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Choosing the best ERP software for manufacturing is critical for improving business performance, reducing manual tasks, and staying competitive in today’s fast-paced industrial landscape.
With the right manufacturing ERP system, you can automate workflows, enhance inventory and production management, and ensure accurate data across departments.
Modern ERP systems can help even small manufacturers compete with enterprise-level operations by enabling automation, real-time analytics, and enhanced scalability.
ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software integrates core business processes such as finance, inventory, supply chain, human resources, and manufacturing into a single system.
In manufacturing, ERP software helps streamline production planning, materials management, shop floor operations, and more.
Improved productivity and automation
Real-time data and reporting
Better inventory and supply chain control
Reduced operational costs
Improved collaboration across departments
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to Manufacturing specific ERP systems.
The ideal ERP platform depends on your company size, industry focus, and specific operational needs.
Here are 7 of the best ERP software platforms for manufacturers in 2025:
Google Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Best For: Small to mid-sized manufacturers (under 200 employees)
Key Features:
Cloud-based with production, inventory, sales & finance tools
User-friendly interface with quick setup
Real-time inventory tracking
Integrated MRP and CRM modules
MRP Easy offers seamless management of production, stock, purchases and finances. It is a cloud-based system that provides easy to use tools that cover the essentials companies need to manage their production and distribution.
It is well-suited for small manufacturers with up to 200 employees who want to keep pace with the big players. MRPEasy offers efficient production planning and reporting, real-time inventory management, sales management and accounting.
Gartner Peer Insights Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.2/5)
Best For: Medium to large manufacturers with industry-specific needs
Key Features:
Sage X3: is the rebrand of name of Sage Business Cloud Enterprise Management. It is designed to help businesses manage various aspects of their operations including finances, sales, supply chain management, production, distribution, and customer service.
When using Sage X3 you will have real-time insight into inventory and purchasing.
Budgeting and finance tools are also included but its most attractive feature is that it is scalable and customisable with industry specific solutions for sectors like manufacturing and discrete manufacturing, distribution and chemicals.
Sage X3 is web-based and supports mobile access. it is also deployable on-premises and as a service in the AWS cloud managed by Sage or a partner-provisioned cloud. Sage X3 is highly flexible, offering integration with various third-party applications, including CRM, HRM, and specialized industry tools.
Capterra Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.2/5)
Best For: Businesses looking for flexibility and customisation
Key Features:
Open-source with a large module marketplace
Full suite covering finance, MRP, CRM, and HR
Available as cloud or on-premise
Free for basic use (limited to one app)
Odoo Online: is an open-source suite of applications that includes finance billing, costing, manufacturing process handling.
It is suitable for organisations of all sizes. Offering customisable ERP solution, you can add further functionality if required. Being an open-source model Oddo is continuously evolving offering more and more features to its customers.
Odoo is available as a cloud solution, a free plan offers restricted use to just one app. Whilst Odoo Online is priced per user, per month and is dependent on the number of apps installed. All Odoo plans include unlimited support, hosting, and maintenance.
Download our free technical guide which outlines how you can best protect your business.
Capterra Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.2/5)
Best For: Data-driven manufacturers
Key Features:
Syspro: provides solutions to assist manufacturing and distribution sectors with managing data and gaining business insights. It is a scalable software that can be deployed on-site, accessed via the web or Windows applications.
It has highly capable business analytics for faster decision making, inventory, distribution and supply chain.
Syspro also supports out-of-the-box integrations where you can integrate technologies such as AI, ML, and IoT into your ERP system and extend the solution to connect to other systems.
Capterra Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.3/5)
Best For: Large enterprises and rapidly scaling SMEs
Key Features:
Oracle ERP: offers cloud-based solutions to manage and streamline operations, customer interactions. This software also offers the management of employee details, payroll and recruitment processes.
Oracle allows users to shape their applications to suit their specific requirements, integrating accounting, procurement, products, and projects in one solution. It is flexible, scalable and suitable for SMEs as well as larger enterprises.
It has niche manufacturing capabilities using Kanban and JIT philosophies to enable teams to reduce product lead and improve control over manufacturing.
Capterra Rating: ★★★★☆ (3.9/5)
Best For: Distributors and light manufacturers in niche industries
Key Features:
Advanced inventory, warehouse, and eCommerce features
Strong CRM and order management capabilities
Cloud-ready and accessible on any device
Popular in HVAC, medical supplies, packaging, and more
Epicor Prophet 21: Epicor for Distribution ERP solutions are designed to streamline processes and grow with your business. Its strongest aspects are inventory management, e-commerce capabilities, advanced business analytics, financial management, CRM, order management, pricing, purchasing, warehouse management, light manufacturing, and service and maintenance management.
