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Top 10 Medical Device ERP Systems in 2024

Top 10 Medical Device ERP Systems in 2024

Leave a Comment / Blog, ERP, Life Sciences / By / March 17, 2025

The medical device industry has unique ERP needs, spanning consumable and large CapEx equipment segments. The laboratory segment, positioned in between, demands specialized integration like LIMS. Contract manufacturers handle diverse needs and support processes across multiple industries. Consulting companies within the medical device industry may share professional service processes but have distinct ERP requirements. Processes and regulations vary based on diagnostic or surgical use. Consumables align with make-to-stock, emphasizing robust distribution and eCommerce integration. Large machines reflect engineering-to-order processes, requiring support for extensive programs, field services, and both make-to-stock and make-to-order processes for consumables. Additional complexity arises from drug-centric processes, heightening ERP considerations for each device type.

Apart from pre-built compliance processes, ERP systems tailored to the medical device industry vary in terms of supported business processes, transaction volume, and operational scope—be it local or global. Those supporting global process integration may prioritize diversified business models, which is crucial for companies within PE portfolios or holding structures. The sector faces heightened scrutiny, with investors demanding comprehensive reporting, even for pre-revenue companies. Implementing systems to support reporting needs efficiently becomes imperative to minimize administrative overhead.

Key features encompass electronic signatures and device history records, sharing similarities with aerospace and automotive industries but with added constraints for medical device companies. Validation requirements, like software validation with each change, exhibit variability. CRM processes encounter complexities due to diverse market timelines affecting quoting. This overview merely scratches the surface of essential features for medical device companies. Excited to delve into ERP systems tailored for this industry? Let’s navigate the top 10 medical device ERP systems.



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Criteria

  • Definition of a medical device company. These are the medical device ecosystem companies, including large medical equipment manufacturers, consumable manufacturers, diagnostic companies, and CROs. The list considers companies of all sizes in this ecosystem.
  • Overall market share/# of customers. The higher the market share among medical device companies, the higher it ranks on our list.
  • Ownership/funding. The more committed the management to the product roadmap for the medical device companies, the higher it ranks on our list.
  • Quality of development. The more cloud-native capabilities, the higher it ranks on our list.
  • Community/Ecosystem. The larger the community with a heavy presence from medical device companies, the higher it ranks on our list.
  • Depth of native functionality for specific industries. The deeper the publisher-owned out-of-the-box functionality, the higher it ranks on our list.
  • Quality of publicly available product documentation. The poorer the product documentation, the lower it ranks on our list. 
  • Medical device company market share. The higher the focus on medical device companies, the higher the ERP system ranks on our list.
  • Ability to natively support diversified business models. The more diverse the product, the higher it ranks on our list.
  • Acquisition strategy aligned with medical device companies. The more aligned the acquisitions are with the medical device companies, the higher it ranks on our list.
  • User Reviews. The deeper the reviews from medical device companies, the higher the score for a specific product.
  • Must be an ERP product. It can’t be an edge product such as QuickBooks, Freshbooks, Xero, Zendesk, HubSpot, or Salesforce. It also can’t be an add-on owned by ISVs or VARs that sits on top of other accounting platforms.


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10. SYSPRO

SYSPRO is designed for SMB medical device companies, particularly those in consumables or diagnostic segments, aligning well with distribution and commerce-centric industries. Ideal for complex consumable devices, SYSPRO supports both discrete and process industries, with a focus on food-centric sectors. However, it may not suit devices requiring engineer-to-order or field service-centric processes. SYSPRO can be a suitable solution for small subsidiaries operating fairly independently. Resembling SAP in feel and featuring solid finance and distribution capabilities, SYSPRO maintains its #10 position on our list of top medical device ERP systems.

Strengths
  • Inventory and supply chain capabilities.  Its strengths for medical device companies include its substantial inventory and supply chain capabilities. 
  • Medical device quality requirements. The other bonus points for SYSPRO include its ability to support electronic signature capture, CAD integration, and detailed audit trails of the transactions critical to support FDA 21 CFR 11 and GMP requirements. 
  • Native support for process manufacturing capabilities. Finally, the other plus point for SYSPRO would be its native support for process manufacturing capabilities. These features will be helpful for companies such as contract research organizations or laboratories that might develop drugs along with devices. 
Weaknesses
  • Fit for companies with one legal entity. Designed primarily for smaller manufacturing facilities with one legal entity. 
  • Limited manufacturing capabilities. Deeper manufacturing features, such as line-level backflushing for both material and operations and Kanban, would be a challenge. 
  • Not a fit for large capital equipment medical device manufacturers. Not designed for complex capital equipment devices such as radiology or cancer machines. 

9. Rootstock

Tailored for smaller discrete medical device manufacturers, Rootstock is optimal for companies in the $10-$100 million range, especially those heavily reliant on Salesforce. Well-suited for large CapEx machinery with robust processes, including CPQ, project management, and field services, it is suitable for handling consumables associated with such machinery. However, it may not be the ideal choice for devices packaging drugs with their assembly. Not a potential subsidiary solution for pharma companies or research centers focused on CapEx equipment, Rootstock’s limited business process diversity makes it less suitable for large companies with varied models. Despite a limited install base, its popularity in the cloud-native segment earns it the #9 rank among medical device companies on this list.

Strengths
  • Native Integration with Other Salesforce Products. Such as Salesforce CRM and Field Service. As well as Salesforce CPQ and commerce are especially strong for medical device companies that care for enterprise-grade territory management and customer experience.
  • Cloud-native Mobile Capabilities. Inheriting native mobile capabilities from the Salesforce platform, it is strong with native cloud mobile capabilities. Its WMS mobile capabilities, such as cross-docking and license plate numbers, are especially attractive.
  • Mixed-mode Manufacturing Capabilities. Finally, its strength includes mixed-mode manufacturing capabilities, with the exception of process manufacturing capabilities.
Weaknesses
  • Finance and Accounting. Rootstock started as the MRP solution and relied on other accounting solutions. They have recently developed accounting capabilities, which are not as strong as other products on this list.
  • Reliance on Third-part Quality Module. Relying on other solutions in the Salesforce ecosystem, such as ComplianceQuest, Rootstock does not own a quality module. 
  • Smaller Ecosystem. The ecosystem is relatively small for rootstock, with less than 500 installations. This could pose a risk in finding talent for future support and customizations.

8. Deacom

Deacom focuses on smaller process-centric pharma companies, emphasizing commerce over discrete-centric or large devices. It excels as a solution for diagnostic, drug, and smaller consumable devices with a strong commerce focus. While Deacom integrates various enterprise software categories like quality management and compliance, its core ERP layers have flat models, requiring ad-hoc arrangements and posing challenges with batch-centric capabilities. Ideal for companies prioritizing transactional capabilities, it may not suit those seeking mature ERP functionalities. Despite these considerations, it retains the #8 rank among top medical device ERP systems.

Strengths
  • Technology. Deacom’s strengths for medical device manufacturers include its technology, which has a modern interface and an SQL database. The other products in this category typically rely on file-based databases. 
  • Process Manufacturing Capabilities. The other plus points for Deacom would be the capabilities for medical device companies that are more of a drug/chemical company than a device company. 
  • Track and Trace and Route Accounting. Finally, its strength would also be in its native capabilities for track and trace and route accounting capabilities for medical device companies distributing fast-moving goods such as sanitizers or surgical masks on their vehicles.
Weaknesses
  • Not a Discrete Manufacturing Product. It will struggle with companies requiring complex discrete manufacturing features such as CAD integration or multi-layered BOMs with thousands of components with change orders.
  • Fit for Fast-moving Consumable Products. its native design is deficient for large capital equipment manufacturers as its costing and BOM capabilities will be extremely limited for them.
  • Limited Finance and Supply Chain Management Capabilities. Limited finance and supply chain capabilities, such as complex UoM, deep pricing and discounting support, and 1.N capabilities as they relate to the orders, shipments, and invoices.

7. Oracle Cloud ERP

Oracle Cloud ERP targets large, global medical device manufacturers with revenues generally exceeding $1 billion, offering consolidation in a unified database for diverse business models. Ideal for companies with varied entities, including commerce, consumables, large capital equipment, medical device consulting, contract manufacturing, and subsidiaries of hospitals or research centers. Though lacking last-mile capabilities for these models, it provide foundational ERP layers, minimizing the need for additional systems. While suitable as a corporate financial ledger, it may not be the optimal choice as a subsidiary solution. Despite these nuances, it holds the seventh position in our list of top medical device ERP systems.

Strengths
  • Core ERP capabilities. One of the largest ERP solutions in the market, with deep capabilities in supply chain and logistics, is provided as part of the core solution. 
  • Diverse, global capabilities. The ability to support multiple business models in one solution globally located.
  • Financial control and public company capabilities. Financial control capabilities are required for larger and public companies, such as SOX compliance, financial traceability, and month-end close collaboration across entities. 
Weaknesses
  • Medical Device Last-Mile Functionality. Limited last-mile functionality applicable for medical device manufacturers, such as device history records, reporting for FDA 21 CFR 11 and GMP, and electronic signature and skill certification processes embedded with each operational step. 
  • Longer Configuration and Customization Time. Longer time in customizing and configuring as the software design may consist of unnecessary allocation, commitment, and approval functionality for large companies. 
  • Not as Relatable for Plant Level Employees. Finally, the product may appear bloated for plant-level employees due to the missing operational perspective. Also, enabling this perspective may require unnecessary development and testing time. 

6. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations targets large, global medical device manufacturers in the upper mid or lower enterprise market. Ideal for companies with varied entities, including commerce, consumables, large capital equipment, medical device consulting, contract manufacturing, and subsidiaries of hospitals or research centers. Although lacking last-mile capabilities for these models, it provides foundational ERP layers, minimizing the need for additional systems. While suitable as a corporate financial ledger, it may not be the optimal choice as a subsidiary solution. Despite these nuances, it holds the 6th position in our list of top medical device ERP systems.

Strengths
  • Core ERP Capabilities. Its strength includes the core ERP capabilities such as native support for mixed-mode manufacturing, including deep process manufacturing such as formulation management, catch weight management, approvals, and commitments. 
  • Best-of-breed Capabilities. Its strength also includes its best-of-breed capabilities with applications such as pre-integrated CRM and field service components.
  • Technical Architecture. The technical architecture includes integration with other Microsoft products, such as Logic Apps and Azure Data Factory, allowing them to isolate their infrastructure for validation requirements.
Weaknesses
  • Medical Device Last-Mile Functionality. Its weaknesses include limited last-mile functionality applicable for medical device manufacturers, such as device history records, reporting for FDA 21 CFR 11 and GMP, and electronic signature and skill certification processes embedded with each operational step.
  • Customizability. Since MS products are highly technical and customizable in nature, it could pose control issues for companies if developers over-customize these products with limited visibility for financial executives.
  • Implementation Control. Since Microsoft sells licenses in the OEM setting with a limited governance process in place, buying these products from unqualified resellers fires back and may lead to ERP implementation failure.

5. SAP S/4 HANA

SAP S/4 HANA targets large, global medical device manufacturers with revenues generally exceeding $1 billion, especially friendly for publicly traded companies with one of the best transactional traceability for globally complex and highly regulated medical device companies. Though lacking last-mile capabilities for these models, it provide foundational ERP layers, minimizing the need for additional systems. While suitable as a corporate financial ledger, it may not be the optimal choice as a subsidiary solution. Despite these nuances, it holds the 5th position in our list of top medical device ERP systems.

Strengths
  • Superior Financial Control and Governance. Its strength includes the inbuilt visual workflow for each financial transaction, superior change control of the ERP configurations, and SOX compliance approval flow.
  • Product Model Designed to Support Various Manufacturing. SAP’s product model is rich and supports various configurations, including mixed-mode manufacturing. 
  • Best of breed solutions. Several solutions, including SAP Hybris for e-commerce for medical device companies and Callidus Cloud for CPQ. SAP also has a robust WMS and TMS solution packaged as part of SAP EWM and SuccessFactors for HCM capabilities.
Weaknesses
  • Integration Challenges with Best-of-breed Solutions. While SAP S/4 HANA has one of the best best-of-breed solutions, they might not be as pre-integrated as other solutions.
  • Overbloated Customizations and Controls for Smaller Organizations. As with other larger products on this list, the controls provided as part of the product may feel unnecessary and overwhelming for smaller companies. In addition, they may add additional development and testing time to disable them.
  • Last-mile Medical Device Manufacturing Capabilities.  Last-mile medical device manufacturing functionality such as FDA reports, 21 CFR 11, and device history records functionality would require expensive customizations.

4. Infor CloudSuite Industrial 

Infor CloudSuite Industrial targets small to mid-sized medical device manufacturers. While a great mixed-mode manufacturing solution, it suffers from several deficiencies, requiring ad-hoc arrangements, such as WBS processes not being as detailed, MRP being limited with attribute level planning, and distribution planning not being friendly for commerce-centric companies. It could be a great fit as a subsidiary solution for large medical device companies or as the main ERP for smaller medical device companies. Given these considerations, it ranks at #3 on our list of the top medical device ERP systems.

Strengths
  • Designed from the Perspective of OEMs. Supports serializable units composed of other serialized components to provide a complete view of the device history.
  • Quality Module Owned and Pre-Integrated. The quality module is deeply integrated and maintains a separate inventory for the quality-controlled components with deep coverage for in-process quality.
  • Strong Field Service Capabilities. When several players may be involved in the sales and service transactions, including the scheduling of internal or external resources. As well as share compensation depending upon the level of effort from all parties involved.
Weaknesses
  • Poor UX and Legacy Feeling. The interface is not as cloud-native as some of its legacy counterparts, with critical limitations such as advanced search capabilities.
  • Not Suitable for Distribution-centric Medical Device Manufacturers. The product design is limited for manufacturers. However, the distributors that perform lighter manufacturing but may have deeper distribution needs, such as Supply Chain network planning or decentralized warehouse architecture, may struggle with the product.
  • FDA- and Medical Device-Specific Regulatory Capabilities Not as Strong. Its weaknesses also include the efforts required in developing regulatory compliance reports and capabilities needed for medical device manufacturers. 

3. Epicor Kinetic

Epicor Kinetic caters to small to mid-market discrete medical device manufacturers, particularly those specializing in CapEx manufacturing with WBS-centric processes. It is well-suited for companies with complex inventory management, where devices may serve multiple indications, requiring planning at the product attribute level. The product’s robust distribution-centric planning is also friendly for commerce-centric medical device companies. While an excellent choice for smaller companies or as a subsidiary solution for larger firms, its limited support for financial layers may hinder scalability for larger enterprises. Despite these considerations, it maintains its position at #3 on our list of top medical device ERP systems.

Strengths
  • Mixed-mode manufacturing capabilities. The product model can accommodate several manufacturing processes for discrete manufacturers, such as Kanban, configure-to-order, make-to-order, and make-to-stock.
  • UX Experience. While legacy, the UX experience is superior in the cloud today, with support for more complex cloud-native features such as the advanced search for data or forms. 
  • Last Mile Medical Device Capabilities. Its strength also includes the last-mile functionality for medical device manufacturers, such as electronic signature support through MES and track and trace capabilities starting from raw material through post-sale.
Weaknesses
  • Limited financial layers. Epicor Kinetic is designed for small to medium companies to support only three layers of financial hierarchies. More than three layers of hierarchies may need ad-hoc arrangements.
  • Third-party quality module. Its weakness also includes its reliance on the third-party quality module, limiting the tighter integration of the quality processes that medical device manufacturers need.
  • Embedded field service experience. For CapEx device manufacturers require embedded and traceable field services processes with the core manufacturing processes because the field services capabilities were part of an add-on that Epicor just bought. 

2. Sage X3

Sage X3 focuses on the upper mid-market and lower enterprise sectors, making it a strong choice for publicly traded companies or those requiring robust financial control. It excels as a financial ledger for larger enterprises or as the primary ERP for smaller companies, particularly in regulated industries. Despite its effectiveness, Sage X3 faces challenges in gaining momentum due to Sage’s primary focus on accounting firms serving SMBs. Consequently, it may not receive as much attention as other products in Sage’s portfolio. While slightly downgraded this year, it maintains its position at #2 on our list of top medical device ERP systems.

Strengths
  • Process manufacturing capabilities. Its strength includes process manufacturing capabilities for companies such as laboratories and drug-like products instead of hardware devices.
  • Deep finance and supply chain capabilities. Its strength also includes deep finance and supply chain capabilities, and the product is designed from the CFO’s perspective. This is helpful for large companies that need superior financial control and last-mile process manufacturing capabilities.
  • Multi-entity Capabilities. Its strength also includes multi-entity capabilities that might not feel as natural with other focused products on this list.
Weaknesses
  • Discrete manufacturing capabilities.  Sage X3 has discrete manufacturing capabilities, but these capabilities may not be robust for complex equipment manufacturers.
  • Third-party MES.  Sage X3 does not have a pre-integrated OEM-owned MES component and would require integration and additional testing with third-party solutions with the legal and implementation risks due to multiple vendors involved.
  • Last-mile medical device manufacturing capabilities.  The last-mile medical device manufacturing capabilities would require additional development and testing, increasing the costs and risks for ERP implementation.

1. QAD

QAD caters to the upper, mid-market, and lower enterprise sectors, providing a robust solution for companies prioritizing integrated supply chain components, particularly in planning and collaboration, complemented by comprehensive ERP layers. The suite includes several integrated components like PLM, making it ideal for companies with intensive product management processes. QAD serves well as a subsidiary solution for larger enterprises using SAP or Oracle for their corporate financial ledger or as the primary ERP for smaller companies. With the recent announcement of a technology upgrade, it has been upgraded slightly, securing the top position on our list of top medical device ERP systems.

