High Tech & Electronics

Top 10 Marketing Automation Systems In 2024

Marketing Automation. The noisiest category ever – due to lower barriers to entry. Generally, falling within the CRM systems category, specifically handling upstream marketing efforts. One key component is email marketing, but they also include SMS marketing and omnichannel capabilities, often integrating with CMS. Whether embedding widgets on websites through a CMS within the marketing automation framework – or using an external system, all these channels feed into the marketing automation system. 

Historically, these systems were siloed, with CRMs focused primarily on data storage and operational workflows from a downstream marketing viewpoint. Marketing automation systems lived in their own world, as they didn’t need to be as tightly embedded as other transactional systems. But things changed as upstream marketing use cases matured and with their resulting traceability requirements. Some CRM systems acquired these point solutions, offering a complete suite. On the other hand, other vendors stronger in marketing automation capabilities built a CRM module from scratch within the same product suite. Built products are likely to provide a consistent experience. The acquired products, in comparison, may not have as consistent experience or tight integration, but they may offer the best-of-breed experience some companies prefer. This is how the marketing automation category has evolved.

Top 10 Marketing Automation Systems In 2024

In this context, we’re capturing systems that are both part of a suite and best-of-breed solutions. From an architectural perspective, marketing automation systems differ slightly, focusing more on workflows rather than processing transactions, which is more common in operationally focused CRMs. Integration and ecosystem are critical for marketing automation, and these integrations tend to be simpler because the systems aren’t as database-driven; they’re more workflow-oriented. This makes their design, mindset, and architecture distinct. You might already be confused, but don’t worry – we got you – with this article, which provides much-needed clarity on these systems.



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Criteria

  • Definition of a marketing automation system. The companies in this market segment would include companies of all sizes needing a marketing automation system as a pure-play category that can be deployed without requiring other dependencies.
  • Overall market share/# of customers. The higher market share among marketing automation companies drives higher rankings on this list.
  • Ownership/funding. The superior financial position of the marketing automation vendor leads to higher rankings on this list. 
  • Quality of development. How modern is the tech stack? How aggressively is the marketing automation 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 marketing automation 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 marketing automation 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 a best-of-breed marketing automation product: Only products that can be deployed independently without requiring other dependencies such as transactional systems or CRM.

10. Zoho Marketing Automation

Zoho Marketing Automation is designed for companies beginning their marketing automation journey on a budget. Its licensing is more affordable than that of other marketing automation systems. Offering deep integration within its own ecosystem and a robust CRM, it’s suitable for slightly more operationally complex scenarios. If a company has ad hoc customer interaction needs that require capturing various custom objects (and workflows), Zoho is likely a good fit. Therefore, Zoho secures the #10 spot on our list of top marketing automation systems. 

Strengths
  • Workflow automation and forms. Key strength is its workflow automation and form capabilities. Zoho also includes the Zoho Creator platform, which is quite similar to Microsoft’s Power Platform. 
  • Salesforce-like data model. The data model is very similar to Salesforce, allowing operational and transactional scenarios – and not struggling as much with complex hierarchies of business objects required in certain industries.
  • Journey builder for omni-channel experiences​. While Zoho covers several modes to build omni-channel experiences, it might not be as comprehensive as systems such as Braze or Klaviyo, which might offer pre-baked B2C scenarios such as real-time interactive experiences.
Weaknesses 
  • Ecosystem not as robust as HubSpot. The ecosystem is not as robust as that of some other comparable platforms, requiring building most integrations with third-party platforms and increasing implementation costs.
  • Not meant to be for enterprise use cases. With the substantial limitations baked with its business objects, such as the number of fields (or typed fields) allowed on a business object, it is not specifically designed for enterprise use cases.
  • Not as natively integrated with data platforms. One key limitation would be its ecosystem of pre-integrated data platforms that might be required for either funneling MQLs automatically to the CRM (or for personalization and segmentation).


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9. MailChimp

MailChimp is aimed at companies seeking a simpler CRM solution, primarily for B2C industries. It might also be relevant for B2B startups – as long as it’s used as a pure-play marketing automation platform. This would be for simpler B2B use cases, such as sending newsletters with relatively simpler tracking requirements (and customer hierarchies). Tailored for startups, it lacks the robust security features of other platforms. Customizability can also be limited, making it less suitable for mid-market, enterprise, or apartment market companies. Therefore, Mailchimp secures the #9 spot on our list of top marketing automation systems.

Strengths 
  • Audiences. It maintains several audiences with different subscription preferences (and communication needs). But note that the same contact included with multiple audiences is treated as a different contact, requiring paying twice for the same contact.
  • Segments and Campaign Builder. The campaign builder is easy to use and can be picked up easily by most business users. But note the limitations on the number of journeys allowed with each plan.
  • Support​. As of today, MailChimp support is decent and responsive, making it easier for startups with limited implementation and support budgets.
Weaknesses
  • Limited security layers compared to Pardot. The security layers it provides are not as robust compared to those available with HubSpot or Salesforce.
  • Would require an additional CRM. You would need an additional CRM, as this platform may not function effectively for transactional use cases or for downstream workflows. 
  • Limited reporting​. The pre-baked reporting is substantially limited. Getting meaningful data to design campaigns might not be as easy – and at times not even possible, without over-engineered (and risky) ad-hoc arrangements.

8. ClickDimensions

ClickDimensions is part of the Microsoft Dynamics 365 ecosystem. The core CRM features within the Microsoft platform are robust, allowing for the accommodation and customization of various business models. But it’s not as robust for upstream marketing automation features, hence the need for a ClickDimensions add-on. But even ClickDimension is limited. For upstream marketing and comprehensive omnichannel traceability, including CMS integrations with multiple platforms in the Microsoft ecosystem, ClickDimensions falls short. It lacks the richness and integration of capabilities found in platforms like HubSpot or Salesforce Pardot. Therefore, ClickDimensions secures the #8 spot on our list of top marketing automation systems.

Strengths 
  • Marketing automation workflows. You will have access to essential marketing automation workflows that are sufficiently robust to ensure a strong alignment with Microsoft Dynamics products.
  • Tight alignment for MS 365. To maintain a strong alignment with Microsoft Dynamics products, ClickDimensions may be the only embedded and integrated option available unless you consider expensive, custom integration. 
  • Well-adopted platform in the MS ecosystem. Additionally, it is widely accepted within the Microsoft ecosystem, making it a significant advantage for companies using Microsoft solutions.
Weaknesses
  • Very small player compared to other platforms. The limitations you may encounter include being a relatively small player in comparison to others in the market. Their R&D budget is limited, which means they won’t have the same capabilities as larger platforms like HubSpot or Salesforce.
  • Limited omnichannel capabilities. The channel capabilities are going to be limited and not natively integrated with data platforms.
  • Not as natively integrated with data platforms. There is no native integration with data platforms. For instance, when considering integrations with services like ZoomInfo or Apollo, the options may be either limited or entirely absent.

7. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Apps

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Apps has a Customer Insights product, which is primarily a CDP product that can integrate with several marketing automation execution systems. However, even Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Insights could be used for simpler marketing automation workflows, and it is used by companies on their ERP or CRM. The biggest challenge with the product would be to manage richer omnichannel and personalization scenarios possible with other marketing automation products such as Klaviyo or Braze. Therefore, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Apps secures the #7 spot on our list of top marketing automation systems. 

Strengths 
  • Customer journeys. Straightforward customer journeys can be easily managed without requiring another specialized system for marketing automation. 
  • Tight embeddedness with MS stack. Marketing could be a suitable option since it is already integrated with the core product, eliminating the need to navigate third-party contracts or systems.
  • Strong embedded CRM and field services workflows​. This is especially true from a customer service and call center standpoint, where you’ll likely need extensive integrations.
Weaknesses 
  • Limited CMS, social, and ad workflows. The limitations you may encounter include restricted integrations with your CMS and data platforms. You won’t find as many integration options available, particularly when it comes to social media and advertising workflows, which may also be limited.
  • Ecosystem not strong with upstream marketing and data providers. But for simpler marketing automation workflows, it’s not a bad option.
  • Rigid user and security model. This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. On the positive side, if your data is highly structured and relational, you may find this rigidity beneficial. However, it may also make it more challenging to leverage the flexibility offered by systems like HubSpot or Salesforce.

6. ActiveCampaign

Active Campaign is aimed at companies seeking a more affordable option. Generally, marketing automation systems determine their pricing based on the number of subscribed emails and the monthly email volume. This pricing structure can lead to high costs, especially with platforms like HubSpot or Pardot, which can be quite expensive for businesses that send numerous emails but sell lower-priced products. This pricing model can be a barrier for many companies, making Active Campaign a more cost-effective choice compared to other platforms. Therefore, ActiveCampaign secures the #6 spot on our list of top marketing automation systems. 

Strengths 
  • Core marketing automation workflows. The core marketing automation workflows are integrated into the suite, providing a comprehensive solution. These workflows streamline various marketing tasks, making them an essential part of the overall platform.
  • Cost. ActiveCampaign offers more competitive pricing compared to other platforms. Additionally, it provides a more robust suite of features than MailChimp.
  • Well-adopted​. ActiveCampaign is widely adopted, particularly when compared to platforms like ClickDimensions or Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Insights. It boasts a significantly higher number of installations, especially within the email marketing community, and is a well-established product in the space.
Weaknesses 
  • Not as comprehensive as other options. In terms of capabilities, it doesn’t offer the same level of comprehensiveness as some of the other available options.
  • Limited ecosystem. Their ecosystem would not be as robust as HubSpot or Salesforce, with the number of options available for data platforms, ad and omnichannel integrations, and CMS providers.
  • Does not have a CRM as part of the suite​. It lacks a true CRM component for transactional and downstream CRM workflows within the suite, unlike other products such as Salesforce or Microsoft.

5. Klaviyo

Klaviyo has gained significant popularity recently, particularly among companies operating in a B2C ecosystem. Customer journeys in B2C environments tend to focus on managing touchpoints from a purchase cycle perspective rather than engaging with various touchpoints through content. As a result, Klaviyo is an excellent fit for companies looking to streamline and optimize these purchase-driven interactions. Therefore, Klaviyo secures the #5 spot on our list of top marketing automation systems. 

Strengths 
  • B2C-specific journeys and integrations. Customer journeys with B2C companies are distinct, focusing on managing touchpoints from the purchase cycle perspective rather than driving touchpoints through content. This is where Klaviyo’s strength lies, as it is well-suited for handling B2C journey management effectively.
  • Easy to use and implement. One of the biggest advantages of Klaviyo is that it’s easier for business users to use compared to other enterprise platforms, such as Braze. Platforms such as Braze might require technical expertise for channel integration and data workflows.
  • Friendly for companies on Shopify​. Klaviyo is deeply integrated into the Shopify ecosystem and is widely adopted among Shopify users. If you’re a product-centric or commerce-focused company using Shopify, Klaviyo could be a more suitable option for your needs.
Weaknesses 
  • Billing based on active profiles and usage could be trickier to understand. The billing process can be more complex, and estimating costs may also pose challenges. Their pricing model is based on active profiles or usage, and consumption-based pricing can often be difficult to predict. 
  • Not fit for B2B companies. The B2B companies have very different customer structures and marketing automation workflows compared to the event-centric and real-time workflows of B2C. So, B2B companies might struggle with it.
  • Expensive. Klaviyo could be expensive for companies that are heavy on emails compared to other platforms on this list.

4. Oracle Eloqua 

It is an excellent choice for companies with a slight enterprise focus, especially those using Oracle Cloud CX. Oracle acquired Eloqua, a powerful enterprise-grade product, and integrated it into its Oracle Marketing suite. This solution is particularly well-suited for B2C industries like media and telecommunications, where there are numerous customer touchpoints. Oracle Eloqua excels in ad-centric customer journeys, offering robust content management and other key capabilities as part of the same suite. Additionally, it provides enterprise-level workflows, supporting seamless alignment with field service and call center operations. Therefore, Oracle Eloqua secures the #4 spot on our list of top marketing automation systems. 

Strengths 
  • Enterprise-grade capabilities include landing pages, webinars, events, and depth with custom objects. Enterprise-grade capabilities, including enterprise security, landing pages, webinars, and events, are all part of this solution. 
  • Pre-built integration with Oracle CX. One key advantage is that it is tightly embedded and integrated with Oracles’ other applications. So that’s a huge plus for companies already using other Oracle enterprise apps seeking connectivity and traceability with other downstream applications.
  • Omnichannel workflows. The platform is relatively omnichannel, but it might not be as plug-and-play and fluid as other modern platforms such as Klaviyo.
Weaknesses 
  • Integration not as embedded with CRM. While Eloqua is integrated with the CRM, but the experience might be as embedded as with products created from scratch for seamless collaboration between these two systems, such as HubSpot.
  • Steep learning curve. Its enterprise workflow and security layers might be overwhelming for SMB customers looking for simpler solutions with a limited implementation budget.
  • Expensive​. SMBs might not appreciate the price tag – and some of the capabilities offered might not even be relevant for the SMBs.


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3. Adobe Marketo Engage

Adobe Marketer Engage is a robust enterprise-level product that is comparable to solutions like Eloqua and Salesforce’s Pardot. With capabilities baked in, such as events providing omnichannel experiences for design-heavy organizations such as B2C and media, it’s friendlier for B2C industries. It offers advanced capabilities for consolidating various channels, including web ads, into a unified portfolio. This tool enables businesses to track engagements and monitor customer journeys across multiple platforms, making it an ideal solution for enterprises looking to manage and optimize their marketing efforts on a large scale. Therefore, Adobe Marketo Engage secures the #3 spot on our list of top marketing automation systems. 

Strengths 
  • Customizability for enterprise use cases. Workflow and security layers are highly customizable for enterprise use cases.
  • Robust campaign program management features. Larger organizations generally have programs with multiple campaigns covering many different organization-wide goals, needing enterprise-grade capabilities for campaign program management that might not be relevant for SMBs.
  • Event partner integration​. The event capabilities are highly critical for media and event companies as they need to manage their communication as part of the same platform used for event logistics management.
Weaknesses
  • Expensive. SMBs not looking for enterprise features generally find it expensive.
  • Legacy feeling. The UI is fairly legacy compared to other products. 
  • Requires coding skills to build landing pages​. Business users might need to work with developers for simpler workflows that are as simple as building landing pages.

2. Salesforce Marketing Automation (Pardot)

Salesforce marketing automation is an excellent choice for enterprise companies already using Salesforce CRM, although it works with other CRM products, too. Its strengths include the ability to create custom fields on core Salesforce objects for marketing automation and the availability of an exposed SQL layer, which allows for detailed analysis and segmentation—offering a level of granularity that is often not found in competing products. However, the integration with core CRM objects remains relatively shallow, limiting end-to-end traceability and making it feel as though users are navigating two separate silos, securing the #2 spot on our list of the top marketing automation systems.

Strengths 
  • Enterprise-grade custom fields on top of the core CRM objects. One major advantage of the Pardot product is the ability to create custom fields on top of the core Salesforce objects for marketing automation purposes.
  • SQL-based querying and analytics capabilities. Another key feature is the exposed SQL layer, allowing for in-depth analysis of various scenarios from a segmentation perspective. This level of granularity is rare among other products on the market, making it more suitable for enterprise use.
  • Enterprise-grade security​. Workflow security is essential, particularly for large marketing teams, as it helps control email campaigns. Also, establishing approval workflows and implementing workflow security is crucial; it allows you to restrict access and manage marketing automation processes effectively. 
Weaknesses 
  • Not as embedded experience with Salesforce CRM. It often feels like operating in two separate silos for companies seeking seamless integration between their CRM and marketing automation components.
  • Expensive. Salesforce marketing cloud is more expensive than other smaller point solutions with simpler workflow and security layers.
  • Steep learning curve​. Enterprise-grade workflows and security layers require substantial training for users with limited technical skills.

1. HubSpot

HubSpot is ideal for content-driven B2B organizations heavy on upstream marketing workflows requiring tight embeddedness with their web workflows. It is widely adopted and integrated platforms, particularly in the marketing automation and CMS space, providing seamless integration with ad platforms, CMS systems, and data providers. Its pre-built integrations make it ideal for consolidating customer interactions and marketing strategies. However, HubSpot’s limitations arise in complex operational use cases, as its object structure and customizability may not meet the needs of companies heavy on transactional and operational workflows. Hence, HubSpot secures the #1 spot on our list of the top marketing automation systems. 

