It doesn’t matter whether your business is small or large, or whether you’re in pharmaceuticals or logistics, having the right ERP system is key to efficiency. ERP systems integrate critical business functions into one centralised platform, significantly enhancing operations and communication across all teams.
However, the efficiency of these systems depends on selecting the right ERP solution and having skilled ERP specialists who can implement and maintain them.
With so many ERP systems available today, choosing the right one for your business can be a challenge. So, how do you know which system to choose and how can you attract top-tier ERP talent to maximise the ROI of your ERP systems?
Why Is Choosing the Right ERP System Important?
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is the backbone of every organisation, collecting and analysing data in one place. Using the right ERP system therefore has a huge impact on business operations, costs, and project delivery, making this decision vital for a business’s long-term success.
Only 20% of companies capture more than half of the projected benefits from ERP systems. This is due to several roadblocks, including:
losing sight of initial business cases
- modernisation of business systems
- insufficient data strategies
- lack of cloud infrastructure and governance
- lack of automation
When properly integrated and maintained by an experienced ERP specalist, an ERP system can offer numerous benefits, such as increased productivity, deeper insights, greater agility, and a reduced risk of non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
Nevertheless, choosing an ERP system is challenging because many solutions do not perfectly fit a company’s needs, often leading to high costs and unexpected customisations.
The 4 Major ERP Systems Compared
A study conducted by Panorama Consulting Group compared 4 major ERP systems by surveying 172 respondents on their use and choice of ERP systems.
The ERP systems compared were SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, and Infor. These vendors each have their own strengths, services, and challenges, making the choice for companies even more difficult.
- SAP: A global leader in ERP with multiple cloud solutions such as SAP S/4HANA, SAP Business One, and SAP Business ByDesign. SAP is particularly strong in complex, global enterprises and industries.
- Oracle: Offers a suite of SaaS applications covering finance, supply chain, HR, and procurement. Recently, Oracle partnered with Microsoft to enable multi-cloud operations for businesses.
- Microsoft: A well-known vendor that provides a wide range of products such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations and Business Central. Because of the familiarity of Microsoft tools, it’s easier for businesses to integrate their ERP systems.
- Infor: Offers an industry-specific SaaS model with a focus on user experience. Infor has also introduced several important platform updates, including a Generative AI Assistant.
Functionality
SAP is typically used by larger organisations that require fully integrated applications, including customer relationship management (CRM) and sales functions. Its broad capabilities and deep integration make it a preferred choice for enterprises with complex operations and a global reach.
Oracle is particularly strong in sales and CRM and is most commonly adopted in customer-centric industries such as retail, services, and health sciences. Its focus on industries that prioritise customer experience has positioned it as a leading solution in these sectors.
Infor is often chosen by mid-market organisations, especially in healthcare and medical sciences, for its ability to deliver cost-efficient core financials on a unified platform. Its industry-focused approach and scalability make it attractive to organisations seeking value without unnecessary complexity.
Microsoft stands out for its popularity in warehouse and inventory management, as well as reporting and analytics. Leveraging its integration with the wider Microsoft ecosystem, it provides businesses with powerful operational and analytical tools that are user-friendly and adaptable.
Project duration
In the survey, respondents were asked how many licences they purchased and how long they expected their project to take. Microsoft’s reliance on VARs for industry-specific functionality and the broad scope of its standard features leads to long implementation times for its users, averaging 155 months.
In contrast, Infor and SAP projects have the shortest durations, at just 55 months each. Infor achieves this through pre-configured roles and processes that minimise customisation. Oracle projects take longer, with an estimated duration of 73 months.
A longer project duration does not necessarily have to be negative, as some companies need or prefer more customised systems, such as Microsoft. However, this also has a financial impact, including software licences, training, and labour costs, which increase the overall expense. Employing ERP specialists who are already familiar with the implementation of ERP systems may help reduce both costs and project duration due to their skills and expertise.
Costs
The biggest reason for budget overruns is unexpected additional technology needs, especially for businesses that want to integrate advanced features, such as enhanced customer-facing platforms.
