the top erp contenders in 2019...1 enterprise software spending is on the rise with an 8.3 per cent...

THE TOP ERP CONTENDERS IN 2019

A RheinBrücke Whitepaper

© 2018 RheinBrücke IT Consulting GmbH - All Rights Reserved

Introduction

2018 Market trends

ERP Solution Description

Microsoft Dynamics AX, SAP Business All in One,

IFS Application 9.0, Oracle E- Business Suite,

Epicor ERP, Sage ERP X3, Infor LN

ERP Module Comparison

ERP Software Comparison

Implementation Time

Epicor ERP versus the

average ERP solution in

the market

ERP predictions for 2019

Conclusion

About RheinBrücke

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Contents

1

Enterprise software spending is on the rise

with an 8.3 per cent increase1 in 2019.

Driven by increased Cloud adoption,

worldwide IT spending is forecasted to

total $3.8 trillion in 2019. This is an

increase of 3.2 per cent from expected

spending of $3.7 trillion in 2018.

Software as a service (SaaS) will grow

further particularly in the customer

relationship management (CRM) segment,

due to an increased focus on better

customer experiences.

Innovations such as the Industrial Internet

of Things (IIoT) and Block Chain

Technology are revolutionizing

manufacturing by leveraging intelligent,

connected devices in factories and the

demand for a leaner manufacturing

process.

Big data and process integration are

providing new opportunities to innovate

along with other contributing factors such

as the end of legacy system lifecycles and

market-driven transformations such as

the disruption of Amazon and e-Tailing.

ERP vendors are also ensuring that their

offerings provide strong Business

Intelligence and Business Integration

capabilities as businesses demand faster

response times, more efficiency and real

time data and reporting.

The predictive capabilities of an ERP

system provide organisations with the

platform to analyse current data and

historical facts accurately and identify

potential risks and opportunities in real time.

Manufacturing companies are especially well-

positioned to benefit from the intelligence

gathered from this data, as they can use it to

revolutionize operations, improve profits and

fuel new growth.

The limits of geography have also slowly

begun to remove themselves as technology

improves. More companies are now scaling

for growth and capital investments are

continuing to gain momentum as companies

feel the pressure to invest in their digital

transformation initiatives.

As that happens, moving information,

products and data have become easier.

Seamless logistics allows manufacturers to

deliver materials and products to and from

anywhere in the world.

Another ERP trend gaining traction is the use

of ERP by tech savvy Millennials who refuse to

work on legacy systems and are demanding

solutions that are efficient, value-generating

and time-saving.

Data security in ERP systems is a constant

headline, as multiple integrations with various

third-party applications are making it more

complex. Businesses are adopting stringent

data governance and IT compliance policies to

handle risks posed by data hacking and are

paying more attention to data security

standards while choosing their ERP service

provider.


1Gartner Symposium/IT Expo

1

Introduction

Panorama’s 2018 ERP report reveals a sizeable portion of ERP users are from

manufacturing, finance and distribution companies. For manufacturers dealing with

a complex supply chain, a robust and modern ERP system is now widely recognized

as playing a crucial role in enhancing efficiency and improving the customer

experience.

2018 has seen a growing number of organizations in the professional services and

public sectors domains implementing end-to-end management solutions. We also

find ERP vendors transitioning into SaaS or incorporating best-of-breed applications

within their core packages so they can support more niche best practices. Study also

shows that ERP in 2018 has shifted focus to small & mid-size companies. The cloud

deployment option along with increased usability has driven the growth of ERPs in the

smaller and mid-sized companies segment.

Research reports that 85% of manufacturers identify ERP as being a vital platform to

delivering positive customer experiences and reduced cost and rapid implementation

will also contribute to making ERP a viable resource for companies of all sizes.

Manufacturing companies are especially well-positioned to benefit from the

intelligence gathered from this data, as they can use it to revolutionize operations,

improve profits and fuel new growth.


2

2018 ERP Market Share By Industry

Industries

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© Copyright 2018 Panorama Consulting Solutions. All Right Reserved.

