Discover the 12 best ERP systems for UK enterprises

Key takeaways: 

• ERP market leadership: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central dominates with 87.17% market share as of September 2023, followed by Microsoft Dynamics, SAP, Workday, and NetSuite. 

• Microsoft D365 recognition: Gartner has named Microsoft Dynamics 365 as a Leader in its Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP for three consecutive years, highlighting its market position. 

• Core D365 modules: The platform offers comprehensive solutions including Business Central, Finance and Operations, Supply Chain Management, Sales, and Customer Service, each serving specific business functions. 

• AI integration: Microsoft’s investment in AI capabilities, particularly through Copilot (generative AI), sets it apart in the market and enhances business intelligence capabilities. 

• Pricing structure: D365 offers flexible pricing with various entry points – Supply Chain Management and Finance at $210 per user/month, Customer Service at $50, Sales at $65, and Business Central at $70. 

• Market context: UK companies face unique challenges including regulatory compliance, economic volatility, and geopolitical uncertainty, making ERP selection crucial. 

• Competitive landscape: While Microsoft leads, other major players like SAP S/4 HANA and Oracle ERP Cloud offer strong alternatives with their own unique strengths in specific industries. 

• Modern ERP benefits: Current ERP systems are designed to streamline operations, improve data accuracy, reduce errors, and provide visibility across company silos while supporting informed decision-making.

Modern, modular ERP systems are designed to streamline operations, improve data accuracy, and optimise processes throughout the business. They make it easier for companies to manage everything from finances to inventory to operations, and all from a centralised dashboard that simplifies decision-making and provides richer access to data and insights. The right ERP can reduce errors, provide visibility into company performance across silos and systems, and help organisations compete more effectively in highly disruptive and demanding markets. 

 

In the UK, companies are currently facing unique challenges across increasingly weighty regulatory compliance, economic volatility, the impact of ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, and the need to scale and grow within ever-tightening budgets. Their technology has to work for them, giving them a competitive edge by providing scalability, improved performance, and better control over their compliance requirements. And it has to do all this while coming in at a competitive price point within an evolving ecosystem that’s future-proof and secure. 

 

In this article, we explore 12 of the best ERP systems available on the market today and unpack how they improve operational efficiency, support informed decision-making, and help you maintain digital transformation momentum. 

 

What is the most widely used ERP system? 

 

ERP systems offering rich features, scalability and strong support across multiple industries are the most popular choice for businesses. Globally, the leaders in this space are Microsoft, SAP and Oracle – these companies have gained widespread use due to their investment into ever-evolving ERP ecosystems that prioritise agility, cost optimisation, features, security, AI, support and ongoing R&D.  

 

Currently, global market share across the leading ERP systems sits firmly in Microsoft’s court. According to Statista, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central had 87.17% of the market as of September 2023, followed by Microsoft Dynamics, SAP, Workday and NetSuite. These companies are prioritising AI and cloud-based functionality within their ERP platforms and investing in tools that allow for companies to better manage local market dynamics and industry requirements.  

 

However, when selecting the right ERP for your business, you need to consider one that’s relevant to the unique UK market and can meet local requirements and trends over both the long and the short term.  

 

1. Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP 

A comprehensive, cloud-based ERP and CRM solution Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) is a solid fit for midsize to large enterprises. It’s modular approach to solutions and services makes it easy to lock into place and solve specific challenges for companies, and it is seamlessly integrated within the entire Microsoft ecosystem. Companies already invested in Microsoft 365 don’t need to worry about integration and will benefit from Microsoft’s heavy investment in AI capabilities. Scalable, flexible and adaptable to suit a variety of different industries and global operations, and brings with it the core benefits of scalability, flexibility and informed decision-making.

 

 

Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP: Key Features and Modules 

Described by Gartner as a Leader in its Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP for the third year in a row1, Microsoft offers an optimised and intelligent ERP ecosystem. Built on a modular framework, D365 includes AI, automation, analytics, supply chain management, finance, human resources, project operations, and sales within its stable of products. 

 

The core modules for Microsoft D365 include: 

• Business Central – provides business management capabilities for small to medium sized enterprises. It gives companies the tools they need to manage inventory, finance, purchasing, sales and operations within a centralised space. 

• Finance and Operations – a comprehensive finance and operational management toolkit with extensive features across planning, budgets, inventory, procurement and analytics. 

• Supply Chain Management – demand forecasting, inventory management, optimised orders, supplier management and comprehensive supply chain visibility all wrapped up in one comprehensive package.  

• Sales – gives sales teams the functionality they need to improve the quality of their leads, drive sales, manage customers and leverage insights. 

• Customer Service – offers companies improved personalisation, contact, support management and tools to optimise customer engagement and service. 

 

Microsoft’s cloud-based ERP platform includes built-in analytics, comprehensive integration of Copilot – an advanced generative AI (Gen AI) – and role-based dashboards. It complements these functionalities by offering users the ability to easily customise the modules to fit the business and to enjoy the use of AI-optimised PowerApps to develop tailored processes and applications. 