It is especially well-applied in wholesale in industries such as medical supplies/equipment, electrical, fasteners, HVAC, paper & packaging, welding supplies & packaged gases. Epicor for Distribution solutions run on any browser, allowing access from any device, anytime, anywhere.
Capterra Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.3/5)
Best For: Tech-savvy and modern manufacturers
Key Features:
Plex: Plex was built from the shop floor up to deliver a unified ERP and MES multi-tenant SaaS solution. Plex is adaptable. Its modular architecture supports extensions and integrations using industry-standard API technologies.
Plex provides continuous updates with opt-in capabilities enabling users to immediately begin testing and using new features and eliminating the need for costly upgrades.
Customers can securely access Plex via a browser, from any device, with no client installation needed.
Real-world case involving ERP platform (Javelin) and infrastructure
At Syn-Star, we specialise in supporting UK manufacturing businesses with tailored IT and ERP consultancy services.
Whether you’re just starting your ERP journey or looking to switch to a better system, our experts can help you find the best fit.
At Syn-Star we support many UK based Manufacturing businesses from IT recommendations to ongoing fully managed IT support services.
Our complimentary IT review Includes:
Security posture and risk areas
Infrastructure performance and scalability
Support coverage and responsiveness
Opportunities for cost savings or efficiency gains
ERP often ties into communication flows; this gives supportive content about tech tools your could benefit from.
An ERP system for manufacturing companies is a business management software that integrates core processes such as production planning, inventory management, supply chain, finance, and customer relationship management into a single platform.
ERP helps manufacturers reduce costs, improve efficiency, and gain real-time visibility into operations.
Manufacturing companies need ERP software to streamline production, minimize waste, optimize inventory, and ensure on-time delivery.
With an ERP solution, manufacturers can integrate shop floor operations with business functions, enabling better forecasting, improved quality control, and stronger decision-making.
The most important ERP features for manufacturing companies include:
Production scheduling and planning
Inventory and warehouse management
Bill of Materials (BOM) tracking
Supply chain and procurement management
Quality control and compliance
Financial management and reporting
Real-time data analytics
ERP improves manufacturing efficiency by automating manual processes, reducing production downtime, enhancing demand forecasting, and providing real-time insights into resources. Manufacturers can track raw materials, monitor work-in-progress, and align supply chain activities to reduce bottlenecks and increase output.
ERP systems benefit discrete manufacturing, process manufacturing, and mixed-mode manufacturing companies. Industries such as automotive, electronics, aerospace, food & beverage, textiles, and machinery gain significant advantages from implementing ERP solutions.
Cloud ERP for manufacturing is hosted online, offering scalability, lower upfront costs, and remote access.
On-premise ERP for manufacturing is installed on local servers, offering more customization and control but higher maintenance costs.
ERP systems provide end-to-end supply chain visibility by integrating procurement, inventory, logistics, and vendor management. Manufacturers can monitor supplier performance, manage just-in-time inventory, and reduce disruptions with better demand planning.
The ROI of ERP in manufacturing includes reduced operational costs, improved production throughput, lower inventory carrying costs, increased customer satisfaction, and faster decision-making. Studies show that manufacturers typically recover ERP investments within 12–24 months.
When choosing the best ERP for manufacturing, consider factors like:
Industry-specific functionality
Ease of integration with existing systems
Scalability for business growth
Cloud vs. on-premise deployment
User-friendliness and training support
Vendor reputation and support services
Some of the most widely used ERP solutions for manufacturing companies include:
SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing
Oracle NetSuite ERP
Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Manufacturing
Infor CloudSuite Industrial (SyteLine)
Epicor ERP
Odoo Manufacturing ERP
Good for best practices, pitfalls, which is useful for someone evaluating ERP systems.
Anne-Marie Blazdell is a Marketing & Communications Manager with expertise in digital marketing, content creation, and IT solutions. With a strong foundation in graphic design, she trained at Farnborough College of Technology and Southampton Solent University before advancing into marketing and business IT support.
Since joining Syn-Star in 2022, Anne-Marie has specialised in crafting SEO-optimised website content, managing social media, and helping businesses navigate the complexities of IT. Her work bridges the gap between technology and business, making IT more accessible and effective.
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