Strengths
  • Ecosystem. HubSpot has one of the most vibrant ecosystems, especially when it comes to connecting with various ad platforms or data platforms that are part of the marketing stack.
  • Integration with upstream marketing providers such as CMS and data companies. The integration with upstream marketing providers, like CMS and data companies, is also included, especially if you’re using HubSpot CMS. 
  • Embedded CMS. It is likely to be one of the most widely adopted platforms in the CMS community as well. The other systems may rely on third-party CMS systems, limiting the interconnectedness and seamless interactions between these two systems.
Weaknesses 
  • Weak object structure for core CRM, such as parent-child relationships. The core object structure of HubSpot, particularly in operational scenarios, is weaker compared to other systems defined for transactional and downstream workflows such as HubSpot or Zoho. 
  • Limited customizability for enterprise use cases. When it comes to customizability for complex operational use cases, HubSpot is significantly limited.
  • Not meant to be for commerce-driven B2C industries​. Commerce workflows require different events and integration, along with the object structure. HubSpot is not necessarily designed for B2C-centric industries.
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Conclusion

The evolution of marketing automation has created a diverse ecosystem, where each platform brings unique strengths and limitations to the table. Platforms like HubSpot and Salesforce Pardot dominate with their strong integration capabilities and enterprise-grade features, making them suitable for complex workflows and large organizations. Meanwhile, options like Zoho and MailChimp serve smaller businesses and startups by offering more accessible, cost-effective solutions, though they may lack robust integrations and advanced security features found in enterprise systems. While this list offers valuable insights, seeking advice from an independent ERP consultant can greatly enhance your implementation success.

FAQs

Top 10 ERP Systems for Mid-sized Businesses in 2024 w/ Sam Gupta

WBSP583 – Top 10 ERP Systems for Mid-Sized Businesses in 2024

Choosing the right ERP system is crucial for mid-sized businesses aiming to simplify operations and scale efficiently. In this episode, we explored the top 10 ERP systems for mid-sized companies, discussing their strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases.

Understanding Market Segments

The market is segmented into four categories: startup, small, mid-sized, and enterprise. Each category has unique needs. Startups and small businesses primarily focus on basic transactional features. In contrast, mid-sized businesses, typically ranging from $100 million to $1 billion in revenue, require more advanced features. This segment is further divided into lower mid-market and upper mid-market. The lower mid-market shares similarities with small businesses in their requirements, whereas the upper mid-market aligns more closely with the needs of large businesses.

Criteria for Evaluation

Our evaluation considers various factors such as:

  • Market Fit: How well the ERP system serves the mid-sized companies or industries.
  • Industry Focus: The specific industry does the ERP system target?
  • Technology Integration: Capability to integrate with other business systems.
  • User Reviews: Feedback from mid-sized companies using the product, regarding its functionality and reliability.
  • Scalability: Ability to grow with the business without major overhaul.

10. Plex

Plex caters specifically to lower mid-sized companies in automotive and Manufacturing Execution System-centric industries. With its robust operational capabilities, Plex effectively addresses the unique needs of these sectors. Consequently, due to its specialized focus and strong performance in its target markets, Plex has secured the 10th position in our comprehensive list of top 10 ERP systems for mid-sized companies.

Pros

  • First and foremost, it demonstrates strong manufacturing execution system -centric capabilities.
  • Additionally, it is specifically designed for the automotive and life sciences sectors.
  • Furthermore, it uses cloud-native technology, enhancing its flexibility and scalability.

Cons

  • Limited focus and ecosystem
  • Not suitable for diverse business models

9. Unit4

Unit4 targets service-oriented businesses, particularly public sector and non-profit organizations. It features strong HCM integration and scheduling capabilities. As a result of its specialized focus and functionality, Unit4 has earned the 9th position in our list of top 10 ERP systems for mid-sized companies, reflecting its ability to meet unique service industry needs.

Pros

  • It has deep capabilities for service-centric industries, making it highly effective in these areas.
  • Additionally, it offers strong HCM integration, enhancing its overall functionality.
  • Moreover, it is suitable for the public sector and non-profits, meeting their specific needs.

Cons

  • Limited focus and ecosystem
  • Not ideal for diverse business models

8. Deltek ERP

Building on its specialized focus, Deltek offers tailored solutions specifically for construction and government contracting sectors. By providing unique capabilities in these niche areas, Deltek sets itself apart from more generalized ERP systems. As a result of its targeted approach and industry-specific features, Deltek has consequently earned the 8th position in our comprehensive list of top 10 ERP systems for mid-sized companies.

Pros

  • It has strong capabilities in construction and government contracting, making it effective in these areas.
  • Additionally, it uses its own databases and integrations, improving its functionality.
  • Moreover, it provides strong support for managing multiple entities, ensuring smooth operations.

Cons

  • While it caters to a specific niche, its core functionalities lack robustness.

7. SAGE X3

Sage X3 particularly excels in industries such as pharmaceuticals and agriculture, offering robust accounting and finance capabilities. As a result, it is well-suited for publicly traded companies. Given these strengths, combined with its versatility, Sage X3 has consequently secured the 7th position on our list.

Pros:

  • It offers comprehensive accounting and finance features, ensuring thorough financial management.
  • Additionally, it has a well-developed ecosystem tailored to specific industries, enhancing its versatility.
  • Moreover, it provides comprehensive inventory management and costing functionalities, improving operational efficiency.

Cons

  • It has a limited focus outside its target industries, making it less useful for other areas.
  • Additionally, it can be too complicated for smaller budgets, posing challenges for cost-conscious businesses.

6. QAD ERP

QAD specializes in the car and medical industries, providing pre-built, high-quality software tools.

Pros

  • It specializes in the car and life sciences sectors, particularly, the medical industries and offers comprehensive supply chain capabilities.
  • It also supports multiple entities seamlessly.

Cons

  • It also has limited ecosystem.
  • Ongoing stabilization of technology re-architecture.

5. IFS

IFS is widely recognized for its strong field service and asset management capabilities, thus making it a top choice for industries like construction, utilities, and telecommunications.

Pros

  • It boast of strong capabilities in field service and asset management.
  • Although built on cloud-native technology, it is not ideal for managing large, complex programs.

Cons

  • It has limited focus and ecosystem, and it is not suitable as a corporate financial ledger.

4. Epicor Kinetic

Thanks to its unique data and inventory models, Epicor Kinetic provides comprehensive ERP solution for industries within the formal manufacturing processes, particularly the automotive and metals industry.

Pros

  • It has strong capabilities in structured manufacturing.
  • It also has mature cloud capabilities.
  • It has unique inventory models tailored for industries such as metals.

Cons

  • It has limited support for complex financial hierarchies and it is less suitable for larger mid-sized companies with complex operations.

3. Infor CloudSuite LN and M3

LN and M3 target different areas: LN focuses on separate products, while M3 focuses on ongoing processes and sales, making It ideal for businesses with global operations and complex manufacturing needs. When it comes to finances, businesses may benefit from consulting assistance.

Pros

  • It offers mature solutions specifically designed for manufacturing industries.
  • It boasts of robust industry-specific capabilities.
  • It also provides strong features for optimizing operations and global effectiveness.

Cons

  • It has limited consulting capabilities.
  • It is also not suitable as a corporate ledger for diverse business models.

2. NetSuite

NetSuite is tailored for global, lower-mid-sized businesses, making it suitable for service and product-centric industries. Additionally, it stands out as a strong financial tool for upper-mid-sized companies. Although additional components might be necessary for last-mile delivery capabilities, NetSuite’s flexibility remains its key strength, offsetting this potential drawback.

Pros

  • It shows strong global capabilities with a robust ecosystem.
  • It performs well in both service-focused and product-focused industries.
  • It offers flexibility and can be customized to meet various business needs.

Cons

  • It requires additional add-ons to achieve specific features.
  • It is not ideally suited for highly complex manufacturing or distribution verticals.

1. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (F&O)

Boasting powerful enterprise features, Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O shines in global operations. Furthermore, it offers a comprehensive toolkit for mixed-mode manufacturing and finance. Given its complete capabilities, many organizations opt to collaborate with independent ERP consultants . This collaboration ensures easy setup and enhances continuous improvement.

Pros

  • It has wide global capabilities, making it ideal for businesses with international operations.
  • Integration with other Microsoft products increases efficiency and leads to a more structured workflow.
  • It works well for big and varied business models, meeting many different operational needs.

Cons

Conclusion

Selecting the best ERP system for your mid-sized company involves considering industry-specific needs, the complex nature of your operations, and future growth strategies. Therefore, the top 10 ERP systems highlighted in this article offer a range of features tailored to mid-sized businesses or companies. Consequently, by choosing from these options, companies can ensure they have the essential tools for smooth operations and scalable growth in 2024 and beyond.

Using RFID technology For Real-time Inventory Tracking

WBSP073: Using RFID for Real-Time Inventory Tracking w/ Andrew Johnson

RFID technology has been available for a long time, but its adoption has mostly been limited to high-value assets. Many manufacturers are skeptical about using RFID technology in their supply chain networks. They often overlook its potential to track everyday items and serve as an excellent replacement for barcode labels. Unlike barcode labels, which require warehouse and production workers to hold a scanner and scan each item, RFID tags can significantly save time, speed up the scanning process, and provide real-time visibility and replenishment of inventory.

In this podcast, our guest, Andrew Johnson, an expert in supply chain technology and the leader behind ShelfAware, shares valuable insights on how RFID tags have evolved and how this technology now tracks not just high-value items but also everyday products. Additionally, he talks about the problems with traditional vendor-managed inventory systems and how RFID technology can solve these issues. By providing a smooth, real-time inventory tracking system for manufacturers, RFID technology offers a powerful alternative to old methods.

What is RFID and How Has It Evolved?

RFID, or Radio Frequency Identification, has existed for some time. Initially, it was costly and complicated. However, recent improvements have made RFID more affordable and reliable, making it an excellent tool for inventory tracking across various industries.

Advantages of RFID and Inefficiencies in Traditional VMI Systems

RFID tags offer several advantages over traditional barcode systems. Unlike barcodes, which require a direct line of sight to be read, RFID tags can be scanned from a distance and through certain materials. This ability enables faster and more accurate inventory tracking. Moreover, RFID tags allow you to scan multiple items at once, which saves time, reduces costs, and minimizes errors.

Traditional vendor-managed inventory or VMI systems, on the other hand, use outdated 1980s technologies and are inefficient. These systems, similar to coil vending machines, require manual scanning and management, involving physical inventory checks and complex barcode systems. This approach is time-consuming, error-prone, and disrupts supply chain. Many VMI systems require distributors to visit factories, using clipboards or barcode scanners to manage inventory. This method is inefficient and fails to take advantage of advancements in internet and remote monitoring technologies. Therefore, it is clear that traditional VMI systems lag behind modern solutions.

Implementing RFID in Your Supply Chain

There are two primary approaches to using RFID into your supply chain:

  • Manufacturer-Led Implementation

Manufacturers can encourage suppliers to adopt RFID systems. This approach can help widespread adoption and provide manufacturers with better visibility into their inventory, aiding in more accurate supply predictions.

  • Supplier-Led Implementation

Suppliers can take the initiative by using RFID in their vendor-managed inventory (VMI) systems. Although this method may take longer to establish, it can scale efficiently over time. Suppliers can manage inventory across multiple locations without significant additional equipment, saving money and enhancing customer service.

Challenges in Using RFID Technology

Although RFID offers many benefits, its adoption has faced some challenges. Initially, radio waves struggled to operate around liquids and metal objects. However, advancements in technology have reduced these issues. Additionally, RFID tags have become more cost-effective. Despite these improvements, the most significant challenge now is that some manufacturers lack the necessary IT infrastructure to handle and utilize RFID data effectively. Therefore, upgrading data management systems or investing in new technology may be required to fully utilize RFID capabilities.

Using RFID Technology with Your Existing Systems

ShelfAware simplifies the use of RFID technology without requiring extensive changes to existing systems. They provide various integration options. For instance, companies can use simple data imports for basic needs. Additionally, they offer advanced connections that allow real-time data exchange with common business software. This enables automated tasks like purchase orders and inventory tracking. For more complex needs, API integrations facilitate real-time data exchange between ShelfAware and ERP systems like SAP and JDEdwards. Consequently, businesses can seamlessly incorporate RFID technology into their existing operations.

Now, RFID tags are also affordable, costing about five cents each. Additionally, you can easily print and encode them using Zebra ZT410 printers. Moreover, the tags enhance inventory management by providing real-time visibility and transparency. You can track this information using handheld guns or fixed scanning stations, thereby improving overall efficiency.

However, some manufacturers may still face difficulties with internal data management, complicating RFID integration with other systems. Therefore, there’s need for companies to address these data management challenges to maximize RFID technology benefits.

The Technology Behind ShelfAware

ShelfAware operates as a web-based application designed to connect suppliers and consumers more easily. It integrates with existing ERP systems of both parties without replacing them. The main technology, RFID, allows suppliers to attach RFID tags to product packaging, making smart packaging that can be monitored remotely. When inventory is used on the factory floor, the consumption data is immediately reported to the supplier. This ensures timely restocking based on actual demand rather than forecasts.

This approach ensures that supply chains are lean and efficient, with real-time visibility into inventory levels. Manufacturers benefit from an all-in-one supply chain platform, allowing them to scale the system across multiple product verticals and suppliers seamlessly. This transparency and accountability ensure that inventory levels are optimized, reducing the risk of running out of stock or having too much inventory.

Even though the technology has existed for over 30 years, it has only recently become practical for tracking low-cost items. The entry barrier for suppliers is quite low, needing just an RFID printer and a wireless RFID scanner for inventory checks. The RFID tags themselves cost about a nickel each, and the software is offered as a service, making it both accessible and scalable.

Real-World Application: A Success Story

One of the first successful integrations of ShelfAware happened with Eskridge Manufacturing, a company that makes highly engineered gearboxes. Initially, they used ShelfAware to manage O-rings and gaskets, covering about 250 inventory SKUs. The system worked so well that Eskridge’s management decided to expand it to other product categories, such as janitorial supplies, MRO supplies, fasteners, and hoses.

The scalability of ShelfAware enabled Eskridge to manage multiple product lines through independent suppliers on a single platform. This all-in-one approach gave Eskridge real-time visibility and transparency, ensuring they never ran out of essential inventory. The system’s efficiency increased inventory turnover rates, greatly enhancing the company’s supply chain management.

Security Concerns With Using SelfAware RFID technology

Security is a major concern when linking external systems to a manufacturer’s network. ShelfAware tackles this by setting up separate networks or using cellular connections, ensuring manufacturing data stays secure. Additionally, RFID tags are encrypted, keeping the information protected. Each tag has a data key that unlocks detailed information in ShelfAware’s database, allowing for secure and efficient inventory management.

The Future of Manufacturing with RFID

To stay competitive, U.S. manufacturers must adopt new technologies. Countries in Southeast Asia have already embraced automation and data-driven methods. Therefore, U.S. manufacturers need to be open to innovation and actively use software and cloud solutions from other companies to improve their operations. By constantly looking for improvements and trying out new technology, manufacturers can achieve more success globally.

Conclusion

RFID technology stands as a game-changer in supply chain management, offering unmatched efficiency and transparency. By overcoming implementation challenges and investing in strong IT systems, manufacturers and suppliers can fully harness RFID’s potential, leading to major improvements in their operations. As the industrial world keeps evolving, embracing these advancements becomes essential for staying competitive and achieving long-term success.

Understanding Unit4 ERP System Capabilities

WBSP581: Understanding Unit4 ERP System Capabilities – An Expert Review

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems , like those offered by Unit4 ERP are essential tools for businesses, offering a bundled suite of various software components. However, just combining different software offerings does not automatically make a collection an ERP. What determines this is the level of embeddedness of these components. Additionally, the components included within an ERP can vary depending on the industry.

Now while an ERP’s core requirements are finance and accounting, the approach differs across industries. For instance, some systems include Advanced Transportation Management, Financial Planning and Analysis, Product Lifecycle Management, Warehouse Management Systems, or Transportation Management Systems.

In this podcast, a panel of industry experts conducted an independent review of Unit4’s ERP System capabilities. They highlighted its unique suite approach, which includes ERP, Adaptive Case Management, Straight-Through Processing, and Financial Planning and Analysis. Let’s explore all these in detail, beginning with what the core of an ERP should be.

