business processes.
Designed for small business manufacturing, this cloud-based manufacturing ERP is deployed on AWS for security, reliability, and scalability. It supports global market sourcing, production, supply chain management, sales and fulfillment, finance, service, planning/scheduling, and quality control. Even though it’s designed for smaller manufacturers, JBT AeroTech, a United States manufacturer with 3500 employees, and The Michaels Companies, Inc., with 11000 employees, have put this software to work.
Infor CloudSuite Industrial’s ability to simplify part routing and large-scale tracking of items and streamline other manufacturing processes has earned this software high marks. Food production manufacturers also like its traceability functionality.
Infor CloudSuite Industrial handles order management, material availability management, and product delivery management very well. Bidding, contracting, execution, and revenue recognition processes can be automated. Data can be exported in Microsoft Excel as needed for reporting and analysis.
Reviews are mixed about the UI interface; many users find it unintuitive. Take a good look at the security features if you’re considering this ERP. Some reviewers have said it cannot restrict employee access to specific modules.
Languages Supported: Arabic, Bulgarian, Danish, German, English, Finnish, French, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese (Simplified
Infor Deployment Options: Cloud or On-Premise
Infor Total ERP Project Cost: $250,000 - $1,000,000
Infor Software Pricing Details: On-premise pricing starts at $42,000 for 10 users; there is an added cost for annual maintenance and support. This upfront fee is required to own the software and IP for a fixed term. Adding more modules requires additional licenses that are valid for a fixed term.
Users are also given the option of concurrent licensing, (a user can log in multiple times up to a certain limit). Cloud-based/SaaS pricing depends on the number of users using the system per month. Installation and customization are additional costs. Subscription fees are based on the number of users and add-on user licenses.
Learn More: IFS Cloud ERP vs Infor CloudSuite
IQMS (formerly known as DELMIAworks)is a comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) software solution designed to help businesses streamline and optimize their operations. Founded in 1989, the company has a long history of providing high-quality software to businesses in various industries. IQMS offers a range of features and functionality to manage financials, supply chain, production, sales, and more. With a single platform and seamless integration, the system allows businesses to efficiently manage data across departments and processes. IQMS's ERP solution is flexible and scalable, able to meet the unique needs of each business. With a customer base of over 500 companies, IQMS has a proven track record of helping businesses increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve decision-making through automation and optimization of key business processes.
IQMS Manufacturing Software (formerly known as DELMIAworks) is a cloud-based or on-premise ERP for mid-sized manufacturers. The platform includes MRP, forecasting, quality management, supply chain, procurement, and CRM software.
Companies can extend basic ERP functionality by adding modules for financials/accounting; quality management; supply chain management; planning/scheduling, or project management. There are also options to integrate payroll, workforce, and forecasting capabilities. Document management, warehouse management, product lifecycle management, and portals for customers and suppliers can also be added.
Users say its strength is in Inventory management, and its weak spots are its Bill of Materials, Material Requirements Planning, and reporting functionalities.
Languages supported: Chinese (simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Swedish.
Deployment: Cloud or On-Premise
IQMS Total ERP Project Cost: $50,000 - $250,000
IQMS Software Pricing Details: One-time licensing fees start at $25,000/user, irrespective of the type of deployment selected. New modules require new licenses to be purchased. Costs vary based on the number of user licenses purchased and the modules selected. Installation and customization are additional costs. Organizations must agree to pay for annual support and maintenance. The maintenance contract percentage changes every year after the implementation.
KATANA is a comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) software solution designed to help businesses streamline and optimize their operations. Developed by a team of experienced professionals in the field of manufacturing, KATANA is specifically tailored to the needs of small to medium-sized manufacturers. The software offers a range of features and functionality to manage financials, supply chain, production, sales, and more. With a single platform and seamless integration, the system allows businesses to efficiently manage data across departments and processes.
KATANA's ERP solution is flexible and scalable, able to meet the unique needs of each business. With a customer base of over 1,000 companies, KATANA has a proven track record of helping manufacturers increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve decision-making through automation and optimization of key business processes. KATANA is a good fit for small to medium-sized manufacturers looking to modernize and streamline their operations through the use of comprehensive ERP software.
