Top 10 ERP Software Comparison: An HR Perspective

What is ERP Software?

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software provides organizations with a system to consolidate a range of software solutions into a single platform. These solutions present teams with the ability to manage routine business processes from accounting and project management to core HR and supply chain operations.

Through condensing all business processes into a single ERP system, organizations will be able to maintain all of their software solutions through a single database that is updated in real-time.

Streamlining business process management is desirable for any company as it enables employees to invest more time into doing creative and engaging work. Cloud ERP systems can alleviate the administrative aspects of managing business intelligence.

Why we need ERP Software

Incorporating an ERP software that unifies all of your software solutions, will significantly improve the efficiency of your workforce. In addition, it will also reduce the amount of time and resources spent on employee training sessions. Employees will only need to be trained in using a single platform as opposed to dealing with several different software vendors.

Another reason that enterprise resource planning systems are so useful is their ability to improve collaboration. A single centralized database is far easier to navigate than a scattered collection of data files distributed across multiple platforms. When an employee needs to access some important information, it will be far better if they can guarantee they will find the most recent version of it on their first search.

ERP solutions are great at removing the potential for human error.

Better customer relations are produced when companies run their business processes through an ERP system. An ERP system that provides a customer relationship management (CRM) tool has the power to further enhance both the employee experience and the customer experience.

Happier customers will generate better business relations. More importantly, an effective ERP software will generate more referrals. With real-time access to this single database, team members will be able to understand exactly where an employee stands in the sales funnel. A better-informed sales strategy is always going to yield more converted leads.

Introducing an ERP system will have great benefits for any organization. These systems provide a service that can account for the entire supply chain. From production planning to order processing, all the way to human resources management. From small business ERP solutions to corporate scale cloud ERP software, these automated systems have the power to coordinate all aspects of a business's operations.

These centralized systems have the capacity to simultaneously monitor purchasing inventory whilst also informing manufacturing processes in response to current selling trends. The value of this is seen in the amount of time, energy and resources saved through informing production planning with real-time activities.

Benefits of ERP Software

• Time and cost efficient
• Improved collaboration across the company
• Automated and simplified business processes
• Increased productivity
• Centralized real-time analytics
• Happier customers
• Streamlined inventory monitoring
• Efficient production planning
• Prevent department siloing

Top 10 ERP Software/ Systems

Here is the PeopleGoal list for the top 10 ERP systems available as of 2021. There is no particular order to this list, all of these ERP vendors provide effective tools. We recommend that you select the system that fits most accordingly to your company's specific needs.

1. Oracle NetSuite
2. Sage Intacct
3. Odoo ERP
4. Munis
5. SAP ERP
6. Epicor ERP
7. Acumatica
8. Tally
9. Syspro
10. Microsoft Dynamics 365

1. Oracle NetSuite

At the top end of the spectrum, both in terms of functionality and price - Oracle NetSuite is a contender for one of the most powerful ERP systems on the market. With the ability to drill down deep into various system views whilst also maintaining simple reporting, this highly customizable proves its worth. Moreover, the range of processes that Oracle NetSuite offers stands out from all other ERP solutions. With this ERP software, companies will have access to PM, CRM, Sales Force Automation, Supply Chain Management, HRM, and more. Additionally, Oracle NetSuite can even provide e-commerce and other sales capabilities. This truly is the ultimate enterprise resource planning software.

HR Review:

As an add-on for NetSuite, the HR tool provides companies with a comprehensive assortment of functions. With the SuitePeople add-on HR professionals will be able to manage employee information, new hires, employee onboarding, performance management, payroll, promotions and compensation changes, all-in-one.

2. Sage Intacct

Very similar to the build of Oracle NetSuite, Sage Intacct is marketed as a cheaper alternative with the same powerful and easy-to-use capabilities. Boasting a great range of services that encapsulate accounting, budgeting and HR management. With a really easy setup and customizable process flowcharts, Sage Intacct provides users with a balanced tool that is simple yet powerful. This ERP solution will enable organizations to significantly improve their business processes as it permits a great deal of flexibility. One drawback of Sage Intacct would be that to get full use of the platform, there is still a need to integration with external system. For example, Salesforce must be connected in order to manage financials. This will add to the financial expense of using the ERP system.

HR Review:

Just as with NetSuite, Sage Intacct offer the HR function as a paid add-on. Their add-on includes core HR features such as absence management, payslips, policy updates, org charts, performance management and recruitment. Compacted into a single tool, this is a nice add-on with a good amount of customizability.

3. Odoo

Odoo is an open-source software that has resultantly been stacked with over a hundred business applications. With an intuitive database, Odoo provides an cloud ERP software that is capable of fulfilling most business needs. Additionally, the platform is built for scalability and as a result, it is fit for companies of all sizes. A key driver for Odoo's creation was to minimize the need for several integrations, a key advantage of investing in ERP systems. With a pay-per-app pricing model, this ERP software presents a great prospect for smaller businesses that only require specific processes, however, larger organizations may be stung by adding several apps.

HR Review:

Odoo presents users with a range of HR apps. This includes recruitment, appraisals, time-tracking, leave management and engagement solutions. Odoo has one of the most extensive human resources management solutions in this list. Of course, these apps must all be added at additional costs.