Infor’s out-of-the-box functionality, including reports and BI cubes, along with flexible deployment options, helps reduce implementation costs and customisation requirements for customers.
In contrast, Microsoft’s industry-specific features in Dynamics products rely on value-added resellers (VARs). This reliance can increase project complexity and cost.
The estimated project costs are as follows:
- Infor: $1.8 million
- SAP: $2.5 million
- Oracle: $2.6 million
- Microsoft: $5.4 million
Another major reason for higher costs, according to another study by Panorama Consulting Group, is the underestimation of project staffing. Due to the high complexity of ERP systems, necessary customisation, and additional technology requirements, enterprises often need to expand IT teams to fill skills gaps or manage excessive workloads.
Customisation
Microsoft provides value-added resellers (VARs) and system integrators, allowing clients to tailor their ERP systems to meet specific business needs. According to a survey by Panorama Consulting Group, around 25.3% of users heavily customise their Microsoft systems, while 62.7% make moderate adjustments. This flexibility makes Microsoft a strong choice for organisations that require unique configurations or specialised workflows.
In contrast, Infor takes a more industry-focused approach, offering extensive out-of-the-box functionality designed to meet the needs of specific sectors. Its systems are built with preconfigured industry templates and best practices, reducing the need for extensive customisation. However, this also means that Infor does not provide the same level of flexibility for highly tailored solutions as Microsoft.
Overall, Microsoft is best suited for businesses seeking adaptable and customised ERP implementations, while Infor appeals to those wanting ready-to-use systems aligned with their industry requirements. The choice between them depends on whether an organisation prioritises customisation or the speed and simplicity of deployment.
Cloud vs On-premises Software
Cloud adoption has become a more popular choice compared with on-premises solutions, highlighting the importance of maintaining modern IT infrastructure to remain competitive. Cloud environments make it significantly easier to integrate cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and machine learning.
According to the survey conducted by Panorama Consulting Group, respondents showed a clear preference for cloud-based software over on-premises alternatives, with Infor clients leading at 92.9%. Among the various cloud services, the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model proved the most popular, particularly favoured by Infor users.
The main benefits of SaaS include staying up to date with the latest software versions and receiving regular updates. It also eliminates the need to purchase licences or install software locally, thereby reducing costs and enhancing flexibility for organisations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the comparison of the four major ERP systems, SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, and Infor, reveals that each vendor offers unique strengths tailored to different business needs. SAP and Oracle stand out for their enterprise level integration and strong CRM capabilities, while Microsoft excels in flexibility and customisation, particularly in operational and analytical functions.
Infor, on the other hand, appeals to mid-sized organisations through its industry specific SaaS solutions, streamlined implementation processes, and lower overall costs. These distinctions highlight that the optimal ERP choice depends largely on an organisation’s size, industry, and long-term digital strategy.
However, regardless of the system selected, the success of any ERP project relies heavily on the people behind it. Skilled ERP professionals play a critical role in managing complex implementations, reducing project duration, and ensuring systems are configured to meet organisational goals. Understanding how recruiters can identify and attract the right ERP talent and why these specialists are essential to digital transformation is therefore the next crucial consideration.
How Can Amoria Bond Finds the Best ERP Specialists
Not having the right expertise and skills can significantly delay projects and business goals, resulting in higher costs, operational disruptions, and declining customer service. Therefore, it is not only important to invest in a suitable ERP system but also in the right talent.
Amoria Bond is an award-winning specialised IT recruitment company with almost 20 years of experience across countries such as the UK, Benelux, Germany, and France. Thanks to our flexible staffing services, we offer IT companies tailored solutions based on a needs analysis, project goals, budget, and deadlines.
What can you expect from a collaboration with Amoria Bond?
- 48-hour contract delivery
- 2-week permanent contract delivery
- Access to a global network of over 950,000 technology and advanced engineering professionals
- 90% vacancy fill rate
Do you want to optimise your business operations or are you expanding your IT infrastructure? Our specialists can help you find the right ERP talent to achieve your IT goals. Contact our team today to discuss your hiring needs.