Strengths
  • Supply chain perspective. Designed from the perspective of the Supply Chain and is probably the only mid-market product with deeper transportation management. As well as international trade management capabilities.
  • Last mile medical device capabilities. The last mile medical device capabilities include automated quality management, serialization in support of unique device identification (UDI), the Drug Quality and Security Act (DQSA), and the Falsified Medicine Directive (FMD).
  • Mixed-mode manufacturing capabilities. It has native discreet and process manufacturing capabilities and forward and backward recall traceability.
Weaknesses
  • Ecosystem.  QAD is not as well adapted as some other products on the list and does not have as prolific a VAR ecosystem as Microsoft, SAP, or Oracle.
  • Technology and underlying technical architecture. While QAD has announced that they plan to modernize their technology, it might take a few years before the new platform becomes stable.
  • Not a great fit for companies developing large complex capital equipment. While the product has mixed-mode manufacturing capabilities, it’s not meant to support large complex capital equipment manufacturers’ products with thousands of dependent components and sub-assemblies.

Conclusion

Given the stringent FDA compliance and quality requirements, medical device companies have intricate operations. Comprehensive CPQ capabilities are essential for controlling the global release process of equipment. When developing combinations of drugs, devices, or consumables with capital equipment, mixed-mode manufacturing capabilities become crucial.

Choose an ERP system designed to seamlessly support most medical device processes. Utilizing an ERP system not specifically tailored for the medical device industry may lead to substantial customizations and unnecessary testing for configurations packaged with other ERP systems. Ensure your chosen ERP system is purpose-built for the medical device sector, and let this list guide you in narrowing down your options. Consulting independent ERP experts can further enhance your decision-making process.

FAQs

Top 10 Aerospace And Defense ERP Systems In 2024

Top 10 Aerospace and Defense ERP Systems in 2024

Leave a Comment / Aerospace & Defense, Blog, ERP / By / March 17, 2025

Aerospace and defense industries face unique challenges due to stringent quality and regulatory requirements. Unlike consumer-driven automotive sectors, A&D operates with long sales cycles and uncertainties, making supply chain planning intricate. The custom nature of A&D products, coupled with formal revision tracking, adds complexity, necessitating ERP systems with unique BOM structures. While collaboration with local suppliers has its own challenges, international supplier collaboration dictates trade compliance requirements at another level because of national security and geopolitical issues.

Equally challenging are manufacturing processes that vary per business model, requiring solutions tailored to each. While some ERP systems suit plastic manufacturers serving A&D OEMs, others offer versatility for diverse global business models. Despite looser margin requirements in A&D compared to automotive, stringent quality standards can impact margins. Highly engineered aerospace parts demand precise vendor collaboration and time sensitivity to avoid supply chain disruptions.

A&D companies engage in extensive pre-sales processes, involving multiple stakeholders and proofs-of-concept during R&D. This uniqueness underscores the need for ERP systems with built-in engineering and pre-sales workflows to support contract requirements. Some business models might require access to proprietary databases, integration with industry systems, and compliance requirements related to the upkeep of processes. Choosing an ERP system for the A&D industry requires a deeper study of business models and transactions, as generic solutions may necessitate significant investments in longer implementation cycles, which might be out of the range of most SMB companies. Find out which ERP systems are designed to meet the distinctive needs of the A&D sector.



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Criteria

  1. Definition of an aerospace and defense company. These are the companies in the A&D ecosystem, including OEMs, manufacturers, and distributors. The list considers companies of all sizes in this ecosystem.
  2. Overall market share/# of customers. Higher market share among aerospace and defense companies ranks higher on our list.
  3. Ownership/funding. The more committed the management to the product roadmap for the A&D companies, the higher it ranks on our list.
  4. Quality of development: More cloud-native capabilities rank higher on our list.
  5. Community/Ecosystem. The larger the community with a heavy presence from aerospace and defense companies, the higher it ranks on our list.
  6. Depth of native functionality for specific industries. Deeper publisher-owned out-of-the-box functionality ranks higher on our list.
  7. Quality of publicly available product documentation. Poorer product documentation ranks lower on our list. 
  8. A&D company market share. The higher the focus on aerospace and defense companies, the higher the ERP system ranks on our list.
  9. Ability to natively support diversified business models. The more diverse the product, the higher it ranks on our list.
  10. The acquisition strategy is aligned with aerospace and defense companies. The more aligned the acquisitions are with the aerospace and defense companies, the higher it ranks on our list.
  11. User Reviews. The deeper the reviews from aerospace and defense companies, the higher the score for a specific product.
  12. Must be an ERP product. It can’t be an edge product such as QuickBooks, Freshbooks, Xero, Zendesk, HubSpot, or Salesforce. It also can’t be an add-on owned by ISVs or VARs that sits on top of other accounting platforms.


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10. IQMS/DELMIAWorks

IQMS, tailored for plastics-centric operations in the aerospace and defense ecosystem, stands out with last-mile capabilities and depth in aerospace compliance. Well-suited for A&D firms supplying plastic components to tier 1 and tier 2, it may not address the intricacies of operations in OEMs or tier 1 companies. The native support for ITAR certifications adds to its appeal. However, its weaknesses become apparent when considering larger A&D companies engaged in complex aerospace projects, contributing to its placement at #10 on our list of top aerospace and defense ERP systems.

Strengths
  1. Great for plastic manufacturers supplying to aerospace. While limited in its suite, capabilities for plastic-centric industries outshine when it comes to unique scheduling requirements.
  2. Best for aerospace and defense companies on SolidWorks. With the same company as SolidWorks owning it, tighter and seamless integration of both products, which are built and maintained by the same vendor, is a huge plus.
  3. Technology – This is probably the most legacy solution of all on this list, with no announcement if they plan to modernize the technology.
Weaknesses
  1. Limited focus. The limited focus might be a challenge for aerospace and defense companies diversifying their operations and being active with M&A cycles. 
  2. Limited ecosystem. The consulting base is extremely limited with most resellers being CAD resellers, with limited experience in ERP implementation and cross-functional processes.
  3. It is not the right fit for holding and private equity companies as a corporate ledger. While a great subsidiary solution and a solution for pure-play plastic-centric manufacturers for SMB aerospace and defense companies, it’s not the best fit for diverse A&D companies as their main ERP solution.

9. Deltek

Deltek, tailored for government contractors in the A&D sector, excels in project-centric organizations. It suits A&D companies that are heavily reliant on government revenue. However, its narrow focus poses challenges for firms equally involved in commercial and government sectors or those with diverse business models like field service and manufacturing.

Despite strengths, Deltek exhibits weaknesses in CRM capabilities, limiting suitability for organizations with extended sales cycles and collaboration needs. Manufacturers or distributors targeting government sectors may find their manufacturing and distribution capabilities lacking. Nonetheless, Deltek maintains its prominence for project-driven government A&D contractors, securing the #9 rank on our list of top aerospace and defense ERP systems.

Strengths
  1. Last-mile capabilities for GovCon for A&D contractors. The GovCon functionality is intricate, requiring subject matter expertise and driving longer implementation time without Deltek’s pre-baked functionality. 
  2. Access to the databases and networks relevant to these industries. Deltek has access to quoting databases and industry data, making it a very strong ERP system for companies in the A&D sector.
  3. Multi-entity capabilities. Their multi-entity capabilities are rich, making them suitable for upper mid-market and lower enterprise companies to host all of their entities in one database.
Weaknesses
  1. Limited focus. The limited focus of the solution might be a challenge for enterprise companies active with M&A cycles, especially for business models outside of Deltek’s expertise. 
  2. Limited ecosystem and consulting base. As of today, their ecosystem and consulting base is significantly limited.
  3. Not as complete ERP capabilities as part of the suite. Most of the ERP products in Deltek portfolio are not as complete as other solutions on this list, requiring integration and external systems for missing capabilities.

8. Rootstock

Rootstock caters to engineer-to-order centric SMBs in the A&D sector, offering robust mobile-native capabilities atop the Salesforce platform. Particularly fit for smaller A&D companies with heavy usage of the Salesforce platform for their CRM and field service solutions, it might also fit as a subsidiary solution for some entities that might be heavier users of Salesforce and might prefer a unified user experience across the enterprise. Given these considerations, Rootstock ranks at #8 on our list of top aerospace and defense ERP systems.

Strengths
  1. Native integration with other salesforce products. Its strength Includes native integration with other Salesforce products such as Salesforce CRM and Field Service. This is especially beneficial for A&D companies with longer sales cycles with multiple stakeholders and parties collaborating during the pre-sales phase.
  2. Cloud-native mobile capabilities.  Inheriting native mobile capabilities from the Salesforce platform, it is strong with native cloud mobile capabilities.
  3. WBS-centric manufacturing capabilities. While Rootstock might not be as strong with all modes of manufacturing as some of the other solutions on this list, it is especially strong in project-centric manufacturing with detailed WBS and milestones spanning over months.
Weaknesses
  1. Finance and Accounting. Rootstock started as the MRP solution and relied on other accounting solutions. Their accounting capabilities are not as layered and scalable, requiring ad-hoc arrangements.
  2. Reliance on Third-part Quality Module. With quality processes embedded at each step, using a third-party quality module might not provide as immersive an experience as products that have quality baked into their processes.
  3. Smaller Ecosystem. The ecosystem is relatively small for rootstock, with less than 500 installations. This could pose a risk in finding talent for future support and customizations.