This ERP is geared towards small to mid-size manufacturers selling on e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and more.
Katana integrates with Xero or QuickBooks Online and other e-commerce, accounting CRM, and reporting software.
While Katana is intuitive and affordable for smaller manufacturers; there are things users dislike. There’s no project management calendar or Gantt chart and the software has time planning/recording task limitations. Only full hours are allowed to be recorded and you cannot block out holidays for accurate planning.
Languages Supported: Katana supports applying Google Translate extension functionality to the software which enables using Katana in many languages.
Deployment: Cloud
Katana Total ERP Project Cost: $25,000 - $100,000
Katana Software Pricing Details: SaaS licensing starts at $99/month for the Essential plan and $299/month for the Pro Plan. There is a free 14-day trial. Visit the website for details on what each plan offers.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) software solution designed to help businesses streamline and optimize their operations. Developed by Microsoft, a leading provider of business software founded in 1975, Dynamics 365 Business Central offers a range of features and functionality to manage financials, supply chain, production, sales, and more. With a single platform and seamless integration, the system allows businesses to efficiently manage data across departments and processes. Dynamics 365 Business Central is flexible and scalable, able to meet the unique needs of businesses in various industries.
With a variety of Microsoft Dynamics 365 modules available, it can be challenging to navigate and understand the differences between them. One option, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, is a comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution specifically designed for small and medium-sized businesses. It offers a range of features and functionality to manage financials, supply chain, production, sales, and more. Business Central can be deployed in a number of ways, including as a software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), or on-premise. This allows businesses to choose the deployment option that best meets their needs and requirements.
The Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management module manages the life cycle of manufacturing production, from production order, batch order, or Kanban to a finished, manufactured item ready for a customer or another production phase. Manufacturers can optimize planning, production, inventory, warehouse, and transportation for efficiency and productivity. Real-time reporting and analytics are included in this module.
The Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Insights module provides supply chain insights to help decision-making and factors in risk mitigation, and it’s all powered by AI.
Since Microsoft is one of the world’s top companies and regularly updates its software, you’ll be investing in products that will likely stay relevant years from now. You can deploy whatever modules you need, and have the ability to scale up with additional modules as needed.
The main licensing options for Dynamics 365 Business Central are:
Per User: This option allows businesses to license the software on a per-user basis, with a separate license required for each user who will have access to the system. This is a good option for businesses with a small number of users or those that only need access to a limited number of modules.
Team Member: This option is similar to the Per User option, but is specifically designed for users who only need read-only access to the system. It is a more cost-effective option for users who do not need to create or edit data in the system.
Essential: This option is designed for businesses that need access to a basic set of core functionality, including financials, supply chain, and sales. It is a good option for businesses that want to get started with Dynamics 365 Business Central without a large upfront investment.
Premium: This option is the most comprehensive licensing option, providing access to all of the features and functionality offered by Dynamics 365 Business Central. It is a good option for businesses that need a wide range of functionality and are willing to make a larger upfront investment.
In addition to the above licensing options, Business Central is also available in a number of deployment options, including software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and on-premise. The specific cost of each licensing and deployment option will vary depending on the specific needs and requirements of your business. It is generally recommended to contact Microsoft or a certified partner for a customized quote for your specific needs.
In terms of available modules, Dynamics 365 Business Central offers a wide range of functionality to support various business processes, including:
Financial management: This module includes features to manage general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, and more.
Supply chain management: This module includes features to manage inventory, purchasing, vendor management, and more.
Production management: This module includes features to manage production orders, capacity planning, routing, and more.
Sales management: This module includes features to manage customer relationships, quotes, orders, invoices, and more.
Project management: This module includes features to manage projects, budgets, resources, and more.
Service management: This module includes features to manage service orders, service contracts, and more.
Human resources: This module includes features to manage employee records, payroll, benefits, and more.
Marketing: This module includes features to manage marketing campaigns, leads, and more.
Analytics: This module includes features to access real-time data and insights, including dashboards and reports.
CRM: This module includes features to manage customer relationships, sales, and marketing.
E-commerce: This module includes features to manage online stores and sell products and services online.
