ERP Software for Manufacturers: Your 15 Top Options

Enterprise resource planning software (ERP) represents the pinnacle of digital tools for manufacturing companies. These software systems aid in quality control, provide access to real-time data, streamline inventory management, and empower you to make decisions at the speed of business.

Using an ERP platform to manage your manufacturing operations is the most pragmatic way to optimize efficiency, maximize productivity, and deliver for your customers. That said, there’s a variety of ERP systems on the market, meaning it can take time to find the ideal match for your business.

To help accelerate your decision-making process, we’ve compiled a list of 15 leading ERP software for manufacturers. Let’s explore the benefits of using ERP to oversee your manufacturing processes and dive deeper into these top platforms and their standout features.

Benefits of ERP Software for Manufacturers 

Governing complex manufacturing processes with disparate financial management, production management, and inventory control tools is tedious and inefficient. 

By contrast, replacing your disjointed suite of tools with a unified solution purpose-built for the manufacturing industry will provide real-time visibility into your workflows and unlock a wide range of additional benefits.

By adopting a leading ERP solution, you can accomplish the following mission-critical goals.

Improve Supply Chain Visibility

Microsoft Dynamics and other top ERP software for manufacturers include intuitive supply chain management tools. You can use these tools to track raw materials and finished products as they progress through the supply chain.

Among other things, improving upstream and downstream supply chain visibility can help you identify potential bottlenecks and proactively prevent delays. Increasing supply chain visibility through the strategic use of digital tools has become even more important amid ongoing disruptions and geopolitical tensions.

With ERP software built for manufacturers at your disposal, you can more effectively identify when and where supply chain disruptions are likely to emerge. You can also use these insights to explore new partnerships and pursue long-term business growth. 

Reduce Costs

Enterprise resource planning software provides an array of cost-saving benefits.

With an ERP, you can consolidate your business data and applications, eliminating the need for redundant data entry processes. Once a team member inputs data into one application, it will be routed to your centralized ERP database and made available to authorized users across your entire organization.

Additionally, ERP software designed for manufacturers provides real-time insights into inventory, operating costs, and more. You can use this data to identify sources of waste or process inefficiencies, make improvements, and cut costs. 

The cost-saving benefits of ERP solutions make them a valuable resource for modern manufacturers, as they face more competition than ever. 

Better Serve Your Customers

Microsoft Dynamics for manufacturers, Oracle, NetSuite ERP, and several other enterprise resource planning tools include customer relationship management (CRM) modules. These modules increase your understanding of the customer journey, allowing you to better serve your clients.

You can use your ERP and CRM module to meet customer demands for products, forecast inventory needs, and nurture client relationships. With a CRM in place, your sales team will be able to stay connected to customers and prospects, generate more consistent revenue for your business, and support your long-term goals.

CRMs are also excellent tools for improving the customer experience and strengthening your brand reputation. You can use an ERP and its CRM module to be more responsive and accommodating and make your business more appealing to other clients.

Access Scalable Solutions

On-premises manufacturing software lacks scalability and agility. If you need to expand the capabilities of your on-premises software, you must invest in and deploy additional servers and infrastructure, which can be costly. The rigidity of on-premises solutions discourages innovation and limits your ability to adopt new technologies.

Conversely, cloud-based enterprise resource planning solutions like Microsoft Dynamics for manufacturers offer exceptional scalability. Your cloud services provider can provision additional computing resources and storage capacity on-demand, meaning you can scale at will. 

With an ERP, you can access as much data and computing power as needed to support your company’s needs. Additionally, you can easily add more functionality to your ERP software by integrating other modules into your existing platform.

Top 15 ERPs for Manufacturers

There are dozens of technology platforms purpose-built for manufacturers, including several enterprise resource planning solutions. Some ERPs provide a narrow set of industry-specific modules, whereas others offer end-to-end solutions, including modules for human resources, accounting, inventory management, and more.

To guide and support your decision, we’ve featured both types of ERPs on our list, which includes the following platforms.

1. Microsoft Dynamics for Manufacturers

Microsoft Dynamics for manufacturers is a manufacturing module that supports a broad array of business processes:

• Product design
• Employee training
• Planning
• Sourcing
• Change management
• Production and distribution
• Asset management
• Sales
• Service

With Dynamics, your business can anticipate changes to supply or demand, minimize disruptions, and accelerate your time to market. More importantly, you can tap into real-time insights into inventory, operations, and the customer journey. The result is a more agile and resilient business that delivers for its customers. 