7. Infor CloudSuite Industrial

Infor CloudSuite Industrial caters to SMB A&D manufacturers with short-run jobs and deep layers of sub-assemblies, with or without formal product management or engineering processes.

Its embedded quality processes are especially friendly for A&D companies since centralized quality management across processes, including procurement, production, and customer services, is required for traceability and reporting. Limited operational WBS support and BOMs without dates may pose challenges for A&D companies with extended lead times. Despite these considerations, Infor CloudSuite Industrial maintains its #7 rank on our list of top aerospace and defense ERP systems.

Strengths
  1. Support for both informal and formal BOMs and engineering processes. Infor CSI BOMs don’t mandate revision numbers, making it easier for A&D companies without formal products to implement their BOMs. 
  2. Deep Costing Layers. Compared to other products with patchy experience, the costing layers follow superior rational structure and scale well, where tracking costs for large programs such as A&D might be critical. 
  3. Field service integration with core manufacturing processes.  Especially critical for A&D suppliers that collaborate with their OEMs in the post-sales phase, with multiple parties involved for servicing, internal or external, containing complex commission structures.
Weaknesses
  1. Not fit for diverse A&D manufacturers. A&D manufacturers that might also be heavy in process-centric operations might struggle with it.
  2. Not for A&D manufacturers but also heavy in distribution. Infor CSI suits pure-play manufacturing organizations with limited support for distribution planning and operations.
  3. Not strong for WBS-centric manufacturing. Long-standing programs spanning multiple months require detailed WBS-centric capabilities to support both operational and financial activities as part of the project, critically important A&D OEMs. 

6. Oracle Cloud ERP

Targeting large global A&D companies, Oracle Cloud ERP offers diverse solutions for complex business models. Ideal fit for large A&D companies as a corporate financial ledger while using focused solutions such as Infor LN, IFS, or Deltek at the subsidiary level. Using it as the main ERP and building last-mile A&D companies might require substantially longer implementation cycles, rendering them cost-prohibitive for SMB companies. Given these considerations, Oracle ERP Cloud maintains its #6 rank on our list of top aerospace and defense ERP systems.

Strengths
  1. Ideal solution for publicly traded large global A&D companies. Oracle Cloud ERP is an ideal solution as the corporate financial ledger for A&D companies with multiple layers of financial hierarchies operating in multiple countries. 
  2. Proven solution with large workloads. Large A&D companies may process millions of GL entries per hour. The workload Oracle Cloud ERP is designed to handle.
  3. Ecosystem.  It has an ecosystem of experienced consultants who have the capabilities to handle the design and architecture of such complex enterprises.
Weaknesses
  1. Limited last-mile capabilities. The last mile capabilities for specific A&D verticals, such as integration with GovCon processes and database may require solutions from third party or custom integration, making the implementation overly expensive.
  2. Limited pre-integrated capabilities with A&D-specific ancillary systems. Integration with A&D-specific PLMs, configurators, and CPQ systems is not out-of-the-box, increasing the implementation time and costs. 
  3. Overwhelming for SMB A&D companies. It is not a fit for SMB A&D companies because the over-bloated financial layers are only relevant for large A&D companies.

5. SAP S/4 HANA

SAP S/4 HANA supports complex business models and global entities in the same database, providing end-to-end traceability for large global A&D companies. Ideal fit for large A&D companies as a corporate financial ledger while using focused solutions such as Infor LN, IFS, or Deltek at the subsidiary level. Using it as the main ERP and building last-mile A&D companies might require substantially longer implementation cycles, rendering them cost-prohibitive for SMB companies. Given these considerations, SAP S/4 HANA maintains its #6 rank on our list of top aerospace and defense ERP systems.

Strengths
  1. Ideal solution for publicly traded large global A&D companies. SAP S/4 HANA is an ideal solution as the corporate financial ledger for A&D companies with multiple layers of financial hierarchies operating in multiple countries. 
  2. Proven solution with large workloads. Large A&D companies may process millions of GL entries per hour. The workload and MRP workloads SAP S/4 HANA is designed to handle.
  3. Financial and transactional traceability embedded for globally complex A&D companies. SAP S/4 HANA has transactional maps embedded as part of the product, providing the traceability that globally complex A&D OEMs with large programs need. 
Weaknesses
  1. Limited last-mile capabilities. The last-mile capabilities for specific A&D verticals, such as integration with GovCon processes and databases, may require solutions from third parties or custom integration, making the implementation overly expensive.
  2. Limited pre-integrated capabilities with A&D-specific ancillary systems. Integration with A&D-specific PLMs, configurators, and CPQ systems is not out-of-the-box, increasing the implementation time and costs.
  3. Overwhelming for SMB A&D companies. It is not a fit for SMB A&D companies because the over-bloated financial layers are only relevant for large A&D companies.

4. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations

MS Dynamics 365 F&O caters to global A&D companies in the upper mid-market and lower enterprise space, supporting complex business models, including support for discrete, process, and distribution-based planning. It is especially strong with WBS-centric processes covering operational and financial schedules equally well. The challenge with MS Dynamics 365 F&O would be the best-of-breed ancillary systems critical for A&D systems, which are not owned and maintained by Microsoft, requiring third-party add-ons. Given these considerations, MS Dynamics 365 F&O maintains its position at #4 on our list of top aerospace and defense ERP systems.

Strengths
  1. Ideal solution as a corporate financial ledger for publicly traded large global A&D companies. In conjunction with A&D-focused ERP systems at the subsidiary level. 
  2. Ideal solution for upper mid-market or lower enterprise A&D companies looking for one solution to host their diverse business models, including discrete and process manufacturing, distribution, MRO, and A&D-specific consulting services. 
  3. Ecosystem. The largest marketplace with solutions to augment most A&D business models not supported by the core product.
Weaknesses
  1. Not proven solution with large workloads. While MS Dynamics may have been used as a financial ledger for the workload of Fortune 1000, it is not as proven for the global MRP workload in one solution.
  2. Limited last-mile capabilities. The last-mile capabilities for specific A&D verticals, such as integration with GovCon processes and databases, may require solutions from third parties or custom integration, making the implementation overly expensive.
  3. Limited pre-integrated capabilities with A&D-specific ancillary systems. Integration with A&D-specific PLMs, configurators, and CPQ systems is not out-of-the-box, increasing the implementation time and costs.

3. IFS

Targeting larger field service and MRO organizations, IFS is a great solution for larger A&D companies looking for best-of-breed field service and EAM capabilities atop corporate financial ledgers such as SAP or Oracle. It might also be a great fit for upper mid-market and lower enterprise companies primarily focusing on managing large A&D programs. Despite these considerations, IFS maintains its rank at #3 on our list of top aerospace and defense ERP systems.

Strengths
  1. Unique program architecture tailored to track the costs of large A&D programs. Unlike smaller ERP systems with a 1:1 relationship between a sales order and a project, IFS is designed to handle large programs where consolidated visibility would be critical without ad-hoc arrangements.
  2. Enterprise-grade field service and asset management capabilities. Especially suitable for A&D companies because of their need to maintain expensive assets with complex workflows and scheduling requirements for field services.
  3. Unique financial workflows to support complex A&D programs. Expensive MRO operations require unique workflows, such as closing transactions financially at the line level, which might not be possible with ERP systems not designed to handle such transactions.
Weaknesses
  1. Limited focus. The limited focus might be a challenge for A&D companies active with M&A cycles. 
  2. Limited ecosystem. Its presence and install base are still limited in North America compared to other solutions on this list.
  3. It is not the right fit for holding and private equity companies as a corporate ledger. While IFS can provide the best-of-breed capabilities in a tier-two architecture or can act as one solution, IFS might not be the best fit to be used just as the corporate ledger for large A&D enterprises.

2. Epicor Kinetic

Highly effective for SMB A&D companies, Epicor Kinetic’s BOMs align seamlessly with A&D firms employing formal engineering processes, emphasizing critical traceability in change control. Specifically tailored for metal-centric industries supplying aerospace, its inventory model accommodates vital processes like nesting and includes attributes in MRP runs. Planning processes cater to complex A&D manufacturing companies with extensive distribution business models. Its WBS-centric processes adeptly handle large programs and short-run jobs. With these considerations, Epicor Kinetic secures the #2 position on our list of top Aerospace and Defense ERP systems.

Strengths
  1. Great for formal manufacturing organizations. The manufacturing organizations with formal engineering processes with revision numbers would relate to the product more.
  2. MRP runs are designed to support complex inventory. MRP runs support product attributes for planning, which is critical for business models such as metal parts manufacturers supplying to aerospace OEMs. 
  3. WBS-centric process to handle large programs. Detailed WBS structure containing operational and financial schedules along with large programs requiring a 1:N relationship between a sales quote/order and a project.
Weaknesses
  1. Not a great fit for A&D companies with more than three layers of financial hierarchies. Requires ad-hoc arrangements for larger mid-market companies with more than three financial hierarchies.
  2. Limited focus. Private equity and holding companies looking for support outside of Epicor’s core expertise might struggle with it.
  3. Limited support for field service, process manufacturing, and scalable customer masters. The acquired field service solution is not as seamlessly integrated as today, as well as struggling with process-heavy A&D companies, such as a plastic manufacturer supplying to A&D OEMs. The customer master layers are not as detailed as with other solutions, requiring ad-hoc arrangements for consolidated insights.