These are just a few examples of the modules and features available in Dynamics 365 Business Central. The specific modules and features included in each licensing option will vary, so it is important to carefully assess the needs and requirements of your business and choose the option that best meets your needs.
Dynamics 365 Business Central is designed for global markets and supports many languages.
Deployment: Cloud or on-premise
Business Central Total ERP Project Cost: $50,000 - $250,000
Microsoft Dynamics Business Central Software Pricing Details: User-based subscription licensing starts at $70/user/month (Essentials) for companies that do not need manufacturing or service order management. To include service order management and/or manufacturing user license to up to $100/user/month (Premium). Implementation, integrations and customization are additional costs. You can choose to pay for your subscription on a monthly or yearly basis.
Overview
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations is a cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that helps businesses manage their financials, supply chain, and operations. The system includes modules for accounting, order management, inventory management, and more. It is designed to work with other Microsoft products, such as Office 365 and Power BI. It can even be customized to fit the specific needs of a business.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (aka D365FO) was first released in July 2017. It was previously known as Microsoft Dynamics AX which first hit the market in 1998. Aside from the name change, the biggest difference between the two systems was that Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations moved to the cloud.
Other changes included new features and functionality. The changes improved financials and accounting. Supply chain management and order management features were upgraded. Inventory management and project management also got a boost when Dynamics AX was revamped to become Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations.
As the name implies, D365FO helps businesses control finances and manage cash flow with real-time information for financial planning and forecasting. The Operations side manages work processes, automating many repetitive tasks for greater efficiency and productivity. It also unites project teams involved in complex projects.
D365FO is geared toward large enterprise market organizations (150M+ in annual revenue) while Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is aimed at mid-market and smaller businesses.
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, the international law firm Fieldfisher and Hitachi are some of the corporations using D365 F&O.
The ERP is designed for a global market and is available in more than 40 languages.
Like many ERPs, D365FO offers a series of modules that can be purchased as needed. This gives organizations flexibility and allows them to customize the ERP as needed. Businesses can choose which modules they need immediately, and they have the option to add on more as their business grows.
In addition to the core functionality that D365FO provides out-of-the-box, there is also an abundance of add-on modules. These additions extend the ERP’s capabilities.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations has the following modules:
Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management - This module offers a complete set of tools to help manage your supply chain, from sourcing and procurement to manufacturing and logistics. With its robust feature set, you can streamline your operations, improve visibility and control, and minimize costs.
The Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management module offers:
Dynamics 365 Human Resources - This module helps streamline HR processes and improve employee management. It offers a number of features and tools to help organizations manage their workforce more effectively, including employee self-service, timesheets, absence tracking, recruiting, and onboarding.
Dynamics 365 Project Operations This module is a comprehensive project management solution that helps organizations manage projects from start to finish. It provides functionality for managing tasks, resources, finances, and communications within a project. And, it can generate reports on project performance for analysis and decision-making purposes. The Project Operations module is an important part of the Dynamics 365 suite and can help businesses of all sizes to streamline their project management processes. It offers a wide range of features and capabilities that are customizable according to the unique needs of each organization. With its reporting tools, users can get a detailed view of how their projects are performing and make better decisions about how to optimize their outcomes.
The Dynamics 365 Fraud Protection module provides fraud detection and prevention capabilities for organizations. It uses machine learning to analyze patterns in data to identify potential fraudulent activity and provides tools for investigating and responding to incidents of fraud. The module includes a dashboard for viewing overviews of fraud incidents, as well as detailed information on individual cases. It can help corporations comply with requirements for anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations. It also includes features for configuring fraud rules and centrally managing users who have access to the module. The Dynamics 365 Fraud Protection module is integrated with the Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement suite of applications.
Recent Updates
Microsoft keeps updating its products. Recent updates to D365F&O introduced a new user interface that provides a modern look while still retaining the familiar Dynamics functionality
A new module for Project Service Automation was added. It enables projects to be managed from end-to-end, from budgeting and forecasting through invoicing and payment. Quoting is improved in this module. Useful fields have been added that indicate whether the quote is profitable, whether it will be completed on schedule, and whether it meets the customer's budget expectations. Other updates also give workers the ability to work offline. This means that work can continue even when there is no internet connection.