Version AX 7 2016

Price Range: $20K-750K

Financing Options: Lease, Owner Financing, Financing

Platforms: Cloud-Based (Saas), Microsoft Azure, On Premise

Database: MS SQL Server, Oracle

Server OS: Windows

Multi Language Yes

Multi-Currency Yes

Cloud Yes

Installed on Premise Yes

Modules include:

Materials Management,

Sales & Order

Management, Financial

Management,

Production

Management, Supply

Chain Management,

Human Resource

Management and

Customer Relationship

Management.


3

Dynamics AX is an ERP product developed by Microsoft for small and mid-sized companies.

Microsoft Dynamics AX ERP system is a multilingual and multicurrency enterprise resource

planning (ERP) software suite with focus in manufacturing and e-business. It is equipped with

built-in, country-specific regulation requirements for 36 countries which enables streamlined

global business practices.

Microsoft Dynamics AX easily integrates with Microsoft Office, Microsoft SQL Server, BizTalk

Server, and Microsoft SharePoint. Dynamics AX ERP system can be tailored to support the

specific needs of manufacturing businesses while delivering a low total cost of ownership. It

supports build-to-order, engineer-to-order, and build-to-forecast supply-chain models across

both discrete and batch-process manufacturing modes and is particularly suited for mixed-mode

manufacturing environments. The solution can be installed on premise or be hosted in the cloud

for remote accessibility over the web. As a make-to-stock distribute-type model, it's a very

capable tool.

Microsoft Dynamics AX ERP software is built on Microsoft Azure to deliver a platform that offers

a simplified production environment. Azure is suitable for both private and public cloud

deployments and it can be deployed on-premise as well, providing users with a “what they need,

when they need it” approach.

Microsoft Microsoft Dynamics AX

Version SAP Business All-in-One

Price Range: $120K-2M


Platforms: On Premise

Database: SAP HANA, MS SQL, Oracle, IBM DB2

Server OS: Windows

Multi Language Yes

Multi-Currency Yes

Cloud No


Modules include: Materials Management,

Sales Order


Management, Supply

Chain Management and


Management.


4

SAP Business All-In-One ERP software is configured specifically for midsize companies. The

solution is optimized for fast deployment and includes modules that focus on business

processes like financials, inventory, human resources, product development, sales, and

marketing. Businesses can extend the solution with additional functionality for customer

relationship management (CRM), supplier relationship management (SRM), business intelligence

(BI), and other business areas.

SAP Business All-In-One is available worldwide and supports all languages. It can be integrated

with the other powerful SAP products such as SAP CRM and SAP ERP R3. The software can adapt

to the changes in the business using the SAP NetWeaver platform so users can freely add third-

party solutions as the company grows.

The solution runs on the SAP HANA in-memory database. The business intelligence capabilities

allow best-practices reporting and analytics to meet the requirements of financial accounting.

The solution also offers a personalized, user-friendly experience on multiple devices and fosters

effective management in all aspects of customer relationships from generating leads to closing

deals and post-closing follow-up.

SAP SAP Business All-In-One

Version 10.0

Price Range: $300K-2M

Financing Options:

Subscription

Platforms: Cloud-Based (Saas), Microsoft Azure, On Premise

Database: Oracle, MySQL

Server OS: Compatible w/all Operating Systems

Multi Language Yes

Multi-Currency Yes

Cloud Yes

Installed on Premise

Yes

Modules include:

Materials management,

Sales & Order


Management,

Production management,

Supply Chain

Management, Customer

Relationship

Management, Human

Resource Management,

Business Analytics.


5

IFS Application 10.0 supports internationally operating mid-market organizations with country-

specific requirements involving tax and regulation in a structured manner and supports multiple

languages, currencies and units of measure. It also comes with functionality that makes it easy

to add new geographical business units or subsidiaries and quickly deploy core processes such

as HR, financials, inventory and projects across them. The system supports process

manufacturing, discrete manufacturing and on-demand manufacturing modes and supports

several other industries such as, Construction, Engineering, Oil, Gas drilling and Aerospace.