 

Microsoft Dynamics 365: Pros and Cons 

D365 has some pretty impressive pros. It offers strong integration with Microsoft products, an impressive AI in the ever-evolving Copilot, built-in analytics and business insights, visibility into the business ecosystem, and a scalable cloud architecture.  

 

The platform also offers: 

• Customisable and flexible 

• Scalable with an impressive array of applications and services easily integrated 

• Streamlined collaboration  

• Extensive security features 

 

As with any platform, D365 has its downfalls. The platform can be expensive, especially when integrating it for the first time, and it can be complicated to use and manage initially. 

The most common cons are: 

• Expensive to implement and costs can scale on usage 

• Performance can vary dependent on internet access and infrastructure 

• Everything relies on the Microsoft ecosystem  

• A steep learning curve 

 

Microsoft D365: Pricing and deployment 

The costs associated with using Microsoft D365 vary dependent on the module, level of integration and required feature sets. The cost for D365 Supply Chain Management starts at $210 per user per month2, D365 Finance starts at $2103, Customer Service at $504, Sales at $655, and Business Central at $706. 

 

Pricing models are flexible based on usage or subscription based approaches, and deployment relatively simple, even for companies wanting to leverage a hybrid approach to their ERP (both on-premises and in the cloud.) 

 

Microsoft D365: Use Cases 

D365 enhances unified commerce within retail by providing visibility across sales, inventory, and customer management and gives retailers the tools they need to provide a consistent omnichannel experience. In manufacturing, the cloud-based ERP platform optimises production planning and quality management and enhances efficiencies while minimising waste. 

 

In financial services, D365 offers exceptional compliance and risk management tools while improving customer service and engagement. The platform’s cloud-based architecture and AI capabilities benefit SMEs across multiple sectors, and its advanced enterprise-level toolkits streamline operations and processes while giving business leaders the insights they need to make data-driven decision-making. 

 

2. SAP S/4 HANA 

Offering an advanced, in-memory ERP suite for the larger enterprise, SAP S/4 HANA provides companies with real-time data processing and analytics capabilities. Its features make it easier for companies to make faster, more informed decisions and it fits neatly into multiple industries and sectors. 

 

SAP S/4 HANA really shines when it comes to management across finances, supply chains and manufacturing. This makes it a good fit for multi-national companies that struggle with complex operations and need a more sophisticated business process management solution. 

 

It integrates smoothly with other products within the SAP ecosystem and helps drive digital transformation initiatives across larger organisations.  

 

SAP S/4 HANA: Key Features and Modules 

The SAP S/4 HANA platform also leverages the modular approach. It provides key modules that include customer relationship management, supply chain management, relationship management, and product life cycle management. 

 

Some of the core modules include: 

• Finance – offers financial and accounting solutions that include a wide variety of financial operations. 

• Universal Journal – integrates data from finance, management and accounting into one in-memory database for real-time financial reporting. 

• Sales and Distribution – enhances every aspect of sales and distribution across orders, packing, shipping, billing and customer service. 

• Materials management – planning, inventory, vendor management and invoicing are all included in this comprehensive toolkit. 

• Production planning – supports the optimisation of resources and production operations. 

 

The SAP S/4 HANA ERP ecosystem is designed to provide companies with faster time to value, robust security, and proven resilience within an architecture that’s customisable and built on a foundation of best practices and innovation. Its real-time analytics capabilities give companies improved access to insights that enhance decision-making – the HANA in-memory database turns insights into real-time visibility that’s hard to beat when it comes to planning and business visibility. 

 

Pros and Cons of SAP S/4 HANA 

When evaluating SAP S/4 HANA, it’s important to balance its pros and cons to ensure the system is the right fit for your business. 

 

Pros: 

• Real-time insights built on in-memory architecture. 

• A good fit for large enterprises with global roots. 

• Exceptional scalability and integration within the SAP ecosystem.  

• Large network of resellers with impressive business intelligence tools.

Cons: 

• Complex to set up and integrate and requires specialist knowledge. 

• It can get expensive, and sometimes pricing is not as transparent as it should be. 

• Still finding its feet in the ERP sector so support can be challenging.

 

While SAP S/4 HANA brings innovative ERP capabilities to the modern enterprise, it is a weighty beast to implement and integrate.  

 

SAP S/4 HANA ERP Pricing and Deployment 

SAP S/4 HANA is priced on per capacity units per year and each capacity unit is defined by SAP as a ‘ratio of services consumed via the Cloud Service’. The minimum number of capacity units is 100 at a cost of £7.56 for its cloud offering. You can opt into private or public cloud as your deployment model and this will also affect your pricing.  

 

Finding the price fit for your business means relying on a service provider with SAP S/4 HANA expertise who can assist you in determining what you need and then working out the costs. You will need a thorough cost-benefit analysis to establish the right cost, fit and investment. 