The Bottom Line
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations is an efficient ERP system that helps large businesses manage their finances and operations. It offers a range of features, including financial management, supply chain management, project management, and customer relationship management.
Users seem to like the fact that the software is cloud-based and easy to use. They also like that D365F&O easily integrates with other Microsoft products like Excel and Outlook.
However, some customers dislike the fact that D365F&O is not as customizable as other ERP systems available on the market. In addition, some users have complained about the high cost of the software.
Languages: Language packs can be installed and configured as needed
Deployment: Cloud
Total ERP Project Cost:$25,000 - $100,000
Microsoft Dynamics Finance & Operations Software Pricing Details: Licensing costs are very complex. Dynamics 365 Finance full users’ licenses start at $210/user/month, but an app license is needed for Supply Chain Management. Most Dynamics 365 Finance full users usually need both app licenses. There are also device, activity, and team member licenses. There are also “Attach” licenses which are discounted licenses for users who license more than one Dynamics 365 app.
The Oracle Cloud Manufacturing ERP is a comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) software solution designed specifically for manufacturers. Developed by Oracle, a leading provider of business software founded in 1977, the Cloud Manufacturing ERP offers a range of features and functionality to manage financials, supply chain, production, sales, and more. With a single platform and seamless integration, the system allows manufacturers to efficiently manage data across departments and processes.
The Oracle Cloud Manufacturing ERP is a good choice for mid-to-large global manufacturers, thanks to its ability to address complex operational processes. With its built-in Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), this manufacturing ERP intelligently automates time-consuming tasks and helps companies launch new business models quickly to stay ahead of trends and competitors.
Large manufacturers with multiple locations will appreciate the ERP’s ability to centralize and process work orders across multiple geographic locations. They will also like that the entire procurement process can be automated to improve productivity.
Manufacturers can choose any of the following service modules:
Since this robust software is designed for large, complex organizations, implementation will not be quick and the price of the software and implementation will be costly.
This software supports many languages.
Deployment: Cloud
Total ERP Project Cost: $250,000 - $1,000,000
Oracle Software Pricing Details: Oracle ERP Cloud has three pricing plans: The Financial Reporting plan starts at $175/month; the Advanced Financial Controls begin at $80 per user per month and the Advance Access Controls package starts at $150/user per month.
Learn More: Compare Oracle Cloud vs IFS Cloud ERP
NetSuite is one of the first “born in the cloud” ERP solutions to come to market. SMB sized manufacturers will find this cloud-based ERP provides support for CRM, HCM, inventory, warehouse management, financial management, order management, and e-commerce.
If your manufacturing business has outgrown applications such as QuickBooks/Fishbowl, this is a solid ERP system to consider. It offers greater visibility/flexibility into all facets of your business on a platform built to scale.
Oracle NetSuite is in high demand. You’ll want to ensure you partner with a highly reputable and knowledgeable NetSuite Solution Provider to help you license and implement the software.
Countries & Languages supported: Czech, Danish, German, English, Finnish, French, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Singapore
Deployment: Cloud only hosted by Oracle
NetSuite ERP Project Cost: $50,000 - $250,000
NetSuite Software Pricing Details: NetSuite Pricing starts at $1,999/month plus $99/user/month. Plus additional fee’s for advanced modules and performance tiers.
PLEX ERP is a comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) software solution designed to help businesses streamline and optimize their operations. Developed by PLEX Systems, a leading provider of cloud-based manufacturing software founded in 1995, PLEX ERP offers a range of features and functionality to manage financials, supply chain, production, sales, and more. With a single platform and seamless integration, the system allows businesses to efficiently manage data across departments and processes. PLEX ERP is flexible and scalable, able to meet the unique needs of businesses in various industries. With a customer base of over 600 companies, PLEX ERP has a proven track record of helping businesses increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve decision-making through automation and optimization of key business processes. PLEX ERP is a good fit for businesses of all sizes looking to modernize and streamline their operations through the use of comprehensive ERP software.
