Best ERP Systems for SME and Enterprise
The best ERP systems for small business, midsize business (SME) and enterprise. Compare the most important ERP software manufacturers. Find the top ERP companies for each industry.
ERP Systems for Small Business
ERP systems for small businesses (10-49 employees), which cover all areas of the company, are – with a few exceptions – often also used in SMEs. Many ERP software manufacturers target companies with 10-250 employees. Therefore, in most cases there is no classic ERP software specifically for small business, but the requirements of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can be mapped equally with the respective product.
Some ERP software manufacturers offer ERP software for the self-employed and micro-enterprises (1-9 employees). At its core, this is about the simple handling of basic processes in the company, particularly in the areas of merchandise management and finance (see also: Who needs ERP software? and also: What goals can be achieved with ERP software? Who needs ERP software? and also: What goals are achieved with ERP software?).
ERP Systems for Midsize Business (SME)
Almost all ERP systems cover the requirements of medium-sized companies (SME) (50-250 employees). The major ERP software manufacturers offer special products that are designed to meet the needs of the midmarket across all sectors. Through their partners, industry solutions are developed that take into account the specific company requirements in the respective sector.
Hundreds of smaller ERP software manufacturers have tailored their software to the requirements of one or more industries. This enormous range of cross-industry and industry-specific solutions does not exactly make selecting the right ERP software for midsize business (SME) any easier.
Flexible and dynamic business development makes midsize companies (SME) the engine of the economy. But it is precisely this need for flexibility that places high demands on ERP software.
Best ERP Systems for Midsize Business (SME)
ERP Systems for Enterprise
SAP, Microsoft, Infor, Epicor and Oracle have specialized in mapping the complex requirements of enterprise (over 250 employees) in almost all industries. SAP, Microsoft and Infor are often at the top of the list when it comes to selecting the best ERP software for large companies.
Other smaller ERP software manufacturers also have their share of this market, although – as with ERP systems with a focus on SMEs – they tend to score in certain sectors.
Best ERP Systems for Enterprise
Top 5 ERP Systems
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Compare the most important ERP systems
The following table gives you an overview of the company size and industry focus for which the most important ERP systems are suitable. It also shows that the major ERP software manufacturers offer several products with different target groups:
| ERP Company | ERP System | Manufacturing | Distribution | Service | Small Business | Midsize Business (SME) | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAP | SAP S4/HANA | ||||||
| SAP | SAP Business ByDesign | ||||||
| SAP | SAP Business One | ||||||
| Microsoft | Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central | ||||||
| Microsoft | Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management | ||||||
| Oracle | Oracle NetSuite ERP | ||||||
| Oracle | Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP | ||||||
| Sage | Sage 50 Connected | ||||||
| Sage | Sage 100 | ||||||
| Sage | Sage X3 | ||||||
| Sage | Sage b7 | ||||||
| Epicor | Kinetic (Epicor ERP) | ||||||
| Infor | Infor CloudSuite | ||||||
| Infor | Infor M3 | ||||||
| Infor | Infor CloudSuite Business |
ERP Systems in the US and UK
There are now more than 700 ERP system providers in the US and UK. ERP systems are used by small business, mid-sized enterprises as well as large enterprises. 95% of all companies with 20 or more employees use ERP software – as the studies cited in our ERP guide prove.
ERP Systems Global Market Share (Worldwide)
In terms of the number of global users with ERP systems, the largest market shares are held by ERP software manufacturers SAP (33.8%), Microsoft (8.5%), Odoo (5.9%) and Oracle (4.2%). They are followed by Workday, Sage and Infor. The remaining share is distributed among several thousand ERP providers worldwide.
The larger ERP software manufacturers often offer several industry-neutral ERP products, while the smaller ERP companies tend to specialize in one or more industries. Many ERP software manufacturers now mainly offer cloud ERP systems, but also classic on-premise software that is installed at the customer’s premises or at a hosting service provider. Our ERP guide takes a closer look at the topic of ERP cloud software.
ERP Systems US Market Share
The major players on the US market are ERP software manufacturers SAP (14.1%), Microsoft (14.1%), Oracle (14.1%) and Workday (14.1%) who have an equal share by number of users. Behind them, Infor, Sage, Epicor and Deltek have managed to secure a larger slice of the pie. The remaining share is covered by hundreds of other ERP vendors.