 

SAP S/4 HANA ERP Use Cases 

SAP S/4 HANA is used across a variety of industries but really shines in finance, manufacturing, energy and utilities. In manufacturing its real-time production planning and supply chain optimisation is invaluable and its in-memory computing enables instant analysis of vast quantities of data. 

 

In finance, the ERP platform streamlines global financial reporting and compliance management. Its unified data model provides a single source of truth for financial information across multiple countries and currencies and enables real-time financial close processes and automated regulatory reporting. 

 

For energy and utilities companies, the ERP software significantly enhances asset management and operational efficiency features. The advanced analytics help companies optimise asset performance, predict maintenance requirements and manage operations effectively.  

 

SAP S/4 HANA is versatile and agile and provides a wealth of features to the modern enterprise. 

 

3. Oracle ERP Cloud 

Oracle ERP Cloud offers a cloud-based ERP platform designed to help larger enterprises manage their complex requirements. It offers financial management, procurement, and project management capabilities and is designed to help companies gain richer control over their operations and processes.  

 

One of the exceptional features of Oracle ERP Cloud is its scalability. It is one of the leaders in providing a cloud-based solution that’s both agile and accessible, providing a more agile toolkit than what most traditional on-premises ERP platforms can.  

 

Oracle ERP Cloud is also dialling up the heat when it comes to AI. The cloud-based ERP platform includes integration with a high-end AI and adds value across automation, predictive analytics and enhanced data-driven decision-making.  

 

Oracle ERP Cloud: Key Features and Modules 

Oracle ERP Cloud provides enterprises with a variety of ERP modules designed to streamline business processes. 

 

Some of the core modules include: 

• Financial Management – offering deep insight into your financial environment and providing a variety of tools that allow for revenue management and accounting. 

• Project Management – gives you tools to stay on top of projects, manage capacity, scale resources and better manage talent. 

• Procurement – combining analytics and collaboration tools, this technology helps align suppliers and costs more effectively. 

• Risk Management and Compliance – using Oracle’s advanced AI and machine learning tools, you can better manage audits and reduce risks.  

 

The suite of tools on offer from Oracle ERP Cloud are flexible, scalable and adaptable which make them easy to integrate within the business and customise approaches more effectively.. 

 

Pros and Cons of Oracle ERP Cloud  

When evaluating Oracle ERP Cloud, you need visibility into all of its strengths and weaknesses so you can make an informed business decision. 

Pros: 

• Impressive AI and machine learning capabilities that are well integrated. 

• Robust security that aligns with compliance and regulatory expectations. 

• A comprehensive, modular cloud architecture with impressive capabilities. 

Cons: 

• A steep learning curve that requires change management and training. 

• It can get expensive, especially for large-scale implementations. 

• Customisation is challenging and complex. 

 

The Oracle ERP Cloud platform is powerful, scalable and smart, giving companies smooth access to AI and ML capabilities. It’s challenging to implement, but can offer long-term value if used within the right industries. 

 

Oracle ERP Cloud: Pricing and Deployment 

The pricing structure for Oracle ERP Cloud is flexible and those who invest in Universal Credits with Oracle can benefit from even more discounts. If you want to take advantage of Oracle’s cloud-based ERP software, you should probably get a customised quote structured around your specific requirements and user numbers.  

 

You can take both a hybrid and cloud-based approach to your ERP implementation which allows for companies with existing ERP infrastructure, or rigorous regulatory needs, to balance their deployment needs effectively.  

 

Oracle ERP Cloud: Use Cases 

Oracle ERP cloud is a solid win for the financial sector as it supports risk management, compliance and streamlined financial reporting. It helps companies within this sector better navigate the complexities of the regulatory landscape with relative ease. 

 

Manufacturing companies benefit from this ERP software through optimised procurement processes, supply chain visibility and project-based operations. Companies enjoy real-time inventory tracking, demand forecasting and great visibility. 

 

In the public sector, Oracle ERP Cloud helps with the management of intensely complex budgets, financial operations and diverse government accounting standards. 

 

The platform is adaptable and has numerous value-added benefits to suit companies within these niche industries and sectors. 

 

4. Infor CloudSuite ERP 

Infor CloudSuite is an ERP solution designed to support industry verticals with their specific requirements by providing a cloud-based system built on a foundation of powerful analytics and functionality. The platform is optimised for the manufacturing, chemical, distribution, fashion, equipment, industrial, and food and beverage industries.  

 

The platform incorporates tools and functionalities designed to provide seamless integration and real-time insights to companies within these sectors. For example, it is usable across any device which allows for immediate visibility and control on the move, and it has multi-country, multi-currency and multi-language support across more than 50 countries and 25 languages. 

 

Mobile, cloud-based, agile and feature-rich Infosys CloudSuite ERP is a solid investment for organisations within these sectors looking to modernise their operations. 

 

Infor CloudSuite ERP: Key Features and Modules 

As the Infor CloudSuite ERP platform services niche sectors, it’s modules and capabilities are fine-tuned to suit these sectors. For example, the manufacturing ERP solution includes AI-powered, industry specific functionality for this particular industry, while the industrial ERP platform has its own curated capabilities.  