The cloud-based SaaS Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform is utilized by automotive, food and beverage, precision metal forming, plastics and rubber, industrial manufacturing, high-tech electronics, and aerospace industries. It’s a manufacturing ERP designed to streamline production, track inventory and give managers a better overview from “ the shop floor to the top floor”.
Key features of this manufacturing enterprise platform include its Asset and Order Management, Billing, Financials, and Accounting and Sale and Warehouse Management functionality. A strength of this ERP is its code-based ability to track manufacturing production and material consumption. By assigning codes, managers can identify what causes production problems. This information can then be transferred into reports to help managers problem-solve and prioritize work strategies.
When compared to similar manufacturing ERPs, users generally like the overall cost and functionality and find it user-friendly and easy to learn. It’s also worth noting that Plex received the IDC 2021 SaaS ERP Customer Satisfaction Award, based on ratings earned from the IDC’s SaaSPath survey, which rated companies on 32 metrics including ease of implementation, value, built-in decision guidance, and more. Plex received high customer satisfaction scores and significantly scored better than other SaaS vendors when it came to data security.
Plex Systems was acquired by Rockwell Automation in the summer of 2021. Another version, Plex UX, is in development to add customization features and improve security. If your manufacturing business has lots of coding requirements, you might want to wait until Plex UX rolls out. Also, the current Plex Manufacturing Platform (which may soon be widely known as Classic Plex), has limited accounting functionality.
Languages supported: Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Tamil, Thai, Turkish, Urdu
Deployment: Cloud
Total ERP Project Cost: $50,000 - $250,000
Plex Software Pricing Details: Licenses start at $500 each with only a single pricing plan being offered for all users. Contact the vendor for more details. Installation and customization are additional costs.
Sage X3 (formerly Sage Business Cloud Enterprise Management) is a complete end-to-end ERP that supports multi-currency, multi-language, and unites global workplace locations. Its robust platform provides real-time visibility into product quality and costs and helps manage global compliance regulations. Multiple add-ons are available.
The implementation process is complex and will likely be a lengthy process. If you’re looking for a system to support automatic barcode scanning of inventory this isn’t the ERP for you.
Languages Supported: Arabic, German, English, French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified).
Deployment: Cloud or on-premise
Sage X3 Total ERP Project Cost: $100,000 - $250,000
Sage Software Pricing Details: Starting price $2,600/user (perpetual license); contact vendor for more details. Companies choosing an on-premise version must sign a maintenance agreement for annual support and maintenance, the cost of which is in the range of 10% and 20% of the original license fee. Cost varies based on the number of users, system architecture, implementation scope and complexity, company size, industry, additional applications, add-ons. Implementation services are not included. For the Cloud version, there is a recurring subscription per module, per user, per month. The price includes support and access to all updates and upgrades but does not include maintenance.
SAP Business ByDesign is used by small to mid-size product manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and service industries. ByDesign users like the ERP’s distribution, e-commerce, and automation features.
Inventory management is a strength of this manufacturing ERP solution. The software is a complete solution, offering support for finance, HR, CRM, Supply Chain Management, and more. Companies that have multi-site locations will like the production scheduling and visibility it provides for the factory, warehouse, sales, and financial teams.
If you need an affordable multi-currency manufacturing ERP system, you will want to look at SAP Business By Design.
Languages supported: 41 languages (13 standard and 28 partners translated, including simplified Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Hebrew)
Deployment: Cloud Only
Total ERP Project Cost: $250,000 - $500,000
Business By Design Software Pricing Details: SaaS subscription licenses and cloud hosting base monthly subscription fee is $1,818 for two advanced users and three core users.
This manufacturing and distribution ERP system provides a robust platform capable of uniting multiple workplaces in multiple countries. Its multifunctional capabilities make it a good choice for small to medium national, and international global manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers. It’s a highly configurable ERP, but this may lead to a long implementation time.
Languages Supported: Support for 27 languages including Portuguese, Spanish and Chinese.
