Consumer Goods

Machinery Manufacturing Companies. Designing, producing, and assembling equipment used in various industries, such as agriculture, construction, and aerospace, are uniquely different when it comes to their needs. They differ as they create complex machines, requiring long standing processes for engineering departments and an army of engineers collaborating with customers. Their business model could be as diverse as containing the elements of product development, manufacturing, and after-sales services. Many may also offer maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, providing ongoing support, requiring distinct ERP capabilities compared to other manufacturing industries.

Machinery Manufacturing Business Processes. Involving long-standing processes for machinery division, the processes begin with heavy engineering and creating detailed specifications. Critical components might need to start the sourcing process even before the contract gets signed, followed by the manufacturing phase, with changes happening even at the last minute. Quality control might require materials from customers and vendors, requiring inventory exchanges. The process may also include customization for specific client needs and after-sales services such as installation, maintenance, and repairs.

Machinery Manufacturing ERP needs. Effective ERP solutions for machinery manufacturing require advanced capabilities such as kanban, mixed-mode manufacturing such as engineer-to-order, make-to-order, and make-to-stock. They also need capabilities such as planning for long lead times and detailed layers of sub-assemblies including phantom. Swapping out make components with buy in bulk or allocating from inventory first before making one, their BOMs require one of the most complex capabilities. The scheduling could be equally complex with resources shared among the production and service divisions. Milestone and cost tracking could be other areas that are likely to be substantially complex, making ERP selection substantially challenging for machinery manufacturing.

The 2025 Digital Transformation Report

Thinking of embarking on a ERP journey and looking for a digital transformation report? Want to learn the best practices of digital transformation? Then, you have come to the right place.

Download Now

Criteria

• Definition of a machinery manufacturing company. Most machinery business models of all sizes including mechanical machines, industrial automation equipments across industries.
• Overall market share/# of customers. The higher market share among machinery manufacturing companies drives higher rankings on this list.
• Ownership/funding. The superior financial position of the ERP vendor leads to higher rankings on this list. 
• Quality of development. How modern is the tech stack? How aggressively is the ERP vendor pushing cloud-native functionality for this product? Is the roadmap officially announced? Or uncertain?
• Community/Ecosystem. How vibrant is the community? Social media groups? In-person user groups? Forums?
• Depth of native functionality. Last-mile functionality for specific industries natively built into the product?
• Quality of publicly available product documentation. How well-documented is the product? Is the documentation available publicly? How updated is the demo content available on YouTube?
• Product share and documented commitment. Is the product share reported separately in financial statements if the ERP vendor is public?
• Ability to natively support diversified business models. How diverse is the product in supporting multiple business models in the same product?
• Acquisition strategy aligned with the product: Any recent acquisitions to fill a specific hole for machinery manufacturing industries? Any official announcements to integrate recently acquired capabilities?
• User Reviews: How specific are the reviews about this product’s capabilities? How recent and frequent are the reviews?
• Must be an ERP product: Edge products such as HCM, CRM, eCommerce, MES, or accounting solutions that are not fully integrated to support enterprise-wide capabilities are not qualified for this list.

10. Odoo

Odoo is well-suited for SMB machinery manufacturers outgrowing QuickBooks. Its data model isn’t as detailed as larger ERP systems like Acumatica or Infor CSI lacking advanced capabilities. Odoo’s less complex data embeddedness and fewer required layers make the implementation process more affordable compared to more intricate systems. Therefore, it acquires the #10 spot on our list of top machinery manufacturing ERP systems.

Strengths

• Well adopted among industry 4.0 companies. It is widely adopted, especially among Industry 4.0 companies and other machinery businesses. These companies may use it for procurement planning or more advanced scenarios that require sophisticated MRP planning. However, smaller machinery companies that typically purchase components per project may not need such advanced capabilities. For these smaller businesses, while it would be a good fit, the sophisticated features may not be necessary.
• Diverse solution to accommodate several business models. The ERP layers are highly adaptable and designed to support various business models such as machinery, parts, and service divisions for machinery manufacturers.
• Matrix functionality built as part of the inventory core​. Most machinery manufacturers are likely to require complex inventory attributes that are not only used for reporting but also for planning. Odoo supports these complex inventory use cases.

Weaknesses 

• Limited advanced capabilities. Advanced transactions that are bread-and-butter for machinery manufacturers such as blanket orders, batch transactions, phantom support, allocation, and kanban may have limited support natively.
• Not proven for complex BOMs. Most machinery manufacturers are likely to have very complex BOMs, requiring layers of subassemblies with complex logic such as swapping out a material or operation in the entire database in bulk might not as easy as with products designed for complex machinery manufacturing.
• Requires mature internal IT team. In tailoring, customizing, and configuring these ERP capabilities, the same capabilities that are already included as part of the suite, Odoo also requires a very mature internal IT team.

9. Rootstock

Rootstock caters to machinery manufacturing-centric SMBs, offering robust mobile-native capabilities atop the Salesforce platform. Most machinery manufacturing organizations are likely to be heavy users of Salesforce due to the longer sales cycle. They also might have their sales team involved during the operational phases due to the high-touch nature of these projects. The unified experience across sales and operations platforms provided by Rootstock would help machinery manufacturing organizations. Thus, ranking at #9 on our list of top machinery manufacturing ERP systems.