 

Some of the core features and modules include: 

• Industry-specific functions that recognise the nuances of specific sectors. 

• Financials, Supply Chain Management and Human Capital management modules that are designed to streamline specific functions. 

• Advanced analytics and business intelligence tools designed to enhance industry-specific decision-making and strategy. 

• Generative AI (GenAI) tools were launched in 2024 to improve productivity and efficiencies. 

 

Pros and Cons of Infor CloudSuite ERP 

When evaluating Infor CloudSuite ERP, it’s important to weigh its strengths and potential drawbacks to make an informed decision. 

Pros: 

• Industry specific solutions with superb mobility and cloud capabilities 

• User-friendly interface with GenAI enhanced capabilities 

• Customisable to suit specific industry and business requirements.

Cons: 

• Customisations can be expensive. 

• Implementation is potentially complex and time-consuming. 

• Industry-specific means that the systems are highly specialised and this can impact non-standard business processes.

Overall, Infor CloudSuite ERP is a sustainable and capable ERP software solution that provides specialised, industry-relevant capabilities to companies across healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and industrial sectors. 

 

Infor CloudSuite ERP Pricing and Deployment 

Infor CloudSuite ERP doesn’t have an easily accessible pricing structure available on its website. This is primarily due to the fact that the enterprise resource planning software is priced according to industry, business size and requirements. The company promises competitive pricing and flexibility thanks to its subscription-based models but accurate costs require time spent with the company to assess the business. 

 

Infor CloudSuite ERP is deployed either on-premises or in the cloud but does support hybrid integrations if required. Like the cost, the type of deployment is dependent on the organisation. To ensure you get the best value for money from this ERP system, you would need to undertake a careful evaluation of costs throughout the ecosystem to assess total cost of ownership (TCO). This is particularly relevant for companies that require extensive customisation. 

 

Infor CloudSuite ERP Use Cases 

This enterprise resource planning solution has numerous use cases dependent on sector and requirements. In manufacturing, for example, the ERP software streamlines and optimises end-to-end supply chain management and product development. In the fashion and apparel sector, it allows for organisations to respond to changing trends and sustainability requirements at speed. 

 

In the healthcare sector, Infor CloudSuite ERP can be used to simplify patient interactions, improve financial operations and access real-time data for transformative healthcare innovation and patient care. In the food, beverage and hospitality sectors, the ERP system simplifies operations, product lifecycle management and asset management, reducing waste and increasing supply chain transparencies. 

 

5. Sage X3 ERP 

Sage X3 offers organisations with a richly layered, flexible ERP architecture that supports the needs of midsize to large enterprises. With a focus on manufacturing, distribution and process industries, the platform helps companies refine their supply chains, improve sales and increase flexibility.  

 

The ERP software includes a comprehensive suite of functionalities across reporting and analytics, financial management, supply chain optimisation and plenty of customisation capabilities. Sage X3 has a user-friendly interface with a low barrier to entry, making it easy to integrate and scale throughout the business. It is scalable and capable, helping companies streamline processes and improve their efficiencies for more effective growth. 

 

Sage X3 Key Features and Modules 

Sage X3 has a variety of core modules and capabilities designed to support global and growing organisations. The core features and modules include: 

 

• Production management – optimises quality control and project management. 

• Supply chain management – real-time inventory management and customer service capabilities. 

• Financial management – ensuring compliance, budgeting and financial reporting. 

• Global management – multi-currency and multi-language tools to support international transactions and compliance with global regulations. 

 

Sage X3 is highly customisable so it allows for companies to tailor their workflows so they can respond to specific business and industry needs. 

 

Pros and Cons of Sage X3 

Sage X3 is a solid and reliable ERP solution but it is important to evaluate its capabilities across both its pros and its cons. 

Pros: 

• Excellent business intelligence tools with real-time data and reporting. 

• Flexible, scalable and agile with impressive integration and automation tools. 

• User-friendly interface that’s navigable with easily understood dashboards.  

Cons: 

• Customisation can be complex and time-consuming with configuration challenges cited as the biggest downside. 

• Limited global presence compared with some competitors. 

• Customisation can require specialised expertise. 

While Sage X3 brings an impressive list of features to the table, it can be challenging to customise and manage thanks to is proprietary 4GL language. It is ideal for companies wanting an ERP software that’s customisable, scalable and flexible and has a low barrier to entry for its users to ensure optimum uptake. 

 

Sage X3 Pricing and Deployment 

Like most ERP solutions on the market today, the cost of Sage X3 is dependent on your industry, organisation size and requirements. It typically requires customised quotes as you want an ERP solution designed to suit your specific needs, but it offers a subscription-based licensing model that lets you choose your deployment options based on your budget. The costs are broken down across full users, transactional users and operational users – so you can pay based on usage – on top of the cost of the system itself. 

 

The Sage X3 ERP can be deployed on premises, within a private cloud but in a Sage-certified partner ecosystem, or on the public cloud.  