4. Munis

Munis ERP offers a comprehensive ERP suite that incorporates financials, human resources, asset management, and revenues. Marketed specifically for use by government agencies and schools, this ERP solution covers a wide range of processes. Munis ERP presents users with a neat all-in-one tool that can handle an array of tasks. This cloud-based ERP system is built to be easy-to-use as is seen with the drag-and-drop functionality and can be easily integrated across other Tyler applications. This ERP solution has the power to break down departmental data silos and streamline business processes.

HR Review:

Munis offers a Human Capital Management solution that specifically focuses around policy and administrative HR. This ERP software provides users with the ability to maintain ethical practices in the workplace. Although there are no performance or engagement processes.

5. SAP ERP

SAP ERP offers a strong range of solutions, including supply chain, product life management, human capital, financial and CRM. Furthermore, it can be deployed as a cloud-based system, on-premise or hybrid. The product planning and other organizational capabilities of this ERP solution are robust. Furthermore, the tool offers core humans resources functions that can assist with onboarding, development plans and promotions. Through add-ons this tool can be strengthened, enabling companies to minimize every aspect of tedious administrative tasks.

HR Review:

SAP presents a great HR solution that is incorporated into their standard ERP system. With the ability to manage core HR and payroll along with employee experience management, this solution will empower any organization with exciting prospects to better their organizational culture.

6. Epicor ERP

Epicor ERP is driven to assist businesses growth. Through flexible software that can be cutomized to specific needs, Epicor ERP provides companies with a cloud ERP system that is versatile and well-suited to small and medium-size businesses. There are interchangeable interfaces that users can adopt when using the software, however, unlike competitors SAP and Oracle NetSuite, there is a lack of a pre-built process flowchart in Epicor. In this instance, the customizability of the software is a detractor as users are expected to construct their own workflows. Nonetheless, this is a very reliable ERP software that offers a comprehensive range of processes.

HR Review:

With a focus on driving better engagement and productivity of the team, Epicor has created a powerful HR solution that aims to maximise workforce efficiency in the name of improving the companies ROI. The HRM tool also offers core HR features and integrations with payroll and benefits software vendors.

7. Acumatica

Acumatica is a cloud ERP software that offers a flexible, efficient and consistent solution for small to medium-sized businesses. With range of different tool editions, tailored to specific business processes, Acumatica is a neat ERP solution that can be adjusted on a case-by-case basis. The value of this model is that different companies are not obliged to taking on unwanted additional functions. This way if a supply chain company need to run order processing and purchasing inventory but not manufacturing processes, they can simply elect to keep the specific processes they require. Small business ERP solutions can either lack processes or carry too many, meanwhile Acumatica offers just what a company wants.

HR Review:

Instead of using their own platform, Acumatica offer a dedicated integration from Workforce GO! This HCM tool provides HR and payroll solutions. By outsourcing the HR aspect of this ERP solution, it demonstrates this tools commitment to sourcing the necessary processes for each and every company. An internal tool would be arguably more desirable but the dedicated integration will suffice.

8. Tally

A pioneer in the realm of business software products and based in India. Tally provides a simple yet powerful solution for small to medium organizations in need of enterprise resource planning systems. Designed to be used by non-IT people, Tally provides a clean and very accessible ERP software TallyPrime, their flagship product, is predominantly built for the purpose of simplifying accounting management and driving more efficient business processes. This ERP solution is great for those that need a stripped-back tool for accounting, order processing and purchasing inventory.

HR Review:

Whilst Tally does not cater for performance or engagement solutions. It provides basic core HR functions. The payroll tool that comes with accounting will manage the compensation of employees. Regardless, there is no dedicated HR solution for this ERP solution.

9. Syspro

Syspro provides an end-to-end fully integrated business solution that streamlines processes and offers comprehensive reporting. With a focus on scalability, Syspro is a cloud-based ERP system that also supports mobile users. The primary industries that will benefit from Syspro's business processes are those engaged in manufacturing processes and distribution planning. The rapid deployment methodology from Syspro provides swift, real-time solutions. The intuitive business intelligence of this ERP software is a powerful asset. Whilst this ERP solution does not carry a payroll or HR module, it is a great option for bigger companies involved in warehousing or inventory management.

HR Review:

As already stated, Syspro does not offer any HR solution. Since this ERP system is specifically targetted at the manufacturing and dsitribution industries, they have not yet found a need to incorporate this aspect for their business process management.

10. Microsoft Dynamics 365

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a modular, cloud-based enterprise resource planning system that specializes in advanced CRM capabilities. With a predictive guidance for sales, virtual sales agents and product visualizations, Dynamics 365 is a sales-focussed ERP solution that caters to a variety of needs. The system also provides a neat project management module along with human resources and supply chain management in addition. Furthermore, as this is a Microsoft hosted tool, it facilitates seamless integrations with other Microsoft products which can act as an extension of the ERP solution. Ideal for bigger corporations specifically targeting sales growth, this ERP software shows some real promise.

HR Review:

D365 is dedicated to empowering employees through their ERP software. From solutions for benefits, compensation and leave management the analytical HR tool presents management with a clear and data-driven focus on employee performance.

So there we have it, the top 10 ERP solutions out on the market right now. Whichever of these solutions you decide to go for, be sure to consider the pricing and how their model aligns with your own company's requirements. There is no point in overcommitting and adopting an assortment of processes that are not relevant to you. Use this list as a guide and go forth and do your research.

If you enjoyed this list of comparisons, then why not check out our list of the Top 10 CRM software in 2021.