IFS Applications 10 includes major investments to support service-focused organizations. Open

micro-service organized APIs, built according to the latest RESTful principles and the OASIS oData

standard, ensure easy integration of data and processes in IFS Applications with IoT and AI

technologies, Microsoft Office365, and most other modern cloud technologies and SaaS

solutions.

Functional components of IFS Applications are accessible via web portals. Microsoft Office and

other productivity tools can also be integrated with the system. IFS Application 10.0 is built using

a component-based, Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). Modular structure allows organizations

to choose the components they need and add additional functionality over time.

IFS IFS Application 10.0

Version Release 12.1

Price Range: $12K-$350K

Financing Options: Lease, Financing

Platforms: Cloud-Based (Saas), On Premise

Database: IBM DB2, MS SQL Server, Oracle, Progress, Proprietary

Server OS: Windows, Mac OS, Novell Netware, Linux, Unix, Solaris, AIX, HP-UX, i Operating System

Multi Language Yes

Multi-Currency Yes

Cloud Yes


Modules include:


Sales & Order


Management,

Production

Management, Supply

Chain Management,

Human Resource

Analytics.


6

Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) is an integrated suite of enterprise software modules that supports

small, medium and large enterprises. The Oracle E-Business Suite Release 12.1 supports industry

specific features and solutions. The solution offers functionality advancements in Wholesale

Distribution, Public Sector, High Technology, Engineering & Construction, Life Sciences, Retail,

Professional Services, Communications, Consumer Goods and Utilities. The solution also provides

product enhancements across human resources, supply chain management, procurement,

projects, master data management, customer relationship management and financials.

Oracle E-Business Suite for Manufacturing supports manufacturing organizations across all

industries and regions and supports discrete and process industries with the Oracle

Manufacturing Execution System 12.1. The system also provides Inventory Management for

Mixed Mode Manufacturing. The application drives business intelligence capabilities across the

enterprise by unifying financial, strategic, and operational management processes.

The Oracle solution allows organisations to integrate other applications with Oracle E-Business

Suite using Oracle Fusion Middleware.

Oracle Oracle E- Business Suite

Version Version:10.2

Price Range: $4K -500K

Financing Options: Nil


Database: MS SQL Server

Server OS: Windows

Multi Language Yes

Multi-Currency Yes

Cloud Yes


Modules include:


Sales & Order


Management,

Production

Management, Supply

Chain Management,


Management, Enterprise

Performance

Management, Human

Resource Management.


7

Epicor Epicor ERP

The Epicor ERP software caters to the mid-sized and large businesses and supports multiple

industries including Industrial Machinery, Automotive, Electronics and Electrical Equipment,

Fabricated Metals, Furniture and Fixtures, Rubber and Plastics and Interior Design. Epicor ERP is

designed around a service-oriented architecture and is modular. Epicor ERP version 10.2 supports

global functionality and is built using Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). The solution eliminates

complexity to make ERP easier to use, more collaborative and more responsive.

The solution allows users to build highly collaborative business processes that respond quicker to

customers. The intuitive analytics dashboards enable faster, better decision-making and reduce

information bottlenecks and technology challenges to focus on revenue-generating activities.

With the flexibility of deployment on premise, hosted, or as a cloud-based SaaS, it can be installed

in a single site or across several sites of a multinational corporation. Epicor ERP software harnesses

several new technologies such as business analytics, big data, mobility and the Internet of things.

Epicor ERP supports the complete manufacturing process in addition to automating all the core

functions of the organization. The software supports various manufacturing processes including

mixed-mode, discrete, configure-to-order (CTO), make-to-order (MTO), engineer-to-order (ETO) and

make-to-stock environments.

Modules include:


Sales & Order


Management,

Production Management

and Customer

Relationship

Management.


8

Sage Sage ERP X3

Sage ERP X3 caters to mid-sized and larger companies. The solution supports Discrete and Process

manufacturing environments with processes including: work and cost centre management, routings,

bills of material, formulas and recipes, scheduling, replenishment, quality control, and production

analysis.