 

Sage X3 Use Cases 

Sage X3 has an impressive list of use cases across chemicals, services, discrete manufacturing, distribution, food and beverage, and process manufacturing. In the discrete manufacturing environment the ERP software can help companies to reduce their lead times, improve product development and quality, and optimise inventory control. 

 

The platform supports all sectors with tools designed to optimise supply chain operations and improve order fulfilment, and to enhance operational efficiencies across processes and workflows. The Sage X3 ERP is effective and reliable with a solid track record and an evolving feature set that can be customised to fit the business, and it comes with an impressive suite of regulatory compliance tools that are invaluable to the business.  

 

6. NetSuite ERP 

The NetSuite ERP platform is a cloud-based enterprise resource planning software solution with a tools and features optimised to support growing enterprises. The ERP platform includes a wide array of business management applications enhanced by automation and real-time insights. 

 

NetSuite ERP excels at financial management, customer relationship management (CRM), ecommerce, and inventory management which makes it a versatile choice for companies across different sectors and industries.  

 

Scalable, flexible and customisable, the ERP solution is designed to improve decision-making while simplifying business soperations.  

 

NetSuite ERP: Key Features and Modules 

NetSuite ERP comes with a variety of modules and feature-sets that can be customised to suit a growing organisation. These core modules and features include: 

 

• Financial management modules – these include Advanced Financials, SuiteBilling, Revenue Management, Planning & Budgeting, Multi-Book Accounting and NetSuite OneWorld. 

• CRM modules – these include Contract Renewals, Incentive Compensation and NetSutie CPQ for sales teams. 

• Ecommerce modules – these include SuiteCommerce, SuiteCommerce Advanced, SuiteCommerce InStore, and NetSuite Connector. 

• Additional modules – Human Resources, Inventory and Order Management, Professional Services Automation, and Supply Chain. 

 

The platform comes with real-time dashboards and reporting tools and customisation capabilities enhanced by SuiteScript and SuiteFlow. 

 

Pros and Cons of NetSuite ERP 

When evaluating NetSuite’s ERP platform, it’s important to weigh its strengths and potential drawbacks to make an informed decision. 

Pros: 

• Strong cloud capabilities alongside a user-friendly interface make it accessible, mobile and agile. 

• Scalable and customisable, making it a good fit for growing organisations. 

• Automation and business intelligence tools for real-time business visibility.  

Cons: 

• An expensive investment for the smaller enterprise. 

• Complex to manage and integrate customisations. 

• Add-on costs can mount up. 

 

NetSuite’s ERP is suitable for growing enterprises wanting a cloud-based ERP solution that’s feature-rich, customisable and capable of evolving alongside their needs. 

 

NetSuite ERP Pricing and Deployment 

NetSuite ERP operates on a subscription basis and a cost-per-module basis. The annual license fee includes the core platform, any additional modules you purchase and how many users are on the ERP platform. The company charges an implementation fee and allows you to expand or contract your investment dependent on your requirements. 

 

NetSuite is primarily cloud-based which allows the company to provide companies with a fully-managed, subscription-based model at a solid price point. This focus on cloud makes pricing and investments more flexible which can be advantageous for companies wanting to start out small.  

 

NetSuite ERP Use Cases 

NetSuite ERP has impressive applications across multiple industries and use cases. The accounting software can be used across all types of organisations to reimage cashflow management and reporting, while the financial management tools improve performance, compliance and visibility. 

 

The NetSuite OneWorld global business management tool optimises the business for global expansion and engagement, while the inventory and customer relationship management tools deliver comprehensive visibility into engagement and service delivery. 

 

 

7. Acumatica 

Acumatica is a cloud-based ERP solution that suits smaller organisations wanting to optimise their operations and systems but without the hefty enterprise-level price tag. The platform prioritises flexibility and ease of use and can be customised towards simplicity – helping companies to simplify their systems for easier use and automation. 

 

The company offers role-based views into the data, has mobile capabilities and offers a modular architecture so companies can customise the platform to fit their budgets and strategic growth. It is also an agile enough ERP solution to fit within multiple industries from manufacturing to services.  

 

Acumatica Key Features and Modules 

Acumatica focuses on modular services designed to fit what a company needs as it grows. The core modules and features include: 

 

• Financial management, Point of Sale (PoS), inventory management, inventory optimisation, project accounting, reporting, dashboards and business intelligence modiles. 

• Manufacturing management, field service software, service management software, order picking and order management tools, and warehouse management systems. 

• Payroll, CRM, production management and automated invoice processing. 

 

Acumatica has an open architecture that allows for easy integration across other services and solutions through APIs. The advanced reporting, role-based dashboards and industry-specific modules provide companies with quick and relevant solutions on demand.  

 

Pros and Cons of Acumatica 

Every ERP software comes with its own fair share of pros and cons and you need to know what these are so you can ensure the one you choose is the right fit for your business. 

Pros: 

• Extensive customisation and scalability within a cloud-based platform that’s easy to deploy and integrate. 

• Comprehensive features and modules suited to growing organisations. 