1. Infor CloudSuite LN

Infor LN caters to the upper mid-market and lower enterprise A&D manufacturing companies, serving as their primary ERP, provided their business model aligns with Infor LN’s capabilities. It also excels as a subsidiary solution for large enterprises with independently operating subsidiaries. Unlike smaller manufacturing ERPs with limitations in detailed WBS processes or supporting consolidated views of large programs, Infor LN equally supports diverse A&D international business models, with companies heavily focused on process operations being the only exception. With these strengths, Infor LN retains its top position on our list of aerospace and defense ERP systems.

Strengths
  1. Last-mile capabilities for most A&D business models. Capabilities such as contract flow-down clauses and government audit support require intertwined business objects. They might not work as seamlessly with systems not naturally designed to support these processes.
  2. WBS-centric large programs with mixed-mode manufacturing support. Native support for large programs with superior 1:N relationships among projects, quotes, sales orders, and contracts. 
  3. A&D-centric PLM with embedded processes and configurator. PLM-ERP integration requires bi-directional data exchange. Using an external system that is not OEM-owned and maintained is technically and financially risky.
Weaknesses
  1. Not the best fit as a corporate ledger. Private equity and holding companies requiring global solutions with a tier-2 solution at the subsidiary level might not be the best use of Infor LN’s strengths.
  2. Limited focus. The limited focus on certain business models poses the risk of requiring other ERP systems to support complex and diverse business operations such as process manufacturing or metal-centric A&D companies.
  3. Limited ecosystem and consulting base. The consulting base is highly limited, primarily relying on very few Infor resellers for consulting and support.

Conclusion

Navigating complex operations and rigorous regulations, aerospace and defense companies demand meticulous process control. Meeting regulatory obligations often brings substantial administrative overhead, affecting profit margins.

Opt for an ERP system tailored to A&D processes, steering clear of generic solutions that may require risky customizations and add-ons, elevating the risk of ERP implementation failure. Ensure your choice aligns with aerospace and defense requirements, utilizing this list as a guide to narrow down options. Seeking assistance from independent ERP consultants is a prudent step toward ensuring success.

FAQs

Top 10 Automotive ERP Systems in 2024

Top 10 Automotive ERP Systems in 2024

Leave a Comment / Automotive, Blog, ERP / By / March 17, 2025

Selecting an ERP for the automotive industry is uniquely challenging. The consumer-centric nature renders its processes exceptionally intricate and unpredictable. These behaviors have profound downstream effects on the entire value chain, necessitating constant innovation and modifications to existing products. This drives the need for tighter collaboration and joint planning, influencing compliance and global trade processes. This holds true even for smaller companies with limited global operations.

Additionally, the pressure of tighter margins necessitates heightened efficiency on shop floors, introducing distinctive scheduling challenges linked to specialized skills for each operation. Within the value chain, various players may share commonalities and differences, both equally influencing business processes. Shared aspects include adherence to quality standards and OEM reporting, as well as collaborative planning efforts. Conversely, divergent needs arise from unique manufacturing and distribution processes and planning methodologies. Consider, for instance, the contrast between a plastic supplier and a consumer-grade chemical distributor. Even the operations of a machine shop may significantly differ from those of an OEM specializing in school buses. All are generally bundled under automotive, yet their operations and processes are uniquely different.

These distinct considerations emphasize the necessity of understanding the critical success factors. As well as finding an appropriate ERP system designed to support similar transactional volume and operational processes. Choosing an ERP system not explicitly crafted for this sector might drive overengineering. And, in extreme cases, adoption and implementation challenges. Keen to discover the ERP systems fit for these market segments? Join us as we explore the top 10 automotive ERP systems on our list.



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Criteria

  1. Definition of an automotive company. These are the companies in the automotive ecosystem, including OEMs, aftermarket service providers, manufacturers, and distributors. The list considers companies of all sizes in this ecosystem.
  2. Overall market share/# of customers. The higher the market share among automotive companies, the higher it ranks on our list.
  3. Ownership/funding. The more committed the management to the product roadmap for the automotive companies, the higher it ranks on our list.
  4. Quality of development. The more cloud-native capabilities, the higher it ranks on our list.
  5. Community/Ecosystem. The larger the community with a heavy presence from automotive companies, the higher it ranks on our list.
  6. Depth of native functionality for specific industries. The deeper the publisher-owned out-of-the-box functionality, the higher it ranks on our list.
  7. Quality of publicly available product documentation. The poorer the product documentation, the lower it ranks on our list. 
  8. Automotive company market share. The higher the focus on automotive companies, the higher the ERP system ranks on our list.
  9. Ability to natively support diversified business models. The more diverse the product, the higher it ranks on our list.
  10. Acquisition strategy aligned with automotive companies. The more aligned the acquisitions are with the automotive companies, the higher it rank on our list.
  11. User Reviews. The deeper the reviews from automotive companies, the higher the score for a specific product.
  12. Must be an ERP product. It can’t be an edge product such as QuickBooks, Freshbooks, Xero, Zendesk, HubSpot, or Salesforce. It also can’t be an add-on owned by ISVs or VARs that sits on top of other accounting platforms.


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10. IFS

IFS specializes in serving mid-to-large automotive companies, with its strength in MRO and aftermarket operations. These businesses, handling complex equipment for various OEMs, engage in extensive collaboration with OEMs and suppliers. However, IFS might face challenges in supporting diversified business models within the automotive sector.

In terms of automotive-specific capabilities, IFS may lack efficiency in supplier collaboration, especially compared to solutions like QAD. While it supports various business models, its performance may not match the specialized features offered by competitors like Plex or QAD, particularly in automotive program management.

In comparison to other automotive-focused solutions, IFS may face challenges with out-of-the-box automotive capabilities like MMOG/LE, ITAF, and recall management. It suits automotive companies primarily engaged in field services. Also, a good fit for those seeking best-of-breed field service capabilities for a subsidiary or integrated with a corporate financial ledger. However, due to its limited focus and struggles with diverse business models, we have slightly downgraded its ranking this year. But it still secures its position at #10 among automotive ERP systems.

9. Oracle Cloud ERP

Oracle Cloud ERP targets large global automotive companies, boasting deep capabilities in integrating customer feedback with R&D data. While excelling in mixed-mode manufacturing and international supply chain aspects, it may encounter challenges with specific automotive capabilities.

Suitable for companies adopting a best-of-breed or decoupled architecture, Oracle Cloud ERP’s role limits to finance and HCM, with other systems catering to shop floor and manufacturing needs. Larger enterprises with robust IT departments are likely to be the only ones who will be successful in developing last-mile functionality on top of the vanilla platform. 

Despite these considerations, Oracle would be the best fit as a corporate financial ledger for large automotive companies. A corporate ledger, while using another system deeper in capabilities at the subsidiary level, such as QAD, Plex, Infor LN, IQMS, or IFS. Or as the main ERP system with deep internal IT maturity and subject matter expertise in implementing complex automotive requirements. Such implementation often requires help from a change management company. This helps ensure broken processes don’t get assumed as requirements. A practice generally leads to wasting millions of dollars with failed implementation and poorly adopted systems.

It is also a great fit for private equity and holding companies if harmonizing the tool and skillset is more important for them than the additional costs of building last-mile capabilities on top of vanilla ERP platforms. Despite these considerations, Oracle secures the rank of #9 among the top automotive ERP systems.

8. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations

Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O focuses on mid-market to large automotive companies, ideal for those with diverse operations encompassing various manufacturing processes, from discrete manufacturing for automotive parts to process manufacturing for activities like plastic extrusion or chemical divisions. Companies with complex field service operations, extensive collaboration with entities, and needs for trade compliance and embedded TMS find this tailored solution advantageous.

Smaller solutions, even those specialized in automotive business models, face challenges managing such diversity. This complexity is particularly notable for private equity-owned holding companies. The companies engaged in M&A cycles, where predicting future business models becomes a more intricate task.

Regarding automotive functionalities, Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O provides a streamlined automotive add-on, albeit less comprehensive than alternative solutions. Limited last-mile functionality could mandate custom development or dedicated add-ons, requiring internal IT proficiency and expertise in implementing intricate automotive compliance frameworks. The involvement of a change management consulting firm may be necessary to prevent assuming broken processes as requirements. Despite no significant updates in automotive capabilities this year, it retains its position as the #8 choice among top automotive ERP systems.

7. SAP S/4 HANA

SAP S/4 HANA is tailored for large, global, publicly traded organizations requiring collaboration across entities and possessing robust internal IT capabilities. With the ability to scale for extensive MRP runs and process millions of journal entries per hour, it offers a unified system for streamlined operations. However, its last-mile functionality may lack depth in automotive-specific features like PPAP compliance, FMEA analysis, or recall management compared to specialized solutions.