Strengths 

• Unified Salesforce experience. It is well-aligned with Salesforce products, making it a strong choice for machinery manufacturers who handle large, complex projects. These companies often deal with high-value contracts and require extensive CRM integration for sales and marketing processes. Rootstock integrates seamlessly with Salesforce, supporting the content-driven and CRM-centric workflows typical in such high-value projects, unlike simpler manufacturing ERP modules like MTO.
• WBS friendly processes. Rootstock excels in WBS-centric functionality for project manufacturing. While other ERP systems may claim project manufacturing capabilities, they often lack integration with operational tasks and financial processes. Rootstock, however, effectively tracks operational tasks and integrates them with financial processes, making it a strong fit for projects requiring detailed management.
• Cloud native tech​. It is highly cloud-native, offering a strong mobile experience, particularly valuable for service departments. If you need field service processes to handle orders, manage inventory, and capture signatures from mobile devices, Rootstock supports these needs effectively. 

Weaknesses

• The Salesforce data model is not as relational. The underlying data model in Salesforce is not as relational as those in other ERP systems, which is typical for most CRM designs. As a result, you may encounter data integrity challenges with Rootstock. 
• Not as diverse. The capabilities aren’t as diverse overall. So, if you’re trying to accommodate a variety of business models with your Rootstock installation, you may encounter some challenges. 
• Not as well adopted​. It’s not as widely adopted overall, and the number of logos they have is fairly limited, especially among machinery manufacturing logos, which are quite few.

8. Oracle Cloud ERP

Oracle Cloud ERP is a robust system designed for companies outgrowing smaller or mid-sized ERP systems like Odoo or Rootstock. It excels in consolidating global operations and providing comprehensive end-to-end traceability for financial and operational data, especially important for multinational and publicly traded companies. Oracle Cloud ERP is ideal for Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies that require advanced data traceability and are subject to stringent audits. Therefore, it has secured the #8 position on our list of top machinery manufacturing ERP systems.

Strengths 

• Diversity of the solution supported different business models. When considering Oracle Cloud ERP, its diversity is a key strength. For businesses with varied models, such as machinery combined with food manufacturing or restaurant operations, a more generalized ERP system is needed. Oracle Cloud ERP offers the flexibility and scale required for these complex, multi-faceted scenarios.
• Depth of ERP layers for large enterprises. Oracle Cloud ERP excels in scalability and flexibility, making it adaptable to various business processes and transactions. Its depth and versatility are key strengths of the system.
• Global financial consolidation and localization. Oracle Cloud ERP is often the best choice in regions where other solutions aren’t available. It offers native localization and a strong consulting base knowledgeable in local taxation, regulations, and processes.

Weaknesses

• Last mile capabilities through third-party vendors. It is ideal for regions lacking other solutions, providing native localization and expert consulting for local taxation, regulations, and processes.
• Expensive implementation. Implementations are generally more expensive and require significant internal expertise due to the complexity and numerous moving parts involved.
• Not as well adopted among machinery manufacturers due to limited operational capabilities​. Oracle Cloud ERP is not as well adopted among machinery manufacturers, so the ecosystem and integration available for machinery manufacturers might not be as strong.

7. Acumatica

When comparing the previous three systems – Odoo, Rootstock, and Oracle Cloud ERP, Acumatica is the system companies will need when they outgrow either QuickBooks or Odoo, requiring consolidation of data siloes spread across departments. Machinery manufacturers will find Acumatica useful around the $20 to $30 million revenue mark, as they will face increasing challenges with inventory costing, asset selection, and internal supply chain consolidation. At this stage, external supply chain collaboration with international vendors may not yet be critical, and the collaboration footprint might be limited. Acumatica is particularly well-suited for companies operating in the US, Canada, the UK, or Australia. However, it may not be as well-supported in South America or Eastern Europe, and even if local partners offer some support, it might not be as widely adopted, potentially leading to challenges. Thus, Acumatica secures the spot #7 on our list of top machinery manufacturing ERP systems.

Strengths 

• Core ERP layers. The core ERP layers can support various business models for machinery manufacturers. Other solutions might struggle with newer models like rentals or subscriptions because they weren’t designed for them, given that some were developed in the 1970s and 1980s. For machinery manufacturing, project manufacturing should be well supported.
• Diverse business models supported in the same database. If your business includes not just machinery manufacturing but also other models like food, you should be able to support all of these within the same database. This setup provides end-to-end traceability, but it’s typically limited to within the same country.
• Cloud-native​. Acumatica may not be the best fit for companies with global operations looking for end-to-end traceability and consolidation between entities, especially if they require advanced manufacturing ERP capabilities.

Weaknesses 

• Not as friendly for global consolidation. Acumatica may not be the best fit for companies with global operations looking for end-to-end traceability and consolidation between entities, especially if they require advanced manufacturing capabilities.
• Advanced manufacturing capabilities limited. While Acumatica’s capabilities are likely to be richer than smaller systems such as Odoo, advanced capabilities such as allocation layers, support for Kanban etc are likely to be limited.
• Suite capabilities through third-parties​. The suite capabilities like PLM are available only through third-party providers, which increases vendor risk even with Acumatica.