Core Components of an ERP

At its heart, an ERP must provide finance and accounting functionalities. However, the key difference lies in how these components are integrated. For example, some ERPs emphasize the integration of procurement and financial planning capabilities, while others might focus more on project management or human resources.

Service-Centric vs Product-Centric ERPs

ERPs can be broadly classified into two categories – service-centric and product-centric. These two types cater to very different business operations and have unique requirements:

  • Service-Centric ERPs

These ERP systems are designed specifically for service-centric industries, prioritizing service delivery rather than product distribution. Examples include professional services, the public sector, non-profit organizations, and higher education. In these industries, individual employees and their specific skills and schedules are crucial, making human capital management integration essential.

  • Product-Centric ERPs

These ERP systems cater to product-centric industries focused on manufacturing and distributing products. They require tight integration with supply chain management, warehouse management, and transportation management systems to ensure efficient production and distribution processes.

The Importance of Cross-Functional Integration

Cross-functional integration is the backbone of an effective ERP system. It ensures that different modules within the ERP can communicate and share data seamlessly. This integration is crucial for maintaining data integrity and providing a unified view of the organization’s operations. For service-centric industries, this includes tight integration of HCM (Human Capital Management) processes with financial and operational workflows.

For example, in industries like consulting, every individual’s specific expertise, certification, and availability need to be tracked carefully. This is essential for accurate project scheduling, resource allocation, and cost estimation. Unit4 ERP System capabilities excels in this aspect, making it a strong contender in the service-centric ERP market.

On the other hand, in product-centric industries, integration between ERP and supply chain processes is more critical.

Unit4 ERP Capabilities – The Unique Approach

Unit4 ERP system capabilities are comprehensive suite, particularly for service-centric industries, such as professional services, the public sector, not-for-profit, and higher education. Their approach ensures that all critical business functions are seamlessly integrated, providing a full view of the organization’s operations. Their suite are not limited to the following:

  • ERP

Core financial and accounting functionalities

  • HCM

Human Capital Management to handle your people processes, simplify and increase the accuracy of your payroll, and more.

  • FM&A

Unit4 Financials by Coda offers integrated financial management and accounting solutions for full control and visibility of the entire record-to-report cycle.

  • FP&A

Financial Planning and Analysis for detailed budgeting and agile data-driven forecasting.

  • S2C

Enhanced procurement capabilities, especially after acquiring Scanmarket, which added strategic sourcing and contract lifecycle management functionalities.

Comparing Unit4 ERP System with Other Service-Centric ERPs

  • Workday

Similar to Unit4, Workday integrates HCM with finance and procurement, making it a strong competitor in the service-centric ERP market. It started as an HCM solution and later added financial management capabilities.

  • NetSuite

Offers a broader range of functionalities, including support for product-centric processes, but is also strong in service-centric verticals.

  • FinancialForce

Another ERP focused on Professional Services Automation built on the Salesforce platform. It offers finance and PSA but lacks comprehensive HCM integration.

  • Sage Intacct

Targets service-centric verticals with a focus on finance and accounting but lacks the comprehensive suite offered by Unit4.

  • Blackbaud

Caters to the SMB segment focusing on non-profits, offering a slightly different approach than Unit4’s mid-market focus.

Features and Acquisitions of Unit4

Unit4 has expanded its capabilities through strategic acquisitions. For example, the acquisition of Scanmarket brought advanced procure-to-pay (P2P) functionalities into its suite. P2P is essential for managing procurement processes from requisition to payment, ensuring transparency and control over organizational spending.

User Experience and Flexibility Of Unit4 ERP

Unit4’s ERP system stands out for its user-centric design and flexibility. It adapts to the specific needs of its users, providing intuitive interfaces and customizable workflows. This is particularly beneficial for service-centric industries where flexibility in handling complex processes and projects is crucial. The system’s ability to adapt to changing business needs without requiring significant reconfiguration makes it a preferred choice for dynamic organizations.

Unit4 ERP Integration with Emerging Technologies

Unit4 has also integrated emerging technologies like AI and machine learning into its ERP suite. These technologies enhance decision-making by providing predictive analytics and insights, automating routine tasks, and improving overall operational efficiency. For instance, AI-driven analytics in the FP&A module can help organizations forecast financial performance more accurately, identify trends, and make informed strategic decisions.

Conclusion

Unit4 stands out as a leading ERP system for service-centric industries, offering a comprehensive suite that includes ERP, ACM, STP, and FP&A. Its ability to provide deep integration across these functions makes it a powerful tool for organizations where individual skills and detailed financial planning are crucial. By addressing the unique requirements of service-centric industries, Unit4 ensures that businesses can operate efficiently and effectively, making it a valuable asset in the ERP market.

Whether you’re a professional services firm, a non-profit, or part of the public sector, understanding the strengths and capabilities of Unit4 can help you make informed decisions about your ERP needs.

Top 10 ERP Systems for Product-centric Industries In 2024

Top 10 ERP Systems for Product-centric Industries In 2024

Defining Product-centric Industries. Unlike service-centric counterparts, product-centric industries heavily invest in inventory-centric operations rather than human resources and employee experience. This distinction necessitates uniquely tailored ERP systems. For manufacturers, distributors, and the entire manufacturing value chain focused on building and commercializing products, the major differentiator lies in the products they sell. Service-centric providers offering consulting services to these companies form the exception.

Business Models and Processes of Product-centric Industries. Within the product-centric industries segment, diverse business models abound, spanning discrete products to process-centric industries. Differences extend to manufacturing approaches, encompassing make-to-stock, make-to-order, configure-to-order, or project manufacturing. Additional variations arise in industrial or FMCG distribution, introducing nuances between B2B and B2C transactions. While a predominant focus on product-centric processes is common, some industries may intertwine service-centric processes, particularly if offering consulting services alongside products, adding complexity to the overall business model.

Top 10 ERP Systems for Product-centric Industries In 2024

The ERP needs of product-centric industries. Tailoring ERP systems to product-centric industries hinges on their product development and commercialization processes. Varied stakeholders, including customers and suppliers, play crucial roles during the engineering phase, particularly for high-cost products. Retail and distribution models necessitate warehouse-level planning and allocation, while manufacturing-centric models involve joint forecasting and planning with suppliers and retailers. These diverse needs collectively shape the ERP requirements for product-centric industries. If you’re on the lookout for ERP systems tailored to these industries, kickstart your search with this curated list.



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.

Criteria

  • Overall market share/# of customers. The higher marketshare with product-centric industries 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 to support multiple business models in the same product?
  • Acquisition strategy aligned with the product: Any recent acquisitions to fill a specific hole for product-centric 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 a great choice for product-centric startups outgrowing QuickBooks or other smaller accounting or CRM packages seeking to integrate their processes, minimizing data siloes. While Odoo is a great ERP system for companies starting on their ERP journey, its data model is leaner and designed to provide basic transactional capabilities. Among product-centric industries, Odoo could be a great fit for retail and commerce-centric startups with diverse business models operating in multiple countries. Odoo is also a superior fit in geographies where other operationally rich solutions might not be available. While great for consumerized products, Odoo might not be the best fit for complex products requiring complicated engineering and product models with deep layers of costing and MRP workloads. Well-adopted among product-centric companies, Odoo ranks at #10 for product-centric industries.

Strengths
  1. Easier for companies outgrowing QuickBooks. The lean data model and workflows make it easier for product-centric startups transitioning from QuickBooks-like solutions. 
  2. Ecosystem and Development Help. The availability of cheaper technical talent globally helps product-centric startups extend or augment core capabilities.
  3. Ideal for diverse product-centric startups. The data and process model supports diverse industries, especially suitable for product-centric companies selling consulting services requiring project management capabilities.
Weaknesses
  1. Mature capabilities are not as pre-baked as larger peers. Mature capabilities such as MRP, allocation, and batch are not as detailed as with other richer ERP systems. 
  2. An open-source ecosystem might lead to inexperienced developers promoting untested and unsecured code, causing cybersecurity issues or operational disruptions.
  3. Requires business consulting help to avoid overengineering by developers. Without access to seasoned ERP consultants, Odoo implementation is likely to run into implementation or adoption challenges.

9. Oracle Cloud ERP

Oracle Cloud ERP is a great choice for global product-centric enterprises. While major penetration of Oracle Cloud ERP is among service-centric verticals, it might be a fit for some product-centric verticals where the operational processes might not be as complex or hosted inside ERP. An example of such verticals would be retail, where the scope of ERP might limited to a corporate financial ledger. Oracle Cloud ERP is also a great choice for product-centric enterprises with evolving business models due to active acquisition cycles. An example of such companies would be either the holding companies or companies part of the PE portfolio requiring streamlining processes on one ERP system across the enterprise globally. Given its relevance and adoption among some verticals for product-centric industries, it ranks at #9 on our list.

Strengths
  1. WMS and TMS Capabilities Bundled with the ERP. Oracle Cloud ERP has WMS and TMS processes tightly embedded as part of the ERP transactions, and it is especially friendly for retail and 3PL-centric operations. 
  2. Proven Solution with Large Workloads. Large product-centric 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 product-centric verticals, such as industrial distribution or complex manufacturing, might be expensive to configure and implement.
  2. Not necessarily a Product-centric Solution. While installed with some large enterprises, it’s major focus is on service-centric verticals. 
  3. Overwhelming for SMB product-centric companies. Not a fit for SMB product-centric companies looking for a turn-key solution tailored to the processes of the specific micro-vertical.

8. Epicor Prophet 21

Epicor Prophet 21 is a great choice for industrial distributors seeking deeper operational capabilities with the flexibility of replacing most components offered as part of the Epicor Prophet 21 suite. The requirements for specialized tools or integration with third-party best-of-breed systems might lead to expensive and uncontrollable implementation costs. While Epicor Prophet 21 might be a great choice for smaller pure-play industrial distributors, it might not be the best choice for diverse product-centric companies operating globally. Given its relevance and adoption among industrial distribution companies but with limited application for other diversified product-centric industries, it ranks at #8 on our list.

Strengths
  1. Rich Industrial ERP Distribution Systems Capabilities Provided Out-of-the-box. The system natively supports complex relationships between vendors and suppliers (and buying groups), along with capabilities such as branch accounting, retail-centric material flow, and warehouse architecture.
  2. Best for Prescriptive Architecture. Epicor Prophet 21 is a good fit when you can replace/use the systems provided in the Epicor ecosystem, such as payment providers, POS systems, shipping add-ons, and marketplace integrations. 
  3. Pre-integrated with Other Best-of-breed Industrial B2B Systems. Integration with other best-of-breed industrial eCommerce systems, such as Optimizely or Unilog, is pre-baked.
Weaknesses
  1. Limited Capabilities to Support Diverse Distributors. Only fit for businesses with traditional business models with a limited number of channels. Not fit for modern distributors and DTC-centric businesses.
  2. Legacy Technology. While the new Kinetic experience can offer mature cloud capabilities such as enterprise search, the underlying data model and other cloud capabilities, such as mobile, are still legacy and patchy. 
  3. Ecosystem. Limited number of consultants and partners available to support the product. The marketplace is extremely limited to create the best-of-breed architecture.

7. Acumatica

Acumatica is a great choice for diverse product-centric companies from $10-$100M in revenue operating in a handful of developed countries. It is especially friendly for companies with diverse product-centric business models ranging from manufacturing, retail, and distribution, aiming to explore synergies among these operations. While great for diverse product-centric companies, it might not be the best for companies over $100M seeking mature ERP capabilities, such as complex MRP runs or allocation cycles. But it’s a great fit for smaller companies with limited implementation budgets. Given its relevance for smaller product-centric companies, it ranks at #7 on our list.

Strengths
  1. B2B and B2C Products. Its data model is friendly for B2B businesses, with support for complex customer hierarchies and pricing (and discounting layers). It also supports divisional/branch accounting with warehouse-level pricing and replenishment strategies.
  2. Diverse Capabilities to Support the Needs of Multiple Business Models. Support for hybrid business models in the same product/database, such as manufacturing and distribution (or manufacturing combined with construction, DTC, or field service). 
  3. Cloud-native UI and Flexible Pricing Options. Consumption-based pricing options reduce costs substantially for certain business models, such as seasonal businesses with labor spikes.
Weaknesses
  1. Limited Global Capabilities. The current multi-entity functionality might be limiting for companies with operationally connected offshore locations.
  2. Limited Mobile Reporting Capabilities.  The mobile capabilities are leaner for complex reporting scenarios such as parallel processing. 
  3. Multiple Add-ons may be Required for Regulated Industries and Complex Manufacturing. Requires several add-ons, such as MES, PLM, and quality, posing integration and communication challenges.

6. Epicor Kinetic

Epicor Kinetic is a great choice for companies with complex manufacturing and distribution operations in the industrial verticals. Its product data model is especially friendlier for complex, regulated industries with formal engineering processes. It can also support project-centric manufacturing and distribution-centric operations with the same product. While great for manufacturing, it’s not as great for diverse operations, especially for FMCG or retail-centric product companies. Given its relevance among manufacturing companies but limited applicability for other business models globally, it ranks at #6 on our list.

Strengths
  1. Strong for Companies with Formal Manufacturing Processes. Mandatory revision numbers and the BOMs driven by revision numbers would be especially appealing for formal engineering organizations with their BOMs aligned to Epicor Kinetic’s data model.
  2. Strong with Complex Inventory Needs. Companies requiring multiple attributes that need to be part of the planning and MRP, such as metal, fastener, automotive, and aerospace, would find Epicor Kinetic appealing.
  3. Microsoft Look-and-feel. Epicor has a very similar look and feel to Microsoft ERP products, providing you with the same experience but with much deeper last-mile capabilities where other products might struggle.
Weaknesses
  1. Global Financial Operations. Unlike larger products that might support more than three layers of financial hierarchies, such as corp, subsidiary, entity, and business units, the limited number of layers would require operationally inefficient workarounds, such as using sub-accounts for such traceability.
  2. Embedded Experience with Field Service and Quality. Despite recent acquisitions, the field service capabilities are not as embedded, making it challenging for some product-centric verticals, such as aftermarket, where such capabilities are essential.
  3. Weak Ecosystem and Marketplace. Epicor takes a suite approach to its products while selling directly to its customers, limiting the overall consulting and marketplace penetration.

5. Infor CloudSuite LN/M3

Infor CloudSuite LN and M3 are two completely different products, targeting large manufacturing companies in the upper mid-market and lower enterprise segments. LN targets complex manufacturing products such as rocketships, satellites, or construction machinery. Meanwhile, Infor M3 suits apparel, F&B, and chemical manufacturing. They might be great for pure-play manufacturing capabilities, but they might not be the best fit for other product-centric verticals such as pure-play retail or distribution. Given their relevance for manufacturing companies with limited applicability for other verticals, it ranks at #5 on our list.

Strengths
  1. Global Operations. Only solutions in the market with sufficient financial hierarchies and global trade compliance functionality pre-baked with products to support manufacturers exploring global financial and operational synergies. 
  2. Last-mile Capabilities Along With Breadth of Capabilities for Diversified Manufacturing Business Models. Verticals such as apparel manufacturing require the deeper integration of PLM, vendor portals, and merchandising solutions. Complex manufacturing requires handling units, several layers of allocation management, and international trade compliance.
  3. Best-of-breed Integrations Offered Out-of-the-box. Most tools that a manufacturer would require, such as HCM, PLM, data lake, ERP, WMS, TMS, and advanced supply chain planning, are all pre-integrated with LN and M3.
Weaknesses
  1. Might Not be the Best Fit as a Corporate Solution for Holding and Private Equity Companies. Holding companies as diverse as manufacturing, construction, and professional services may not be able to keep all of their entities on one solution.
  2. Legacy UI and Experience. Infor LN and M3 are both legacy solutions with technical limitations to provide the cloud-native experience with universal search, mobile experience, etc.
  3. Weak Ecosystem and Marketplace. The consulting base and marketplaces are virtually non-existent for both Infor LN and M3.

4. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a great fit for globally diverse SMB companies seeking to host multiple product-centric business models in one solution. Its data model is especially friendly for FMCG and pharma-centric companies, with an ecosystem containing add-ons to support most business models. With the limited operational depth, it might require several add-ons and might not be the best fit for companies seeking depth with industrial distribution or manufacturing. Given its wider application and broader relevance for several product-centric business models, it ranks at #4 on our list.