• Multi-company management that allows you to use multiple companies with one instance.

Cons: 

• It can become expensive for smaller companies as the initial upfront investment is high. 

• Limited advanced features compared to larger ERP systems. 

• New to the market and has some potential integration challenges. 

 

Acumatica is a good fit for the small to medium sized enterprise wanting the functionality and scale of an advanced ERP platform without the heavy price tag. 

 

Acumatica Pricing and Deployment 

Acumatica can be deployed on a SaaS model which means you don’t pay for hardware or operating system updates and costs. It allows for companies to quickly implement and integrate an ERP solution within the business without high upfront costs. You can also opt into a private cloud deployment where you can host the ERP on your own system or with a hosting partner. 

 

Automatica’s ERP is also unique in its pricing structure in that it allows you unlimited users as you pay for the functionality, not the seats. You pay for the umber of applications you use and your consumption. The flexible licensing options and subscription-based fee structure also make it flexible enough to mange costs while benefitting from a range of agile services.  

 

Acumatica Use Cases 

Acumatica is designed to be as agile and mobile as possible making it a good fit for most industries, but it has specialised tools for the manufacturing, construction and professional services sectors. In manufacturing, the combination of the company’s ERP and CRM systems allows for optimised production, inventory and supply chain management; while in retail it offers enhancements across PoS, automation and in-store experiences. 

 

The company has effective tools designed to support professional services in project management, time tracking and invoicing.  

 

8. Epicor ERP 

The Epicor ERP is designed to provide the manufacturing, distribution, retail and service industries with a flexible, industry-relevant ERP solution. Customisable and end-to-end, this ERP software is designed to enhance company performance within these sectors by providing access to data, productivity and financial tools. 

 

This ERP software focuses on providing deep functionality to industry verticals and the tools incorporated within its modules are tailored to meet the needs of each sector. It can be deployed to suit the business as it offers both cloud and on-premises options and can be customised to suit different infrastructure needs. 

 

 

Epicor ERP Key Features and Modules 

Epicor comes with a variety of different modules alongside additional features such as advanced analytics, IoT integration and built-in compliance management tools. The Epicor Configurator is a huge selling point as it allows companies to tailor their workflows and reports to suit their specific needs. 

 

The core features and modules include: 

• Financial Management – this module comes with resource management, analytics, payment processing, pricing optimisation and invoicing tools. 

• Inventory management – organise and categorise your inventory while gaining richer control over warehouse and product management. 

• Supply Chain Planning – you can better manage your stock, inventory and customer demands while enhancing supply chain relationships. 

 

 

Pros and Cons of Epicor ERP 

When evaluating Epicor ERP, it’s important to weigh its strengths and potential drawbacks to make an informed decision. 

Pros: 

• Industry-specific solutions that make the modules highly targeted and relevant. 

• Flexible deployment options with strong mobility and agility capabilities. 

• Enhanced data visibility for improved decision-making. 

Cons: 

• The interface isn’t as modernised and slick as many competitors. 

• Steep learning curve that can initially inhibit uptake and value. 

• Expensive to customise and implement, especially for smaller companies. 

 

Epicor is very much aligned with the needs of enterprises in manufacturing, distribution and related industries. It allows for companies within these sectors to customise and adapt the ERP to their unique needs.  

 

Epicor ERP Pricing and Deployment 

Like most ERP software solutions on the market today, Epicor ERP’s costs will depend on your industry, deployment expectations and business size. The company’s pricing will depend on your deployment choices, module requirements and sector. 

 

The company uses an implementation methodology used Epicor Signature Methodology to guide you through the process of integrating your ERP system. It provides you with specialised insight into whether your business would benefit from cloud, on-premises or hybrid ERP setups.  

 

Epicor ERP Use Cases 

Epicor offers a customisable and end-to-end solution for companies in niche sectors. In manufacturing it supports scaling an organisation into multiple countries, helps with efficient supply chain management, and offers insights through real-time data and reporting. It improves workflows and collaboration through a variety of employee and HR tools, and it streamlines project and financial management.  

 

The ERP platform is effective within the retail sector for PoS and inventory management, enhancing customer engagement and improving visibility into operations and stock. It is also ideally suited to distribution as it offers insights into inventory, order processing and logistics.  

 

 

9. IFS ERP 

The IFS Cloud ERP solution is designed to provide companies with a composable system with the ability to add on extra functionalities as required. It is customised for asset-intensive industries which include the aerospace, defence, energy. Construction, engineering, service, manufacturing and utility sectors.  

 

The ERP software places a strong focus on enterprise asset management (EAM), field service management (FSM) and project management with a modular approach that allows companies to deploy the components they need within a scalable and flexible framework. 

 

IFS ERP: Key Features and Modules 

The IFS ERP software solution comes with a variety of benefits that include advanced analytics, mobile capabilities, and integration with the Internet of Things (IoT). It is designed to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency and can integrate with other enterprise systems to ensure companies create a unified platform for end-to-end business management. 

