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As technological change increases, financial management must decide whether their legacy on-premises ERP system is keeping pace or if they should select a new ERP as a business management system. Cloud-based manufacturing ERPs streamline and automate workflows, save labor and IT costs, speed the financial close, and provide AI-driven business intelligence.
This article describes the top 8 manufacturing ERP Systems in 2024. Select a manufacturing management software solution that matches your manufacturing business size, offers scalability for growth, provides features to improve decision-making and profitability, and fits your budget.
What is Manufacturing ERP Software?
Manufacturing ERP software has a unified database that handles business processes, including accounting and finance, purchasing, supply chain, and material requirements planning (MRP) functionality, including bill of materials, master planning, and production scheduling. A manufacturing ERP system tracks raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods inventory by item.
ERP is enterprise resource planning.
The manufacturing ERP platform may integrate with customer relationship management (CRM), payroll, supply chain management and procurement, warehouse management, human resources software, project management, product lifecycle management (PLM), eCommerce, third-party add-on apps, and AP automation.
A manufacturing ERP system may be designed solely for manufacturing companies (and distributors) or part of an all-industry solution offering MRP modules and inventory management for manufacturers.
Current manufacturing ERP solutions are cloud-based with business intelligence, smart shop floor IoT sensors, and AI/machine learning features for monitoring manufacturing processes and providing alerts.
The Top Manufacturing ERP Systems
- Acumatica ERP
- NetSuite ERP
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP
- Microsoft Dynamics Business Central
- SAP Business One
- SAP ERP
- Infor SyteLine ERP
- QuickBooks Desktop Accounting Software
Acumatica ERP
Acumatica is SaaS, cloud-based software with industry-specific editions, including Manufacturing. Company-size editions include Small Business for up to 10 users, Advanced for mid-market businesses with 10 to 250 users, and Enterprise for larger companies with over 250 users. Acumatica’s business model includes ERP pricing innovation.
The Acumatica Order Management module includes requisitions, purchase orders, and sales orders that work with Inventory Management. Manufacturing features include work order management. In addition, manufacturing companies can use the Field Service module.
NetSuite ERP
NetSuite ERP is a leader in providing a SaaS, true cloud ERP system for mid-sized and larger companies in many industries. Oracle owns NetSuite. NetSuite ERP is very comprehensive, offering modular solutions for the manufacturing industry.
The NetSuite software system includes production management, supply chain, order management, warehouse management, analytics, financial planning, and accounting for business management. NetSuite OneWorld is a global solution for multi-entity, multi-currency manufacturing businesses and other industries.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is an Azure cloud, and on-premises ERP system SMBs use in all industries. Features that appeal to manufacturers include an IoT Intelligence add-on using sensors that detect production delays, equipment downtime, and product quality issues in manufacturing operations through real-time data acquisition and AI-driven business intelligence.
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Manufacturers can achieve cost savings, scale accounts payable, and reduce hiring with Tipalti finance automation software.
Microsoft Dynamics Business Central
Microsoft Dynamics Business Central is rebranding the on-premises and private cloud versions of Microsoft NAV ERP. The cloud version of Microsoft NAV ERP is Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central meets the unique needs of manufacturers with finance, consolidation, supply chain management, inventory control, and warehouse management with multi-location and serial and lot number traceability, manufacturing management and production planning, project management, service management, and business intelligence.
SAP Business One
SAP Business One is an SAP ERP solution for small and mid-sized businesses, including manufacturing companies. SAP Business One has industry-specific capabilities for Manufacturing and other functionalities for business management including financials, business intelligence, purchasing, and inventory control. SAP Business One Manufacturing can handle discrete and process manufacturing.
SAP ERP
SAP is an ERP system that handles complex business processes in the largest enterprise companies. SAP S/4 HANA, with embedded machine learning, offers some modern manufacturing industry capabilities, including MRP live, MRP cockpit, and predictive MRP for evaluating lots of data and improving inventory levels in the business. SAP ERP also provides demand-driven replenishment and prediction of vendor delivery. The SAP Manufacturing Execution System (MES) integrates with SAP ERP.
Infor SyteLine ERP
Infor SyteLine is a fully featured ERP software used by SMB manufacturers with different manufacturing styles and production processes, including discrete and process manufacturing. Infor SyteLine offers advanced planning and scheduling (APS), quality control and quality management, materials management, field service, product lifecycle management, financial management, and project management. Infor Syteline is ideally deployed as cloud software, although an on-premises version is also available.
QuickBooks Desktop Accounting Software
QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise is an established legacy accounting system on-premises with an industry-specific edition for manufacturing. Small businesses that can’t afford higher-cost ERP systems can start with either on-premises QuickBooks Desktop with optional remote hosting or choose more modern, cloud-based QuickBooks Online.
Although it’s not included in the list, AICPA-endorsed Sage Intacct is another advanced cloud system to consider. Sage Intacct accounting software is excellent for business management and integrates with partnered third-party manufacturing software for added functionality.
Conclusion – Manufacturing ERP Software
Consider updating your manufacturing ERP system with new technology to handle manufacturing operations and business processes. As a result, your manufacturing company will generate cost savings, higher profitability, and better business intelligence and decision-making that enhances revenue and ROI.
Follow the links for each of the best manufacturing ERP systems from ERP providers for 2024 to find much more valuable information about each ERP software solution and ERP integrations with AP automation software. Tipalti’s cloud-based finance and AP automation software integrates with manufacturing ERP systems for efficient AI-driven, digital transformation of end-to-end accounts payable processes to meet your business needs. Tipalti provides dashboards with metrics and AI-based analytics for spend management. Tipalti boasts 98% customer satisfaction and customer retention rates. Explore more.