Strengths
  1. Rich Distribution ERP Systems Capabilities Natively Supported. Replenishment strategies such as warehouse-level transfers, license plate construction, and bin-level capabilities are supported out-of-the-box for complex distribution businesses.
  2. Cloud-native Architecture. The product has been completely rearchitected using the cloud-native architecture
  3. Global Capabilities and Ecosystem. Unlike several products such as Acumatica, which is primarily a North American product, it has support for several European, Asian, and African countries where most products might struggle.
Weaknesses
  1. Limited Capabilities to Support Diverse Product-centric Companies. Only fit for FMCG-centric distributors. The industrial distribution would require add-ons to support capabilities such as buying groups, HVAC code integration, and vendor catalogs.
  2. Unproven Add-ons and Unqualified Consulting Networks. Microsoft partner processes are not as streamlined as other vendors. So it may require the help of an independent ERP consultant to vet the add-ons and architecture in the Microsoft ecosystem.
  3. Ecosystem. While the ecosystem may have options for distribution industries where BC specializes in, it might not have integrations with the best-of-breed eCommerce systems in the industrial distribution space.

3. NetSuite

Like Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, NetSuite is a great fit for globally operating SMB companies requiring multiple business models hosted in one solution. With the capabilities built to support operations for both publicly and privately owned companies, its application is much broader compared to other solutions. While great for diverse business models, it might not be the best fit for complex industrial distribution or manufacturing requiring a much thicker add-on. Given its broader application for various business models among product-centric companies, it ranks at #3 on our list.

Strengths
  1. B2C Data Model and Processes. NetSuite’s data model is especially attractive for B2C companies with integration requirements with several B2C channels, such as marketplaces.
  2. Global Capabilities. NetSuite can natively support the localization requirements of more than 100 countries. As well as consolidating and supporting intercompany transactions.
  3. Ecosystem. NetSuite has one of the largest ecosystems with pre-baked integration available to support the integration with multiple digital and physical channels.
Weaknesses
  1. Limited B2B Capabilities. The data model and pricing are not friendly for B2B companies. The pricing layers are not as scalable as other systems, such as Acumatica. NetSuite may struggle with the complex product catalog for industrial distributors.
  2. Limited Capabilities for Diverse Distributors. Distributors with diverse business models with manufacturing, construction, or field service might require several add-ons.
  3. Not Designed for Large Companies. NetSuite may struggle with transactional workload requirements of companies over $1B, especially for transactional businesses aiming to process their end-to-end transactions inside NetSuite.

2. SAP S/4 HANA

SAP S/4 HANA is a great fit for large, global enterprises operating globally, publicly or privately owned. Its product model can support MRP runs of very complex product-centric organizations aiming to find synergies globally, whether in a shared services model or in two-tier settings. While great for larger organizations, it might not be the best fit for smaller companies with limited IT budgets. With one of the strongest capabilities for product-centric companies seeking mature ERP capabilities after outgrowing smaller ERP packages such as Acumatica or NetSuite, it ranks at #2 on our list.

Strengths
  1. Large Workloads. SAP S/4 HANA could process more than 100K serialized goods receipts within 22 secs while Oracle Cloud ERP took more than 18 mins for the same test. SAP S/4 HANA’s design allows companies to process the workload requirements of Fortune 500 when every other system might struggle.
  2. Best-of-breed Architecture for Distributors. SAP’s best-of-breed architecture can support the business model of large distributors, irrespective of whether they are a traditional distributor or a combination of 3PL, which typically has a different warehouse and TMS architecture than traditional distributors.
  3. Financial Traceability and Control. Fortune 500 organizations with shared service models spread in multiple countries would appreciate the financial traceability built at the document level.
Weaknesses
  1. Weak Operational Capabilities for the Cloud. The last-mile capabilities available with some of the mid-market products may require substantial development with SAP S/4 HANA.
  2. Limited Pre-baked Integration. The third-party integration options such as integration with eCommerce platforms, POS systems, channel connectivity, etc may require substantial development efforts.
  3. Overwhelming for Smaller Organizations. The complex workflows built to support the processes of large, complex organizations may overwhelm organizations seeking simpler solutions without unnecessary processes and approval flows.

1. Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O

Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O is a great fit for global companies in the upper mid-market or lower enterprise segment seeking mature cloud ERP capabilities. Unlike smaller ERP systems such as NetSuite or MS Dynamics 365 Business Central F&O would not require as many add-ons, simplifying the implementation and limiting implementation risks. While great for larger global companies, it might not be the best fit for smaller product-centric companies. With its equal depth for both discrete and process-centric verticals, it’s one of the most diverse solutions on this list. Given its wider adoption for several business models among product-centric companies, it ranks at #1 on our list.

Strengths
  1. Operationally Richest Cloud Product for Large Complex Businesses. Businesses that have multiple global entities with complex business models such as discrete and process manufacturing, distribution, and project-based business models would find Microsoft Dynamics F&O attractive.
  2. Cloud-native Architecture. The product has been completely rearchitected using the cloud-native architecture. Cloud capabilities are stronger than competing products for distributors such as SAP S/4 HANA and Oracle ERP Cloud.
  3. Common Data Model and Database-level Integration for Best-of-breed Architecture. Large, complex systems could be frightening to use for sales and field service crews. Microsoft provides pre-baked integration with the best-of-breed CRM and field service products.
Weaknesses
  1. Financial Traceability and Audit Support. Complex global organizations may struggle with financial traceability and SOX compliance capabilities.
  2. Large Workloads. Compared to SAP S/4 HANA, it might not be able to match the performance expectations of large complex organizations where companies may need to process millions of journal entries per hr.
  3. Overwhelming for Smaller Organizations. The complex workflows built to support the processes of large, complex organizations may overwhelm organizations seeking simpler solutions without unnecessary processes and approval flows.
+

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.

Conclusion

Despite apparent similarities, ERP systems for product and service industries are distinctly different, creating potential confusion due to shared terminology. Crucially, the inventory requirements diverge significantly between service-centric and product-centric organizations. If you are selecting an ERP System for Product-Centric Industries, be sure to scrutinize the intricacies of inventory layer structures, focusing on alignment with the specific needs of product-centric industries. Opting for an independent ERP consultant is a wise choice, especially if navigating these nuances isn’t part of your daily routine.

FAQs

Top 10 Real-Time Transportation Visibility Platforms 2024

In the realm of real-time transportation visibility platforms, apparent similarities abound, with each touting comparable capabilities. Yet, distinctions emerge; some specialize in specific modes, while others offer multi-modal prowess. Geographic coverage further diverges, with prevalence in North America for some and exclusive focus on Europe for others. While some function as standalone applications, their primary role lies in empowering supply chain control tower applications—integral solutions seeking to finalize the supply chain equation through carrier-centric data.

Though widely embraced, real-time transportation visibility platforms represent a relatively recent phenomenon. Previously, such capabilities were unattainable due to the absence of industry-wide traceability. Although, the advent of carrier networks and ELD regulations has now unlocked these datasets. These newly accessible datasets wield substantial power independently and, when correlated, amplify the insights furnished by these platforms. Real-time visibility platforms extend beyond supply chain traceability, delving particularly into advanced scenarios like transportation risk management across geopolitical boundaries facilitated by technologies like blockchain. 

Top 10 Real-time Transportation Visibility Platforms In 2024

The deployment of RFID chips on containers facilitates detailed traceability, particularly encompassing international multi-party BOM tracking. Platforms enhanced with AI and ML showcase impressive KPIs, achieving a 99.99% accuracy in delivery ETA. Notwithstanding pre-established networks and datasets, challenges arise in onboarding current carriers, potentially leading to misleading insights and incomplete traceability. Thus, platforms offering a superior user experience and streamlined onboarding processes are likely to provide enhanced insights. While the suitability of these platforms varies, some are tailored for SMB customers, and others are designed as enterprise-grade solutions. Now, let’s delve into the top 10 real-time transportation visibility platforms in 2024.



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.

10. TruckerTools

TruckerTools is perhaps the smallest solution on this list, targeting freight brokers to see load visibility. The number of modes is substantially limited, without the coverage for modes such as air or ocean. With the limitation of its network, it might not be the best fit for companies seeking a platform with international multi-modal traceability.

Pros
  • ELD integration. While the platform is relatively smaller, ELD integration allows data to be acquired in an autonomous fashion without relying on manual acquisition.
  • SMB friendly. The simplicity of the solution and the costs would be friendlier for SMB companies.
  • Detailed visibility. While not as comprehensive with the coverage, the visibility use cases are detailed.
Cons
  • Does not cover other modes of transportation, such as air or ocean. The visibility is primarily limited to trucking data, making it not a right fit for multi-modal traceability.
  • Clunky UI. The clunky UI might lead to poor adoption among carriers, making data collection harder and insights misleading.
  • Integrating with TMS requires consulting help. While cheaper with licensing, the consulting help required for integration TMS might be expensive for smaller companies.

9. IntelliTrans

IntelliTrans, compared to TruckerTools, is slightly richer with its capabilities, especially for multi-modal scenarios. While it covers several models, the network coverage is limited compared to other advanced tools such as Project44 or FourKites. It is a great option for SMBs looking for multi-modal capabilities with some level of TMS integration provided, but may not the best fit for large enterprises seeking comprehensive network coverage and end-to-end supply chain traceability.

Pros
  • SMB-friendly. While not as comprehensive a network for exhaustive multi-modal traceability, the costs and leaner layers of the software make it SMB-friendly.
  • Multimodal features. Compared to TruckerTools, it covers more modes such as road, rail, and ocean than being just limited to trucking data.
  • Integrated TMS. Integrated TMS would reduce consulting costs, but further vetting may be required to ensure the use cases supported by pre-integrated workflows would work for the datasets and the use cases that need to be supported.
Cons
  • Limited to road, rail, and ocean. Limited coverage might lead to misleading and incomplete insights but may be OK for companies on a budget. 
  • Not designed for large enterprises. Large enterprises requiring mature capabilities such as AI and ML, with comprehensive coverage for networks, might find it limiting.
  • Ecosystem limited. The companies consulting on the tool might be limiting, making it harder to find talent relying on vendor-provided professional services.

8. Blume Global

Blume Global is another option for SMB companies needing global visibility with multimodal features. Post-acquisition with WiseTech, it can now offer broader capabilities, including pre-integrated TMS offerings, just like Trimble. Due to the limited AI and ML workflows and network coverage, it might not be the best fit for companies seeking mature capabilities.

Pros
  • Multimodal features. This is especially helpful for companies seeking global traceability across most modes.
  • Integrated TMS. The integrated TMS would reduce consulting costs, but further vetting is required to ensure the usability of pre-integrated workflows.
  • Now part of WiseTech Global group. Due to the integration with WiseTech Global Group, its financial sustainability would not be an issue.
Cons
  • Ecosystem limited. The limited ecosystem makes it challenging to find talent and a consulting base compared to larger peers.
  • Not as well adopted or funded as other options. While it is part of the WiseTech group, it’s not as adopted as other options such as Project44 or FourKites.
  • Not as comprehensive as other options on this list. The network is limiting, making the datasets potentially biased and misleading for companies seeking multi-modal traceability.

7. Overhaul

Overhaul is an enterprise-grade option for companies seeking global trade traceability and transparency. It has some unique capabilities, such as integrated RiskGPT, helping companies manage their risks. However, the platform might not be built as other solutions on this list, with limited options to mine relevant insights.

Pros
  • Great transportation visibility tool. This is especially useful for companies seeking global traceability, especially in areas such as insurance, theft, etc.
  • GSOC feed integrated along with visibility. The integration of GSOC data makes it unique for risks and security-centric workflows.
  • AI and RiskGPT capabilities integrated. Compared to smaller options limited with AI capabilities, it features richer AI and RiskGPT capabilities for risk forecasting and prevention.
Cons
  • Communication errors between the carrier and the platform. The communication between the carrier and the platform might not be as seamless, causing issues with communication and leaving datasets unreliable.
  • The limited network may require carriers to participate. Because of the limited network, companies would be required to invite their carriers that might not already be on the platform, making the adoption harder and insights potentially biased and misleading.
  • Not as well as designed and might be cluttered with GPS pings. While the system has tons of data, navigating through data might be a challenge because of the missing scalable layers to customize insights relevant to each user in the company.

6. Trimble Transporeon

Trimble Transporeon is a comprehensive solution, particularly strong with the carrier and trucking side of data, making it ideal for transportation companies or companies with internal fleets, such as agriculture or construction. It might not be the best fit for enterprises seeking mature capabilities with AI and ML workflows and multimodal traceability through the international supply chain.

Pros
  • Over 150K carriers are part of the network. One of the largest sample sizes of carriers, making carrier adoption easier.
  • Integrates with over 3000 ERP and TMS systems. The pre-integrated workflows help mine data and with integration without expensive consulting costs.
  • Power of Trimble’s powerful maps and telematics technology, timeslot, and retail timeslot management. Trimble’s unique offering includes powerful maps and telematics technology, augmenting ELD and carrier-centric data and providing more accurate metrics.
Cons
  • Mainly an European solution. While a comprehensive network, its geo exposure is limited, with Europe being the main focus, struggling in other geographies such as North America.
  • Relies on some datasets on other players, such as Roambee. Due to the limited datasets, they rely on other providers for some datasets, such as Roambee.
  • Not as comprehensive as other solutions on this list. While a great solution for several industries, it’s not as comprehensive as some of the other solutions on this list.

5. Shippeo

Shippeo is great for companies looking for road transportation visibility, mainly focused on Europe. It’s network is not as comprehensive as other solutions such as Project44 or FourKites, especially covering different geographies. While a great solution for Europe, it might not be the best fit for companies seeking global traceability across all modes.

Pros
  • Carbon emission tracking. One of the unique advantages of Shippeo is that it provides carbon emission data, especially useful for geographies such as Europe where carbon emissions tracking may be used as an input for planning and reporting.
  • Accurate truck positioning. Due to the rich datasets, it can provide far superior positioning of trucks, making ETAs far more reliable and helping with planning, generally difficult with other tools that might not be as accurate with truck positioning.
  • Machine learning to calculate ETA. Shippeo is packaged with machine-learning capabilities to complete the missing datasets. 
Cons
  • Network not as strong as other platforms. The current network is not as strong as other solutions, such as Project44 or FourKites.
  • Mainly a European solution as well. Since it is focused on Europe, companies in other geographies might find it challenging.
  • Not integrated suite as other platforms. The other platforms on this list have more integrated capabilities, augmenting limited datasets and providing richer insights.

4. Descartes (MacroPoint)

Descartes MacroPoint is the best for global freight visibility and carrier capacity for logistics-intensive businesses such as freight brokers or logistics service providers. Unlike other solutions on this list with limited data and security models, Descartes MacroPoint offers enterprise layers that accommodate the needs of different personas, ensuring the right insights for the right user profiles. Descartes MacroPoint would not be a great fit for SMB companies seeking a simpler solution with a limited budget.

Pros
  • The ability to fine-tune alerts and accurately track the driver’s location all the time. The systems with limited data and security layers make gleaning insights overwhelming, impacting product adoption.  
  • Global coverage. It’s not as limited as other SMB solutions on this list, with its coverage for various geographies.
  • Focus on logistics-centric businesses. Logistics-centric businesses have a very unique need, with a primary focus on international BOM data, where Descartes is extremely strong.
Cons
  • Expensive. While great from a coverage perspective, smaller companies might struggle to justify the price tag.
  • Carrier performance might not be as strong. Compared to other options on this list, carrier performance data might not be as strong, leaving a critical dataset for end-to-end traceability.
  • Designed from the perspective of logistics providers, limited carrier network. While great for logistics service providers as they have unique needs, it might be limiting for diverse business models.

3. e2open

e2open is the best for global companies looking for a complete suite, including network, planning, and execution. While it relies on other solutions, such as FourKites and Project44, for carrier-centric data, it could be a powerful for companies seeking real-time transportation visibility platforms because of other datasets, enriching the transportation data and completing the supply chain equation. It might not be the best fit for companies seeking simpler solutions.

Pros
  • Complete suite. The biggest advantage of e2open is that it’s a complete suite, combining all modes and geographies, making it one of the strongest platforms for end-to-end supply chain traceability.
  • Combined network channel and carrier. e2open has its own network, making the adoption far easier for companies onboarding their existing carriers.
  • Richer data and analytics. The AI and ML capabilities and the power of the network, along with the security and data layer, offer decision-grade data that might not be available through any other platforms.
Cons
  • Relies on Shippeo for transport visibility data. While e2open has some carriers and data, it relies on Shippeo for the datasets, posing sustainability issues if it loses its relationship with Shippeo or if Shippeo gets acquired by a competitor. 
  • Expensive. With the amount of capabilities packed as part of the solution, it might be cost-prohibitive for SMBs.
  • It is not the best fit for companies looking for a standalone RTV platform. e2open is a suite and not necessarily an RTV platform if the cross-functional alignment might be a challenge, and this platform needs to be purchased at the departmental level.