Manufacturing Management includes: bill of material, forward/backward scheduling, replenishment

and inter-site transfers, order release, quality control and manufacturing analysis, production analytical

accounting etc.

Sage X3 is cloud-based, browser agnostic and also supports multi-company, multi-site, multi-currency,

multi-language and multi-legislation implementations. It interfaces with third-party software including

CRM, WMS, and e-commerce.

Version 12 (upcoming new release)

Price Range: $2600/ user- (Subscription pricing)

Financing Options: Owner Financing, Lease to own


Database: MS SQL Server, Oracle

Server OS: Windows, Linux, Unix

Multi Language Yes

Multi-Currency Yes

Cloud Yes


Modules include:


Sales & Order


Management,

Production

Management, Supply

Chain Management,

Human Relationship

Management and


Management.


9

Infor Infor LN

Infor LN is a global ERP solution for small and medium enterprises. The solution supports scalable,

multi-language, open systems platform for multi-plant and multi-site business process modelling

and enhancing information visibility for improved decision-making. The solution supports lean

manufacturing and the ERP solution serves the needs of discrete and project-based manufacturers

in industries such as Industrial Equipment and Machinery, High-Tech and Electronics, Component

Manufacturing, Commercial Aerospace, and Shipbuilding. The core manufacturing and planning

functionality in Infor LN is ideal for companies in make-to-stock, assemble-to-order, make-to-order,

or engineer-to-order environments.

Infor LN ERP modules include finance, warehousing, freight management, and aftermarket service

among others. The Infor Xi technology platform connects Infor LN with many other best-in class

applications. The new user interface available in Infor LN provides easier business process

management on shop floor and across supply chain, with integration to financials, quality

management, service management and order management.

Version 11

Price Range: $25K-$1M



Database: IBM DB2, MS SQL Server, Oracle, Postgres Enterprise Server

Server OS: Windows, Linux, Unix, MAC OS

Multi Language Yes

Multi-Currency Yes

Cloud Yes


In order to offer a fair comparison, we have

compiled a table of the most important modules a

business should consider while selecting an ERP

solution. The features include Materials

Management, Sales Order Management, Financial

Management, Production Management, Supply

Chain Management, Customer Relationship

Management, Additional Capabilities and

Additional Support.

Please find below the list of features offered by the

above solutions under each module:


10

Advanced Material

Management

Inventory Controls

Complex MRO Inventory

Management Inventory

Management Inventory Control Procurement

Bar Coding Warehouse

Management Costing

Purchasing Processes

Warehouse Management

Handheld

Materials Planning

Demand Forecasting

Material Handler

Interface

Manufacturing Capabilities

Inventory Replenishment

Material Movement

Project Budgeting

Prioritize Orders

Project Reporting

Sales Order Allocation

Scheduling and Resourcing

ERP Module Comparison

Materials Management module:

LN ERP 10.0


11

Order Management

Sales & Marketing Collaborative

Solution

Aftermarket Sales and Service

Management

Oracle Partner Management

Purchasing Management

Sales Overview

Sales Management

Sales Management

Sales

Sales order Management

Sales Management Sales Monitoring

Demand Management

Coordinate projects

Sales Quotes

Delivery Tracking Quoting RF Warehousing

Electronic Data

Interchange

Customer orders

Incentive and

Commission

Management

Sales Proposal

Estimate Quote

Management

Field service

Store Front

Component repair

Coordinate projects

Sales & Order Management module:

LN ERP 10.0


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General Ledger General Ledger General Ledger Analytical Reporting

General Ledger Business

Intelligence Enterprise Asset

Management

Accounts payable

Business Intelligence

Budget management

Financial Business Processes

Accounts Payable Data collection

Financial Overview

Accounts receivable

Financial Management

Overview Cash Flow

Asset Tracking Financial overview

Multi- currency/ company

Fixed Assets Consolidate

accounts


Overview

Financial

Management Fixed Assets

Tax connect International Capabilities

Accounts payable & receivable

Cash Asset Management

Project Accounting

Sales contract management

Global Engines

Financial Management module:

