Comparing ERP systems can be laborious task–one that requires each business to find the ERP system that matches both a business needs and cost. Here is a comparison of three of the leading ERP systems — Epicor, SAP and Oracle.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are designed to provide companies with a single source that offers support for all core business functions. While the major providers each claim that their products and solutions offer the most value and the widest range of features, the biggest systems are often very complex and may not always be tailored to the specific needs of smaller organizations and midsize businesses. Less sophisticated systems and more cost-effective options can be a more attractive solution for midsize businesses that are seeking to update operational workflow and managerial process.
Assessing and Comparing the Best ERP Options
The purchase and implementation of an ERP system should never be rushed or taken lightly; business owners may benefit from learning a little more about the most common providers in order to ensure that research and preparation efforts are met with the greatest success. The system or service provider you ultimately choose is of critical importance. Conduct further research and discuss your options with an industry professional. This step can often be a very wise course of action.
Read: Top 10 ERP Implementation Strategies
SAP: Market Leader (Based on Number of Users)
SAP’s systems make up about a quarter of all ERP purchases. SAP’s ERP boasts simplified navigation, rich multimedia support and tight integration with Microsoft Office and related software suites. Designed to be user friendly, and featuring built-in support for mobile devices, SAP is a popular choice for businesses that may have concerns regarding the steeper learning curves and lack of flexibility associated with other ERP options. With a single comprehensive system that is able to provide support for every aspect of business operations, SAP systems allow businesses to immediate access to the features they need most, with additional resources that may be utilized as they continue to grow and expand. On the down side, SAP’s systems can also be the most complex and costly.
Oracle: Brand Popularity
A leading provider of enterprise software and the second most popular in terms of sales, Oracle offers ERP and Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) solutions designed to support complex financial, strategic and managerial processes. A complete integrated system gives midsize businesses the means to more easily organize and manage information across multiple platforms throughout their organization – all from the same software. Choosing an Oracle ERP system can be of benefit for businesses that require smarter features and more agile and adaptable management performance in order to meet their needs. However, like SAP, Oracle may be too much product – and too expensive – for a small to medium sized business.
Download: Easy Guide to Choosing the Right Manufacturing ERP Software
Epicor: Right Sized
Epicor systems are available on-premise and as an on-demand service that eliminates the need to make hardware upgrades or deal with the installation and maintenance of software applications. Epicor systems are a popular choice for small and midsize businesses that wish to focus on core operations and processes rather than managing IT infrastructure. With a full-featured software system tailored to suit the specific needs of small shops and midsize manufactures, Epicor is an attractive option for those who lack the resources needed to provide in-house or on-site IT support. As an IT provider dedicated to small to midsize businesses, we found that Epicor ERP offered just the right level of flexibility in terms of functionality and cost effectiveness for a growing business.
Read Also: Using Virtual Private Cloud and an Alternative to Cloud-Based ERP Software
Choosing the System Best Suited to Your Needs
From initial purchase costs and the availability of on-site IT support to the time-frame needed to ensure successful data migration and new-user training, there are countless factors to carefully consider before you make a decision. The needs of every business are different, and ensuring you have selected an ERP system, product or service best suited to your current operational needs, as well as the future growth and expansion business may enjoy in the future, requires careful forecasting and preparation. Investing in the system best suited to your needs, budget and future growth will allow your business to ensure superior operational efficiency and benefit from the full range of features and options ERP systems make possible.