Just like Oracle Cloud ERP or Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O, SAP S/4 HANA would be the right fit for companies requiring support for complex business models but with their internal IT and subject matter expertise to implement complex automotive capabilities on top of vanilla solutions. The only exception when this would not be required is when companies might use it for corporate financial ledger in conjunction with another operational solution such as Infor LN, QAD, Plex, and IQMS for subsidiary-level operational needs. Despite these considerations, it still maintains its rank at #7 among top automotive ERP systems.

6. DELMIAWorks

IQMS/DELMIAWorks focuses on discrete manufacturing, with a strong emphasis on the automotive vertical and mid-market companies. Similar to QAD and Plex, it provides comprehensive out-of-the-box capabilities for automotive companies, covering MMOG/LE, APQP, gauge R&R, and PPAP compliance, making it particularly advantageous for those in the Honda ecosystem.

However, unlike some competitors, IQMS retains a patchy legacy interface and lacks a vibrant community, potentially affecting talent availability and consulting costs.IQMS is a fit for companies with fairly predictable and static business models primarily focused on plastic-centric business models in the automotive ecosystem. It might also be a great subsidiary solution for large enterprises if they are run fairly independently without much need for collaboration or synergies with other entities. With the least momentum with the solution, IQMS still maintains its position at #6 among the top automotive ERP systems.

5. Infor CloudSuite Industrial

Tailored for SMB OEMs with hybrid manufacturing models, Infor CloudSuite Industrial addresses the needs of automotive companies aiming for flexibility in engineering processes. While many companies typically adhere to formal SKUs and revisions driven by automotive OEMs, engineer-to-order-centric automotive companies may lack such formality. This flexibility accommodates companies without highly formalized BoMs.

Ideal for SMB OEMs and part manufacturers with field services, it may not be the best fit for larger automotive firms or those with process-intensive operations. For example, a discrete manufacturer with a lighter process footprint may find it suitable, whereas a process manufacturer like a plastic extrusion company with a packaging line might not. 

Infor CSI’s process manufacturing capabilities were added to support complex discrete manufacturers with diversified business models and are not designed for intricate process manufacturing. Other challenges may arise for automotive companies with business models akin to metal companies that require support for parts without part numbers or those needing to support processes such as nesting or incorporating attributes in MRP planning. While providing out-of-the-box automotive capabilities, they are less detailed compared to solutions like QAD or Plex, impacting implementation budget and risk. Despite being more diverse than automotive-focused solutions like Plex or IQMS, Infor CSI maintains its position at #5 among top automotive ERP systems.

4. Epicor Kinetic

Epicor Kinetic caters to SMB automotive companies that are deeply involved in shop floor activities. An ideal choice for those managing schedules and quality processes within MES, similar to Plex, it may not be suitable for those relying on ERP for scheduling and centralized quality management. Unique BOM structures make it well-suited for companies with formal manufacturing processes and revision numbers. It’s particularly suitable for automobile manufacturers with complex inventories and unique material-to-operation correlations, as well as those handling large programs with WBS-centric processes.

Epicor Kinetic offers diversified support, combining distribution-centric planning with MRP within the same software. While it has acquired advanced field service capabilities, seamless integration might take time, making its field service capabilities less robust than those of some competitors, especially for aftermarket and MRO-centric companies. While an excellent solution for the mid-market and suitable as a subsidiary solution for large automotive companies, it might not be the optimal choice as the main ERP for very large companies due to limited financial hierarchies compared to larger ERP systems.

Most automotive companies with formal BOMs and revision numbers find Epicor Kinetic well-aligned with their planning processes. In comparison with solutions like Infor CloudSuite Industrial (Syteline), Despite these considerations, Epicor Kinetic ranks at #4 on our list of the top automotive ERP systems.

3. Plex

Plex focuses on automotive companies, particularly in the Toyota and Ford ecosystems. Tailored for last-mile S&OP and compliance in these ecosystems, Plex excels as a subsidiary-level solution with robust shop-floor-centric capabilities. It’s ideal for large companies to consolidate automotive portfolios on one solution as a subsidiary-level solution while using another large ERP system as a corporate ledger. It is also a very strong fit for pure-play automotive SMBs in the Toyota and Ford ecosystems.

Originating as an MES solution, Plex struggles with diverse business models, like those requiring project manufacturing capabilities in verticals such as contract manufacturing or engineer-to-order centric companies. In architectures where the shop floor is critical, Plex, like Epicor and IQMS, is a strong fit, but less so when ERP must house quality and scheduling processes, not MES. Cross-functional supply chain processes, while not as robust, are tailored for automotive use cases.

Despite not having widespread adoption like some competitors, Plex boasts super-rich capabilities for program management, pre-integrated with PLM and CAD. With native integration of skills and scheduling, Plex MES supports shop floor needs. Recent updates include functionality for the Ford ecosystem, but diverse business models might find Plex’s scope limiting. As a result, it ranks at #3 on our list of top automotive ERP systems.

2. QAD

QAD caters to mid to large global automotive companies, suitable as a subsidiary-level integrated with a corporate financial ledger or as a pure-play SMB option as their main ERP. Uniquely combining several aspects of supply chain and ERP suites, it’s uniquely tailored for automotive-centric companies. With other solutions, these capabilities generally reside in different siloes, creating isolated boundaries for complex cross-functional mature processes such as allocation or ATP. Recent acquisitions hint at combining HCM and MES capabilities, very similar to Plex’s capabilities, which are especially valuable for automotive companies because of their need for joint collaboration and planning needs. Unique scheduling processes prioritize skillsets and certifications, necessitating integrated learning processes.

Despite not providing as detailed capabilities for Toyota, Honda, or Ford ecosystems, it’s slightly more diverse than other focused solutions such as Plex but not as diverse as other solutions such as Infor LN. Unlike Infor LN, QAD, similar to Oracle ERP Cloud and Microsoft Dynamics F&O, embeds TMS capabilities within the solution. Its user-friendly UI, contrasting with Infor LN, suits business users without requiring extensive customization.

However, QAD’s weaknesses lie in its legacy technology stack and infrastructure, lacking the agility of mainstream cloud providers. Despite the recent announcement of technology updates, which might take a while to stabilize, we have downgraded QAD slightly due to its limited vertical focus and applicability in M&A or holding company structures. Despite these considerations, it holds the #2 rank on our list of top automotive ERP systems.

1. Infor LN

Infor LN, a robust solution for global automotive companies in diverse discrete manufacturing, targets upper mid-market to large players, particularly excelling in the Honda ecosystem. Ideal as a subsidiary-level solution for large enterprises consolidating automotive operations on one solution, it also suits mid-sized companies with varied automotive-centric discrete manufacturing models. However, Infor LN faces challenges with process-centric operations for companies that might also include business operations such as plastic or chemicals as part of their automotive operations. 

Unlike smaller solutions like Plex or Infor CSI that might not have as detailed capabilities for each mode of manufacturing and might struggle with complex business models, Infor LN can cover a lot of grounds with most automotive-centric discrete and distribution business models, whether long-standing large programs or aftermarket business that also has very complex distribution operations. Infor LN also has very strong global trade compliance capabilities. While Infor LN is versatile for diverse manufacturing models, Plex holds stronger pure-play capabilities for Toyota and Ford ecosystems. Infor LN, a true SAP S/4 HANA replacement for upper mid-market or lower enterprise automotive companies, offers pre-integrated best-of-breed features like Infor Nexus, WFM, WMS, and specialized PLM solutions.

With reduced implementation time and risks due to pre-integrated functionality, Infor LN stands out as a reliable solution localized and globalized in 50 countries. Despite limitations in broader capabilities compared to other vanilla solutions, recent upgrades acknowledge its broader application in various automotive business models, securing the top rank at #1 on our list of the top automotive ERP systems.

Conclusion

Automotive companies possess distinctive needs, ranging from product forecasting to supply chain demand. Unique quality and reporting standards, especially for ecosystems like Toyota and Honda, require meticulous compliance to safeguard scorecards. Failing to adapt to OEMs’ evolving demands jeopardizes success. Hence, automotive-specific capabilities are crucial, as vanilla ERPs may entail risk and cost due to longer and more expensive implementation cycles.

When choosing an ERP for your automotive company, avoid getting lost in generalized features. This list, published by truly independent automotive ERP consultants, aims to streamline your options and guide you toward a successful implementation.

FAQs

Top 10 Large Company ERP In 2024

Top 10 Large Company ERP in 2024

Leave a Comment / Aerospace & Defense, Automotive, Blog, Chemicals, Construction, Consumer Goods, Distribution, ERP, Food and Beverage, High Tech & Electronics, Industrial Manufacturing, Life Sciences, Retail, Service Companies / By / March 17, 2025

For large companies, selecting an ERP system is no longer about meeting functional specifications. Instead, it’s about their ability to handle the transactional capacity and cross-functional process throughput. Evaluating software-enabled processes’ throughput mirrors physical or human resources planning, commencing with the desired state and identifying necessary resources. Contrary to the misconception of infinite capacity in software systems, meticulous capacity planning is indispensable.

