5 Leading ERP Vendors and a 3-Stage Strategy for Selection

Although you can quickly find a list of top ERP vendors anywhere, making the final decision is very difficult. Your selection journey is full of uncertain pitfalls and outcomes.

Therefore, our recommendations provide you with the five best vendors and an easy-to-follow path to help you make this significant decision. We'll break the selection journey into attainable steps that, in short, help you:

• Identify your ERP needs
• Find your ideal vendor profile
• Select the right ERP partner
• And ultimately, avoid the common selection pitfalls.

Let’s dive in.

What Are the 5 Best ERP Vendors in the Market?

1. Microsoft

Microsoft is categorised as a visionary in Gartner's most recent Magic Quadrant of ERP for product-centric organisations. Dynamics 365 ERP is a managed service-hosted SaaS. A huge advantage of this ERP is that it can easily integrate with Microsoft apps ecosystem, such as the Azure cloud and apps like Power BI and Copilot. Furthermore, Dynamics 365 also operates as an ERP with integrated CRM as it integrates with sales, marketing, and customer service apps.

2. Odoo

Odoo - an open-source ERP, continues to gain popularity worldwide as this vendor provides competitive pricing and high adaptability in the small and mid-market. Odoo is unique because of its broad range of modules such as Manufacturing, Inventory, Accounting, POS, and more, covering multiple business functions. It is highly adaptable because a small business can begin with simple features and add more as the company expands. 

Read more: Breaking down Odoo for beginners.

3. Oracle

Oracle is another leading ERP vendor that has robust integrations with NetSuite and Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP. Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP targets large and upper-midsize businesses, particularly international organisations. It mostly serves several typical industries, such as CPG (consumer packaged goods) or manufacturing. NetSuite in the cloud offers several of Fusion Cloud's features, but not all of them. Its target market consists of small to medium-sized businesses.

4. SAP

Being the leading global ERP vendor, SAP offers solutions that can suit small, medium, or large businesses. It serves various industries, including manufacturing, distribution, retail, government, and more. Thanks to the supply chain specialisation and adaptability to diverse business processes, SAP sets itself apart from the competition. SAP S/4HANA Cloud is currently the most popular ERP, with Business ByDesign offered for SMBs.

5. Infor

Gartner also raked Infor as a leader in the 2023 Magic Quadrant of cloud ERP for product-centric organisations. According to Gartner, Infor provides applications with distinct cores based on the scope and sector of the client's company. CloudSuite is its key ERP system, which is highly customisable for manufacturing businesses that need to upgrade their procedures and stay ahead of the competition.

The 3-Stage Roadmap for Strategic Decisions

Selecting an ERP vendor is more of a strategic decision because the investment can transform your entire business operations. In a 2024 study by Panorama Consulting Group, after ERP implementation, around 65% of respondents realised the reduced operating costs. Moreover, 90% of them saw an improvement in productivity and overall efficiency. 

However, with so many vendors and features to choose from, finding the best fit is stressful. Our 3-stage roadmap allows you to make well-prepared decisions for your ERP vendor selection journey. It guarantees that you select an option that meets your requirements and encourages long-term success.

Stage 1: Understand Your ERP Needs

Before getting into ERP vendor assessments, it's critical that you first know your current business context and future objectives.

Why Invest in an ERP System?

One of the top reasons for investing in an ERP system is moving from an outdated system. Moreover, a clear trend reported that businesses investing in ERP systems gain higher operational efficiency, approved by 90% of Panorama report’s respondents.

Here's a better look at the two major advantages:

• Streamlined Operations and Data Control: The ERP system is a unified hub that generates and analyses data across your departments: finance, marketing, supply chain, and more. They are all integrated into a single source of truth. This way, the system eliminates siloed data, and manual errors, and enhances your business efficiency.
• Improved Visibility & Decision-Making: The system also provides real-time data access across the business. As a result, you can make data-driven decisions based on actual insights. Everyone in your teams can easily identify trends, and stock levels, and optimise resource allocation.

Learn more: Breaking Down Cloud-Based ERP Systems and Its Impact on Business.

Know the Challenges & Risks

Besides the robust advantages of implementing an ERP, you need to acknowledge these 3 common challenges:

• Upfront Costs: Possible system customisation, installation costs, and licensing fees can all add up. Budgeting and careful planning are the key.
• Change Management: A solid change management plan must be implemented when shifting your workforce to a new system. Resistance changes could delay user acceptance and cause a rocky launch.
• Integration Complexities: It is difficult and time-consuming to integrate the ERP system with your current software applications. Check whether the ERP vendor you select has prior experience in integrating with the technology you use.

Tips: You can perform a cost-benefit analysis in which potential risks are weighed against the expected return on investment (ROI).

