Ecommerce

The Best ERP Software Solutions for Enterprise Businesses

  • Written by Jana Gentry Smith
The Best ERP Software Solutions for Enterprise Businesses

Good news – your business is thriving.

But as it scales, so do the challenges: rapid stock turnover, intricate logistics, and data discrepancies. The solution? 

Software that fortifies your enterprise by streamlining paperwork and workflows, all while delivering rapid, accurate automation. 

Does this sound exactly like what you need? Keep reading then, because in this article we’ll look at six of the best Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions to find your best fit. 

Table of Contents

  • What is ERP Software?

  • How do you know if ERP software is right for your business?

  • Why ERP is pivotal for growing businesses

  • 6 Best Picks for ERP software for scaling enterprise businesses

  • How we selected the best ERP software

  • Discover the ideal ERP solution for your business

What is ERP software? 

Ecommerce ERP software is an all-in-one solution for seamless business management. They streamline tasks such as:

When integrated with your ecommerce operations, ERP creates a centralized data hub that prevents silos and simplifies workflows.

How do you know if ERP software is right for your business?

Are you at the point where your manual data systems can't keep up with your growing ecommerce business — particularly in high-sales and complex inventory scenarios? 

When enterprises reach this level, many seek solutions that deliver unified data management and efficient workflows. It doesn’t hurt that the transition to ERP software is more affordable and quicker than ever before. 

To determine if ERP is right for your business, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Is data scattered across various systems causing inefficiency and errors? 

  • Are you experiencing significant sales volumes and expanding operations?

  • Are manual and repetitive tasks taking too much time and still resulting in mistakes?

  • Would access to real-time analytics help you make more informed decisions?

  • Is improving customer service and satisfaction essential for your business?

If you end up with a handful of yeses, start searching because ERP software centralizes data and enhances order tracking, inventory management, and shipping options.

Why ERP is pivotal for growing businesses

For ecommerce enterprises, ERP software dishes out perks left and right. Here are a few:

  • Error Reduction: Integration with payment and automated shipping minimizes manual errors and business interruptions resulting in costly insurance claims.

  • Operational Streamlining: Data consolidation enhances efficiency.

  • Customer Satisfaction: Detailed product info and order tracking boost trust.

  • Team Productivity: Automation frees teams to work on more valuable tasks.

  • Inventory Efficiency: Real-time updates prevent overselling and reduce costs.

ERP doesn't just simplify the tangled web of inventory and warehouse management. It centralizes it—even if you're juggling multiple rented or owned warehouses

Is this what you need? If so, let’s look at some solid options.

6 Best Picks for ERP software for scaling enterprise businesses

These six ERP software solutions for ecommerce businesses could boost your operations (and make running your enterprise easier).

  1. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central: Best Microsoft product integration

  2. Oracle NetSuite: Best for large enterprises

  3. SAP S/4HANA Cloud: Best for global enterprises

  4. Brightpearl + Sage Intacct: Best ERP software for retail operations management 

  5. Acumatica: Best ERP software for customer support and community

  6. Veeqo: Best ERP alternative for scaling ecommerce businesses

1. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central: Best ERP software for retail companies already using Microsoft products

Pros 

Cons

Robust security and compliance

Cloud and on-premises deployment

Integrates fluidly with Microsoft software

Requires extensive training 

Many integrations cost extra

Limited offline mobile app functionality 

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central brings a familiar, intuitive interface for Microsoft Suite veterans. While it's packed to the gills with ERP capabilities that can be a bear to implement, it has features that make it worth the effort:

  • Scalability and flexibility suit businesses of all sizes with frequently changing needs.

  • Customization makes it possible to tailor it to align with your processes and workflows. 

  • Robust data handling helps manage large volumes of customer and transaction data.

  • Human resources management helps attract, hire, manage, and pay employees.

  • Customer relationship management improves customer service and sales opportunities.

  • Project management helps you monitor billing, meet project deadlines, and stay within budget.