The critical determinant in cross-functional process throughput boils down to the choice between isolated and tightly integrated processes. Amidst variables like human resources interactions, reconciliation overhead, and the switchover effect, pinpointing the most financially efficient approach proves challenging. Consequently, companies adopt varied ERP implementation strategies—some favoring tightly integrated methods, others leaning towards slightly more best-of-breed approaches. Additional factors include the generation of journal entries per user interaction, driving system overhead, and the cycle time for cross-functional processes. Advocates for real-time to batch conversion exist, yet even in batch mode, time considerations take precedence. For example, an MRP run exceeding 5 hours could fracture SQL connections and disrupt planning schedules, underscoring the need for meticulous analysis and ERP selection aligned with these considerations.

Top 10 Large Company ERP in 2024 - Quadrant

While throughput assessment may seem scientific, persuading every department to use the same ERP system can cause political resistance and power struggles. Evolving desired states and extended implementation horizons are other challenges large organizations face, forcing them to treat ERP as the corporate financial ledger while allowing their subsidiaries to choose their systems. So, which systems prove optimal at this stage regardless of their choice of architecture? Let’s delve in.



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Criteria

  1. Definition of a large company. More than $1B in revenue or more than 1000 employees. Might be publicly listed. Financial controls are a must for SOX compliance and public reporting. Finance takes over operational needs. Might be present in more than ten countries.
  2. Overall market share/# of customers. Higher market share among the large companies ranks higher.
  3. Ownership/funding. The more committed the management to the product roadmap for large companies, the higher it ranks on our list.
  4. Quality of development. The more cloud-native capabilities, the higher it ranks on our list.
  5. Community/Ecosystem. The larger the community with large companies, the higher it ranks on our list.
  6. Depth of native functionality for specific industries. The deeper the publisher-owned out-of-the-box functionality, the higher it ranks on our list.
  7. Quality of publicly available product documentation. The poorer the product documentation, the lower it ranks on our list. 
  8. Larger company market share. The higher the focus on large companies, the higher the ERP system ranks on our list.
  9. Ability to natively support diversified business models. The more diverse the product, the higher it ranks on our list.
  10. Acquisition strategy aligned with large companies. The more aligned the acquisitions are with the large companies, the higher it ranks on our list.
  11. User Reviews. The deeper the reviews from large companies, the higher the score for a specific product.
  12. Must be an ERP product. It can’t be an edge product such as QuickBooks, Freshbooks, Xero, Zendesk, HubSpot, or Salesforce. It also can’t be an add-on owned by ISVs or VARs that sits on top of other accounting platforms.


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10. Workday/Certinia

Workday, initially tailored as an HCM solution for Fortune 1,000 accounts, finds its niche in industries with sizable white-collar workforces. While Workday serves well as a comprehensive ERP for large enterprises in sectors like tech, media, telecom, banks, retail, and financial services, its suitability diminishes for product-centric industries requiring deeper transactional depth in inventory, costing, and MRP processes. However, it can excel in product-centric scenarios in a best-of-breed architecture sitting atop a corporate financial ledger. 

Historically, Certinia served as an alternative for finance before Workday developed its financial module. Depending on architectural preferences, both Workday and Certinia would be fit for best-of-breed architecture in some industries or function as complete ERPs in others. Despite a lower market share as ERP, their unique presence secures the #10 position on this list.

Strengths
  1. Enterprise-grade best-of-breed capabilities. Workday and FinancialForce excel in HCM and PSA, respectively, in their target industries, sitting atop the corporate financial ledger such as SAP or Oracle.
  2. Proven for enterprise workloads. Both solutions have been proven for enterprise workloads where the Fortune 100 may process millions of journal entries per hour, only possible with the disconnected architecture. 
  3. Cloud-native. Both solutions are cloud-native, a huge plus for large enterprises aiming for superior cross-functional throughput.
Weaknesses
  1. Requires internal IT maturity. The executives with limited experience in building complex architecture might struggle to hire skilled experts.
  2. Requires discipline with master data governance. The inability to build cross-functional with master data governance and cross-functional integration workflows might be counterproductive.
  3. Expensive. While operationally efficient, best-of-breed architecture is likely to be the most expensive of all, with substantial integration and maintenance costs in the long term.

9. QAD

QAD, a supply chain-focused manufacturing solution, caters to large automotive, F&B, and high-tech companies. Ideal as a subsidiary-level solution or as a corporate ERP for lower enterprise markets, it suits firms seeking robust functionality in supplier collaboration and international trade. Although a legacy solution, QAD has announced its plans to rearchitect the solution on a modern tech stack. However, its smaller size may pose challenges with transactional processing for larger accounts, and its niche nature could be limiting for enterprises with diverse operational models. Considering these factors, QAD secures the #6 rank among large company ERP systems.

Strengths
  1. Pre-integrated best-of-breed suite tailored for specific micro-verticals. QAD shines in specific micro-verticals where the generalized BOMs and recipes of vanilla solutions might struggle, especially beneficial as a subsidiary solution of large enterprises.
  2. ERP + Supply Chain Suite. QAD is perhaps the only suite that combines the capabilities of both suites, especially beneficial in architecture with disconnected supply chain planning at the plant level.
  3. Multi-entity Support. QAD would be a great fit for enterprises that want to consolidate some entities relevant to supply chain planning while keeping the remaining integrated through the corporate financial ledger.
Weaknesses
  1. Limited focus. The limited focus might be a challenge for enterprises planning to host all of their entities in one solution, requiring an upgrade to a more diverse solution. 
  2. Limited ecosystem. QAD’s ecosystem is substantially limited, causing issues with global rollout in countries with limited local talent.
  3. Technology. While QAD plans to redesign its entire platform, moving away from legacy technologies such as RPG, it might take a few years before it fully stabilizes.

8. Sage X3

Sage X3 is suitable for enterprises in the agriculture, F&B, and process manufacturing industries as a subsidiary-level best-of-breed solution, sitting atop SAP or Oracle– or, as a corporate solution for lower enterprises. With one of the strongest security and financial traceability, it could be a great fit for publicly traded or audit-ready companies in the lower enterprise market. However, it’s not proven with the upper enterprise market, particularly those necessitating millions of journal entries per hour. Despite these considerations, it secures the #8 spot among large company ERP systems.

Strengths
  1. Great for enterprise pharma and agriculture companies. Last mile capabilities for pharma, agriculture, and process-centric companies as a subsidiary solution atop a corporate financial ledger such as SAP or Oracle.
  2. Deep ERP layers for audit-ready and public companies. Ideal as a complete ERP solution, especially in the process-centric companies in the lower enterprise market.
  3. Great ecosystem of consultants for pharma validation. The ecosystem includes consulting companies with deep expertise in the Sage X3 product and validation procedures.
Weaknesses
  1. Limited focus. The limited focus of the solution might be a challenge for enterprises active with the M&A cycle and using it as a corporate solution with the desire to host all of their entities in one solution. 
  2. Not proven for the larger enterprise market. While great for the lower enterprise market and as a subsidiary solution, it’s not a great fit as a corporate solution for the upper enterprise market.
  3. Limited best-of-breed capabilities. Enterprise companies looking for pre-integrated best-of-breed options may struggle to find those options with Sage X3.

7. Unit4

Unit4, a robust ERP system, specifically targets large educational institutions and public-sector entities. Its forte lies in people-centric functionality augmented by enterprise-grade ERP capabilities. Noteworthy is Unit4’s unique standing, offering enterprise-grade functionalities for student information and teacher workflow management, setting it apart in the market. Proven in handling substantial workloads, Unit4 boasts successful implementations in some of the largest universities and public sector organizations, traditionally domains of Oracle Cloud ERP, Workday, or Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O. Despite being rearchitected for a cloud-native experience, Unit4 remains a legacy product.

While primarily a European solution, Unit4 ensures localization and globalization for numerous countries. However, its challenge lies in accommodating diverse business models, making it less suitable for companies acquiring entities with varied business models, securing the #7 position on our list of large company ERP systems.

Strengths
  1. Enterprise-grade capabilities for universities and non-profits. Perhaps the only solution in this space that has depth in the public sector space, requiring substantial consulting efforts atop vanilla solutions.
  2. Cloud capabilities. While the solution is legacy, they have made substantial progress with their cloud capabilities. 
  3. Pre-integrated HCM and procurement processes tailored for service-centric industries. Solutions such as Workday that offer best-of-breed HCM and indirect procurement capabilities might be technically and financially risky.
Weaknesses
  1. Limited focus. The limited focus of the solution might be a challenge for enterprise companies active with M&A cycles, especially for business models outside of Unit4’s expertise. 
  2. Limited ecosystem and consulting base. As of today, their North American presence and consulting base is significantly limited.
  3. Limited best-of-breed capabilities. Enterprise companies opting to build best-of-breed architecture might not find as many pre-baked integration options, requiring substantial consulting efforts.

6. Deltek

Deltek caters to major government contractors, AE, and construction companies, serving as an ideal subsidiary solution for large enterprises or as a corporate solution for lower enterprise segment planning to host all of their global entities in one database. Tailored for these industries, Deltek offers unique capabilities, leveraging industry-specific databases and integrations, which is particularly crucial for processes like CPQ. While excelling in deep capabilities for certain industries, Deltek is not as complete as an ERP as other solutions on this list, necessitating additional integrations. Despite its focused scope, recent developments have influenced its ranking, securing the #6 position among large company ERP systems.