6. SAP S/4 HANA

SAP S/4HANA is quite similar to Oracle Cloud ERP, so the factors relevant to Oracle Cloud ERP also apply to SAP S/4HANA. Generally, SAP S/4HANA’s data model is more widely adopted among machinery manufacturers, while Oracle Cloud ERP targets service-centric industries. SAP S/4HANA excels in product-centric industries, particularly with its HANA database, which efficiently consolidates MRP workloads, especially for centralized planning across multiple global entities. It handles complex product attributes and serial number tracking, making it ideal for managing production scheduling and integrating field service workflows. This end-to-end planning capability is a significant advantage for machinery manufacturing companies. Therefore, it secures the #6 spot on our list of top machinery manufacturing ERP systems.

Strengths 

• ERP layers for complex organizations. Designed for global, highly regulated organizations with very complex business models ranging from discrete to process, combining all manufacturing modes including advanced business models such as configure-to-order.
• Diversity of the solution supporting most manufacturing processes. The ERP layers are highly adaptable and designed to support various business models, resulting in a very diverse product. In contrast, other products may not offer the same level of diversity.
• Global compliance and localization. Supports localization and compliance requirements of most countries across the world, for companies aiming to consolidate all of their global entities in one database and data model.

Weaknesses 

• Machinery suite capabilities such as PLM through third-party vendors. A limitation with SAP S/4 HANA is that the suite capabilities, such as PLM and configurator, are more tailored toward machinery manufacturers. For these features, you may need to rely on third-party solutions.
• Expensive implementation. The ERP implementation may be slightly more expensive because you’re dealing with many different vendors and many different add-ons.
• Requires mature internal IT team. In tailoring, customizing, and configuring these capabilities, the same capabilities that are already included as part of the suite, SAP S/4 HANA also requires a very mature internal IT team.

5. Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O

Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O is similar to SAP S/4HANA and Oracle Cloud ERP. However, as of now, Dynamics 365 F&O offers a richer cloud version with more capabilities, especially in core operational areas. Unlike SAP S/4HANA and Oracle Cloud ERP, Dynamics 365 F&O may not provide the detailed approval processes and complex layers required by large enterprises, particularly those that are highly regulated or publicly traded. Therefore, Dynamics 365 F&O is well-suited for mid-market and upper mid-market companies but is less adopted among Fortune 500 companies, where workload expectations are generally higher. Thus, Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O secures the #5 spot on our list of top machinery manufacturing ERP systems.

Strengths 

• Core ERP layers to support diverse business models. When it comes to core operational capabilities, MS Dynamics 365 F&O may not provide the detailed layers and approval processes required by large enterprises, especially those that are highly regulated or publicly traded. However, it performs well in mid-market and upper mid-market companies.
• Comprehensive localization across the globe. It supports a wide range of business models and offers global localization in areas where other products may not be available, with strong consulting and localization support.
• Depth in WBS-centric processes​. F&O offers greater depth in WBS capabilities, making it ideal for managing large projects and programs.

Weaknesses 

• Machinery suite capabilities such as PLM through third-party vendors. Like SAP S/4HANA, you’ll need third-party solutions for PLM and other components, including supply chain management.
• Expensive implementation. The ERP implementation may be slightly more expensive because you’re dealing with many different vendors and many different add-ons.
• Requires mature internal IT team. In tailoring, customizing, and configuring these capabilities, the same capabilities that are already included as part of the suite, MS Dynamics F&O also requires a very mature internal IT team.

4. DELMIAWorks 

DELMIAWorks, formerly known as IQMS, is a strong choice for machinery manufacturers using SolidWorks. These companies typically focus more on mechanical systems and may have fewer electrical components, though most modern machines do include some electrical elements. Generally, these businesses also use SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar CAD systems. DELMIAWorks aligns well with SolidWorks since both are owned by the same parent company, which ensures superior integration and a more synchronized upgrade cycle. Thus, DELMIAWorks acquires the #4 spot on our list of top machinery manufacturing ERP systems.

Strengths 

• Complete suite pre-integrated. With this approach, you’ll get all the necessary components as part of the suite, eliminating the need to source them from other vendors. The advantage is that it can be more affordable and potentially implementable within a smaller budget.
• SolidWorks and integration owned by the same vendor. DELMIAWorks will have strong alignment with SolidWorks since they’re owned by the same parent company. This means superior ERP integration and a more synchronized upgrade cycle. 
• Well adopted among machinery manufacturers​. This is the old IQMS product, which works well for machinery manufacturers using SolidWorks. Typically, these companies are more focused on mechanical machines and may not have as many electrical components.

Weaknesses 

• Legacy technology. The technology is very legacy compared to other ERP systems that we have on this list.
• Not as scalable for all discrete industries. It may not be as scalable for different business models but is particularly strong for plastic-centric business models. This can also be beneficial for machinery manufacturers who produce their own molds, as they sometimes have plastic components.
• Limited ecosystem and consulting base. Their ecosystem and consulting base are likely to be limited, as is common with other niche products.

