Thinking of ways to improve your business’s efficiency isn’t always difficult, but implementing these ideas can be. Daily operations are challenging enough, and adding a new way of solving problems on top of it can be intimidating. However, an ERP system can help.
Whether you’re learning how to start an eCommerce business or looking to increase eCommerce sales, organization is key. It’s difficult to remain productive and profitable unless you have a clear overview of everything you want to accomplish.
This requires keeping track of all of your business data, but it doesn’t mean you need to do it manually. ERP systems help automate this process. Let’s start with what is ERP? This is an enterprise resource planning system, or ERP system, which tracks valuable info for you.
Such information includes eCommerce KPIs like monthly sales, eCommerce PPC clicks, and the number of new customers.
Knowing that you need an ERP system is one thing, but selecting one is a completely different story. We compiled the top ERP systems in one place so you can compare and contrast the benefits of an ERP system.
Keep reading for useful ERP system examples and what to know when selecting one.
ERP Systems List: List of ERP System Options
When you’re first getting acquainted with ERPs, there’s a lot to digest. Some ERPs are designed exclusively for medium-to-large businesses, whereas others work best for smaller businesses. Still, others suit any of the dozens of eCommerce business ideas in today’s digital landscape.
ERPs also run on computer software, cloud-based software, or both. You’ll want to assess your company’s needs and determine which solution fits your environment best.
It’s wise to read about different ERPs and discover what is ERP before demoing one so you can continue to grow your business. Continue reading for info on the most popular ERP systems and the specific features they offer.
SAP ERP System
The SAP ERP system is one of the longest-standing and most popular ERPs that exists. SAP stands for a system analysis program and has been around since 1992.
SAP’s ERP provides solutions for a broad scope of business data challenges. This is accomplished through real-time analytics, machine learning processes, data consolidation, and budgeting features.
The SAP ERP system is suitable for businesses of all sizes, particularly small businesses. They offer free trials for all of their software so users can experience a product before committing money to it.
Oracle ERP System
Oracle’s ERP is another well-known enterprise resource planning system. The company offers its own database management system for a variety of industries and is a leader in the cloud computing space.
The Oracle ERP is designed with medium, large, and global businesses in mind. Their software is ideal for companies that need to streamline large amounts of financial data or are in the process of merging several companies’ platforms.
Microsoft ERP System
Microsoft, one of the largest software companies in the world, sells an ERP called Dynamics 365. Their ERP is cloud-based and offers cutting-edge solutions, like customer relationship management (CRM), AI tools, financial analytics, and productivity features.
Dynamics 365 is compatible with businesses of all sizes, providing different pricing plans for varying needs. This is due in part to Microsoft’s brand recognition, giving them b2b sales and marketing flexibility that other businesses don’t have.
You can use Dynamics 365 for marketing, eCommerce customer service, retail operations, human resources, project automation, and more. The company’s software is created not merely to provide essential financial data, but to empower better decision-making with that data.
IFS ERP System
Industrial and Financial Systems, or IFS, is a leading provider of enterprise-level software. The company is based in Sweden and has provided solutions for manufacturers and service-based organizations since 1983.
IFS emphasizes the agility and flexibility of its software programs. If your business provides complex, service-oriented solutions for customers, this is no problem for IFS. They design their software to be user-friendly and powerful in the midst of rapidly changing consumer demands and market trends.
Businesses of varying sizes will benefit from IFS’ ERP. You can forecast and leverage your data for HR, procurement, warehousing, finances, manufacturing, and more.
Sage ERP System
Sage is one of the oldest, largest, and most widely used accounting and enterprise software companies in the world. They’ve been providing ERP services for different types of businesses since 1981.
The company’s payroll, eCommerce accounting, eCommerce payment systems, and financial analytics tools are their biggest strengths. Sage also offers mobile-based technology so business owners can more effectively make the right decisions at the right time.
Sage offers multiple ERP solutions for businesses of different sizes. These include Sage Business Cloud for small and medium businesses and Sage X3 for large businesses.
Epicor ERP System
Epicor has been making business and eCommerce software for numerous industries for over 50 years. From manufacturing and production to retail and wholesale distribution, their systems tie disparate processes together for lasting success.
Epicor’s ERP, Kinetic, is meant to be nimble and scalable alongside your business’s growth. Their software incorporates key business functions, like configure, price, quote (CPQ), accounts payable and receivable, and customer relationship management (wholesale CRM).
Kinetic is compatible with businesses of all sizes. Whether your business is in a high growth stage or is gaining traction with other goals, Epicor is a great option to consider.
ERP Tools List: What Tools Does an ERP System Include
Enterprise resource planning systems are complex solutions that integrate many business processes into a single platform. As such, they have various features and tools. Let’s dive a little deeper into a comprehensive ERP tools list. Keep in mind that ERP system developers can create custom functionalities based on a business’s needs.
- Financial management. Managing accounts, budgeting, financial reporting, and fiscal analysis are just a few of the financial features part of the ERP tools list.
- HR management. Managing employee data, payroll, attendance, and performance.
- Inventory. Tracking stock levels, orders, and warehouse operations.
