Small business ERP

MRP vs. ERP: Understanding the difference

Did you know today's ERP systems evolved from yesterday's MRP systems? Learn the differences between MRP and ERP, including their functions, applications and benefits. Continue Reading

The future of Epicor ERP is cloud

In this Q&A, Epicor's Himanshu Palsule discusses how the vendor has embraced the cloud, its strategy to expand its product portfolio and its push to broaden its global presence. Continue Reading

Epicor ERP sheds stodgy image in cloud makeover

At Epicor Analyst Day, Epicor customers described how the company has transformed into a cloud-first industry-focused ERP company, while still supporting on-premises deployments. Continue Reading

Acumatica Summit focuses on cloud ERP and growth

Acumatica touted growth and new integrations with Adobe and Microsoft at its annual summit. Analysts like the ERP vendor's innovations and customer-centric approach. Continue Reading

IFS acquires Axios Systems to boost ESM capability

IFS moves into the enterprise service management market with the acquisition of Axios Systems, which offers cloud service management applications. Continue Reading

8 essential ERP vendor evaluation criteria

Preparing for the ERP vendor selection process is key to success. Here's some criteria you need to ensure that you choose the right software for your organization. Continue Reading

Buyers, don't overlook small and midsize ERP providers

Acumatica, Epicor, IFS and the Salesforce platform ERPs are among lower-profile players that are keeping up with the big four in cloud options and technical innovation. Continue Reading

ERP alternatives poised to take the stage in 2021

The momentum for companies to adopt cloud-first and industry-specific ERP systems has created an opening for alternative ERP companies. Continue Reading

Epicor ERP 10.2.700 may entice manufacturers to the cloud

The latest SaaS version of Epicor ERP includes new capabilities designed to appeal to midmarket manufacturers that want to move to a cloud-based system. Continue Reading

Unit4 plans to release next-gen ERP platform, Unit4 ERPx

Unit4 said people-focused companies need people-centric ERP platforms. Unit4 ERPx, due out in March, aims to be just that. Continue Reading

ERP implementation projects need not stop during crisis

In this Q&A, Unit4's Andy Brockhoff discusses the COVID-19 crisis and why organizations may find it a good time to keep going with ERP modernization projects. Continue Reading

Cloud-based ERP keeps SMBs running during pandemic

Many SMBs have found that moving to cloud-based ERP systems has helped keep the lights on by allowing employees to access enterprise applications from home. Continue Reading

How to renegotiate your ERP contract during a pandemic

ERP consultant Marcus Harris provides advice on renegotiating ERP contracts when the scopes of ERP implementation projects change due to the COVID-19 crisis. Continue Reading

ERP implementation challenges grow in COVID-19 crisis

ERP implementation experts Marcus Harris and Daniel Saeedi tell how organizations can manage ERP project disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Continue Reading

SAP Business One overview: Features, benefits and more

SAP Business One promises holistic business management software. Learn more about its advantages and pitfalls, as well as pricing and integration, in this SAP Business One overview. Continue Reading

Top 5 ERP software for small businesses

ERP for small business promises better financial and business processes and access to analytics. Here's a look at five of the top choices in the marketplace. Continue Reading

ERP Advisors Group: ERP for SMBs to come of age in 2020

In this Q&A, Shawn Windle of ERP Advisors Group explains why 2020 is the year of SMBs for ERP, as SMBs find ERP systems more cost-effective and industry-specific options increase. Continue Reading

Panorama ERP report shows continued satisfaction

Panorama Consulting Group's 2020 ERP report finds that satisfaction with ERP remains high and the cloud is now the main deployment choice. Continue Reading

Acumatica cloud ERP tightens focus on SMB market

At Acumatica Summit 2020, the cloud-based ERP company announced new manufacturing features, a new Payroll module and a new acquisition of JAAS Systems. Continue Reading

Executive shuffle rolls through ERP industry

2019 was a year for change in the executive ranks of SAP and other ERP vendors, as the companies face struggles in moving their large on-premises installed bases to the cloud. Continue Reading

Epicor ERP system focuses on distribution

Companies like Jergens Industrial Supply are favoring purpose-built ERP systems like Epicor Prophet 21 for distributors over comprehensive ERPs that need customizations. Continue Reading

New small business ERP delivers SAP Business One alternative

SMBs in search of an affordable ERP app can look to Priority Zoom a cloud-based platform designed to help small and medium-sized businesses manage each phase of the sales cycle. Continue Reading

Acumatica cloud ERP, IFS systems fit together well

Acumatica and IFS share a similar manufacturing ERP industry focus but target different markets. In this Q&A, Acumatica CEO Jon Roskill explains how the vendors are working to integrate systems and services. Continue Reading