2. FourKites

FourKites is perhaps the best platform for enterprises seeking standalone real-time transportation visibility platforms. It has global coverage across all modes. But might not be the best for companies seeking suite capabilities across the supply chain and not just transportation. Also, it might not be the best fit for SMBs seeking an affordable solution.

Pros
  • 490K Carriers, ETAs 6x more accurate, 98% of global ocean traffic, and 17K airports. Compared to other solutions on this list, FourKites has one of the most comprehensive coverage and is more accurate because of its data coverage.
  • 1.5M monthly parcel and last mile load. The inclusion of parcel and last mile load is an added advantage and a critical component for end-to-end transportation traceability.
  • Visibility past transportation to include yards, warehouses, and stores. While the purpose is to include just the transportation visibility, including yards, warehouses, and stores, it helps with end-to-end visibility of the entire transportation value chain. 
Cons
  • Expensive. The comprehensive datasets and AI and ML capabilities to forecast decision-grade data make it expensive for SMBs.
  • Not as strong with service parts. The intent of the platform is not to provide the supplier-side of traceability. So it would not be a great fit for the supply chain visibility needed for supplier collaboration in business units such as spare parts businesses.
  • Limited integration with other TMS systems. Some of the TMS systems might not be as integrated, requiring companies to spend on consulting efforts.

1. Project44

Project44 is the best for SMBs seeking standalone real-time transportation visibility platforms. Compared to FourKites, Project44 is relatively friendlier for SMBs. It also provides a guarantee for carrier compliance, a huge risk for companies struggling to get their carriers on the platform, leading to misleading insights and unreliable data. Project44 is also GDPR-compliant, making it friendlier for geographies such as Europe.

Pros
  • Carrier compliance guarantee. One of the biggest challenges in being successful with real-time transportation visibility platforms is carrier onboarding. Project44 not only has one of the largest carrier onboarding, minimizing the need to onboard as many carriers. But they also offer a guarantee because of how streamlined the process is. 
  • 230K+ carriers, 760 ELD providers over more than 48 countries, 4.33 million drivers, 3.55 M trucks, 800K fleets. These data points make them one of the largest global networks.
  • GDPR compliant. Project44 is perhaps one of the few systems that are GDPR-compliant, highly relevant for companies with a presence in the European market. 
Cons
  • Steep learning curve. The enterprise and scalable layers might require change management and training budget, which also might be out of reach for some SMBs.
  • Not an open platform. The open platform makes it easier and creates trust for carriers to join. While they are not open, they are one of the largest networks. Not being open might lead to mistrust among carriers and, as a result, their resistance to joining the network.
  • Requires carriers to agree on connecting. Carriers might not agree to join the network, thus leading to misleading insights and incomplete data, which is where their guarantee might be helpful. 
+

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Conclusion

Choosing real-time transportation visibility platforms necessitates insight into the underlying network, particularly data sources. Without this awareness, platforms may seem indistinguishable, potentially resulting in misguided choices. While some aspects, like platform vetting, maybe within your control, poor user experience could hinder adoption within your carrier network, impacting desired outcomes. If you’re exploring the top 10 real-time visibility platforms, consider leveraging the expertise of independent supply chain consultants for a successful selection.

FAQs

Top 10 Supply Chain Business Network Platforms In 2024

Before the advent of supply chain business networks, industries depended on research and survey-based approaches for supply chain planning. Companies in the data business often erred significantly, leading to inefficiencies throughout the supply chain. Establishing networks was challenging due to communication standard disparities and the difficulty of persuading the entire industry to converge on a single platform. While business-to-business communication relied on standards like XML or EDI, they offered limited connectivity and acknowledgment without centralized repositories to drive industry-wide supply chains.

As EDI networks expanded, they evolved to extract valuable data, especially for carriers. However, the supply chain equation still lacked traceability. Mode-specific networks emerged, effectively connecting stakeholders within each mode. Yet, achieving end-to-end supply chain traceability and control tower capabilities remained elusive due to industry-wide data silos. Recognizing this challenge, private equity firms saw the necessity of consolidating these silos into comprehensive networks that encompass various supply chain elements.

Top 10 Supply Chain Business Network Platforms In 2024

Unlocking the full potential of technology, achieving supply chain traceability requires strategic approaches. Managing domestic communication networks is feasible, yet crossing geopolitical boundaries introduces unique challenges. Global traceability remains elusive, given national security and data privacy concerns. Blockchain technology emerges as a solution, seamlessly connecting datasets while upholding security interests. The landscape expands with ESG and e-invoicing initiatives, broadening the equation. While the origin of each network varies, each serves a distinct purpose. These networks not only ensure end-to-end traceability globally but also supply essential data for AI algorithms, transforming demand forecasting. Intrigued about the top 10 supply chain business network platforms in 2024? Let’s delve into the exploration.



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10. Pagero

Just like the role OpenText played for enterprise e-invoicing and document exchange for the stakeholders across the supply chain, Pagero’s cloud-native platform filled the same gap for SMBs, offering them a network very similar to OpenText. Pagero would be relevant if you are looking for a good document exchange solution, including e-invoicing support with trading partners for various markets. While Pagero’s network fills the gap with critical supply chains, they are not the best fit if you are looking for a vendor that could provide end-to-end supply chain visibility and traceability data, ranking at #10 on this list.

Pros
  • Cloud-native interface. Pagero technologies are cloud-native, making vendor onboarding super easy, allowing you to not only use the vendors and carriers already on the network but invite your trading partners to the platforms as well, expanding the network even further.
  • Easy connecting with trading partners. Connecting and onboarding new vendors could be done with a few clicks, reducing the friction and resistance of those who might not be willing to join the network because of friction in the process.
  • E-invoicing compliance capabilities. Not many technologies in the market can allow true eInvoicing capabilities, which are critical to comply with processes in several countries, even for custom compliance requirements.
Cons
  • Limited to document exchange. The scope of the network is limited to document exchange related to eInvoicing and communication with trading partners.
  • Limited suite capabilities. Companies looking for an entire suite that could utilize the data generated by the network might not be the best fit.
  • Not a real supply chain business network. It’s not necessarily a supply chain business network, but it does provide critical capabilities to communicate with supply chain stakeholders.

9. TESISQUARE 

TESISQUARE presents a unique network origin, initially focusing on supplier collaboration within manufacturing and engineering value chains. Unlike carrier or eInvoicing networks, its strength lies predominantly in the European market, offering specific capabilities within the supply chain. While not comprehensive for the entire supply chain, it excels as a supplier collaboration network with strength within the SAP ecosystem. TESISQUARE secures a spot at #9 on our list, providing control tower features geared toward tracking supplier collaboration.

Pros
  • Strong competence with SAP. They started with SAP partners to provide collaboration capabilities for SAP customers, leading to superior integration with SAP technologies.
  • Sending drawings etc to suppliers. Not many companies can help with the engineering collaboration where drawings need to be collaborated with suppliers, providing them a unique value prop.
  • Control tower capabilities. While limited capabilities, they have control tower capabilities, offering a centralized view of your supply chain.
Cons
  • Limited to European network. Their network is primarily limited to European carriers, which might be limiting for companies seeking to track global supply chains.
  • Fairly small network limited to European countries. The small network can lead to a biased view of the network, leading to partially completed data that is not as superior as other platforms on this list.
  • Limited suite and data. The suite capabilities are very limited to a very specific use case, and not a complete suite similar to technologies such as e2open.

8. Elemica

Elemica originated as a carrier and document exchange network, similar to EDI vendors or shipping platforms, with a primary focus on process manufacturers. Since process manufacturers require unique capabilities with document exchange and shipping needs, their network is focused on specific geography, use cases, and industries, limiting their applicability as a true supply chain business network. But they could be a great platform if you are looking to communicate and collaborate with industry-focused trading partners. Given their pros and cons, they rank at #8 on our list.

Pros
  • SMB friendly. Their platform is very SMB-centric for companies looking for basic communication capabilities within a TMS, especially ideal for companies for which supply chain footprint might be limited because of outsourced supply chains to 3PL and carrier companies.
  • Connect with carriers, including rate shopping. Allows companies looking for basic carrier communication capabilities, including rate shopping.
  • Chemical and process industry-specific capabilities. The chemical and process industry is very unique because of its complex inventory and quality requirements, requiring specific capabilities in a network platform.
Cons
  • Not a real supply chain business network. While a great connectivity platform, it’s not really a real supply chain business network for companies seeking end-to-end traceability and true control tower capabilities.
  • Really a document exchange and small shipping software. It’s really a very small package for document exchange and shipping needs.
  • Smaller network footprint concentrated on certain industries. The size of the network is small, limiting its scope as a supply chain business network.

7. True Commerce

True Commerce is primarily an EDI network connecting trading partners in the automotive ecosystem, serving as a visibility platform for the automotive industry. While it could be a great value add for SMBs that might have access to a more robust supply chain platform, it’s not necessarily a true supply chain business network. But it could be a great network if your goal is to primarily connect with trading partners through EDI, ranking at #7 on our list.

Pros
  • Easy connectivity with trading partners. The main benefit of True Commerce is trading partner communication, with a very lean network for visibility needs.
  • SMB-friendly. It’s not as cost-prohibitive as other platforms on this list, making it friendlier for SMBs.
Cons
  • Not a real supply chain business network. While great for connectivity, it’s not a real supply chain platform for companies seeking end-to-end traceability of their supply chain, along with control tower capabilities.
  • Visibility is limited to Automotive. While great for the automotive value chain, it’s not the best fit for other industries.
  • Limited insights and network size. The limited network size would provide biased insights and incomplete data that might not be as valuable for supply chain planning as with other platforms.

6. OpenText

OpenText provides enterprise-grade content exchange and trade document networks primarily for enterprise ERP ecosystems such as SAP or Oracle to provide connectivity with trading partners. With ESG and eInvoicing capabilities housed with these networks as well, their network has been expanded to these workflows, expanding their network further. While it’s a great platform for connectivity and collaboration, it’s not necessarily a true supply chain business network, ranking it as #6 on our rank for this year.

Pros
  • Best-of-breed content management platform for enterprise workloads. It is one of the leading products for centralized management and distribution of physical document exchange.
  • A business network for trading partner collaboration. One of the largest networks for trading partner collaboration.
  • Global compliance. Global compliance capabilities require unique processes for each country and supply chain lanes, providing enterprise-grade compliance capabilities.
Cons 
  • Not a true supply chain visibility platform. While great for execution-centric capabilities with an external network, it’s not a true supply chain platform.
  • Not friendly for SMBs. The enterprise compliance layers and business rules might be overwhelming for SMBs.
  • Expensive. SMBs limited on budget and not caring for enterprise capabilities might find it overly expensive.

5. Kinaxis/MPO

Kinaxis, just like e2open,  takes a very different approach to its suite and has a true supply chain business network that it owns, enabling the AI and ML workflows crucial for decision-grade data. Their network will provide end-to-end supply chain traceability for all global modes and control tower capabilities. While it might be a great planning suite for manufacturing-centric verticals, as in these industries, planning processes do not need to be tightly integrated with operational workflows, it might not be a great fit for retail-centric verticals as they require planning processes to be tightly integrated with order management, store and floor planning, warehouse, and procurement.

Pros
  • Planning solutions integrated with the network. Integrated network with the planning solution provides unique capabilities for manufacturing-centric industries.
  • Complementary capabilities for SAP and Oracle customers. Perhaps one of the best networks along with S&OP platforms for companies already on SAP and Oracle for their ERP.
  • Decision-grade intelligence. The network provides proprietary data, and because of that, they are able to offer decision-grade data for their planning cycles.
Cons
  • Not a strong execution component. Their biggest drawback is that they don’t have a strong execution component bundled as part of the suite, but for their industries, the suite might not be as relevant as it is for retail industries.
  • The network is not as strong as its competitors. The strength of their network might not be as strong as other networks, such as e2open, limiting the quality of decision-grade data.

4. One Network Enterprises

One Network is one of the strongest networks for industry-wide collaboration and control tower capabilities. The network features a strong partner network, providing traceability across geopolitical boundaries using its unique technology capabilities, allowing it to have such traceability. The network is also uniquely positioned for complex scenarios such as counterfeit tracking or global pharma supply chain, making the network more relevant for the execution function than for planning, ranking it at #4 on our list.

Pros
  • More than 75 companies in the partner network. Their strong partner network provides them with data to provide global supply chain capabilities combining all modes and regions.
  • Telematics-Enabled Control Tower. The telematics data gathered from across the world help them provide end-to-end traceability that other networks might not have.
  • Multi-party BOM tracking. This tracking is especially useful for tracking across all stakeholders, providing traceability for pharma or counterfeit.
Cons
  • Not SMB-friendly. Global traceability might not be as relevant for SMB companies and might be expensive.
  • Weak planning and execution capabilities. While great with network and global TMS-centric capabilities, other execution components might not be missing for non-transportation or 3PL companies, which might require traceability among trading partners and suppliers, along with an external supply chain.
  • Limited network. While one of the strongest, the network is not as comprehensive as e2open, making it less reliable for decision-grade data.

3. SupplyOn

Much like OneNetwork and TESISQUARE, SupplyOn centers around procurement and supplier collaboration. While OneNetwork emphasizes global collaboration and industry-wide BOM tracking, SupplyOn, akin to TESISQUARE and Infor Nexus, specializes in procurement and supplier collaboration. It may not delve as deeply into the carrier aspect of the network. Although possessing data from a broader array of companies and countries than OneNetwork, its dataset might not match the completeness of networks like e2open. However, for those focused on procurement and supplier collaboration needs, SupplyOn stands out, earning the #3 spot on our list.

Pros
  • 140 companies from 100 countries. The company and country set is much larger than OneNetwork but might not be as comprehensive as e2open.
  • Primarily focused on the procurement network and e-invoicing. The focus on the procurement network and e-invoicing would provide much stronger capabilities for this area, although weaker on the carrier side of the network.
Cons
  • Not SMB-friendly. The platform is not meant to be for SMBs so they will find it expensive.
  • Weak planning and execution capabilities. While great for the network, it does not have embedded planning or execution capabilities for companies looking for embedded workflows utilizing this data and network, increasing the consulting and implementation budget in using it as part of the architecture, but at the same providing flexibility for the best-of-breed architecture or depart level purchase.
  • Not as comprehensive as other platforms. The network coverage is not as comprehensive as other platforms on this list due to its primary focus on the supplier collaboration and procurement side of data.

2. Infor Nexus

Infor Nexus primarily serves as a visibility platform, focusing on the procurement and supplier collaboration aspects of the network. It relies on external datasets, such as those from partners like Project44 and FourKites, for carrier-side information. While it excels in meeting the supplier and procurement collaboration needs of verticals like automotive and aerospace, it falls short of providing a comprehensive supply chain business network. Nevertheless, its strength lies in fostering tight collaboration with other architectural layers, such as WMS and ERP, in industries where this collaboration is crucial. As a result, Infor Nexus secures the #2 spot on our list.

Pros
  • Integrated with Infor solutions such as WMS and ERP. For industries where embedded experience with internal solutions such as WMS or ERP matters, it would provide a tighter experience because of pre-baked integration.
  • Planning integrated with a network similar to Kinexis. Integrated planning would utilize a proprietary network, a similar strategy as Kinexis for decision-grade data, an architecture strategy relevant for these verticals.
  • Collaboration and orchestration with global suppliers. Collaboration and orchestration with global suppliers would help with scenarios such as joint planning and forecasting, which are much more relevant for these industries.
Cons
  • Leaner execution component compared to E2 Open. The execution, especially pertaining to external and global supply chains, would be weaker, requiring external components.
  • Not SMB friendly. SMBs might find it overwhelming and expensive if they don’t care for global collaboration or joint planning with their suppliers.
  • Limited ecosystem. The consulting base and ecosystem might be limited as compared to other options on this list.

1. e2open

e2open stands out as one of the most comprehensive platforms, encompassing a wide range of capabilities within a suite, including planning and execution, coupled with a robust network. In contrast to other solutions that may focus on specific datasets and networks in particular regions, e2open’s network spans suppliers, carriers, and ELD data, covering all modes and geographies. Its versatility shines when managing diverse operations, seamlessly supporting combined business models such as retail and manufacturing under the same portfolio. As a market leader, e2open secures the top spot at #1 on our list.

