With so many options, picking one chance out of countless others can get confusing and frustrating. So today, I am here to help you narrow down ERP for small businesses and recommend some of our top picks. Let's begin!
What is an ERP?
ERP, or Enterprise Resource Planning, is a platform that allows you to control aspects of your business in an automated system. They can handle manufacturing and production, purchases, inventory management, sales and distribution, finances, and accounting which would otherwise need to be done manually.
Why Use ERPs?
Smaller businesses that are expanding rapidly often make it difficult for their managers to keep track of all that is happening in their company. But by using ERP, the owners and managers of that company can monitor everything that is going on within the company, including the administrative and operational functions, human resources, sourcing, production, storage and distribution, marketing and sales customer support, and more.
ERPs can:
- Improve the efficiency
- Increase communication
- Reduce unnecessary costs
- Reduces operational expenses
- Mistake-free finances
- Increase manufacturing and production
How We Came Up With Our List?
We made our list based on the following criteria:
- User ratings
- User satisfaction
- Functionality
- Ability to integrate
- Ease of use
- Support availability
- Honest user feedbacks
Here are some of the best ERPs of 2022:
1. Acumatica
Acumatica is a cloud-based ERP that allows you to manage your business with industry-focused, smart, and automated functions.
Acumatica offers to:
- Increase efficiency
- Adjust resources and users
- Synchronize workflow
- Integration with existing tools
- Access and control remotely
- Platform customization
- Statements and Reporting
The Acumatica Cloud ERP system is the most effective management tool for digitally robust organizations. Designed for use in mobile & remote working environments, as well as offering simple integration with the existing tools of your choosing. Growing businesses in the small and mid-market segments can benefit from the versatility, effectiveness, and operation continuity provided by Acumatica.
This platform provides complete solutions in an up-to-date and user-friendly interface and integrates various business applications. Because it is centralized, its accounting system provides users with a single view of financial reporting, vendor payments, and client invoicing throughout all associated organizations, which can be accessed from a single platform.
Why we chose it?
- It is cloud-based
- Works on mobile devices and PCs
- Customer management
- Time management
- Automated sales
- Future-proof
- Customizable
- Streamlined
- Supports all business types
- Award-winning
Things to consider:
- No trial options
- Quote-based and somewhat expensive.
2. Brightpearl
Brightpearl claims to be the only system you need to run and automate your entire business seamlessly and efficiently.
Brightpearl offers to:
- Inventory management
- Employee management
- CRM
- Cataloging
- Detailed reports and invoices
- Analytics and stats
- Order management
Brightpearl is a comprehensive Retail Operating System designed to scale with rapidly expanding e-commerce firms. It is used by businesses, retailers, and distributors in the retail industry. Their technology allows you to adapt quickly to demand shifts with Plug & Play connectivity, provides streamlined inventory management, and helps you save countless hours each year through intelligent, automated processes.
After a customer clicks the "purchase" button, Brightpearl handles everything that comes after it, including order administration, finance, warehousing, order fulfillment, reimbursements, and more.
Why we chose it?
- It is cloud-based
- Live support
- Flexible infrastructure
- Transparent pricing
- It offers tailored features
- Scalable
- Good reviews
Things to consider:
- Weak reporting system
- Outdated UI
3. Dolibarr
Dolibarr is one of the best solutions for business as it is an open-source ERP.
Dolibarr offers :
- Communication management
- CRM
- CMS
- SaaS
- Inventory Management
- Project Management
- Invoicing
- Reporting and billing
Dolibarr can accommodate any requirement you have for the management of your company, including but not limited to retail, consumer engagement, customer service, finance, inventory tracking, and more. Dolibarr is prepared to be integrated from the get-go, making it possible for you to carry out all your essential business duties smoothly without needing customization.
The fact that Dolibarr does not cost anything to use is maybe the most important advantage it offers. You can make significant expense reductions while simultaneously appreciating the enormous and unparalleled value that Dolibarr brings to your company. Dolibarr will never significantly strain your financial resources, so you won't need to worry about that.
Why we chose it?
- It is open source
- Free
- Cloud-based
- Support over multiple platforms
- It is flexible
- It offers complete traceability
Things to consider:
- Weak reporting system
- Outdated UI
4. Kinetic Software
Kinetic was previously known as Epicor ERP. It allows users to connect multiple and diverse workflows into a cohesive unit.
Kinetic offers:
- Access to Business inside and analytics
- Client Management
- Warehouse management
- Project management
- Customization
- Modular platform
Out of the box, Kinetic can support a wide range of technical and functional requirements. The essential modules consist of project bookkeeping, project agreements, big data, data transfer, cash flows, and more. Because of its connectivity features, communication and interpersonal error issues can be avoided, and procedures can be automated.
It is deployed from the cloud, allowing employees to take advantage of all its features regardless of where they are physically located. It has sophisticated reporting and analysis features that enable users to generate insights that can be developed and implemented to enhance day-to-day tasks with real-time data.
Why we chose it?
- Intuitive UI
- Tailored and customized
- Great reviews
- Works on multiple platforms
- Works best for small and large businesses\
Things to consider:
- Slow performance
- No CRM
- Somewhat limited functionality
- Bland UI
- Poor support
5. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Microsoft Dynamics Business Central allows you to conduct all your business operations in one place conveniently.
Microsoft Dynamics Business Central offers:
- CRM
- Business management
- Warehouse management
- Supply chain management
- Inventory management
- Customer insight
- Integration with Outlook
- API support
- Integration with Microsoft's Assistant Cortana
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a comprehensive business management solution that helps small and mid-sized businesses connect their finances, purchases, facility, and functional departments. The solution is offered by Microsoft and is called Dynamics 365 Business Central. Streamline rollout and consumption with step-by-step onboarding advice, contextual intelligence that recommends the next-best action, and interoperability with apps already familiar with Microsoft 365.