- CRM. Customer relationship management is yet another feature of an ERP system. This includes sales, marketing campaigns, customer analytics, customer service, and other details about clients.
- Supply chain management. An ERP tools list includes solutions for optimizing the supply chain, vendor management, demand forecasting, and logistics.
- Manufacturing. Tools for managing production planning, work orders, and quality control.
- Project management. An ERP has various instruments for planning, tracking, and overall management of projects. This includes task scheduling, resource allocation, and progress tracking.
- Data integration, centralization, analysis, and reporting. An ERP tools list includes various data manipulation features. With ERP systems, you can create custom dashboards, export real-time reports, and get insights into business trends and performance. This is all possible thanks to the data centralization into a single database.
- Cloud solutions. Nowadays, ERP systems are integrated with clouds in order to allow access to data from anywhere in the world.
- Automation. One of the main goals of ERP systems is to save time and money. Thus, it offers various tools for automating repetitive tasks and processes. This reduces manual errors.
4 Best ERP Systems
It’s great to be familiar with leading ERP companies, but this may leave a question still bouncing around your head. That question is, “What are the best ERP systems?”
This is important because the average ERP cost is significant. You don’t want to pick any software at a whim that may not work well for your company or employees. You also want to make sure the ERP offers your most-needed features and is compatible with in-house software.
While the “best” type of ERP depends on company needs and personal preferences, you can narrow your list down to stand-out companies. Below are some of the best ERP systems based on popularity, user ratings, features, and pricing:
- Acumatica Cloud ERP. Given its cloud-based usability, small- and medium-sized business compatibility, and competitive pricing, Acumatica is a winner. This ERP consistently achieves high user sentiment and has become a key player among ERP industry veterans.
- Oracle ERP Cloud. One of the longest-serving ERP providers is still one of the best. Oracle’s Internet-based ERP streamlines and consolidates data efficiently for medium and large businesses. They’re a leader in financial management and forecasting tools that save businesses hundreds of labor hours per year.
- Unit4 ERP. Praised for their software’s versatility, next-gen capabilities, and student management features, Unit4 is an ERP to think seriously about. The company maintains a competitive pricing model despite increasing market competition and freedom of customer choice.
- Sage X3. This powerful, scalable, and end-to-end ERP is designed to centralize all information a business needs to improve performance. Known for catering to process manufacturers and distributors, Sage’s X3 capabilities are stand-out in their niche. Their software simplifies immense amounts of data for complex production control and scheduling needs.
15 Popular ERP Systems
In some cases, it helps to know what other companies have been successful with. If you want to significantly reduce the time needed to research software on your own, there are some great options.
Here is a list of the most popular ERP systems:
- Sage 100cloud
- Acumatica
- Oracle ERP Cloud
- Epicor Kinetic
- SAP S/4HANA
- Skubana
- Microsoft Dynamics 365
- Sage Business Cloud
- Oracle NetSuite
- SAP Business One
- Dolibarr
- BrightPearl
- DELMIAworks
- Odoo
- JobBOSS
Frequently Asked Questions About the Top ERP Systems
An ERP system will save you significant time and money when they’re used correctly. If you’re learning about ERP systems for the first time, it’s helpful to have some background info. Learn more with our answers to commonly asked questions below:
What are the types of ERP systems?
There are many different ERP systems to choose from. An enterprise resource planning system, or ERP system, consolidates business data and organizational processes into a central system.
Here are some of the top types of ERP systems:
- SAP B1, R/3, and S/4HANA
- Oracle Cloud ERP
- Brightpearl
- NetSuite ERP
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 and GP
- Sage Intacct
- Epicor ERP
How do I find the best ERP system?
Finding the best ERP system is a matter of knowing what to look for. Here are some principles to use in your search:
- Identify what your company needs. ERP systems are designed to work for your business needs, not the other way around. Make a list of what you need your ERP to accomplish and look for software that can get it done.
- Set time aside for research. Set aside a few hours to look through ERP systems and read reviews. There’s no substitute for your own opinion of a company’s features and benefits.
- Request a free trial. Trying out an ERP for yourself gives you a glimpse into how it would work for your own company. Don’t be shy about asking about other features and how they can integrate with specific software.
Which ERP System Does Amazon use?
Amazon is currently using SAP as its ERP system. SAP is a German software company that was founded in 1972. SAP stands for a systems analysis program and remains one of the most popular ERP systems around the world.
What Do ERP Systems Do?
ERP systems, also known as Enterprise Resource Planning systems, are software systems that help businesses automate and manage business operations for optimal performance. Big and small businesses can benefit from using an ERP system.
Planning for Success
ERP systems may look intimidating on the surface, but they’re really tools that simplify the work you’d do in individual software programs. Instead of spending several hours in multiple places like your online marketplace and BlueCart eCommerce, the ERP handles it for you.
With average ERP system costs ranging from $39 to $149 per user, this type of investment should be taken seriously. Make sure you and your team appreciate what can be accomplished through the ERP’s demo first.
When you fork over the cash, you'll be in great shape. Completing an ERP implementation will free up your time to make more wholesale sales or strengthen your eCommerce marketing.
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