3. Infor CloudSuite Industrial(Syteline)

Infor CSI is ideal for machinery manufacturers who do not have highly formalized engineering processes or standardized BOMs. These manufacturers often experience significant engineering changes throughout their processes, including frequent change orders, even close to shipment. This can cause friction, as their BOMs are not formalized and they may operate more like service-centric companies, lacking stringent regulation. This presents a challenge in the machinery manufacturing sector. However, Infor CSI is well-suited for these situations, especially if the BOMs require flexibility and features like revision numbers, due to its ability to accommodate fluid and adaptable BOM management. Thus, securing the #3 spot on our list of top machinery manufacturing ERP systems.

Strengths 

• Engineering friendly for BOMs and costing. The UI experience is likely to be friendlier for engineering organizations performing complex BOM manipulations during the quoting process such as copying the entire BOM, replacing some parts to create the new quote, reflecting updated pricing without much manual efforts.
• Embedded field services process. From a machinery manufacturing perspective, they have embedded field service processes, for intertwined operations sharing resources among service and manufacturing divisions, operating with consolidated schedules, sharing capacity.
• Embedded quality processes​. The solution also includes embedded quality processes, which is crucial in capital-intensive industries like medical devices. In these sectors, quality processes must be tightly integrated and traceable from procurement through production to returns. Having end-to-end traceability is a significant strength, as isolated quality processes may not be sufficient.

Weaknesses

• WBS-centric discrete processes. The WBS-centric discrete processes and project manufacturing capabilities are not as robust as those found in larger products.
• Not friendly for machinery manufacturers with complex inventory. If you have complex inventory with numerous attributes used for scheduling and planning, CSI might not be the best fit.
• Legacy technology​. The technology is very legacy compared to other systems that we have on this list.

2. Epicor Kinetic

Epicor Kinetic is an excellent choice for businesses with highly formalized engineering processes, especially when strict change control and revision number tracking are required. This is common in industries like aerospace, where OEMs often mandate BOMs and revision numbers. In such cases, formal engineering processes are essential. Epicor Kinetic is also well-suited for industries like metalworking, where tracking metal components and their attributes is critical for scheduling and planning. The system’s capabilities in managing these aspects make it a great fit for companies in these sectors. Thus, it has acquired the #2 spot on our list of the top machinery manufacturing ERP systems.

Strengths 

• Complex inventory. Epicor Kinetic is uniquely suitable for machinery manufacturers with complex inventory needs where they not only use product attributes for reporting but also as part of scheduling.
• Formal engineering governance. For industries like aerospace, where you rely heavily on OEMs and need formal engineering processes, or for metal-based manufacturing requiring detailed tracking of attributes, Epicor Kinetic is a great fit. It can handle complex scheduling and planning effectively.
• MES-architecture friendly​. If you need a more MES-centric architecture, where quality and production processes are managed within the MES layer rather than the ERP layer, this can be crucial for industries where production is more critical than end-to-end traceability. In such cases, Epicor Kinetic would be a great fit.

Weaknesses 

• Not friendly for companies without revision numbers. If you have very fluid BOMs, as is often the case with machinery manufacturers, editing revision numbers may not be user-friendly. Frequent changes and disorganization in BOMs can make the process more difficult.
• Field service and quality processes are not as embedded. The field service sub-assemblies and quality processes are less integrated into their data model. Although they have acquired a company for field service and are working on integration, the experience may not be as intuitive. Acquired add-ons often lack the proven reliability of consolidated components, resulting in a less seamless experience compared to products like Infor CSI.
• Weaker core accounting and finance layers​. The finance layers are not as embedded with the core product, leaving with an impression as if using a patched product.

1. Infor CloudSuite LN

Infor CloudSuite LN addresses many limitations found in smaller products particularly like Infor CSI or Epicor Kinetic. It is particularly suitable for global manufacturing companies that require robust support for international supply chain and operational collaboration. CloudSuite LN is localized and globalized in many countries, at least 20 to 30, making it an excellent choice for companies operating in those regions and needing seamless international collaboration. It has been proven to handle very heavy workloads, accommodating companies with up to 20,000 employees, making it a strong option for larger enterprises. Hence, the #1 spot on our list of top machinery manufacturing ERP systems belongs to Infor CloudSuite LN.

Strengths

• Comprehensive machinery manufacturing capabilities. Fills the gap with smaller products with equally comprehensive capabilities for all modes of manufacturing and global operations.
• Pre-integrated suite. From the CloudSuite perspective, all components are pre-integrated, pre-built, and pre-tested within the suite, eliminating the need for third-party vendors. This generally reduces ERP implementation time and costs, as there are fewer contracts and less need to design the architecture.
• Global capabilities​. Ideal for global manufacturing companies that need international supply chain and operational collaboration. It supports localization in 20 to 30 countries, allowing for effective global planning. Proven to handle heavy workloads for companies with up to 20,000 employees, Infor CloudSuite LN is a robust choice for such needs.

Weaknesses 

• Expensive. The license is likely to be perceived as expensive by smaller companies as the enterprise layers included might not be as relevant for them.
• Not suitable for SMBs below $250M in revenue. Not sold to smaller companies. Infor might push companies to smaller products such as CSI. Going outside of Infor might be a better choice in such scenarios as they might be able to match some layers of LN for particularly smaller companies.
• Ecosystem​. Their ecosystem and consulting base are likely to be limited, as is common with other niche products.

+

ERP Implementation Failure Recovery

Learn how Frederick Wildman struggled with Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP implementation failure even after spending over $5M and what options they had for recovery.