Move confidently to the cloud to optimize digitized business operations and access the insights required to adapt more quickly, operate smarter, and perform better. Be ready for whatever lies ahead by arming yourself using Business Central to take advantage of the boundless opportunities that arise with each passing day and minute.
Why we chose it?
- Works on multiple platforms
- Quote based pricing
- Cloud-based
- It is one of the top 20 CRP software
- Stellar reviews
- A high number of satisfied users
Things to consider:
- Does not support mobile devices
- No free trials
6. Netsuite
Netsuite by Oracle is one of the best ERPs out there that is a cloud-based industry leader! It intelligently by combining business management financially with business intelligence.
Netsuite offers:
- Accounting Functions
- Business Management
- Customer's Billing and Invoicing functions
- Production and Manufacturing Management
- Warehouse Management
- Demand and Supply Planning
Businesses with high growth potential and large organizations are the primary targets of NetSuite ERP, which is a comprehensive and scalable cloud-based ERP platform. It automates everything, including budget management, revenue management, capital management, customer orders, invoicing, and stock control. Because of this, it is possible to present everyone in the organization, from the management level down to the crucial clerical employees, with a view of the KPIare and reports that are specific to their function.
The ERP management capabilities offered by NetSuite are designed to meet the requirements of finance, human resources, sales, logistics, and departments. This application comes with a whole variety of benefits, one of which is increased staff productivity, thanks to integrating systems across departments and software automation. It provides visibility into the data in real-time, which assists in making more informed decisions.
Why we chose it?
- Works on mobile devices
- Quote based pricing
- Cloud-based
- Nonprofit
- Top small business CRMs
- Top inventory management software
Things to consider:
- Poor implementation
- Misleading errors and error messages
- No free trials
7. Odoo
Odoo is the one-stop solution for businesses as it is an open-source ERP and CRM.
Odoo offers:
- Accounting
- Accessibility
- Inventory Management
- Project Management
- HR management
- Modularity
- Customization
- Implementation and Integration.
Odoo provides thousands of integrated application software for managing sales, company activities, and work performance. These applications can be used to develop websites. They offer implementation benefits and make it possible to deploy it on the cloud. It is ideal for companies of any size and financial standing.
Because it is based on an open-source paradigm and has a solid technical foundation, it is user-friendly for developers. It gives users the ability to tweak it to match their requirements. It has a minimal acquisition cost and the potential to centralize all business activities, which substantially lowers expenses. Having said all of that, it is beneficial for companies that may have requirements that are one of a kind.
Why we chose it?
- Open-source
- Good Support
- Easy UI ad Navigation
- Lowers personnel costs
- Supports all business sizes
- Free and paid options
- A wide array of languages
Things to consider:
- Prone to bugs and errors
- Long wait time for support
- There is a lack of guidance and instructions
8. QuickBooks Enterprise
Quickbooks is often marked as one of the best accounting management software for small businesses.
QuickBooks Enterprise offers :
- Detailed Reports
- Order management
- Payroll management
- Bank management
- Accounting
- Finance support
The Payroll management feature included in Quickbooks is superior to all others. Quickbooks is well-known for its excellent capabilities for managing employees, making payroll processing a breeze. Setting up Direct Deposit is a simple, convenient, and streamlined process that you can use for all your staff and potential hires.
Why we chose it?
- It is cloud-based
- Works on PCs and mobile devices
- Live support
- Secured
- Offers time tracking
- Great user reviews
Things to consider:
- Prone to malfunctions
- Users have reported the UI being tricky
9. Sage Intacct
Sage is an entirely cloud-based business management tool, especially for accounting and finance.
Sage offers:
- Accounting and Finance management
- Dashboards
- Forecasting and budgeting
- Reports and analytics
- CRM
- Integration
- Smart UI
Sage Intacct's users can control the fundamental parts of accounting, including the accounting system, payables, and receivables. On the other hand, it features more complex features that enable customers to personalize the ERP product according to their requirements. It also offers customized dashboards and reports tailored to specific needs.
Since this program may be deployed either on-premise or over the cloud, it can serve as an efficient enterprise resource planning application (ERP) for various businesses. It provides functionality based on roles to preserve the information's security and ensure that employees may only access the pertinent information.
Why we chose it?
- Excellent UI
- Customization
- Functionality
- Control
- Ledger
- Order management
- Free trial
Things to consider:
- Somewhat slow support
- Sluggish search and report tools
- It can be frustrating to use at times
10. SAP Business One
SAP Business One and Sapphire Systems are partners, and Sapphire Systems develops and builds functions for the SAP Business One platform.
SAP Business One offers:
- Enterprise Management
- Distribution Management
- Inventory Management
- CRM
- HR Management
- Billing and Invoicing
The SAP Business One software platform is an excellent choice for companies of all sizes, especially small and medium ones. It is attainable for deployment on-premises and in the cloud at your convenience. The software comes with several different add-ons, which means it may be modified to accommodate the requirements of a particular business.
Sapphire Systems has created bespoke services to assist users in getting the most use of their applications and has made a variety of add-ons accessible for SAP Business One. These add-ons can be found on the SAP Business One website.
Why we chose it?
- Supports mobile devices and PCs
- Cloud-based
- Live support
- Purchase control
- Customer Management
- Cash flow management
- Record business information
- Flexibility
- Scalability
Things to consider:
- Limited functionality
- Confusing interface
- Inaccurate reports
To Conclude
Now that you have a clearer idea of what to get, I recommend you try a few options to see what suits your business best and then pay for the full version. It may take some time, but eventually, you will find that perfect and snug fit you were looking for!