While customizable, it does so much that it has a steep learning curve. Many enterprises hire developers to adapt it for their business. Here's what users had to say about Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central:

One Microsoft 365 Dynamics Business Central user said, “Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a comprehensive business management solution with powerful features to increase productivity and profitability. It offers sophisticated reporting and analysis tools for forecasting, as well as the ability to effectively monitor the inputs and outputs of your business. Its versatile accounting foundation provides complete control over every aspect of general ledger-level operations from any type of organization or area. In addition, its comprehensive human resources, manufacturing integration, and supply chain planning capabilities all come together in an easy-to-use interface that users can access from anywhere, at any time.”

Another user said, “The only downside of Business Central is the price point. The Essentials version covers most of the bases, but you miss out on the ability to get service management and the manufacturing module. Premium is a holistic solution, but it might be harder for smaller companies overseas to afford multiple licenses of this plan.”

Microsoft 365 Dynamics Business Central pricing

  • Essentials: Priced at $70 per user per month, this package includes unlimited users, multiple environments, finance management, sales and marketing, fulfillment and delivery, purchasing and payables, inventory, and warehouse management.

  • Premium:  At $100 per user per month, the premium package adds service and manufacturing management tools.

  • Add team members for $8 per user per month.

One thing to note is that Microsoft was one of the only ERP solutions to list pricing on the website*. Most others require a call to sales. 

*Pricing last accessed November 2024

2. Oracle NetSuite: Best ERP software for large enterprises

Pros 

Cons

Supports other currencies and languages

Extensive financial tools 

Complex customization requires programming expertise

Many add-ons cost extra

Difficulty in hiring experienced NetSuite personnel may extend onboarding

Oracle's NetSuite’s global reach is impressive—it supports multiple currencies and languages, making it the go-to for international e-commerce operations. Here are some of its other benefits:

  • Efficient order management ensures error-proof order processing from quoting to fulfillment.

  • Robust warehouse management simplifies putaway, picking, and inventory management.

  • Customization options let you modify it to align with unique processes and workflows.

  • Accounting software gives a complete view of cash flow and financial performance.

Keep in mind those unique customization options might need some tweaking. NetSuite is a comprehensive pick for e-commerce companies that need global capabilities and efficient order processing.

Here's what Netsuite users say:

One user loves the versatility: "I like how NetSuite can handle many aspects of the business process when used at its full capacity, like accounting processes, Marketing, HR, Support, etc. Plus, it's all customizable."

Another user flagged some issues: "NetSuite is not very user-friendly at all. It feels like you need a coding course to tweak a report, and the custom nature of the software makes the help center pretty useless. The add-ons are great, but they add to an already hefty price tag, and it requires having an IT support provider on deck. The lack of automated bank feeds or integrated payroll solution in 2023 (at least in Australia) is a major letdown. Plus, finding someone with NetSuite experience is like finding a needle in a haystack, making the new user experience process drag on way longer than with other software."

Oracle NetSuite pricing

Reach out to their sales team for a pricing rundown.

3. SAP S/4HANA Cloud: Best ERP software for multinational enterprises

Pros 

Cons

Many options available

Can handle multiple currencies

Features for each tier could be more specific

Pricing isn’t transparent

Requires training to learn and run

SAP S/4HANA Cloud is a big hit with large enterprises thanks to its tailored e-commerce features. It might take a little getting used to the user interface, but it's worth the effort.

For smaller businesses, SAP Business One is a budget-friendly option that covers everything from accounting to analytics. Plus, it plays nice with major e-commerce platforms for a seamless customer experience across channels. Here are more benefits:

  • Central procurement streamlines your procurement processes.

  • Transportation and warehouse management optimizes logistics and inventory.

  • Efficient customer and production management Enhance customer satisfaction and production efficiency.

A big bonus? SAP S/4HANA Cloud is big on sustainability and regulatory compliance, aligning with green practices—something that's a heavy hitter in today's business world.

SAP has two offerings that cater to different business sizes and needs.

  • RISE with SAP: This is for the big players looking to migrate to SAP S/4HANA Cloud, private edition. It offers a managed cloud service, secure migration, top-notch business management software, and real-time insights.

  • GROW with SAP: This is for the smaller and midsize businesses wanting to dip their toes into cloud ERP capabilities.

