What Is the Most Popular ERP Software These Days?

Last Updated: February 6th, 2014

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software is a very popular solution for businesses of all types. There are hundreds of options available, including some that are very industry specific and some that are geared towards general business needs.

Due to the variability of ERP software and how it is used by different businesses, it is difficult to pin down one specific piece of software as the most popular.

However, it is easy to determine which ERP software developers are by far the most utilized, both for their custom solutions and their more standard options.

Also Read: SAP vs. Oracle JD Edwards ERP

SAP

SAP is by far the most well-known ERP software developer. They currently offer nine ERP options,each of which can be customized to suit a company’s specific needs. Some of their most popular packages include ERP Financials, ERP Human Capital Management and ERP Sales and Service.

Because each of SAP’s ERP options focuses on a different aspect of business, it is easy for a company to select exactly what they need. On the downside, however, is the fact that many businesses will find it necessary to purchase several, if not all, of SAP’s options, and it would be more efficient if there was one master package that provided everything at once.

Oracle

SAP’s main competitor for ERP solutions is Oracle. The Oracle Enterprise Manager 12c provides businesses with cloud management, and this has become a very popular software solution. This ERP developer also an online solution entitled Oracle WebCenter Content that focuses on effective document management, content publishing, digital asset management and records management.

Many companies enjoy the structure that is provided by Oracle’s ERP software, and just like SAP, their options can be customized to suit your needs. Unlike SAP, however, Oracle does not place as much of an emphasis on providing multiple pieces of software that will enable businesses to save money by selecting only the most important components.

Infor

Both SAP and Oracle can be utilized by smaller businesses, but they place a lot of emphasis on working with companies that have annual revenue of over $500 million. Infor, on the other hand, is a tier two software developer that targets companies with annual revenue between $50 million and $500 million. Infor offers six ERP software packages, and they also provide customized solutions.

Their most popular packages include Infor LN, Infor M3 and Infor SyteLine. Just like SAP, Infor creates industry specific solutions in addition to their general ERP packages. Infor does have the ability to work with businesses outside of their tier two target range, but their software is generally most effective when their clients fall within the typical range.

Which Popular ERP Software is Right for You?

No matter how popular an ERP software is, it is still vital to determine if it is able to suit your company’s specific needs. Because each ERP software developer has a different target demographic, you will need to determine which developer is most likely to work well with your business model.

SAP, Oracle and Infor were all developed with large companies in mind, but SAP has been particularly cognizant of the fact that there are thousands of successful companies making less than $50 million a year who need access to solid ERP solutions.

Regardless of which company you select, however, you do need to be aware that every ERP software implementation will have its pros and cons, especially if customization is involved. Therefore, if at all possible, you should select the option that needs the fewest amount of changes to be functional for your business.