Download Now

Conclusion

In conclusion, selecting the right ERP system is critical for machinery manufacturing companies, as it can significantly impact their operational efficiency and business growth. Each ERP solution discussed offers unique strengths and weaknesses, particularly catering to different aspects of the machinery manufacturing sector. From comprehensive global capabilities to specialized features for complex inventory management, the top ERP systems provide a range of functionalities to meet the diverse needs of the industry. Whether a company requires robust support for international operations or tailored solutions for specific manufacturing processes, understanding these ERP systems’ capabilities and limitations will help businesses make informed decisions and choose the best fit for their requirements. While this list offers valuable insights, seeking advice from an independent ERP consultant can greatly enhance your implementation success.

FAQs

Apparel manufacturing companies. They specialize in producing clothing and related accessories. They encompass a range of processes, from design and fabric sourcing to production and distribution. These companies are integral to the fashion industry, catering to consumer demands for a wide variety of garments, including casual wear, formal attire, sportswear, and accessories like footwear and bags. The business model of the apparel industry could vary from design companies to brands that manufacture and distribute through several retail stores and consulting companies that might also be manufacturing their own designs. They generally consider themselves part of the apparel industry, requiring apparel manufacturing ERP capabilities.

Apparel manufacturing processes. It involves transforming raw materials into finished garments ready for sale involves several stages, including design, pattern making, fabric sourcing, cutting, sewing, assembly, quality control, and packaging. Each step requires precision and coordination to meet quality standards and market expectations. Product development involves collaboration among functions such as design, merchandising, planning, procurement, and logistics. This process requires designing and planning based on factors like size, style, and season, necessitating unique inventory supply chain capabilities and specialized ERP systems.

Apparel manufacturing ERP needs. Apparel manufacturing companies require ERP systems tailored to their specific industry needs. These ERP systems must handle complex manufacturing processes such as supply chain management, production planning, inventory management, and demand forecasting, working in conjunction with a supply chain suite. Integration with CAD software for pattern making and design is crucial for efficient production. ERP solutions for apparel manufacturing also need robust capabilities for managing diverse product lines, handling multiple sizes and color variations, and tracking raw material sourcing and utilization. Additionally, comprehensive financial management modules are essential for cost control, pricing strategies, and financial reporting.

The 2025 Digital Transformation Report

Thinking of embarking on a ERP journey and looking for a digital transformation report? Want to learn the best practices of digital transformation? Then, you have come to the right place.

Download Now

Criteria

• Definition of an apparel manufacturing company. An apparel manufacturing company produces clothing and related accessories on a large scale, typically involving design, production, and distribution of fashion products. They operate within a complex supply chain to meet consumer demands for clothing items.
• Overall market share/# of customers. The higher market share among apparel manufacturing companies drives higher rankings on this list.
• Ownership/funding. The superior financial position of the ERP vendor leads to higher rankings on this list. 
• Quality of development. How modern is the tech stack? How aggressively is the ERP vendor pushing cloud-native functionality for this product? Is the roadmap officially announced? Or uncertain?
• Community/Ecosystem. How vibrant is the community? Social media groups? In-person user groups? Forums?
• Depth of native functionality. Last-mile functionality for specific industries natively built into the product?
• Quality of publicly available product documentation. How well-documented is the product? Is the documentation available publicly? How updated is the demo content available on YouTube?
• Product share and documented commitment. Is the product share reported separately in financial statements if the ERP vendor is public?
• Ability to natively support diversified business models. How diverse is the product in supporting multiple business models in the same product?
• Acquisition strategy aligned with the product: Any recent acquisitions to fill a specific hole for apparel manufacturing industries? Any official announcements to integrate recently acquired capabilities?
• User Reviews: How specific are the reviews about this product’s capabilities? How recent and frequent are the reviews?
• Must be an ERP product: Edge products such as HCM, CRM, eCommerce, MES, or accounting solutions that are not fully integrated to support enterprise-wide capabilities are not qualified for this list.

10. FDM4

FDM4 caters to apparel-centric processes and suits companies outgrowing QuickBooks. The benefit of FDM4 is that their team will be more committed to helping you with your processes. In general, you won’t require an additional consulting firm. For companies working with private equity firms or larger companies selling an ERP, they might not provide as much support as you would receive with FDM4. Hence, it acquires the #10 spot on our list of top apparel manufacturing ERP systems.

Strengths 

• Matrix order entry with conversion for color, size, case. When entering specific colors or sizes in cases, these relationships might be harder to support with the core ERP data model. Additionally, you require integration with color palettes, PLM, or design tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. FDM4 often addresses these tricky integrations and challenges.
• Easier implementation. The core ERP layers are not as detailed, making the implementation easier for smaller companies.
• Cheaper​. The implementation is also cheaper from the cost perspective. So, if cost is one of your biggest factors, this could be a great product.

Weaknesses 

• Clucky technology. The technology is not as modern because they lack the R&D funds to innovate and catch up with larger vendors. As a result, the technology is inferior, less cloud-native, and may have limited mobile capabilities.
• Primarily a distribution software. FDM4 is primarily a distribution software, although it does have some manufacturing capabilities.The distribution category in apparel manufacturing widely adopts it. However, the supply chain collaboration required for manufacturing is different. Therefore, just because the distribution sector adopts it widely, does not mean it will fit manufacturing needs, so you may want to evaluate that.
• Scalability​. If you have a very simplified business model, it might be okay. However, if your business model is complex or if you are active in M&A and acquiring various capabilities as part of your business model, you will run into issues with FDM4.

9. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

MS Dynamics 365 BC is ideal for companies in locations where prescriptive products might not be available and you need a localized and supported solution in those geographies. This can be a particular challenge in some Eastern European countries, South America, or Asian countries. In these regions, you might not find support for some prescriptive products, or you might find many small, local products available. For the most part, if you are looking for a slightly more global product supported in various geographies and offering both operational and financial consolidation within the same product, MS Dynamics 365 BC is a suitable choice. However, you will need to use a quick add-on to support your apparel assets. The success of using this product will depend on the quality, adoption, coding, and documentation of that add-on. Therefore, it secures the #9 spot on our list of top apparel manufacturing ERP systems.

Strengths

• Core ERP layers. The core ERP layers are very strong, especially for smaller companies outgrowing QuickBooks or the smaller ERP systems.
• Ecosystem. One of the most active ecosystems, offering numerous solutions to support various industries, even if those capabilities aren’t part of the core ERP layers or products.
• Well adopted among apparel brands​.The add-ons in the MS Dynamics 365 ecosystem enrich its capabilities, helping apparel brands adopt it widely. This is despite the fact the core product not being as tailored layers as a prescriptive product like FDM4.

Weaknesses

• Suite capabilities through third-party vendors. If these come from a third party, you might encounter challenges, especially if the core product doesn’t expose all the necessary ERP layers. Even if the solution is a great fit, a lack of support from Microsoft can cause issues. This scenario increases vendor risk and implementation risk, as you are dealing with many different moving parts in your solution.
• Expensive implementation. The implementation may be slightly more expensive because you’re dealing with many different vendors and add-ons.
• Requires a mature internal IT team.To tailor, customize, and configure these capabilities—already included in the suite, MS Dynamics 365 BC requires a very mature internal IT team.

8. Odoo

Odoo suits companies looking for an easier-to-implement product, especially those outgrowing QuickBooks. It offers many different apps, each with its own database, so you won’t experience the same consolidation found with other ERP systems. Despite allowing communication among modules, its products are not as tightly integrated from a data model or database perspective. As a result, you won’t achieve the same traceability as with other ERP products. Additionally, this increases the implementation budget and complexity, as you need to convert siloed data models into a unified one and make your teams operate on it. This is typically a significant challenge for organizations that haven’t traditionally operated on a single data model. Therefore, it acquires the #8 spot on our list of top apparel manufacturing ERP systems.

Strengths

• Well adopted among apparel brands. This is because they excel in the e-commerce space and have a very strong CRM component included as part of Odoo.
• Diverse solutions to accommodate several business models. It can support many different business models, many different localizations, countries, etc, as part of the same product.
• Matrix functionality is built as part of the inventory core​. This functionality is critical for apparel manufacturers. They would require this functionality supported throughout the phases starting from design, planning, and production.

Weaknesses

• Visual order entry with color or style might be challenging. The visual order entry required by apparel companies might be a much heavier lift to customize and build on top of Odoo. If you need an ERP add-on, choose one that is well-designed and widely adopted among apparel companies.
• Data layers not as embedded as needed for complex manufacturing companies. Odoo does not have as many users in larger apparel manufacturing companies compared to smaller apparel companies primarily in retail distribution. Adoption in the apparel manufacturing space, which is more complex, may not be as widespread.
• Requires a mature internal IT team. To tailor, customize, and configure these capabilities—already included in the suite, Odoo requires a very mature internal IT team.

7. Acumatica

Acumatica is ideal for smaller apparel companies that are outgrowing QuickBooks, Odoo, or Zoho. These companies might be looking for a single data model for all their departments to operate in a more integrated and consolidated manner. However, with Acumatica, you won’t achieve global consolidation and may not be able to explore as many global synergies. This is because Acumatica is designed for very small companies. Hence, it secures the #7 spot on our list of top apparel manufacturing ERP systems.

Strengths

• Apparel PLM, merchandizing, planning, and eCommerce brands part of the ecosystem. The ecosystem includes many apparel-centric solutions such as PLM and merchandising planning, blended with e-commerce brands in Acumatica. Sometimes, you can find pre-baked integrations that may work well for your processes. However, thorough evaluation is necessary to ensure they align with your data and processes. Nonetheless, you may find at least some solutions within their ecosystem.
• Underlying CPQ layers can allow customer and vendor and customer quoting processes. A growing CPQ layer enables both customers and vendors to engage in coding processes within the apparel space. Ensuring that the data model supports all these processes is crucial.
• Core ERP layers​. The core ERP layers are robust, supporting processes like warehouse management, even when using specialized WMS systems. All required data models must be supported to ensure seamless communication with the ERP layers.

Weaknesses

• Color and style based order entry not as intuitive. It might often require an add-on, which may not be intuitive if the core data model doesn’t support those integrations. However, in the Acumatica ecosystem, you will likely find some ERP add-ons that can handle this functionality.
• Expensive implementation with too many add-ons. In general, dealing with many different add-ons and vendors makes your implementation expensive and potentially very risky.
• Limited global consolidation capabilities. The global instances would need to be disconnected, preventing you from exploring synergies among different countries.

6. Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O

Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O is a very generalized product, designed for companies in regions where prescriptive products might not be available. For industries seeking global operational consolidation of various business models and processes, Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O fits well. Therefore, it secures the #6 spot on our list of top apparel manufacturing ERP systems.

Strengths

• Well adopted apparel add-ons as part of the ecosystem. They are widely adopted and have as many installations as some apparel-centric products. For example, products within the Aptean portfolio might have 1,000 installations, and this add-on also has 1,000 installations. So, this is likely as good as the product from your OEM or software publisher.
• Core ERP layers to support diverse business model. The underlying ERP layers are designed to support various business models, so you are unlikely to encounter many challenges.
• Comprehensive localization across the globe​. It has natively built capabilities for global synergies, in countries and geographies where prescriptive solutions might not be present.

Weaknesses

• Last mile capabilities through third-party vendors. The last mile or industry-specific capabilities you acquire will be through third-party vendors. This approach increases vendor risk when utilizing these capabilities.
• Expensive implementation. The ERP implementation may be slightly more expensive because you’re dealing with many different vendors and many different add-ons.
• Requires mature internal IT team. In tailoring, customizing, and configuring these capabilities, the same capabilities that are already included as part of the suite, MS Dynamics 365 F&O also requires a very mature internal IT team.

5. SAP S/4 HANA

It is similar to MS Dynamics 365 F&O, both designed for generalized use cases supporting various business models globally. SAP excels in the large enterprise space, while F&O, though less proven with large enterprises, offers deeper operational capabilities in its cloud version. SAP S/4HANA‘s cloud version lags behind but has significantly improved, with its on-prem version being more mature. The cloud ecosystem differs, as some rich add-ons for on-prem might not be upgraded for the cloud. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand what kind of demo you are seeing and where those capabilities are supported. Thus, placing this product at #5 on our top apparel manufacturing ERP systems list.

Strengths

• ERP layers for complex organizations. This ERP is designed for complex organizations, offering excellent suite capabilities for best-of-breed architecture. However, it may not be as tailored for apparel-centric organizations, which may still need to rely on third-party vendors and solutions to complete the system.
• Diversity of the solution supporting discrete and process manufacturing. A variety of solutions are present to support different discrete and process manufacturing processes. Most apparel manufacturers are in the textile business, but they may also need process manufacturing capabilities, especially if they incorporate chemical processes. They might acquire these capabilities to meet their requirements.
• Global compliance and localization​. The solutions natively support dozens of countries in geographies where prescriptive products might not be present.

Weaknesses 

• Last mile capabilities through third-party vendors. The last mile or industry-specific capabilities you acquire will be through third-party vendors. This approach increases vendor risk when utilizing these capabilities.
• Expensive implementation. The ERP implementation may be slightly more expensive because you’re dealing with many different vendors and many different add-ons.
• Requires mature internal IT team. In tailoring, customizing, and configuring these capabilities, the same capabilities that are already included as part of the suite, SAP S/4 HANA also requires a very mature internal IT team.

4. Oracle Cloud ERP

It is similar to SAP S/4HANA, designed for a global install base and suited for publicly traded companies needing deep financial compliance and traceability. Oracle Cloud ERP offers comprehensive retail components, including apparel manufacturing, where processes are intertwined with merchandising, planning, warehouse, procurement, and design. Solutions like Blue Yonder and Manhattan are well-suited for these areas, while ERP primarily handles financial reporting. For manufacturing, which requires cost accounting and MRP, a robust ERP solution is essential. Apparel business models are complex, involving retail distribution and physical stores, making their supply chain planning intricate. Thus, Oracle Cloud ERP secures the #4 spot on our list of apparel manufacturing ERP systems. 

Strengths

• Retail focused solution and CX solutions friendlier for B2C orgs. It is designed for a retail-focused architecture. The CX and supply chain solutions also take a very different perspective, tailored to retail needs.
• Diversity of the solution. It can accommodate several different business models, making it ideally suitable for holding companies or companies owned by private equity.
• Workforce scheduling provided as part of HCM solution for companies with physical locations​. Features such as workforce scheduling which are typically included in the HCM portfolio, are also present as part of the ERP system. Scheduling and compensation planning are very different in apparel-centric industries. This is where it excels.

Weaknesses 

• Last mile capabilities through third-party vendors. The last mile or industry-specific capabilities you acquire will be through third-party vendors. This approach increases vendor risk when utilizing these capabilities.
• Expensive implementation. The ERP implementation may be slightly more expensive because you’re dealing with many different vendors and many different add-ons.
• Requires mature internal IT team. In tailoring, customizing, and configuring these capabilities, the same capabilities that are already included as part of the suite, it also requires a very mature internal IT team.

3. Aptean Apparel ERP

Aptean apparel ERP is designed for very small apparel manufacturing companies with a limited budget. These companies seek a tailored suite with pre-integrated solutions, so they don’t have to handle the integration themselves. Thus, acquiring the #3 spot on our list of top apparel manufacturing ERP systems.