 

The core features and modules include: 

• EAM, project management, supply chain management and FSM features, modules and solutions designed to help organisations manage complex operations. 

• Finance and CRM modules designed to enhance both customer and financial management.  

• Human Capital Management and Procurement modules for comprehensive management of systems, suppliers and employees. 

 

Pros and Cons of IFS ERP 

When choosing an ERP solution that best fits your business needs, you need insight into its pros and cons before you decide. 

Pros: 

• Impressive industry specialisation capabilities. 

• Robust asset management and field service solutions within a flexible mobile architecture. 

• A clean and accessible user interface alongside excellent analytics tools. 

Cons: 

• Steep learning curve which may slow overall system uptake. 

• Complexity with customisation as it requires specialist knowledge and it comes with a high cost. 

• Complex implementation due to specialised knowledge. 

 

IFS ERP is suitable for enterprises in asset-intensive industries which want a solution capable of really supporting them across multiple touchpoints including EAM and FSM. 

 

IFS ERP Pricing and Deployment 

You can deploy the IFS ERP using the SaaS model within the cloud or as a remote, packaged application deployment which is hosted on-site within your business. However, with the latter option, the configuration of your solution is hosted within the IFS cloud. The solution can be deployed on a virtual machine or a cluster and can support thousands of concurrent users. 

 

The cost of integrating the system depends on your choice of tier, server, client, database, size and modules and requires a customised quote. 

 

IFS ERP Use Cases 

The IFS ERP can be used within the aerospace and defence industries across core areas that include manufacturing, MRO providers, airlines and air operators, defence contractors and defence forces. It helps companies within these environments better manage projects, assets and compliance requirements.  

 

In the energy and utilities sector, IFS ERP helps optimise asset performance, field service operations and adhere to regulatory compliance standards, and it helps to enhance the effectiveness of manufacturing environments.  

 

10. Odoo ERP 

The Odoo ERP is designed as a flexible, open-source ERP solution suitable for companies of all sizes. The ERP software offers a wide range of applications designed to help companies tackle numerous business functions. Its modular approach allows companies to approach their ERP implementation at a pace that best suits their budgets and requirements – they can start with a basic setup and then add modules as they need.  

 

This approach makes the Odoo ERP highly adaptable to different business needs and very affordable. It is also a popular choice because it has robust community support. 

 

Odoo ERP Key Features and Modules 

Odoo ERP includes core modules alongside additional features that include Website Builder, E-Commerce, Marketing Automation and more – all expanding the ERP platform’s capabilities beyond traditional business management. The extensive nature of the Odoo modular system makes it incredibly flexible and customisable, suiting companies that want to explore new features as their budgets and markets grow. 

 

The core features and benefits of the Odoo ERP include: 

• Apps that enhance Accounting, CRM, POS, Timesheets, Projects, HR, Manufacturing, Sales and Social Marketing, among many others.  

• Sales, CRM, Inventory and Accounting core modules designed to help companies of all sizes manage essential business processes more effectively.  

• The apps and modules within the Odoo ecosystem currently sit in the thousands. 

 

Pros and Cons of Odoo ERP 

The Odoo ERP system has thousands of apps and modules but it isn’t without its disadvantages. 

Pros: 

• Flexible, customisable and cost-effective with an impressive range of modules and apps. 

• Accessible and easily integrated. 

• One platform built on an open source development model which reduces silos and improves support.

Cons: 

• One app only with the free plan. 

• Limited functionality out of the box which means you do need to invest in the apps. 

• Limited support and customisations can get complicated. 

 

Despite some complexity in integration, Odoo is a good fit for smaller to midsize companies wanting an ERP solution that’s both affordable and effective.  

 

Odoo ERP Pricing and Deployment 

Odoo can be hosted across the Odoo Online, Odoo,.sh dedicated cloud, or the on-premises option which means you can choose whether you want to move completely into the cloud, remain completely on premises or create a hybrid of the two. Support is available, and may be required as plans become more complex with increased customisation. 

 

The pricing model is also unique with a free version of the ERP available to smaller companies that provides a variety of basic features, including one free app. The costs then increase from there to $13.50 per user per month for the Standard Plan and $20.40 for the Custom plan. 

 

Odoo ERP Use Cases 

As an open source platform that offers immense customisation through thousands of apps and modules, Odoo is relevant to companies in most sectors. It has proven capabilities in retail, supporting sales and inventory management while bolstering ecommerce operations. In the small manufacturing sector, it offers product planning, inventory management and order processing functionality, while in the services, hospitality, health and fitness and construction sectors it brings project management, financial management and CRM functionality to the fore.  

 

11. Syspro ERP 

The Syspro ERP is one of the oldest on the market and it prioritises the manufacturing and distribution sectors. It’s comprehensive range of tools are designed to manage complex industry-specific processes and it has a strong focus on end-to-end supply chain visibility and control. 

 

Syspro is customised, smart and agile, giving enterprises rich control over their preferred deployment choices and offering detailed management modules that support the unique needs of the manufacturing and distribution sectors.  