Conduct a Business Process Analysis

Consider your current business scenario carefully before choosing a vendor. This stage involves 3 main goals as below:

• Identify Pain Points & Bottlenecks: Evaluate the processes your entire business is following now. Are there any tedious activities that hinder operations? Does the decision-making process face any data gaps or discrepancies?
• Map Current Workflow & Information Flow: Keep a record of your current procedures. This includes the departments that communicate with one another and the information flow that occurs within the organisation.
• Prioritise Functionality Needs: Sort the functionalities that are most important to addressing your issues and promoting your business objectives based on your research.

Here we recommend scheduling a business process consultation with certified ERP experts. They will be your long-term partner in the ERP implementation process.

Stage 2: Find Your Ideal ERP Vendor Profile

Knowing your requirements, the next step is to determine the right ERP vendor profile.

Determine Industry Experience and Needs Alignment

Selecting a vendor with prior experience in your particular sector indicates that they are aware of the particular challenges you face. ERP solutions designed specifically for your industry come with pre-configured features that are industry-based. This simplifies your implementation process and minimises the requirement for customising.

Here are 2 suggestions that could serve you in finding vendors who have a track record of success in your industry:

• Industry Resources: Look through analyst reports and industry publications to find the top ERP vendors in your market.
• Partner Network: Network with potential vendors and learn about the achievements of other businesses in your field by going to trade exhibitions and industry events.

Invest in the Future and Scalability

Select a solution that will expand your company by thinking long-term. Make sure the vendor's solution can take into account your expected future expansion and growing data volumes or user demands.

Secure your ERP investment by considering these 2 recommendations:

• Think about predictions for growth and flexibility: Analyse the vendor's record of working with companies that have witnessed comparable growth.
• Assess the ERP roadmap and innovation track record: Study the vendor's record of innovation. Software updates regularly guarantee that your system continues to work with emerging technology and industry norms.

Know Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): A Holistic View

When evaluating ERP systems, a lot of businesses incur the error of relying just on the upfront licensing costs. Nonetheless, it is crucial to approach the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) thoroughly.

Upon the first licence fees, there will be three main types of additional fees:

• Implementation Services: These are fees for customising the system to meet your unique requirements and integrating it with your current technology.
• Continuous Support & Training: Effective user adoption and the long-term viability of the system depend on whether your personnel receive both continuous support and system training.
• Maintenance Fees: These are ongoing costs associated with bug repairs and software updates.

Stage 3: Shortlisting & Evaluating ERP Vendors

If you have a firm grasp of your requirements and your preferred vendor profile, you are ready to move on to the evaluation phase.

Create a Customised Request for Proposal (RFP)

Provide a concise and accurate RFP that details your needs and standards for review. This work acts as a guide for ERP vendors and partners to learn about your requirements and present their offers.

• Establish Clear Assessment Criteria: This must be consistent with the features stated in Stage 1. Make sure that the features you value are detailed in your RFP. This makes it simpler for you to assess options critically and enables vendors to customise their proposals.
• Outline the Integration Needs and Functionalities: You must specify which particular features or integrations are essential to your company. They cannot be compromised.

Perform an ERP Gap Analysis

You must conduct an ERP Gap Analysis before demos and reference checks. This important stage assists you in determining the difference between the functionalities provided and what your company needs. 3 ways how an ERP gap analysis benefits you are as follows:

• Uncover Potential Shortcomings: You can find areas in which the system can fall short of your demands by comparing what you need with what the vendor is providing.
• Inform RFP Development: You can utilise the gap analysis data to make adjustments to your RFP and make sure it covers any potential problems with vendor functionalities.
• Encourage Informed Decision-Making: Recognising the gaps enables you to decide on mandatory customisation, associated costs, and possible workarounds.

Conduct Proof-of-Concept (POC) Projects & Vendor Demos

Witness it in action. You can test the ERP system's capabilities and get a firsthand look at it with demos and proof of concept (POC). Specifically, 2 aspects you can have a look at are:

• Assess User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI): Think about how the system is easy to use. A user-friendly interface reduces the requirement for training and encourages user adoption.
• Examine Integrated and Core Functionalities: Test the functionalities that are most important to what your business needs. Make sure that data transfer is smooth between the ERP and your current systems, provided that interconnections are necessary.

Verify Reference & Customer Testimonials

Get in contact with the ERP vendors that are on your shortlist and ask for references. It's valuable to gain useful information from firsthand descriptions of implementation scenarios, overcoming problems, and general user satisfaction.

• Speak with Former Customers to Get Their Input: Find out how well the vendor manages projects, communicates, and responds to support enquiries.
• Recognise Implementation Challenges & Success Stories: Take advice from other people's experiences. Talk about how the vendor assisted them in overcoming implementation obstacles and achieving their goals.

5 Common Pitfalls When Selecting an ERP Vendor

Selecting the right ERP vendor is an important decision that has a long-term impact on your operations. Even if there are a lot of possible benefits, choosing wisely is difficult at times. Here, we look at 5 of the most typical mistakes to avoid:

No.1 Focus only on price and neglect functionalities

Price is certainly a major factor, but putting it first can result in a costly mistake later on. If you select a system based on its pricing, this leads you to settle for a solution that isn't equipped with the features required. This ends up in resource waste, inefficiencies, and eventually system replacements or customisations.