LN ERP 10.0


13

Production Management

Project Management

Project Management

Production Scheduling

Discrete Manufacturing

Planning

Advanced Production

Bill of Materials Batch Process

Project Costing Process

Manufacturing

Product Lifecycle

Management

Advanced Quality

Management

Product Builder

Configure/Make/Assemble

Shop Floor

Management Production Scheduler

Quality Management

Job Management

Key Production Features

Constraint based scheduling

License Plate

Support Resource

Management

Lean Manufacturing

Engineer to Order

Stock valuation by period

enquiry/period Resync

Manufacturing Execution

system Make to Project

Planning and Scheduling

Multisite planning

Product Data Management Asset Design

Repetitive

Manufacturing

Shop Floor Reporting

Shop Order

Sub-Contract Management

Production Management module:

LN ERP 10.0


14

Supply Chain Management

Key Supply Chain Features

Supply Chain Operational

Planning Supply Chain

Execution


Supplier Relationship Management

Equipment

Parts Demand Planning

Supply Chain Planning

Supplier Relationship

Management

Purchase Management

Equipment Effectiveness

Freight

Management

Shipping and Receiving

Preventive

Maintenance

Warehousing

Sourcing

Procurement

Inventory Management

Distribution


Warehousing

Supply Chain Management module:

LN ERP 10.0


15

Customer Relationship Management

Marketing Automation

CRM Features Customer

Relationship Management


CRM features Customer

Relationship Management

Campaign Connect

Sales Force Automation

Customer Services

Case Management

Information sharing

Service Management

Mobility Features

Information Worker

Sales Configurator

Lead/ Opportunity

Management

Mobile Connect


module:

LN ERP 10.0


16

17

Human Capital Management

Alert System Human Resource

Management Human Capital Management

Human Resource Analytics

Multi-Channel Retail and Direct

Human Capital Management

Cloud Deployment

Business Intelligence Reporting

Business Analytics

Groupware Integration

Marketing Enterprise

Service Management

Composite Applications

Compliance Management

Employee Self Service

Intuitive Navigation

Wholesale

Distribution

Document Management

Human Resource Management

Expense Management

Enterprise Content

Management

Service Management

B2B Contracting

Enterprise Performance Management

Mobile Solution

Global Business Payroll, Time, Attendance

ICE business Architecture

Recruitment, Training and

Development

Compliance Overview

Global Tax Management

Product Data Management

Service Management

Overview

Subscription Services

Web 2.0

Additional features:

LN ERP 10.0


18

17

Business Sectors

Distribution

Manufacturing

Retail

Services

Industry

Aerospace and defence

Automotive

Construction

Electronics

EPC

Engineering

Medical and Healthcare

Metal Work

Packaging

Pharmaceuticals

Plastic and Rubber

Oilfield

ERP Software Comparison

10.0 ERP X3 LN

Panorama Report 2016 | Panorama Report 2017

Source: https://www.panorama-consulting.com/overview-of-the-top-10-erp-systems/

http://www.erpnews.com/downloads/Top-10-ERP-Systems-Report-2017.pdf


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Billing

Costing

CRM

Financial and Accounting

Business Intelligence and Analytics


Planning and Scheduling

Sales

Distribution



Asset Management

Overall 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Functionality (Out of 5)

3.2 2.9 2.9 3.6 3.3 2.9 2.8

Payback Period (Months)

8.6 8.5 30 48 29 12 9.6

10.0 ERP X3

ERP Software

Feature

10.0 ERP X3

ERP Vendor

LN

LN

Hi-Level Program Timeline - This Program Gantt Chart

reflects a high-level preliminary estimate of the ERP

Program Timeline prior to the ERP solution trials –

more accurate one can be drafted post-trials.