ERP Systems UK Market Share
The major players on the UK market by number of users are ERP companies SAP (19.7%), Microsoft (19.7%), Oracle (14.8%) and Sage (9.9%). Followed by ERP software manufacturers Infor, Epicor , Workday and Deltek who also play a significant role. The remaining share is covered by hundreds of other ERP vendors.
The Most Important ERP Software Manufacturers in Detail
ERP consulting companies regularly evaluate the most important ERP systems (just like we do). These rankings are not automatically a recommendation for your selection process, but the reasons for the ratings can provide you with interesting input for your project. This video evaluates 10 ERP systems: Infor CloudSuite, Oracle Fusion ERP Cloud, Microsoft Dynamics 365, SAP S/4HANA, Oracle NetSuite, IFS, Salesforce / Force, Epicor, Workday, Odoo.
Below we describe the most important ERP software manufacturers:
Small businesses, SMEs and large companies benefit from the solutions of the most important ERP system vendors. They are among the award-winning top ERP system providers for a wide range of industries.
SAP
Europe’s largest software manufacturer has over 335,000 customers worldwide with around 12 million users in the ERP sector. SAP offers three different ERP systems: SAP S4/HANA has a clear focus on corporations, while small and medium-sized companies can choose between SAP Business One and SAP Business ByDesign. Innovative technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and machine learning are also made available to smaller customers across the entire product portfolio. This makes it possible, for example, to automate quality inspection and defect tracking on the assembly line, track the activities of devices or predict patterns in consumption and demand.
Microsoft
The well-known software manufacturer has already exceeded the 150,000 ERP customer mark. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is aimed at small and medium-sized companies with 10 to 250 employees. The basic Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Essentials package can be expanded with the Production and Service modules to become Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Premium. The two products Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management offer extended functionalities for larger companies. The close integration with other Microsoft applications and technologies, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and SharePoint, is a clear advantage. ERP implementation is carried out by one of the 2,200 Microsoft partners in over 100 countries.
Oracle
With more than 31,500 customers around the globe, Oracle is one of the “Big Three” on the market alongside SAP and Microsoft. The US software producer promotes its flagship Oracle NetSuite ERP as the world’s No. 1 ERP cloud solution. The offering is supplemented by Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP as an alternative solution.
Infor
Infor is an American software manufacturer specializing in enterprise applications for manufacturing, retail and the consumer goods industry. Infor’s ERP products streamline business processes in the areas of finance, distribution, production and sales. Infor offers several different ERP platforms for SMEs and large companies, including Infor CloudSuite and Infor M3. Infor CloudSuite Business is aimed at growing companies that need financials, inventory, and purchasing management.
Sage
The Sage Group has several million customers worldwide, including around 250,000 customers in Germany, who are supported by 1,000 partners in this country. The Sage 100 ERP system is used by medium-sized companies with 100 to 1,000 employees. Sage X3 is the ERP solution in the cloud for international SMEs and Sage b7 covers German-speaking SMEs in production and trade. Sage 50 Connected is offered for small companies and the self-employed.
Epicor
Founded in 1972, the company has a clear specialization in trading and manufacturing companies with its ERP system Kinetic (previously Epicor ERP). In the manufacturing sector, special solutions are offered for aerospace, electronics, metal processing, furniture and mechanical engineering, among others. More than 20,000 customers worldwide use Epicor’s ERP software.
ERP Selection for Small Business, Midsize Business (SME) and Enterprise
What’s the best way to proceed with ERP selection? Our free guide ERP system selection and ERP implementation in 5 steps provides you with a tried-and-tested roadmap and valuable tips, including for the essential ERP selection process. The ERP specifications template 360° is a tried-and-tested and popular tool for creating specifications and the entire tendering process. As a special service, we determine the top 5 ERP systems for your company – free of charge and without obligation.
Top 5 ERP Systems
Determine the top 5 ERP systems for your company with pinpoint accuracy from 700+ vendors – free of charge and without obligation.
Around 500 companies use our efficient services and tools for their ERP software selection – every year.