Here's what users had to say about SAP S/4HANA Cloud:

One SAP S/4HANA  user said, “The experience for almost 1.5 years with SAP S/4HANA was fantastic. We had developed the SAP modules for our client's sales department and warehousing. Currently, SAP Cloud offers the greatest CRM system for our firm, more particularly for users who require real-time analytics and monitoring. The platform helped us improve the sales process in a number of ways, including by recommending and supporting methods to increase sales and enabling the sales force to work remotely, among many other things. The sales funnel has been upgraded, and sales performance has improved.”

Another user said, “As a robust and feature-rich ERP system, it needs substantial planning, trained personnel, and a large commitment of time to deploy and adapt it to the organization's specific needs. The initial setup and needed settings are time-consuming, and it is tough to understand how to fully utilize all of the functions.”

SAP S/4HANA Cloud pricing

For pricing details, reach out to their sales team.

4. Brightpearl + Sage Intacct: Best ERP software for retail operations management

Pros 

Cons

Strong financial management tools

Explicitly designed for retail 

Unlimited users at no extra cost

Inventory management requires add-ons

Lack of transparent pricing

Mobile app not offered

Brightpearl is a Retail Operations Platform designed to streamline all things retail. It seamlessly integrates with sales channels, tying together sales orders, fulfillment, inventory management, accounting, reporting, warehouse management, and replenishment.

Here are some ways it supports retail operations:

  • Omnichannel support for various sales channels.

  • System of record for essential trading data.

  • Real-time insights to make data-driven decisions.

  • Automation capabilities reduce manual tasks.

  • Flexibility and configurability cater to unique business needs.

  • Collaboration with Sage Intacct for comprehensive cloud-based enterprise solutions.

Pairing Brightpearl with SAGE Intacct gives businesses a solid and efficient solution to manage and optimize operations.

With retail-specific functions and comprehensive ERP features, companies can scale, automate, make informed decisions, and simplify data management processes.

Consider what these Brightpearl and Sage Intacct users had to say:

One Brightpearl user loves the automation: “Brightpearl is our centralized source of truth when it comes to inventory and our catalog and integrates directly with our sales channels. We have entirely automated our Order Management process as well. From the time an order is placed, through fulfillment and automation, we don't have a single touch point that requires manual intervention. Ordering new products also takes us 5 minutes now that we have a standardized PO template and process in Brightpearl.”

Another user notes the complexity: “The platform can get quite messy, and having integrations with a lot of channels means things can get complicated as not everything is set up the same way. This can be down to the way it is set up on the user end, however, and perhaps increased knowledge for complex setups would be good!”

A Sage Intacct user praises its simplicity, “Using it since the start of the company, and has worked great. Customer support is always there when we have a question, and it serves our needs. The customizing of reports is so great. It is simple to use. It's easy to navigate around, and the better part is it is easy to train on. The grant application process is much faster and more efficient thanks to Sage Intacct. There are many activities that we can now perform automatically that we previously had to do on paper, saving us not only time but also resources.”

Brightpearl + Sage Intacct pricing

Connect with their sales team for a cost breakdown.

5. Acumatica: Best ERP software for a supportive customer community

Pros 

Cons

Ideal for enterprises with multiple warehouses

Helpful customer support

Active user community

Limited to cloud-base

Lack of transparent pricing

Missing some advanced features

High learning curve

Acumatica is a solid pick for e-commerce businesses, thanks to customizable workflows, automation capabilities, and flexibility that just gets the dynamic vibe of e-commerce operations. It boasts a sizable set of features like:

  • Comprehensive suite includes payroll, CRM, reporting, financial management, and inventory.

  • Operational flexibility allows data access from anywhere through a user-friendly interface.

  • Reliable inventory management features an embedded CRM platform and financial tracking.

  • Mobile cloud platform offers open APIs for rapid bi-directional connections to ecommerce sites, marketplaces, and POS devices.

Here's what Acumatica users are saying:

One Acumatica user said, “Acumatica has an incredibly powerful off-the-shelf suite of features that can be implemented with minimal customization, but working with an Acumatica partner, you can truly personalize the software to meet your business needs. Most importantly, Acumatica listens to customer feedback and truly wants to ensure that you achieve the best user experience.”