Pros
  • The most comprehensive suite combines the power of planning. The most comprehensive suite can work for global and comprehensive business models as complex as retail and manufacturing, especially for business models such as Aftermarket, which are highly complex and combine elements of many industries.
  • Execution and networks, are adopted by large enterprises. e2open has one of the largest logos on this list and is installed very commonly alongside SAP and Oracle.
  • Cloud-native UI. Compared to other platforms on this list, e2open has relatively modern technology.
Cons
  • Expensive. SMBs not caring for external supply chain traceability or decision-grade data might find it expensive.
  • Not SMB friendly. The enterprise business rules and layers might be overwhelming for SMBs.
+

ERP Implementation Failure Recovery

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Conclusion

Revolutionizing supply chain planning, industry networks have reshaped the landscape. While you may not directly engage with these networks, comprehending their dynamics is key to evaluating supply chain visibility and platforms touting AI or control tower features. The robustness of their network shapes decision-grade data quality, influencing critical metrics like ETA and demand forecasting, pivotal for operational efficiency and supply chain planning. When evaluating a supply chain platform, delve into the underlying network to gauge the data quality it offers. If navigating this terrain seems daunting, seek guidance from independent supply chain consulting firms to make informed decisions.

FAQs

Top 10 Supply Chain Suites In 2024

Suite roles in architecture hinge on cross-functional embeddedness. Supply chain suites restrict ERP suites to financial reporting, while retail-focused suites demand collaboration with WMS, TMS, and OMS for mature capabilities like inventory management and allocation. These were traditionally considered to naturally reside particularly inside the ERP, sparking debates if hosted elsewhere. In retail, procurement aligns closely with merchandising and planning engines. Conversely, in manufacturing and industrial settings, procurement collaborates more directly with production and accounting, illustrating the diverse nature of suite roles.

In the past, distinctions were blurred, and organizations either didn’t prioritize external supply chain tracking or built custom ERP-based systems for traceability. The evolving landscape of supply chain suites, particularly driven by private equity, has changed this dynamic. Today, previously unattainable possibilities are realized through marketplaces and networks, fostering global insights and collaboration. Technologies like blockchain facilitate seamless global data exchange, transcending international interests. While ESG and e-invoicing are in their infancy, their impact on future architecture remains uncertain. However, it’s likely that a portion of these models will be embedded within the supply chain suite, leveraging networks for collaborative documentation exchange.

Top 10 Supply Chain Suites In 2024

As supply chain suites continue to broaden their scope, determining the optimal placement particularly for specific processes within an architecture becomes increasingly complex. While straightforward for pure-play retail or manufacturing models, challenges intensify for businesses with overlapping models, like aftermarket operations blending aspects of both retail and manufacturing. This scenario is particularly applicable to softline and hardline retailers with significant manufacturing exposure. If you’re navigating supply chain suite choices, this list can assist in streamlining your options.



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10. Dassault Systèmes SCM

Dassault Systèmes employs a distinctive approach in its suite, positioned at the crossroads of ERP, CAD, and S&OP. Although tailored for supply chain industries overlapping with process manufacturing and retail, it caters to automotive- and aerospace-centric sectors, necessitating robust supplier collaboration. The suite’s roots lie in plastics, offering integrated tools for plastic-like operations across diverse industries. In contrast, other suites like Blue Yonder may face challenges in these specialized sectors, making Dassault stand out and securing its spot at #10 on our list.

Pros
  • Integrated with the ERP solution. The biggest plus with Dassault systems is its close alignment with ERP and CAD-centric systems,thus making it ideal for industries heavier on cost tracking, requiring ERP-centric processes, and limiting the role of S&OP to just planning.
  • Comprehensive suite with PLM/PDM, SCM, and ERP. Integration with PLM and PDM would be friendlier for companies particularly heavier with S&OP processes in their NPD and R&D phases, a critical requirement for process-centric manufacturers.
  • Compliance pre-baked for automotive and plastic verticals. Compliance processes heavily embedded with supply chain workflows, such as supplier collaboration, would require tight embeddedness of Dassault SCM.
Cons
  • Technology is not modern. The technology might not be as modern as some of the newer options on this list, such as e2open.
  • Limited ecosystem. The consulting ecosystem is highly limited, with their reseller channel being heavily crowded with CAD resellers without deeper supply chain expertise.
  • The network is not part of the suite. They don’t have access to the proprietary network, a critical limitation for demand forecasting, primarily relying on customers’ internal and industry data sources, which are generally substantially off because of inadequacies of their source channels.

9. Trimble 

Navigating supply chain planning, particularly in sectors like transportation, construction, and agriculture brings unique hurdles. Transportation prioritizes dispatch and preventive maintenance, influenced by distinctive driver-side compliance processes. Also, agriculture adds seasonal and crop quality factors to the planning mix. In construction, quoting processes wield substantial influence over supply chain planning. Thus, securing the 9th spot on our list, its suite’s specialized approach caters to the demands of these industries.

Pros
  • A most comprehensive suite containing telematics and fleet management. Most other manufacturing-focused suites might struggle with business models particularly with internal fleets and transportation operations, positioning Trimble uniquely.
  • Strong in transportation visibility. Their traceability and supply chain equation would be limited to transportation visibility, a strength for transportation-centric industries but a huge limitation for other industries.
  • 3PL-specific planning and data. 3PL-specific planning and data are unique, a limitation with other solutions on this list.
Cons
  • Not ideal for manufacturing or retail-centric industries. It is not an ideal fit for manufacturing and retail-centric industries, even if they might be using it for the transportation side of the processes.
  • Limited network. The limited nature of the network would not complete the supply chain equation, thus limiting companies seeking end-to-end supply chain planning.
  • Primarily focused on transportation execution and compliance. The other execution processes, such as retail, manufacturing, and production, would be highly limiting.

8. QAD

QAD adopts a strategy similar to Dassault’s by integrating CAD/PLM, S&OP, WMS, TMS, and ERP capabilities. Tailored for retail and supply chain-centric industries, it leans towards particularly discrete manufacturing and is less focused on process manufacturing for several industries like automotive and life sciences. QAD’s suite is structured around unique product categories, thus influencing supply chain and production processes across diverse industries. It mirrors the strategies of many supply chain suites, which exclusively focus on the supply chain function, omitting the ERP aspect, therefore making the QAD suite unique. Thus with its distinct attributes, QAD secures the 8th spot on our list.

Pros
  • Integrated with the ERP solution. The biggest advantage of QAD’s suite is its alignment with ERP-centric processes for cost-focused industries where processes such as cost accounting and production scheduling are critical.
  • Comprehensive suite with SCM and ERP. It combines the best of both worlds, including most components from the SCM suite, such as WMS and TMS, embedded with ERP processes, as well as CAD and PLM.
  • Compliance pre-baked for automotive and F&B industries. Compliance processes that require tighter embeddedness with the S&OP processes would find QAD’s suite extremely compelling.
Cons
  • Backend technology is not modern. The backend technology is not as modern as some of the newer platforms on this list.
  • Limited ecosystem. QAD ecosystem is highly limited, with very few consulting companies maintaining expertise on the product set, making finding talent challenging.
  • Network not part of the suite. QAD would rely on internal and customer-provided external data for its analysis, a substantial limitation compared to other systems owning and maintaining their networks as part of the suite.

7. Manhattan Associates

Manhattan specializes in retail and warehouse execution, tailored for industries tightly integrating physical store planning with warehousing and merchandising processes. These industries, less cost-focused with stable pricing models, don’t demand meticulous cost tracking, as seen in complex industrial sectors. The industries that Manhattan targets adopt a distinctive approach to intricate functions like inventory management, allocation, and omnichannel fulfillment. Its specific applicability to certain industries positions it at the 7th spot on our list.

Pros
  • Tailored flow for retail merchandisers and planners. Retail merchandising and planning are foundational processes for retailers, collaborating tightly with procurement, new product development, and design teams, requiring unique suites like Manhattan. 
  • Warehouse and store visualization and planning. The critical success factors for industries that Manhattan targets are warehouse and store visualization, influencing planning and allocation cycles substantially, requiring a unique architecture.
  • Integrated suite, including POS and distributed order management. The POS and DSD-centric business processes require unique architecture, only possible through suites like Manhattan.
Cons
  • External supply chain planning is limited.  The limited focus of Manhattan on retail execution leaves the external supply chain planning outside of the scope of Manhattan.
  • Network not included. Without a network, the planning components would be dependent upon internal and customer-provided external data, a huge limitation for companies seeking decision-grade data for the entire supply chain.
  • Not SMB friendly. The enterprise data and process layers would be overwhelming and unnecessarily expensive for SMBs.

6. Körber/HighJump 

Körber, akin to Manhattan, adopts a distinct approach with a focus on warehouse and execution components. It caters to 3PL-centric business models, crucial for distribution-focused companies often incorporating 3PL elements. Unlike Manhattan, Körber targets the mid and upper-mid markets, integrating processes like WMS, TMS, and freight claims management. While comprehensive, it lacks certain critical components found in other suites. Its unique approach and more limited applicability position it at the 6th spot on this list.

Pros
  • Strong warehouse management capabilities. It is one of the strongest cloud-native WMS systems for mid-market companies, covering most aspects of warehouse management relevant to mid-market companies.
  • TMS capabilities integrated. Industries where the embeddedness of TMS and WMS processes matter, especially for supply chain companies, would find Korber highly attractive.
  • Strong last mile and parcel capabilities. The last-mile capabilities are uniquely complex because of the scheduling and compliance processes of various industries, making Korber unique for DSD-centric operations.
Cons
  • External supply chain limited. While great for the internal supply chain, external supply chain capabilities are highly limited.
  • Network not included. The missing network would not provide the decision-grade data included with other supply chain suites.
  • No supply chain planning or collaboration. The missing planning or collaboration component might not be the best fit for companies requiring tighter embeddedness of  WMS and TMS processes with S&OP.

5. Infor CloudSuite SCM

Similar to Dassault and QAD, Infor CloudSuite SCM adopts a distinctive approach, integrating diverse processes like CAD/PLM, WMS, ERM, and HCM with S&OP processes. It proves ideal for companies with manufacturing-heavy business models where supply chain processes tightly intertwine with new product development and ERP. Pure-play retailers might find other suites more suitable, as S&OP processes may not align with their needs. Given its unique market position, Infor CloudSuite SCM secures the 5th spot on this list.

Pros
  • A comprehensive suite for supply chain management. Infor CloudSuite is uniquely comprehensive, most components pre-integrated, needed for manufacturers.
  • Great visibility platform with planning. Includes a visibility platform for supplier collaboration and procurement without carrier-focused visibility, generally included in 3PL and retail-centric suites.
  • Global trade workflows and compliance capabilities. Global trade compliance requires country and geopolitical restrictions that need to be integrated with business processes.
Cons
  • Weak transportation execution component. Due to the nature of industries Infor CloudSuite SCM targets, the transportation execution component is not as critical for the suite but might be a limitation for diverse operations.
  • Not proven with enterprise workloads. The enterprises requiring millions of transactions per hour for planning cycles might struggle with it.
  • Not fit for smaller businesses. The overbloated data and process layers might be overwhelming for smaller businesses.

4. Oracle

Oracle Supply Chain Suite proves ideal for global enterprises with diverse operations and various business models, effectively accommodating the planning cycles of multiple industries. In comparison, industry-specific suites like Infor, QAD, or Trimble may face challenges in handling such diverse operations. Mid-market-focused suites may struggle with the high workload of enterprise-level planning cycles, especially those involving millions of transactions per hour. While limited by its proprietary network, Oracle Supply Chain Suite excels in providing operational capabilities for global enterprises that demand seamless integration across systems such as HCM, ERP, WMS, and TMS with S&OP. Its unique position for large enterprises secures its rank at #4 on our list.

Pros
  • Comprehensive supply management suite, including global trade management capabilities. The supply chain suite would cover the need for the most diverse operations for global enterprises.
  • Strong planning platform integrated with execution suite. The planning platform is not industry- or function-specific, providing end-to-end traceability of all planning datasets, including S&OP, human resources, and FP&A.
  • Pre-integrated with ERP. Embedded processes with ERP, along with a disconnected supply chain suite, can cover both architectures equally well, covering the needs of diverse operations.
Cons
  • Network not part of the suite. Missing a network would require additional components, and the processes that need to be tightly embedded with the network might struggle.
  • Not SMB friendly. The enterprise data and process model might be overwhelming for SMBs leaner on their process overhead.
  • Expensive. Ultra expensive for SMBs looking for cheaper options with learner process and data models.

3. SAP

Like Oracle, SAP Supply Chain Suite is tailored for global enterprises with diverse operations, accommodating planning cycles across various business models. Unlike Oracle, SAP offers friendliness for product-centric industries deeply involved in cost accounting and MRP-driven processes. Mid-market-focused suites may struggle with the high workload of enterprise-level planning cycles, dealing with millions of transactions per hour. Despite its proprietary network limitations, SAP Supply Chain Suite excels in providing operational capabilities for global enterprises, seamlessly integrating systems such as ERP, WMS, HCM, and TMS with S&OP. This unique position earns it the #3 rank on our list.

Pros
  • Comprehensive supply management suite, including global trade management capabilities. The supply chain suite is comprehensive for highly regulated organizations requiring process tightness and control across systems such as ERP, WMS, TMS, and S&OP.
  • Strong planning platform integrated with execution suite. The tight integration of the planning suite with execution components allows cross-pollination of business rules, which is highly critical for publicly traded organizations.
  • Pre-integrated with ERP.  The pre-integration with ERP allows exploring diverse warehouse architectures – decoupled or embedded, catering to different business models, being especially friendly for 3PL-centric operations.
Cons
  • Network not part of the suite. The missing network would struggle with the cross-pollination of business rules, requiring a network.
  • Not SMB friendly. The overbloated enterprise data and process layers would be overwhelming for SMB companies.
  • Expensive. SMBs might find the SAP’s price tag cost-prohibitive and overly expensive.

2. Blue Yonder

Blue Yonder stands out as a unique suite, akin to Manhattan, offering retail-centric capabilities enriched with robust external supply chain processes and control tower capabilities. In contrast to industry-specific suites like QAD, Infor Nexus, and Dassault, Blue Yonder may not excel in industries requiring seamless integration of business rules from WMS, TMS, and OMS with ERP, particularly those emphasizing cost accounting and MRP-centric processes. Unlike SAP and Oracle, which may lack depth in external supply chain capabilities, Blue Yonder proves more suitable for industries necessitating the decoupling of cost-centric overhead. Differing from e2open, Blue Yonder lacks its proprietary network. Its versatile application across various industries earns it the #2 spot on our list.

Pros
  • Strongest supply chain suite with planning and execution components. One of the strongest pure-play supply chain suites for retail-centric industries.
  • Ability to handle a large number of SKUs for enterprise retailers. Enterprise retail workloads require processing millions of transactions per hour for planning loads containing millions of SKUs and location planning.
  • External supply chain capabilities. One of the strongest supply chain suites for end-to-end supply chain traceability, internal or external.
Cons
  • ERP is not included as part of the suite. In the processes and business models where cross-pollinations of business rules with ERP is critical, Blue Yonder might not be the best fit.
  • Network is not part of the suite. With Blue Yonder not owning its own network, it might not have as much control over the third parties providing them network.
  • Not SMB friendly. The enterprise process and data layers might be overwhelming for SMBs.

1. e2open

e2open takes a unique approach to its suite, straddling the realms of retail and manufacturing and integrating transactional CRM processes. Diverging from Blue Yonder, e2open prides itself on its proprietary network, ensuring precise decision-grade data, a valuable asset for companies contending with demand forecasting challenges and data dependencies on external factors. While exhibiting similarities with QAD or Infor Nexus in various capacities, e2open encounters constraints in architectures necessitating ERP cross-pollination for specific industries. In such contexts, e2open may not be the optimal choice. Nonetheless, its robust enterprise-grade capabilities and deep supply chain processes catapult it to the forefront, securing the coveted #1 rank on our list.