 

Syspro ERP Key Features and Modules 

Syspro’s ERP is very much focused on giving industries the perfect tools for their complex operations. The core benefits and modules of the ERP include: 

• Inventory Management, Production Planning and Financial Management modules which ensure organisations have the tools they need to streamline manufacturing and distribution operations. 

• Additional features such as Advanced Warehousing, Lot Traceability and Material Requirements Planning (MRP) which enhance operational efficiency and compliance. 

• Robust security to ensure your data and systems are protected. 

• Tools for managing complex supply chains, ensuring quality control and optimising multi-site operations. 

 

Pros and Cons of the Syspro ERP 

When evaluating the Syspro ERP, it’s important to weigh its strengths and potential drawbacks to make an informed decision. 

Pros: 

• Industry-specific ERP solutions that deliver deep functionality. 

• Advanced inventory management and a scalable modular system that’s easy to use. 

• Strong focus on manufacturing and distribution. 

• Flexible deployment options. 

Cons: 

• Can be complicated to integrate and configure. 

• It may need to be customised to suit your specific niche or requirements. 

• Advanced features are expensive. 

 

Syspro is suitable for manufacturing and distribution companies wanting a specialised ERP software that meets their needs across key sector-specific touchpoints such as supply chain and production management.   

 

Syspro ERP Pricing and Deployment 

The Syspro ERP platform can be implemented in the cloud, on-premises or as a hybrid solution – your choice. Choosing the right deployment method comes down to your sector, pricing and strategy. The cost of the ERP is also dependent on these factors as you will need a custom quote that takes the size of your business and the modules you need into account. 

 

The platform cost starts at around $199 per user with installation starting at $12,000, depending on modules and installer.   

 

Syspro ERP Use Cases 

The Syspro ERP platform prioritises the simplification of core processes for the manufacturing and distribution sectors. It offers cost control, business process management, productivity enhancement, and real-time data insights to companies that want an ERP designed to help them scale, grow and optimise their operations. 

 

It is effective in optimising warehouse operations, order processing and supply chain management, and has proven capabilities in the food and beverage industries.  

 

12. Workday ERP 

Workday is a leading cloud-based ERP solution that specialises in human capital management (HCM) and financial management for large enterprises in various industries. The system is designed to prioritise people – it is fast, agile and smart and recognises the importance of streamlining people management to get results.  

 

The ERP software provides companies with advanced tools for managing payroll, HR, talent and finance and is a strong fit for organisations that prioritise employee experiences and robust financial planning. It is also easy to integrate with other enterprise systems and undergoes continuous innovation through regular updates and AI-driven insights.  

 

Workday ERP Key Features and Modules 

A good fit for organisations of all sizes – Workday includes solutions for small and midsize businesses as well as enterprises – the Workday ERP offers companies real-time analytics and reporting capabilities alongside these core features and modules: 

 

• HCM, financial management and payroll modules that optimise workforce and financial management. 

• Workforce planning, talent management and spend management modules that enhance human resource management and financial strategy. 

• Data-driven decision-making and proactive management enhanced by data and analytics. 

 

 

Pros and Cons of Workday ERP 

When evaluating the Workday ERP, it’s important to weigh its strengths and potential drawbacks to make an informed decision. 

Pros: 

• Easy to use with a user interface that has a low barrier to entry. 

• Customisable and capable of being adapted to different sized organisations and budgets. 

• Superb customer support. 

Cons: 

• The pricing can be challenging to understand. 

• Complex to manage at first especially with integrations. 

 

Workday is a rising star in the ERP world thanks to its agility, simplicity and focus on the human factor when it comes to business success.  

 

Workday ERP Pricing and Deployment 

The Workday pricing model is less than opaque and is often considered confusing – highlighted as a con in most reviews of the platform. Ultimately, you will need to get a quote that includes your users, modules and features as this is the best way to determine the final costs. 

Workday’s primary deployment option is cloud-based, but this comes with regular updates and seamless scalability.  

 

Workday ERP Use Cases 

Workday has superb capabilities within large enterprises when it comes to managing global HR processes, payroll and employee development. In the financial sector, it helps optimise financial planning, budgeting and expense management, while in the education and healthcare sectors it adds value across workforce planning, talent acquisition and compliance.  

 

Final Thoughts on Best ERP Systems For Enterprises in the United Kingdom 

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, selecting Microsoft Dynamics 365 as your ERP solution offers more than just operational efficiency—it provides a strategic advantage through seamless integration with Microsoft’s comprehensive cloud ecosystem. By partnering with an experienced Microsoft Cloud provider, businesses ensure their ERP implementation is optimised for their unique needs, maximising both efficiency and return on investment. As the foundation of your digital strategy, Dynamics 365’s continuous updates and advanced AI capabilities future-proof your operations, keeping you ahead in the UK’s competitive market. 

 

Ready to transform your business operations with Microsoft Dynamics 365? Contact our team of certified Microsoft experts today to begin your digital transformation journey.