Strengths 

• Full suite pre-integrated. A tailored suite with pre-baked integrations includes solutions required by apparel manufacturing companies, reducing the need for them to develop these integrations themselves.
• Intuitive experience tailored to apparel workflows. Very customized order entry and learning processes specifically designed and labeled for apparel-centric business.
• Tight integration of merchandizing, planning, WMS, TMS, and PLM. PLM, merchandising, planning, WMS, and TMS processes, all of which are highly specialized in the apparel-centric industry. You’ll find all of these pre-configured as part of your Aptean Apparel ERP.

Weaknesses 

• Expensive with partial implementation. Sometimes, these partial scenarios can be more expensive than opting for something like NetSuite or other ERP systems if your preference is to incorporate all those best-of-breed components and integrate them.
• Not as diverse. It’s not as versatile to support a diverse range of business models. Typically, apparel business models are focused within the apparel category, often launching many new products but maintaining a consistent business model. They typically do not venture into selling apparel machinery. If you have such needs, you might encounter limitations with this ERP because it’s not designed for that purpose.
• Limited ecosystem and consulting base​. As with any other prescriptive products, the ecosystem and consulting base will be limited as well.

2. NetSuite

NetSuite is ideal for apparel SMBs with a global presence that do not require solutions as large as SAP S/4HANA or Oracle Cloud ERP. Thus, NetSuite secures the #2 position on our list of top apparel manufacturing ERP systems.

Strengths 

• Well adopted ISVs and PLMs in its ecosystem. The vendors within the NetSuite ecosystem are highly adopted in the apparel category. ISV, PLM, TMS, WMS, and other solutions perform exceptionally well. Therefore, you receive a product as good as what your software publisher delivers.
• Data model friendlier for retail and distribution companies. The data model, particularly the one required for apparel manufacturers, is not as complex as it is for other types of manufacturing. This makes NetSuite a great fit for apparel manufacturing.
• Not a bad solution for apparel manufacturing​. Apparel manufacturers don’t need as deep production capabilities with complex BOMs and routing steps, making the light manufacturing capabilities of NetSuite a decent fit.

Weaknesses 

• Complex apparel manufacturing requiring shop floor scheduling etc might need add-ons. For complex apparel manufacturing capabilities such as shop floor scheduling, you often rely on add-ons, which can introduce more complexity.
• Several add-ons required. NetSuite would require several add-ons, including tools for merchandising, planning, PLM, vendor collaboration, and increasing vendor and ERP implementation risk.
• Limited native operational capabilities​. The native capabilities are extremely lean for complex operational use cases, requiring several add-ons to fill up those gaps.

1. Infor CloudSuite M3

Infor CloudSuite M3 is designed for global apparel companies and includes tailored processes specific to the apparel industry. Customizing this suite is complex and challenging with other products. Thus, it acquires the #1 spot on our list of top apparel manufacturing ERP systems.

Strengths 

• Comprehensive apparel manufacturing capabilities. The core ERP capabilities are present with a data model tailored and delivered specifically for apparel manufacturing.
• Comprehensive suite combining most components apparel companies need. A suite where PLM, WMS, TMS, merchandising, planning, and all of that are part of the same solution from the same vendor. This integration helps reduce your implementation budget because these capabilities are unified.
• Extensibility​. You are going to have far more flexibility when customizing the product.

Weaknesses

• Not as diverse. It is not as diverse. If your business model and transactions require many different processes, such as a discrete business model in apparel manufacturing, you might encounter issues. 
• Not suitable for SMBs below $250M in revenue. This might not be the best fit for apparel companies below 250 million in revenue, as the ecosystem and consulting base are also fairly limited.
• Ecosystem​. The consulting base is extremely limited, and very few VARs are available. It might be even more limiting if you care for local help.

+

ERP Implementation Failure Recovery

Learn how Frederick Wildman struggled with Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP implementation failure even after spending over $5M and what options they had for recovery.

Download Now

Conclusion

In conclusion, apparel manufacturing companies are essential players in the global fashion industry, specializing in producing a wide array of clothing and accessories. They operate within robust textile industries in urban centers and regions with skilled labor, contributing significantly to local economies and global supply chains. From design and material sourcing to production and distribution, these companies ensure the diverse demands of consumers are met with high-quality products. Modern apparel manufacturing processes leverage technology for efficiency and adaptability, reflecting the dynamic nature of fashion trends and consumer preferences.

When evaluating ERP systems for apparel manufacturing, the rankings reveal diverse strengths and weaknesses across various solutions. Infor CloudSuite M3 emerges as the top choice due to its comprehensive suite tailored specifically for apparel industry needs, integrating PLM, WMS, TMS, merchandising, and planning seamlessly. In contrast, solutions like Oracle Cloud ERP and SAP S/4HANA cater to global enterprises with robust financial compliance and operational capabilities, albeit requiring substantial investment and a mature IT team for implementation. 

NetSuite and MS Dynamics 365 BC offer more accessible options for SMBs with global ambitions, focusing on scalable solutions without the complexity of larger ERP systems. Each ERP system reviewed provides unique benefits, reflecting the diverse needs and operational scales of apparel manufacturers in today’s competitive market landscape. Ultimately, the right ERP system, chosen with the guidance of an independent ERP consultant, will not only streamline operations and enhance efficiency but also support the company’s growth.

FAQs