Pros
  • Most comprehensive supply chain suite with planning, network, and execution. One of the most comprehensive options with all aspects of the supply chain suite that other solutions on this list might not have.
  • Channel marketing planning and collaboration. One of the unique aspects of e2open is that it has a process for channel-driven organizations with trade rebate planning and several other processes that are relevant for collaborative channels.
  • Global compliance and e-invoicing support. Along with the capabilities that most suites offer, it also has capabilities for global compliance and e-invoicing support, requiring only one platform for all collaboration and joint planning needs.
Cons
  • ERP is not included as part of the suite. For industries where planning processes might require cross-pollination with ERP processes, e2open might not be the best fit.
  • Not SMB friendly. The enterprise data and process layers might be overwhelming for SMB companies.
  • Limited ecosystem. The consulting ecosystem is not as prevalent as some of the other solutions on this list, so finding talent might be harder with e2open.
+

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Conclusion

Supply chain suites have diverse origins, evolving from various perspectives—some rooted in execution systems, others in planning. Over time, they’ve developed significant overlaps with each other and other enterprise software categories, intensifying architectural challenges. In your quest for a supply chain suite, delineate your business process boundaries and determine their natural placement based on required process embeddedness. This list aims to streamline your options, yet identifying the right suite demands expertise, often provided by independent ERP consultants.

FAQs

Top 10 S&OP Systems In 2024

Top 10 S&OP Systems In 2024

Running inventory-centric operations without an S&OP system is nearly impractical. Traditionally, businesses managed operations through complex spreadsheets, merging data from various sources. Despite ERP systems claiming S&OP capabilities, their rigid data structures for transactions hinder analytical workflows. An alternative system with a more flexible structure is needed, one that allows easy manipulation without disrupting core operations.

Tailoring data layers to analytical needs involves flattening and augmenting data based on organizational requirements and speed of insights. Analytical systems, unlike core operational data systems, have a lower impact from changes, such as SKU and BOM structure modifications. External changes may still necessitate adjustments to the data model for accurate correlation and association, ensuring the generation of necessary KPIs and insights for the organization.

Top 10 S&OP Systems In 2024

The design of S&OP systems is influenced by various factors, with some systems integrating other suites like WMS, TMS, or OMS based on tight analytical workflows and operational requirements. Retail industries, for instance, may require collaboration between merchandising, planning, procurement, and R&D teams, prompting the inclusion of these processes within the S&OP system suite. Corporate strategy and transactional alignment play a crucial role in determining the suitable architecture, emphasizing the need for an S&OP system tailored to unique workflows. Ready to explore the top S&OP systems in 2024? Let’s delve in.



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10. Relex Solutions

While various systems cater to different industries, S&OP systems necessitate industry-specific capabilities. In retail, planning varies even between softline and hardline operations. Relex excels in mid-market retail, providing pre-configured workflows for streamlined implementation. Unique features like retail floor planning and planogram optimization, common in larger supply chain suites, make Relex a robust choice for retail operations without displacing existing operational systems like WMS or TMS. Despite requiring closer integration with operational processes, Relex secures its position at #10 on our list.

Pros
  • Integrated workforce planning. While smaller systems might require an external system for workforce planning, Relex can combine workforce planning as well, making a comprehensive planning engineer combining floor space planning or workforce.
  • Great for teams needing standalone planning solutions. For teams that can’t afford to replace their existing transactional system, this could be a great best-of-breed system that can be installed without impacting the core operational infrastructure.
  • Strong retail planning solutions such as pricing and promotions. The other solutions on this list might not have retail-specific capabilities such as pricing and promotions, requiring substantial efforts to implement them.
Cons
  • Limited focus. The limited focus on retail might be irrelevant for companies centralizing their analytical processes and data siloes. Equally limited for diverse operations.
  • Not an integrated suite. Unlike other supply chain suites that are likely to be pre-integrated, Relex might require substantial master data and consulting expertise if the analytical processes need to be tightly embedded with operational processes.
  • Not meant to be for enterprise workloads. While a great mid-market solution, it’s not ideal for enterprise-level workloads with millions of SKU and location planning requirements.

9. Oracle Demantra

Much like SAP IBP, Oracle Demantra suits companies already using Oracle for various technologies like TMS, WMS, or ERP. Offering seamless integration for analytical processes closely tied to operational workflows, it proves beneficial for diverse businesses seeking robust S&OP capabilities. Particularly suitable for those with substantial implementation budgets to customize industry-specific processes, Oracle Demantra stands out as an excellent choice for large enterprises already integrated with Oracle retail solutions or ERP, securing its position at #9 on our list.

Pros
  • Designed for enterprise planning workloads. Oracle Demanta is proven for large enterprise workloads where companies may have millions of SKU and location permutations and combinations.
  • Comprehensive demand forecasting capabilities. While other products may not have as robust demand forecasting capabilities, especially containing enterprise-grade strategies and formulas built, Oracle Demantra has deep capabilities.
  • Pre-integrated with other Oracle products. The pre-integrated workflows would reduce the consulting and integration time. But don’t forget to vet if the existing integration is good enough for your use case.
Cons
  • User interface might be clunky. The user interface is not as modern as other modern options, leading to adoption issues among users.
  • Steep learning curve. The enterprise-grade layers and data model would require substantial learning without prior experience with the product.
  • Expensive. It might be too expensive for SMBs with simpler needs.

8. SAP IBP

Much like Oracle Demantra, SAP IBP caters well to businesses already utilizing SAP for various technologies like TMS, WMS, or ERP. Offering seamless integration for analytical processes closely tied to operational workflows, it proves beneficial for diverse enterprises seeking robust S&OP capabilities. Particularly suitable for those with substantial implementation budgets to customize industry-specific processes, SAP IBP stands out as an excellent choice for large enterprises already integrated with SAP S/4 HANA, earning it the #8 spot on our list.

Pros
  • Pre-integrated with other SAP products. The pre-integrated nature of SAP IBP will help companies with embedded workflows if the planning workflows need to be tightly embedded with operational ones.
  • Comprehensive supply chain planning capabilities. While other solutions might be limited in their capabilities, SAP IBP covers broad capabilities for a variety of industries.
  • Designed for enterprise workloads. Proven for very large workloads with millions of SKU and location combinations and parallel workflows for enterprise-wide planning workloads.
Cons
  • Dated user interface. The user interface might not be as modern as some of the other cloud-native platforms.
  • May not be as visual as other platforms. The limited visual appeal might lead to adoption challenges and building consensus among different stakeholders.
  • Expensive. SMBs not caring for enterprise capabilities might find it expensive.

7. e2open

e2open stands out as a holistic suite encompassing supply chain aspects like network, planning, and execution. Its strength lies in the robustness of its network, setting it apart from other platforms. Beyond technical capabilities, e2open excels in delivering vital industrial data, enhancing essential KPIs such as demand forecasting and arrival times. Ideal for businesses seeking a comprehensive suite with S&OP capabilities, e2open secures its position at #7 on our list.

Pros
  • End-to-end Supply chain capabilities are part of the suite. e2open is perhaps the most comprehensive supply chain suite capable of building industry-wide supply chain planning workloads because of its network and access to industry data.
  • Richest decision-grade data through its network. The quality of decision-grade data is completely dependent upon the amount and the quality of data available, making it one of the highest quality data crucial for S&OP planning.
  • Collaboration planning is easy if customers and supplies are already part of the network. The biggest advantage of e2open is the network effect that you have, especially if both suppliers and customers are likely to be part of the same network.
Cons
  • Expensive. SMBs not caring for enterprise-grade capabilities or networks might find its hefty price tag unnecessarily expensive. 
  • Learning curve. Due to the connected datasets with other execution capabilities, substantial consulting help with data modeling and implementation will be required.
  • Not designed for SMBs. e2open’s target market is large enterprises, and SMBs are likely to find it overwhelming for their simpler needs.

6. Logility

Operating primarily in the prescriptive category, much like Relex, Logility caters to mid-market companies in specific industries. As a standalone S&OP system, Logility doesn’t necessitate the replacement of other transactional or operational components, allowing department-level implementation. The simplicity of data modeling and implementation is an advantage, given its independence from other suite components. However, incorporating Logility into the architecture may demand extensive enterprise architecture expertise for master data governance and integration workflows. Positioned at #6, Logility stands as a compelling prescriptive standalone solution for the mid-market.

Pros
  • Standalone planning solutions. The standalone nature makes it easier to implement and use at the departmental level without requiring as much consensus with the other departments.
  • Planning scenarios built up. The planning scenarios are built up, reducing consulting in building workflows from scratch but increasing training and adoption in learning the proprietary knowledge of the platform.
  • Detailed inventory planning. Comprehensive inventory planning pre-built, requiring substantial consulting expertise to enable the same capabilities on the other platforms.
Cons
  • Not designed for enterprises. Logility is not proven for enterprise-grade workloads, requiring planning for millions of SKUs and location combinations.
  • Not a complete suite. Since it is not a complete suite, integrating it with other best-of-breed solutions would require substantial master data governance and enterprise architecture expertise.
  • Limiting flexibility. Prescriptive workflows and proprietary knowledge may lack the flexibility analysts enjoy with spreadsheets or other technical platforms.

5. OMP

OMP follows a prescriptive approach similar to Relex or Logility, offering a distinctive solution tailored for industries with intricate inventories like chemicals, life sciences, and metal. Due to the unique planning cycles and data models necessary for these industries, OMP stands out, rendering other industry-agnostic solutions less relevant. However, its industry-specific focus may pose a challenge for businesses spanning diverse sectors. Positioned at #5, OMP emerges as a robust solution for mid-market companies with budget constraints seeking a prescriptive solution.

Pros
  • Strong in life sciences and metal-oriented inventory planning. These industries have unique requirements to support complex attributes and lot and serial numbers, making them slightly difficult in vanilla platforms if they are not designed for those industries.
  • Standalone planning solution. The standalone nature would not require building consensus with other departments or aligning data models, making it easier to implement at the department level.
  • Friendlier for Mid-market because of pre-baked functionality. The pre-baked functionality and prescriptive workflows would reduce the consulting costs but increase training time to learn proprietary knowledge.
Cons
  • Highly technical and would require significant consulting support. The prescriptive nature would require substantial consulting efforts in learning proprietary knowledge and translating current data models to platform data models.
  • Not designed for enterprise workloads. It might not be the best fit for enterprises planning for millions of SKUs and location combinations, which might be even harder for these industries as the planning may need to be done at the lot or serial number level.
  • Not the best fit for diverse operations. The focused nature may not be the best fit for companies seeking to manage diverse planning models on the same platform.

4. O9 Solutions

In the competitive landscape alongside enterprise-grade platforms like Blue Yonder and Anaplan, O9 emerges as a top choice for upper mid-market to enterprise companies. It caters to those seeking extensive technical capabilities for enterprise-wide planning, particularly within retail-centric industries. Many mid-market or outdated enterprise solutions may lag in technology investment, lacking advancements in AI and ML crucial for effective S&OP systems. Despite offering enterprise-level capabilities, o9 is not an exhaustive supply chain suite, enhancing ease of implementation at the department level. This position is o9 at #8 on our list.

Pros
  • Advanced AI and ML capabilities. The enterprise-grade AI and ML are likely to be similar to Blue Yonder or e2open, with the only exception being the included network.
  • Pre-built planning workflows tailored to specific industries, such as retail. The pre-built and prescriptive workflows would not require as much consulting effort as it would with other vanilla solutions such as Anaplan.
  • The well-adopted solution in various in large enterprises. The O9 solution is well-proven with very large enterprise logos, which are very similar to Blue Yonder or e2open.
Cons
  • Not the best fit for smaller businesses. The enterprise layers and consulting expertise required to implement and learn o9 might be overwhelming for SMB companies.
  • Expensive. The SMB companies limited on budget might not appreciate its expensive price tag.
  • Ecosystem. The ecosystem does not have as many consulting companies as it might be available for other leading platforms such as Anaplan.

3. Anaplan

Anaplan stands out as a highly sophisticated platform catering to enterprise-wide connected planning across FP&A, S&OP, and more. Unlike some prescriptive solutions, Anaplan minimizes the need for industry-specific proprietary knowledge. While its planning models may not match the scalability of Anaplan, it appeals to skilled planners accustomed to extensive spreadsheet use due to its flexible platform. However, leveraging Anaplan may entail a substantial consulting budget for workflows that could be pre-configured in other solutions. Positioned at #3 on our list, Anaplan is a prime choice for enterprises seeking scalable, connected planning without additional platforms.

Pros
  • Highly customizable for sophisticated planning scenarios. The planning models can accommodate diverse planning models across industries rather than being limited to just one function or industry.
  • Connected planning, including all planning datasets. Most other focused solutions, such as Relex, Logility, and o9, are likely to require another planning solution. Even the enterprise-grade supply chain suite would crate disconnected planning experience as FP&A and human resources planning are likely to be disconnected with them, making it one of the best candidate planning use cases despite missing the supply chain suite.
  • Ecosystem. Anaplan has one of the most mature consulting bases compared to all other solutions on this list.
Cons
  • Steep learning curve. Expect a very long implementation time for users to be proficient with planning models, leading to adoption issues.
  • Requires consulting support. The technical platform would require building the business workflows and reports that might already be pre-built with several solutions on this list.
  • Limited pre-baked industry-specific workflows. Limited pre-baked industry-specific workflows would require substantial help from consulting companies with expertise in building industry-specific planning models.

2. Blue Yonder

Similar to e2open, Blue Yonder offers a comprehensive suite encompassing various supply chain components such as WMS, TMS, and S&OP. Contrasting with e2open, Blue Yonder relies on partners for its network needs instead of having its proprietary network. Although it lacks a proprietary network, Blue Yonder excels in handling enterprise workloads, particularly in the retail sector. Comparing it with a few others, Blue Yonder and Anaplan take divergent approaches to their suites. Anaplan prioritizes connectivity and traceability in planning, whereas Blue Yonder excels when S&OP processes demand tighter embeddedness with operational processes. Positioned at #2 on our list, Blue Yonder proves to be an excellent S&OP system for enterprises seeking a comprehensive suite.

Pros
  • Complete suite integrated for retail-centric industries. The complete suite would provide pre-baked integration, which is much harder to build where planning workflows are tightly embedded with operational processes such as merchandising and planning.
  • Most tools are part of the suite for retail planners and merchandisers. Retail industries would find Blue Yonder most relatable as most tools related to retail planning are part of the suite, allowing everyone to operate seamlessly on the same data.
  • Ecosystem. Blue Yonder is widely popular among large consulting firms, allowing customers to find talent easily.  
Cons
  • Expensive. SMB companies not caring for enterprise-grade capabilities might find Blue Yonder unnecessarily expensive.
  • Not SMB friendly. The enterprise layers and tightness of the data model might be overwhelming for SMB companies looking for simpler platforms.
  • Not the best fit for 3PL companies. Designed from the perspective of retail companies, it’s not as suitable for companies with 3PL as part of their business model as their planning cycles are uniquely different from retailers.

1. Kinaxis 

Compared to other prescriptive options such as Logility or O9, Kinaxis is perhaps the ideal solution, covering many different market segments. Although it doesn’t have the same suite capabilities as Blue Yonder, it also makes it slightly friendlier for companies looking for a standalone S&OP system without requiring alignment with other departments. Like e2open, Kinaxis is perhaps the only other solution that owns a network, providing superior decision-grade data than other platforms. Contrasting with Anaplan, it would not require as much consulting help, especially for manufacturing companies, for which supply chain planning is far more detailed and different. Kinaxis is one of the most versatile options catering to many companies, making it the #1 option on this list.

Pros
  • Richest pre-baked planning platform with enterprise-grade capabilities for manufacturers and retailers. Manufacturing planning requires traceability and planning at the BOM level, which are very similar capabilities to MRP, requiring far more firepower than for industries planning at the SKU and location level.
  • Advanced capabilities such as returns and spare parts management. Pre-built return and spare parts management capabilities would not require as much consulting help as building these capabilities on a vanilla platform would.
  • Proprietary Network. Kinaxis is perhaps one of the few platforms on this list that owns its own network, providing superior decision-grade data than other platforms.
Cons
  • It may not be the most customizable platform. The prescriptive nature of the platform for analysts seeking a flexible platform to build capabilities atop the vanilla platform.
  • Expensive. SMBs looking for simpler solutions without enterprise-grade capabilities and layers might find it expensive.
  • Not SMB friendly. The enterprise layers might be overwhelming for companies, increasing the implementation budget and adoption risks.
+

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Conclusion

Navigating the myriad S&OP systems can feel like solving a puzzle, with each platform adopting a unique approach tailored to traceability and connectivity goals. Industry considerations, including planning cycle nuances, further influence the suitability of each solution. As you contemplate an S&OP system, articulate its scope and collaboration with enterprise data. This clarity aids in selecting the optimal option from the provided list. If this task exceeds your expertise, seeking guidance from independent ERP consultants can be invaluable.