Another user said, “It is widely customizable, but the process is somewhat complex; it has taken us a significant amount of time to adapt it to the organization's needs, and the costs associated with licensing, customization, and maintenance can be very substantial, which ends up being somewhat limiting for small and emerging companies.”

Acumatica pricing

Contact sales for pricing.

6. Veeqo: Best ERP alternative for scaling ecommerce businesses 

Pros 

Cons

Easy to use

Cost-effective

Shipping, inventory and warehouse management tools

Owned by Amazon

Automated inventory system features

Not a comprehensive ERP software

Veeqo might not be your standard ERP; instead, it's an ecommerce shipping software designed to make your e-commerce operations a breeze. If you're looking to cut costs, automate processes, and optimize operations, Veeqo might just be your new best friend.

Its features include:

  • Seamless multichannel management so you'll never miss an order, thanks to real-time synchronization, customizable views, and streamlined order processing. 

  • Amazon-level efficiency because, as a part of the Amazon family, our Amazon integration offers secure data handling and safeguards your Amazon account from delivery mishaps, protecting your reputation.

  • Shipping is a cinch with instant access to discounted shipping rates from major carriers like FedEx, UPS, and DHL (and earn up to 5% back in Veeqo Credits).

  • Enterprise-grade tools like powerful inventory and warehouse management, Veeqo Scanners, and the ability to forecast stockouts and inventory that can provide valuable business insights and planning opportunities.

But while Veeqo is a versatile all-in-one solution for inventory and order management, it doesn't quite fit the traditional ERP bill. If you need complex financial and HR management, Veeqo might be a partial replacement.

Still, Veeqo fills a unique niche, offering businesses with multiple warehouses to organize and high stock turnover the tools they need for successful e-commerce without the complexities of a full ERP system.

It's a cost-effective, user-friendly shipping software and ERP alternative, especially for those in the dynamic world of online retail. And, its API means you can integrate it with your financial and HR tools.

Here's what Veeqo users are saying:

One Veeqo user found the solution they'd been searching for: “Veeqo is the solution it's taken me years to find. I needed a way to keep my Amazon and Shopify inventory in sync. Everything I looked at was either expensive or cumbersome (or both). Any such solution will have a learning curve, but Veeqo is as understandable as anything you'll find, and their support articles are concise and informative. My multi-channel inventory is synced, and I'm getting fantastic discounts on shipping from all the major carriers. With built-in Amazon Buy Shipping seller protections, it just doesn't get any better than this.”

Another is too busy to use all of the features: “I am too busy filling and shipping orders to take advantage of Veeqo's many reports and services, like APIs, etc., that would further automate and improve my system of managing my business.”

Veeqo Pricing

How does free sound? Yep, Veeqo is completely free. Unlimited users, unlimited shipments, AND up to 5% back in Veeqo Credits.

How we selected the best ERP software

Picking an ERP software can feel like a Herculean task, but here's a simple checklist to make things easier:

  • Business needs alignment: Your ERP should fit your needs like a glove.

  • Scalability and flexibility: Look for an ERP that can roll with the punches and handle more data and complexity as your business grows.

  • Integration capabilities: The ERP needs to play nice with your existing systems for smooth data flow, efficiency, and breaking down data silos.

  • User-friendly interface: If it's not intuitive, it's a no-go. You need an interface that users can adopt quickly, boosting productivity.

  • Vendor reputation and support: Do your homework on the vendor's reputation and customer support to ensure you'll get help when needed and top-notch ERP performance.

These pointers set the stage for a successful ERP selection process, ensuring you pick a solution that meets your business's current and future needs.

Discover the ideal ERP Solution for your business

There's no doubt that ERP software can streamline operations, amp up inventory management, and deliver stellar customer service.

Sure, all six ERP options have unique perks that might tick most of the boxes, but picking the right one? That's game-changing. So, evaluate your business needs and your endgame.

If you're after a straightforward alternative that makes inventory and warehouse management a walk in the park, consider Veeqo. It's a pro at boosting efficiency and trimming costs, so sign-up to Veeqo today

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