Deployment: Cloud-based or on-premise
Total ERP Project Cost: $50,000 - $250,000
Business One Software Pricing Details: For on-premise purchasers, there is a one-time license cost to be paid in the range of $795/user to $1,095/per user. The cost depends on the software version selected. Concurrent Licenses ($100) allow multiple users to use one license as long as they are not logged in at the same time. These licenses are mainly for manufacturing shift workers. No server cost is charged for on-premise deployment. The software cost does not include implementation. Customization and integration costs are not included in the software purchase. For cloud-based users, there is an annual licensing fee. For both deployment options, there is also an annual maintenance cost.
If you’re looking for an “intelligent” ERP system that integrates all manufacturing departments nicely, SAP S/4HANA might be what you’re looking to find. Machine learning functionality is built into its system to automate routine processes and free up employees for other tasks. Whether deployed in the cloud, on-premises, or a hybrid environment, SAP S/4HANA is user-friendly, with exceptional analytics integrated into its system to enhance production, planning, sales, and other common manufacturing processes.
A wide variety of reporting and plug-ins are available for advanced functionality. Some of these manufacturing-specific solutions are:
While SAP S/4HANA has great features and functionality, it’s expensive to purchase and implement. Be sure that you find a find highly skilled IT team to handle the implementation. Customization may require a lengthy implementation process. Training costs, licensing, and maintenance costs are pricey.
SAP S/4HANA is currently available in 39 languages. 500+ additional language keys can be incorporated, depending on your needs. Considering its vast scope, SAP arguably has the best language support of any enterprise software.
Deployment: Cloud
Total ERP Project Cost:$250,000 - $1,000,000
SAP S/4HANA Software Pricing Details: Like all tier 1 ERP solutions SAP S/4HANA will most likely be a 7 or 8 figure expense depending on your business, complexity and project scope.
Learn More: IFS Cloud ERP vs SAP S/4 HANA
SYSPRO is an ERP system for midsize to large companies. It can be deployed in the cloud, on-premises, or as a hybrid. Specializing in manufacturing and distribution processes, SYSPRO ERP allows you to add modules as needed to support order management, planning and scheduling, capacity planning, supply chain, production control, manufacturing ops, inventory management, and cost control.
Materials can be tracked from receipt to delivery and the software can help identify, quarantine, and retrieve defective goods. This ERP offers strong support for compliance and regulatory reporting and can monitor customer complaints.
Its strict distribution and manufacturing controls make SYSPRO a great match for manufacturers. The ERP is user-friendly and has excellent financial and inventory modules. Other attractive features are its scalability, excellent integration capabilities, customization options, and reporting.
While it doesn’t include payroll and HR functions, SYSPRO does interface with most third-party systems.
Language supported: English, German, French, Spanish, and Dutch.
Deployment: Cloud or On-Premise
Total ERP Project Cost: $100,000 - $250,000
SYSPRO Software Pricing Details: SYSPRO ERP costs begin at $199 per user, per month. Each module adds to the cost
Workday ERP is a cloud-native system with finance, HR, planning, and analysis capabilities. This user-friendly software offers forecasting, inventory, and supply planning tools.
It offers limited support for manufacturers; however, this ERP may be very useful in helping manufacturers plan, model, forecast, and adapt as the business market changes. It provides budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and analytics for businesses of all sizes that need help with complex planning.
Critical reviews have mentioned issues with multi-currency implementation.
Languages supported: English, French, and Spanish with some country-specific configurations for Ireland, Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand.
Deployment: Cloud Only
Total ERP Project Cost: $100,000 - $250,000
Workday Software Pricing Details: Workday does not list their pricing; contact them directly for SaaS licensing details. Implementation costs are not included in the subscription.
As you’ve seen from the list above, some do it better than others. Some are geared towards simple small manufacturers; others are robust platforms that can handle multiple subsidiaries, multiple currencies and manage a global supply chain. Some require just a few months to get live while others may take years in some cases. Ultimately the best ERP for your manufacturing company will be one that meets your business requirements, within the budget you've identified and a implementation time frame that meets your companies objectives. Choosing the right EPR software is critical but equally as important will be finding the right implementation partner.
At Astra Canyon Group we've decided to double down on IFS Cloud ERP because we think it's an excellent choice for asset intensive manufacturing companies with service management needs. If you're a mid to large manufacturing company with assets and service needs we'd love to show you why IFS can be such a transformative platform for your business.
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