FAQs

Top 10 Project Management Systems In 2024

Top 10 Project Management Systems In 2024

Enterprises undertake a myriad of projects, each presenting distinctive characteristics—internal or external, short or long-term, billable or cost-centric, and varying across industries with specific scheduling and reporting needs. Construction projects diverge substantially from software development endeavors. Each falls under the umbrella of project management, necessitating diverse processes and unique capabilities from project management systems. How do you navigate this complexity effectively?

The architecture of project management systems is also intricately shaped by their capabilities overlapping with other adjacent systems. Being part of an ERP system requires alignment with accounting and procurement, driven by workflow needs and the balance of front-end and back-end processes. Additionally, potential overlaps with CRM processes may arise, particularly when sales and project management are closely linked, necessitating smooth data exchange. In certain industries, where project management systems integrate billing, scheduling, invoicing, and finance extensively, it is termed a PSA, prevalent in professional services. PSA shares design principles similar to project management but encompass broader capabilities than standard project management systems.

Top 10 Project Management Systems in 2024

Project management systems exhibit diversity, yet common elements prevail, reflecting the fundamental components of any project. Projects inherently involve start and end dates, tasks, activities, and the allocation of resources and materials. Correspondingly, project management systems incorporate these essentials, providing features like task scheduling for designated resources to facilitate capacity planning and service delivery. Analyzing your project scope and conducting a gap analysis with a project management software data model will guide you to a fitting solution. Ready to discover the top 10 project management software options for 2024? Let’s explore the details.



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Criteria

  • Definition of a project management system. A siloed system that can be acquired and implemented without dependencies on cross-functional workflows.
  • Overall market share/# of customers. The higher the market share, the higher it ranks on our list.
  • Ownership/funding. Superior financial standing and funding by private equity or corporate investors rank higher on our list.
  • Quality of development. The more cloud-native capabilities, the higher it ranks on our list.
  • Community/Ecosystem. The larger the community, 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. 
  • Project management system market share. The higher the marketshare as a project management solution, the higher it 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 this product. The more aligned the acquisitions are with the product, the higher it ranks on our list.
  • User Reviews. The deeper the reviews with pros and cons, the higher the score for a specific product.
  • It must be a project management system: it can’t be a project management module of an ERP. It must be a standalone project management software that can be acquired by the line of business or department without aligning with other departments.

10. Workzone

Initially crafted with ad agencies and marketing firms in mind, Workzone shares similarities with software designed for software development companies. Primarily adept at handling internal projects and workflow components, it encompasses technical and operational features but may lack robust financial capabilities for aspects like invoicing, billing, resource budget planning, and project finance. Another potential drawback is its technology, which may not be as modern as the alternatives on the list. Despite these limitations, Workzone holds a significant market share in its industry verticals, earning it a spot as the 10th choice on our list of project management options.

Pros
  • Displaying the portfolio view of all projects. Unlike smaller packages designed for industries with leaner requirements for portfolio capabilities, these capabilities are robust with Workzone.
  • Set permission levels by project and document. The permission level could be another area, generally leaner in smaller packages, relatively detailed with Workzone.
  • Project templates. Most project management software might have template capabilities but fewer pre-built, which is not a limitation with Workzone.
Cons
  • UX is not as modern as other options on this list, such as Wrike. Their technology might not be as modern as other leading options, making the UX slightly inferior to other products.
  • Batch features such as editing multiple tasks at once might be limiting. Limited batch features might require additional clicks, driving operational inefficiencies.
  • Limited workflow capabilities for each individual user. The limited workflow capabilities may lead to overbloated screens and features for users, causing adoption issues.

9.  ClickUp

Much like Workzone, ClickUp was initially tailored for remote work and agile development teams. While there are some similarities, the unique requirements of Agile and remote teams set them apart significantly from traditional project management, making ClickUp less suitable for other industries. While an excellent choice for software development or marketing firms, it may not be the ideal fit for professional services or construction-centric companies. Considering its strengths and limitations, ClickUp secures the 9th position on our list.

Pros
  • Designed for software development and agile teams and primarily for internal projects. Companies caring for agile-centric capabilities might struggle to relate to the product.
  • Responsive customer support. The other products in this segment will have limited support from external consulting firms, and because of their missing channel, having good support from the provider is a huge advantage.
  • Automation of administrative tasks. Automation of tasks will help maintain data integrity, offering analytical workflows without manual inputs.
Cons
  • Billing and project costing could be a challenge. Companies seeking PSA capabilities or client-centric workflows might struggle with the product, requiring manual overhead for billing and invoicing.
  • Using nested formulas may be a challenge. The flexibility offered by other project management tools, through their formula capabilities, to track dependencies for complex projects, such as Microsoft projects, might not be as detailed.
  • Batch tasks such as bulk user management and CSV capabilities. The limited bulk user management and CSV capabilities might be operationally inefficient for larger teams and complex projects.

8. Jira

Jira stands out as a popular choice among software development firms, largely due to its parent company’s suite offering bug tracking and integration with version management software. However, these capabilities may not be as relevant for other professional companies that prioritize critical functions like billing and invoicing. Despite its widespread use, Jira’s strengths lie primarily in the software development and technology sectors, supported by a dynamic marketplace. Its applicability beyond these domains is limited, leading it to secure the 8th position on our list.

Pros
  • Requirements management and bug tracking are integrated in one place. The tight integration of project management with requirements management and the intertwined nature of bug tracking with Kanban processes is a huge plus for software development companies.
  • Perhaps the best tool for Agile software development and internal project tracking. Due to the unique process of agile development, even the tools designed for marketing agencies might fall short.
  • Requirements, QA, and project management teams can all work together with complete traceability from release, sprint, epics, and user stories. This traceability is a unique requirement for software development because of the unique requirements of diverse teams.
Cons
  • Time tracking may require an add-on. Time tracking is not out-of-the-box, a key input for companies caring for project costing and financials.
  • Might not be the best fit for client-focused project management where the hours need to be billed, and the costs of the projects need to be measured. Industries such as professional services such as accounting legal practices.
  • Software development boilerplate might feel overwhelming for other industries. Jira is likely to have the most software development boilerplate, irrelevant and unrelatable for other companies.

7. Airtable

Airtable belongs to the emerging category of project management tools alongside Monday.com and SmartSheet. These tools, essentially workflow management software, serve diverse needs and function as technical frameworks for various use cases, including project management and CRM. Their flexibility proves advantageous for industries with custom and evolving workflows, like financial services, non-profit organizations, or membership-based entities. However, deploying these tools may necessitate extensive consulting and custom development, potentially leading to over-engineering processes. Tight business rules and data integrity, common in more mature software, may be lacking. Despite their adaptability, these tools secure the 7th position on our list.

Pros
  • Graphic design, integration with 3D models, etc for engineering teams. Airtable’s unique capabilities and integration with graphic design and 3D engineering software make them uniquely suitable for marketing agencies, event management, and architectural and engineering firms.
  • Integration and ecosystem. The biggest advantage of Airtable is the number of integrations available and companies consulting in its ecosystem, augmenting core capabilities.
  • Designed for custom workflows. Companies with custom workflows require substantial flexibility with the data model and the ability to create data-gathering forms for ongoing needs.
Cons
  • Workflow and notifications might not be as advanced as Monday.com. The workflows and notifications are far more developed with other options, such as Monday.com.
  • The interface is not as intuitive as Monday.com. The richer layers providing advanced capabilities might require consulting and training help for users to effectively use the software.
  • Project costing and billing may require consulting hours to get it right. Mature capabilities such as project costing and billing might require expert consulting help, driving implementation budget, and cheaper with other pre-baked platforms.

6. Monday.com

Monday.com presents a comparable alternative to Airtable, differing subtly in its pricing model and industry alignment. Like Airtable, Monday.com is exceptionally well-suited for industries relying on custom workflows, particularly in workflow management scenarios where external collaboration holds equal importance to internal collaboration, resembling use cases found in surveys or customer experience software. However, similar to Airtable, the main drawback of Monday.com lies in its need for consulting assistance to implement more advanced business capabilities, which are pre-built in other options on this list. Despite this limitation, it secures the 6th position on our list.

Pros 
  • Best for industries with custom workflows. The industries with custom workflows would find other smaller packages, flavored for specific business models and industries, constraining.
  • Industry-specific variations and templates. While the core packages might not provide core capabilities, the marketplace offers industry-specific templates and variations, augmenting core capabilities.
  • Clean user interface. The user interface is one of the cleanest, providing a nice balance of spreadsheet-like views and forms, along with the flexibility to switch to different perspectives.
Cons
  • Project costing and billing might require significant expertise and consulting efforts. Companies needing critical financial capabilities embedded with projects would struggle the most, requiring consulting help to be successful.
  • Gantt charts are exported as PDFs, which may be difficult to use in other applications. Complex projects are likely to require compatibility with external software, especially if external teams might collaborate on the projects, making PDF-centric exports restricting.
  • Tasks cannot be linked across boards. The data model is not as linked, creating issues while linking different boards where dependencies might be across the projects among projects or across portfolios.

5. SmartSheet

SmartSheet, similar to Monday.com and Airtable, despite UX not being as compelling as its rivals, is likely to have friendlier capabilities for traditional project managers, similar to Microsoft Project. It combines features similar to Monday.com and Airtable with the ability to create quick boards and Kanban queues along with the calendar view for easy scheduling. It also allows features such as easier workflow management for users, enabling them to enter their time, which will be recorded and accounted for on projects without much operational overhead. However, mature capabilities such as billing and invoicing, etc., would require substantial consulting help or an add-on on top of SmartSheet.

Pros
  • Spreadsheet look, loved by project managers. The biggest plus of SmartSheet is the familiar spreadsheet and MS project look, providing an easier transition for users.
  • Customizable automation is easy to use. Customizable automation does not require as much technical expertise, making it easier for business users to easily customize the workflows for their use.
  • Users can instantly toggle between various project views. The ability to switch between different views increases adoption among users with different preferences.
Cons
  • Billing. Implementing mature features available with a PSA, such as billing, would require substantial consulting help while still causing scalability issues.
  • Project cost tracking. Project cost tracking would require substantial consulting expertise to drive the implementation budget. 
  • Performance with larger sheets. Complex projects with larger sheets might experience performance bottlenecks, slowing them down.

4. Asana

Asana stands out as the market leader, boasting a data and process model that is particularly accommodating for marketing agencies. While it delivers fundamental project management capabilities, especially for non-billable operations, it may not offer the same seamless experience found in workflow management platforms like Monday.com or Airtable, which are designed for companies with customized project management workflows. Despite its rich ecosystem, professional services firms in areas such as accounting or legal may find it less relatable. Nevertheless, its market strength earns it the 4th position on our list.

Pros
  • Designed from the perspective of marketers and creative agencies. Due to its alignment with marketing-centric agencies, marketing, and creative agencies are likely to relate with it more.
  • Integrations and ecosystem. The integration and ecosystem are likely to be friendly for marketing and creative agencies, with the possibility of pre-baked integrations working as is without increasing the consulting budget with custom integration.
  • Track bugs, manage sprints, and plan and run campaigns, events, and product launches. Similar to Jira, it has several features that are uniquely applicable to software development firms and marketing agencies, which is where it is predominantly used.
Cons
  • Primarily for internal project management. Without the PSA capabilities pre-built, it’s meant to be for internal project management, primarily focusing on the operational aspect of project management and not financial.
  • Other industries that are not software or marketing might not be able to relate to it. The industries with substantial divergence from software development or marketing agencies might not be able to relate to it.
  • Project costing and client invoicing. Project costing and invoicing would require substantial consulting help or add-ons, struggling with end-to-end traceability and financial control.

3. Kantata

Kantata, a market leader, caters to companies requiring mature PSA capabilities. Its offerings include workflows like skill-based scheduling, capacity planning, and intricate milestones and billing processes. Kantata boasts two products—one tailored for a native Salesforce experience and the other for an external cloud-native experience akin to Wrike. However, it’s worth noting that Kantata may not be the best fit for smaller companies due to user limits and its higher cost. Nevertheless, for Salesforce users seeking comprehensive capabilities, it secures the 3rd position on our list.

Pros
  • Milestone tracking, billing, and skill-based resource scheduling. Companies with complex project milestones, especially contingent on client billing, would find Kantata especially friendly.
  • Native Salesforce and non-native experience are available through SX and OX platforms. Different options for native salesforce experience or non-native makes provide flexibility with users’ preferences for the right interface.
  • Enterprise-grade PSA functionality for companies that don’t prefer integrated accounting and GL bloatedness of ERP systems. The integrated features of ERP would require corporate alignment with accounting and procurement functions.
Cons
  • Minimum 30 users requirement. The user requirement makes it unfriendly for companies with smaller teams with fewer billable resources. 
  • Might be difficult to use for smaller companies. Smaller companies with resources that are not as digitally savvy and not versed in business transactions with milestone billing might find it overwhelming.
  • It would require expensive consulting services to set it up. The complex data model and workflows would require substantial consulting help to be successful with the product.

2. Wrike

Wrike, positioned in the prescriptive cloud-native category and primarily crafted for internal project management, stands out as an ideal choice for companies seeking versatile project management capabilities. In contrast to Jira and Asana which might have better integration for requirement management or bug tracking, Wrike exhibits superior integration and ecosystem, particularly in time management. Its robust data model surpasses that of smaller project management software, offering detailed capabilities for project portfolio management and sub-projects. Drawing the closest comparison to Asana in terms of strategy and design, Wrike secures the 2nd position on our list.

Pros
  • Comprehensive project management with a focus on transparency and tracking. Ideal for companies seeking pre-baked project management capabilities without much consulting help.
  • Project and team organization can be easily customized to meet teams’ needs. The project structure is fluid enough to accommodate the needs of most projects.
  • Security and granular permission needs. Unlike smaller packages, which might not have as detailed security and workflow capabilities such as enabling task administration for specific users or having multiple moderators, Wrike’s security architecture is not as limited.
Cons
  • Designed for internal project management. The external project management capabilities often found in a fully-baked PSA would be limited, making it less relevant for professional services companies.
  • Client billing and invoicing would be a disconnected experience. The layers required for client billing and invoicing would require ad-hoc arrangements or manual processes.
  • Limited pre-baked reports. The pre-baked reports are highly limited, requiring consulting support for advanced reports such as capacity planning.

1. Teamwork

Positioned as the most balanced choice, Teamwork caters to client-centric professional services seamlessly integrating project delivery capabilities. Diverging from slightly flexible alternatives like Monday.com or Airtable, Teamwork adopts a prescriptive strategy akin to Wrike. Its advantageous alignment with the HubSpot ecosystem enhances its appeal. Notably, Teamwork excels in PSA capabilities, mirroring those of Kantana, and remains accessible for smaller businesses, earning it the top spot on our list.

Pros
  • Client invoicing, project, and timesheet management in one place. This is highly beneficial for companies with billable processes and projects, with operational workflows intertwined with financial such as billing and invoicing.
  • Easier to track project costs and track utilization. Very few options on this list combine both operational and financial aspects of project management. Teamwork is one of them.
  • Unlimited client collaboration users with paid plans. While the data and process model is not as flexible, it would allow client collaboration just as with Monday.com or Airtable.
Cons
  • It might have a steeper learning curve for teams not familiar with the setup. The prescriptive data and process model might have a steep learning curve for skillsets not familiar with the upkeep of relational data models. 
  • The integration options and ecosystem might not be as developed as some other options on this list. The integration and ecosystem might not be as developed as other options on this list, such as Asana or Monday.com etc.
  • It might be more expensive per user than the other options. The pre-baked functionality provided as part of the software would require a higher licensing fee compared to other options on this list.
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Conclusion

The project management category may appear entwined with ERP or CRM, yet companies emphasizing internal project management workflows may find integrated solutions overly complex. The inclusion of accounting and procurement workflows could prove cumbersome, especially for companies not caring for cross-functional processes like cost accounting.

Deciding between standalone project management systems and integrated solutions hinges on corporate strategy and enterprise alignment. If you’re seeking standalone options, this list offers potential choices. However, extracting maximum business value from project management software demands expertise—an area where an independent ERP consultant can provide invaluable guidance.

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