Shakeup in the Infor leadership tree

Charles Phillips moved from Infor CEO to become chairman of the board of directors. He has been replaced by CFO Kevin Samuelson. Analysts believe recent revenue results may be behind the moves. Continue Reading

MRPeasy software helps growing cannabis business

Here's how cannabis products manufacturer Papa & Barkley uses cloud-based MRP software from MRPeasy to manage its production and inventory processes in a highly regulated industry. Continue Reading

ERP vendor IFS makes a near-merger with Acumatica

EQT Partners, which owns ERP vendor IFS, has acquired Acumatica, another ERP vendor. Both firms will be working together, sharing leadership and expertise in hope of each broadening market share. Continue Reading

Epicor iScala 3.3 brings new productivity features to SMB ERP

Epicor's newly released iScala 3.3 SMB ERP software update includes new reporting and analytics features, a revamped user interface and expanded localizations. Continue Reading

ERP alternatives are small but powerful systems for SMB manufacturers

Small manufacturers that want full-functioning ERP systems don't have to go to the major vendors, as smaller ERP companies offer cost-effective systems and more personal service. Continue Reading

Deacom ERP helps process manufacturer pump up the volume

California Custom Fruits and Flavors chose to implement a process manufacturing-oriented ERP tool from Deacom over industry heavyweights like SAP, Oracle and Microsoft. Here's why. Continue Reading

Choosing cloud ERP vendors: Know what you need before going in

Before deciding which cloud ERP vendors and cloud ERP software to evaluate, it's important for a business to determine its unique business needs and situation. Continue Reading

There's time and place for SMBs to adopt SaaS-based ERP

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SMBs see vertical ERP technology vendors meeting specialty needs

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Pressures mount on SMBs to modernize aging ERP processes

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Fueled by SaaS, ERP for SMBs soars into the cloud

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Cloud vs. legacy ERP systems: Tug of war intensifies for SMBs

Aging legacy ERP systems at SMBs seem to be getting plenty of scrutiny these days. Heightened consumer demands, shifting technology landscapes and relentless market disruptions, not to mention maintenance costs, technical support and obsolescence, can all conspire to keep IT managers up late at night calculating the proper time to upgrade or ditch their "old" ERP systems. Yet, for better or worse, their sleep patterns may be normalizing as decisions to migrate ERP to the cloud are increasingly drifting away from IT and landing on the laps of business leaders.

August's Business Information opens with our editor's note and advice for business and IT decision-makers who are feeling the heat: Don't be myopic when planning a flight to the cloud. The numerous ERP deployment options available to SMBs dictate that immediate company needs must be tempered with an eye toward the future.

Along those lines, our cover story examines the decision-making process when SMBs have to upgrade their legacy ERP systems or move to the cloud -- a migration that SaaS is making more palatable and popular among smaller businesses. In another feature, we drill down into vertical, industry-specific ERP technologies that allow SMBs to cost-effectively make immediate specialty upgrades to their systems.

Also in this issue, a medical device group migrated to cloud ERP primarily because of the expense of adding features and functions to its existing on-premises system. In addition, SMBs face many issues when implementing SaaS ERP operations as AI, big data analytics and smart workflow reach mission-critical levels. And statistics show that cloud ERP ranks ahead of big data analytics, data integration, AI and IoT software initiatives planned for deployment this year, while on-premises ERP packaged business apps are near the bottom of IT's grocery list of priorities.

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There's time and place for SMBs to adopt SaaS-based ERP

SMBs face many issues when implementing SaaS ERP operations versus on-premises, plus the fact that one size cloud-based ERP platform doesn't necessarily fit all companies. Continue Reading

SMB reaps rewards of migrating QAD ERP system to the cloud

Moog's medical devices group moved its on-premises ERP system to the cloud, resulting in more reliable operation and a redirected IT focus on adding business value to the entire group. Continue Reading

SMBs see vertical ERP technology vendors meeting specialty needs

The industry-specific ERP market is thriving, which is good news for SMBs looking to cost-effectively maintain their existing ERP systems with immediate specialty feature upgrades. Continue Reading

Pressures mount on SMBs to modernize aging ERP processes

To upgrade or replace their old and cranky ERP systems, SMBs must consider several options, and the cloud figures prominently. But the final decision is seen shifting away from IT. Continue Reading

Fueled by SaaS, ERP for SMBs soars into the cloud

SaaS is making ERP accessible to more small organizations, but is there a downside? Industry insiders weigh in on the ROI of SaaS vs. on-premises and hybrid ERP. Continue Reading

The essential guide to ERP for small and medium-sized businesses

By integrating important business processes and unifying data, an ERP system can help small and medium-sized businesses go up against the big guys. Here's what you need to know. Continue Reading

Buying ERP: Top 10 midmarket ERP systems

This buyer's guide provides a rundown of the top 10 midmarket ERP systems out there today. Continue Reading