Strengths
  1. Last-mile capabilities for GovCon and construction-centric verticals. Deltek has last-mile capabilities in the construction and GovCon space, making it an ideal subsidiary solution for large enterprises.
  2. Access to the databases and networks relevant to these industries. Deltek has several products in its portfolio with industry databases and networks that would be much harder to build atop vanilla solutions because of the subject matter expertise required in these industries.
  3. Multi-entity capabilities. Their multi-entity capabilities are rich, making them suitable for lower enterprise companies seeking a corporate solution to host all of their entities in one database.
Weaknesses
  1. Limited focus. The limited focus of the solution might be a challenge for enterprise companies active with M&A cycles, especially for business models outside of Deltek’s expertise. 
  2. Limited ecosystem and consulting base. As of today, their ecosystem and consulting base is significantly limited.
  3. Not proven for the larger enterprise market. While great for the lower enterprise market and as a subsidiary solution, it’s not a great fit as a corporate solution for the upper enterprise market.

5. Infor CloudSuite M3/LN

Infor LN and M3, distinct products bundled into CloudSuite offerings, share our list’s ranking due to their non-overlapping target markets. While Infor CloudSuite LN focuses on discrete-centric verticals like aerospace and automotive, Infor M3 caters to industries such as apparel and food and beverage. Both offer comprehensive manufacturing solutions for global organizations with diversified manufacturing business models, including essential components like PLM and industry-specific quality features. Positioned as subsidiary solutions for the upper enterprise market or corporate solutions for the lower enterprise market, they secure the #5 spot among large ERP systems.

Strengths
  1. Great for lower enterprise companies as pureplay manufacturing business models. Ideal for lower enterprise companies as a corporate solution or as a subsidiary solution for upper enterprise, publicly traded, private equity-owned, or holding companies.
  2. Most comprehensive manufacturing capabilities. Both can support the most complex manufacturing business models for global companies exploring operational synergies across global entities. 
  3. Enterprise-grade capabilities for lower enterprise companies. While most smaller solutions might require ad-hoc arrangements for global financial operations, both have them natively built.
Weaknesses
  1. Not the best fit as a corporate ledger. Large enterprises, private equity, or holding companies requiring global solutions while using a tier-2 solution at the subsidiary level might not find the most value with both.
  2. Limited focus. The limited focus on certain business models poses the risk of requiring other ERP systems to support complex and diverse business operations.
  3. Limited ecosystem and consulting base. The consulting base is highly limited, primarily relying on very few Infor resellers for consulting and support.

4. IFS

IFS focuses on large enterprises in the airline, MRO, construction, oil and gas, and heavy equipment field service sectors, offering strong ERP, EAM, field service, and enterprise project management capabilities. Suited for large enterprises seeking best-of-breed solutions, IFS can sit atop financial ledgers like SAP or Oracle or serve as a subsidiary solution. Despite notable progress in North America, its install base is comparatively limited. With recent growth in enterprise adoption, IFS secures the #4 position on our list.

Strengths
  1. Enterprise-grade field service and asset management capabilities. This is especially suitable for upper enterprise companies seeking best-of-breed capabilities with field service and asset management.
  2. The data model is aligned with companies with large programs. Industries such as MRO, Oil, and Gas follow very different project structures and BOMs. And IFS’s data model allows them to manage complex programs without any ad-hoc arrangements.This is especially beneficial for lower enterprise companies looking for last-mile capabilities pre-baked with the solution. 
  3. Technology – While a legacy solution, IFS technology has been rearchitected and modernized using cloud-native SaaS technologies.
Weaknesses
  1. Limited focus. The limited focus might be a challenge for enterprise companies active with M&A cycles. 
  2. Limited ecosystem. Its presence and install base are still limited in North America compared to other solutions on this list.
  3. Not proven for the larger enterprise market. While great as a best-of-breed solution for field service or EAM, it’s not proven for the workload of Fortune 1000 companies.

3. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations

Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O is perhaps the most diverse solution accommodating several global business models in one database, making it an ideal solution for lower enterprise companies seeking a corporate solution to host all of their entities in one database. While a great fit as a corporate ledger for large enterprises, it’s not as proven as other leading solutions in the enterprise market with workloads as high as millions of journal entries per hour that Fortune 1000 companies might demand. Given these considerations, it secures the #3 spot on our large company ERP systems list.

Strengths
  1. Diverse capabilities.Supports global operations and business models and pre-baked integration for the best-of-breed CRM and field service solutions.
  2. Ecosystem. This is especially beneficial for private equity and holding companies trying to streamline all of their entities on one solution. They can find add-ons if the core solution doesn’t meet their needs for last-mile industry capabilities.
  3. Global capabilities. Global capabilities would help enterprise companies in countries with its limited presence or support, making it a truly global solution compared to other platforms on this list.
Weaknesses
  1. The channel is not as regulated. Microsoft channel is very complex, without any direct support for its resellers and partners, making navigating the Microsoft channel extremely hard.
  2. Limited best-of-breed capabilities directly through OEM. While Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O has a vibrant marketplace to augment its core capabilities, crucial capabilities such as PLM, etc, might not be owned and pre-integrated by Microsoft.
  3. Limited last-mile capabilities. The last-mile capabilities required in specific micro-verticals such as dairy, plastic, building supplies, or metal might require add-ons or expensive development on top of the core platform.

2. Oracle Cloud ERP 

Ideal for large enterprises in service industries, Oracle Cloud ERP stands out as a top choice as a corporate financial ledger within best-of-breed architectures, whether for publicly traded or privately owned entities. While excelling as a financial ledger, its suitability as a subsidiary solution in best-of-breed setups is limited due to over-bloated global capabilities and leaner last-mile functionalities compared to other solutions on the list. Given these considerations, Oracle Cloud ERP claims the #2 spot among large company ERP systems.

Strengths
  1. Robust finance capabilities for large, global enterprises. Capabilities include having five layers of GL restrictions, multiple layers of sub-ledgers, and book closing requirements across divisions, making an ideal corporate ledger for complex global enterprises.
  2. Proven solution as a corporate ledger with Fortune 1000 workloads. It can handle the workload of large enterprises processing millions of GL entries per hour. 
  3. Ecosystem.  Oracle Cloud ERP has an ecosystem of experienced consultants capable of handling the architecture of such complex enterprises.
Weaknesses
  1. Global transactional and financial traceability are not as intuitive. While functionally capable, transactional and financial traceability might not be as intuitive for large, complex enterprises.
  2. It may not be the best fit for large enterprises with complex transactions or Fortune 1000 global MRP workloads. While great as a financial ledger, complex products with serialized structures or large enterprises with very complex BOMs with operational and financial synergies among entities might struggle with the solution because of the workload requirements at this scale.
  3. Not the best fit as a subsidiary solution. There are better solutions on this list that can offer much deeper operational capabilities at the subsidiary level without the overloaded complex financial layers of Oracle Cloud ERP.

1. SAP S/4 HANA

SAP S/4 HANA is among the few solutions with capabilities to handle the workload expectations of most complex products with global MRP runs, making it ideal as a corporate ledger for most enterprise companies, publicly or privately owned, or as a corporate ERP for globally integrated product-centric industries, regardless of their design including shared services. Despite its enterprise-grade capabilities, it is not as suitable for enterprises seeking deeper operational capabilities at the subsidiary level. Given these considerations, it secures the #1 rank among large ERP systems.

Strengths
  1. Robust finance capabilities for large, global enterprises. Capabilities include several financial hierarchies to support complex, global organizations without requiring ad-hoc arrangements for global traceability or consolidations.
  2. Proven solution with the most detailed enterprise-grade MRP strategy for global planning. Globally connected enterprises with shared product models and dependencies among entities, SAP S/4 HANA, can handle most complex planning configurations without the requirement of decoupling the transactions.
  3. Intuitive global transactional and financial traceability. It is one of the most intuitive ERP products for such complex operations with its transactional maps capabilities built with the products, making debugging complex financial enterprises easier.
Weaknesses
  1. Behind in cloud ERP capabilities. Despite advanced financial traceability and technical capabilities, the functional capabilities are not as rich as with its on-prem version.
  2. Not the best fit as a subsidiary solution. There are better solutions on this list that can offer much deeper operational capabilities at the subsidiary level without the over-bloated complex financial and enterprise layers.
  3. Limited last-mile capabilities. In industries where it might not be the most frequently installed as an operational solution, the other solutions are likely to have deeper last-mile capabilities.

Conclusion

Transitioning into the $1B club brings unique challenges like navigating multiple country regulations, cash flow intricacies, currency hedging, and international supply chain complexities—issues less prevalent in mid-market companies. 

Deploying systems designed for smaller enterprises may lead to financial control shortcomings. Large companies should avoid squeezing into ill-fitting solutions and explore options tailored to their specific needs. Let this list guide you in narrowing down suitable ERP choices for your enterprise with the help of independent ERP consultants.

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