The solution: Before searching for an ERP vendor, get a thorough grasp of your unique requirements. You must give top priority to features that solve your problems and promote your strategic objectives. This priority list is then used to assess potential vendors and make sure the system you select has the features required to succeed.

No. 2 Undervalue the significance of industry expertise

When it comes to ERP systems, a one-size-fits-all strategy isn't that effective. In many cases, industry-specific solutions are pre-configured with features that are catered to the specific requirements of your industry. Also, a key factor in long-term success is the cultural fit between your business and the vendor.

The solution: Look for ERP suppliers who have a track record of success in your industry. Assess their background and cases of businesses that are relevant to yours. Consider the vendor's responsiveness and communication approach during the selection process. Make sure that their principles align with the culture of your business so that the teamwork is at its best.

We believe you’ll be interested in our previous articles on industry-specific solutions:

• A Guide To Selecting An E-Commerce ERP
• The Role Of ERP Accounting Software In Finance Management
• The 10-Feature Checklist & Suggestions For Manufacturing Software
• How Construction Software Boosts Your Project Delivery
• How To Select The Best Project Management Software

No.3 Fail to include key stakeholders in the selection process

The implementation certainly has a huge impact on several departments in your company. User adoption is challenging and disagreement may arise if important stakeholders (i.e. department heads and end users) are not involved in the selection process. As a result, when launching an ERP, just about 26% of employees reported that they use their company's ERP, and 51% of businesses suffer operational delays (Software Path). 

The solution: Include important parties from the departments of finance, sales, operations, or IT at every stage of the selection procedure. Motivate them to offer feedback, take part in requirements analyses, and attend vendor demos. This cooperative strategy guarantees that the selected system satisfies everyone's needs and encourages important users to have a better sense of ownership.

No.4 Rush the decision & skip the research

Selecting an ERP is a huge financial commitment, and making rushed decisions results in million-dollar mistakes. It takes a lot of investigation to make a good choice. In particular, rushing the selection causes you to miss critical details about ERP vendors. It's easy to overlook important details such as their creditworthiness, record of excellent customer service, or hidden expenses.

The solution: Set aside enough time for reference checks, vendor research, and demos. Do not hesitate to ask specific enquiries and get proposals from the vendors you've narrowed down. This approach makes sure their solutions fit your long-term goals and budget.

No. 5 Overlook the value of ongoing support & system scalability

ERP selection is a part of your long-term investment. Pay attention to the vendor's system scalability and ongoing support upon the initial purchase. It will be problematic if you underestimate the need for maintenance or implementation support. Selecting a system that cannot accommodate further expansion always comes with an expensive update later on.

The solution: Assess the vendor's support services: technical support availability, response times, or training courses. Make sure they have a well-defined plan in place to deliver regular updates and maintenance. Additionally, pick a system that is scalable to meet the increases in the number of users, data volume, and business complexity.

Wrap-up: A Strategic Decision Instead of a Software Purchase

Note this: Selecting an ERP vendor is beyond a software purchase. Instead, it’s making a strategic decision that eventually impacts your current and future business operations.

In a nutshell, finding the ideal vendor is about more than simply features. It's also finding a long-term partner who shares your vision and supports your company's objectives. Do not hesitate to ask questions, do your research, and follow your instincts. Upon following the above steps, you can seek certified experts or implementation partners to detail an ERP transformation process from A to Z. They will be your closest companions throughout the entire journey.

ERP Vendors - Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best ERPs for SMBs in Australia?

We have evaluated the top 5 ERPs for small Australian businesses with unique strengths:

• Odoo: open-source, scalability, local features, and robust partner network.
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central: Microsoft Office integration and strong financial management.
• Acumatica (MYOB Advanced): Tailored for mid-sized businesses and seamless integration with MYOB.
• NetSuite ERP: All-in-one functionalities and global regulatory compliance.
• Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP: High scalability and customisation and global operations support.

2. What are key ERP modules?

A module within an ERP integrates with a particular business function, such as inventories, accounting, CRM, or e-commerce. In summary, these modules enable you to build a system that is specifically suited to your unique company scenario. Learn more about ERP modules by business functions.

3. What are the main ERP deployment models?

Modern ERP applications can be deployed in three major ways: on-premises, on the cloud, or in hybrid scenarios that blend the two.

References:

• Panorama Consulting Group (2024). The 2024 ERP Report.
• Software Path (2022). What 1,384 ERP projects tell us about selecting ERP (2022 ERP report).
• Infor (2023). Infor is recognized by Gartner® as a Leader in the 2023 Magic Quadrant™ for Cloud ERP for Product-Centric Enterprises.
• Microsoft (2023). Microsoft is recognized as a Leader in the 2023 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Cloud ERP for Product-Centric Enterprises.