Microsoft Dynamics for manufacturers also promotes superior efficiency and productivity via its easy-to-implement automation tools. You can automate redundant workflows, reducing the burden on your staff and freeing them up to take on more dynamic tasks. 

2. NetSuite ERP

Developed by Oracle, NetSuite ERP is one of the most widely used and dynamic ERP software tools on the market. It includes more than a dozen modules, each laden with features and tools designed to promote business efficiency. Some popular modules include accounting, HR, and inventory management applications. 

NetSuite’s manufacturing modules are highly configurable and equipped with leading automation solutions. These tools are intended to save your team time, improve efficiency, and provide a strong return on investment (ROI). NetSuite can also integrate with many popular business applications.

All that being said, implementing NetSuite can be somewhat tedious, time-consuming, and expensive. 

3. Wrike

Wrike is a more specialized solution that focuses on project management. However, it’s competitively priced and highly configurable, which can be adapted to support some of your manufacturing process-management needs.

Wrike is compatible with many business-to-business applications, including Slack, Salesforce, Dropbox, and Microsoft Dynamics. While it isn’t as robust as true ERPs like NetSuite or Dynamics, it can make a great addition to your workflow. 

One of the best parts about Wrike is that it offers a free plan. While it only offers a few core features, you can take advantage of this offer to determine whether Wrike is a good match for your business. 

4. Sage Intacct

Sage Intacct is a financial management and ERP solution designed to meet the needs of a wide range of organizations, including manufacturing businesses. The product includes user-friendly automation tools that reduce the likelihood of human error and free your staff to focus on more dynamic tasks.

Sage Intacct also boasts robust analytics and reporting tools that support data-driven decision-making. While the platform doesn’t have many manufacturing-specific tools and features, the provider is partnered with MISys Manufacturing. Together, these solutions represent a powerful manufacturing process management platform. 

5. SYSPRO

SYSPRO was formulated specifically for manufacturers. It’s a flexible, agile solution that includes robust warehouse automation, inventory control, and inventory management capabilities. SYSPRO also features forecasting, project accounting, and document management features, making it a good all-around ERP for manufacturers.

With SYSPRO, you have the freedom to deploy the platform on-premises or via the cloud.

While most manufacturers prefer the scalability and cost-effectiveness of a cloud deployment, using an on-premises approach does have a few benefits. For instance, you maintain more control over the platform and can configure it to support legacy applications.

6. Odoo

Odoo is highly customizable and known for its dynamic customer relationship management capabilities.

Odoo’s built-in CRM streamlines communication between you, suppliers, vendors, and clients. You can use these enhanced communication capabilities to expedite the flow of information to your partners and keep your clients in the loop during each production cycle.

Odoo also features several application programming interfaces, or APIs, which you can use to integrate your various equipment and applications into the ERP. Once combined, all of these applications will collect and route data to Odoo, increasing operational visibility.

As an added benefit, Odoo integrates with several popular applications you likely already use, such as Microsoft Office 365.

7. Oracle ERP

In addition to Microsoft Dynamics and NetSuite, Oracle ERP is among the highest-rated and most widely used enterprise resource planning solutions for manufacturers. The platform is also one of the preferred ERP solutions for warehouses, as it includes an extensive selection of modules and tools.

With Oracle ERP, you can manage all of your mission-critical processes, including procurement, risk management, governance, compliance, inventory control, financial planning and analysis, and more.

While Oracle ERP offers integrations, you must contact the vendor for specific details. Alternatively, you can implement your own integrations, though this approach can be costly.

8. Scoro

Scoro is a web-based business management solution best suited for small- to mid-sized manufacturers. It’s not as dynamic as leading ERPs, but it’s incredibly user-friendly and cost-effective.

Some of Scoro’s key features include task management, quote management, reporting, and project management. With Scoro, you can also implement late invoice reminders and calculate commissions. 

Although Scoro isn’t a complete ERP solution, it seamlessly integrates with a wide range of other business applications, including QuickBooks, Zapier, and Dropbox. 

9. Sage Business Cloud Enterprise Management

Sage Business Cloud Enterprise Management is Sage Intacct’s larger, more robust counterpart.

This complete ERP package has modules for logistics, document management, manufacturing, warehousing, and business intelligence. It also boasts HR, sales, payment processing, and CRM functionalities, making it a true all-in-one platform.

However, Sage Business Cloud Enterprise Management is best known for its customizability. You can easily tailor your experience to align with the unique needs of your manufacturing organization. As a bonus, it integrates with Process Weaver, Symphony eCommerce, and many other useful business-to-business applications. 

10. Epicor ERP

For more than 40 years, Epicor has delivered software solutions to medium-to-enterprise-sized businesses in distribution, retail, and manufacturing.

The provider remains at the leading edge of ERP and also offers solutions for big data, analytics, IoT, and mobility. However, due to its high cost, Epicor ERP isn’t a good fit for small manufacturers. 

Like other top options, Epicor ERP boasts an intuitive CRM module that can help you nurture and strengthen client relationships. It includes planning and scheduling capabilities, project management tools, performance management software, and more. 

The provider offers a robust desktop app, as well as mobile applications for iOS and Android devices. 

11. SAP ERP

SAP ERP is the complete package. It includes modules for human capital management, supply chain management, CRM, financial planning, and manufacturing process management. The platform is known for its workflow automation capabilities, versatility, and broad suite of tools and features. 

SAP ERP is also exceptionally easy to use. All of its modules feed data into the centralized user interface, which can be customized to align with each user’s unique role within the organization.

As a leader within your organization, you can use SAP ERP’s dashboards to obtain insights into your business performance, profitability, and efficiency. 

12. SAP Business One

SAP Business One is another SAP ERP solution that’s popular among manufacturers. 

While it doesn’t sport as many features as SAP ERP, it has everything small to mid-sized manufacturers need to support their operations. With SAP Business One, you can facilitate materials resource planning (MRP), capacity planning, and inventory management.

SAP Business One is more like an MRP platform than a true ERP. Even so, it’s well-rounded and incredibly scalable. You can access the program through desktop devices, as well as iOS and Android mobile apps.

Like all SAP products, SAP Business One is only available via custom pricing, so you’ll have to contact the provider to learn more about implementation costs. 

13. Ecount ERP

Ecount ERP is simple and cost-effective. This web-based ERP enables you to manage all of your business processing from one easy-to-use interface.

Some functions you can manage with Ecount ERP include process management, inventory reporting, and human resources. It also has CRM functionality, meaning it will improve communications with your customers. 

Ecount ERP also features modules for quality control, outsourced production management, and handling product defects. The provider offers several integrations, but you must contact them for pricing. 

14. Kronos ERP

Kronos ERP has exceptional workforce management features, such as Workforce Dimensions Suite. This tool provides you with real-time insights into the labor activities of your personnel. Kronos ERP also includes Workforce Planner, which you can use to improve employee productivity and automate scheduling processes.

Kronos ERP has modules for taxes, benefits enrollment, payroll automation, and payroll tracking. With Kronos ERP, you can create a more seamless experience for your teams, improve morale, and combat attrition. 

15. Deltek Costpoint

Deltek Costpoint is popular among manufacturing businesses due to its flexibility. With Deltek Costpoint, you can manage everything from engineering to ordering manufacturing via a unified interface. The platform also includes contract management, integrated budgeting, and payroll management modules. 

Deltek Costpoint is cloud-hosted, meaning you can access additional computing resources and storage as needed. What’s more, it integrates well with many common business applications, including Microsoft Office. 

Expand the Capabilities of Your ERP Software for Manufacturers with Cavallo

When weighing the pros and cons of these ERP software solutions for manufacturers, it’s important to consider both your organization’s current needs and its growth trajectory. In most instances, choosing a scalable, cloud-based solution like Microsoft Dynamics for manufacturers will be the more pragmatic approach for your business.

With that in mind, you can maximize the return on investment and time to value of your ERP investment by leveraging third-party solutions, such as those offered by Cavallo. Unlock your business’s potential through 100% visibility of your inventory, rich insight into your customer analytics, and an unparalleled level of customization over your user experience with Cavallo’s solutions for Microsoft ERP platforms.

Schedule a demo today to learn more about how Cavallo’s solutions empower businesses to reach their goals.