19

Company Size Months

Smaller companies (under $100 million, or under 125 users) 6 to 9 months

Medium companies ($100 million to $250 million, or 125 to 250 users)

9 to 16 months

Larger companies ($250 million to $1 billion, or 250 to 600 users) 16 to 24 months

Very large companies (over $1 billion, over 600 users) 24 to 36 or more months

Implementation Time

The biggest challenge for midsize organisations is the time taken between choosing the right ERP

solution, go-live date and its associated costs and disruptions. Organisations should focus on

ensuring rapid implementation, on boarding a third-party provider at the right price and who

can provide measurable business benefit for the organization – the true measure of ROI.

Implementation costs for most ERP systems are usually three- to five-times the cost of the

software. Ideally, a rapid ERP system would cost as much to implement as it does to purchase

the software. Organisations should ensure that the chosen ERP system carries a service to

licence ratio of between 1:1 and 2:1 and have fixed-bid implementation costs. The design of the

software and the ease of use of the integration tools are vital to achieving this goal.

Many small manufacturing companies are focusing on ‘Rapid Implementation’ when considering

an ERP project. ERP implementation time varies from vendor to vendor and is based on several

internal and external factors such as business complexity, number of users, limited functionality

and other criteria. However, the general time frame for ERP like Epicor, Infor, Sage, MS, Oracle

and SAP is anywhere between 6/9 months to 2 years.

In the event that senior management want a high-level estimate of implementation time before

making any type of financial commitment to the project, below are a few general guidelines for

a project timeline based on company revenue or the number of users:

Many factors will affect the actual timeline, but for the purpose of ballpark estimates, the four

major assumption areas driving the ranges above are:

• Project team time commitments (full or part-time),

• The number of modules to install,

• The software rollout strategy (Big Bang or phased), and

• The amount of software modifications expected.


Epicor ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Inventory Management helps to streamline the

entire inventory process. For example, the Epicor ERP quoting function pulls data from

inventory to help job shops provide customers with more accurate quotes and delivery

schedules by building variables into the quote. Variables such as inventory status,

outstanding customer orders, and future delivery dates enable sales to provide customers

with costs and delivery dates based on real time information.

Epicor ERP offers 92% coverage of Inventory Management features. This surpasses its

competitor average of 86% for this module.

Based on a report by TEC (Technology Evaluation Centres is an impartial software analysis firm), Epicor ERP

was assessed to determine its coverage of eight key domains, with 3,539 features and compared against the

average ERP software on the market. Here's how it fares in each of the eight modules:


20

Epicor ERP in comparison to the average ERP solution in the Market


Epicor financial software offers robust multi-company, multi-plant or multi-warehouse

operations, as well as inter-company transaction processing, and meets the needs of strong

financial management on a global basis. The financial module offers a full range of financial

reports, including journal listings, general ledger and trial balance reports, and a full set of

financial statements.

The solution covers 96% of financial features requested/required by companies in

comparison to the average 90% coverage of the average ERP software in the market for this

module.

Manufacturing Management

Epicor ERP solutions manufacturing capabilities include shipping and receiving, quality

assurance, inventory and material management, purchasing, project management and job

scheduling, sales, CRM, and quoting and order management. The solution optimizes lean

manufacturing to focus on the key priorities to make smarter decisions, eliminate waste and

increase customer satisfaction

Epicor ERP covers 97% of Manufacturing Management functions against the 81% by the

average market solution.

Purchasing Management

Epicor’s Purchase Management module streamlines purchase order writing and tracking of

suppler performance with automated purchasing tools to improve supplier collaboration,

order accuracy and negotiations. It also reduces inventory levels and improves on-time

deliveries for better cash flow with cross-referencing, mass purchase order receipts,

requisition tracking and more.

In this module, Epicor ERP supports 98% of the required functionalities. This challenges the

average 91% of Purchasing Management features and functions available in other solutions.

Quality Management

Epicor Advanced Quality Management (AQM) is an extension of the Quality Assurance

offering. AQM puts companies in a constant state of compliance. AQM capabilities include

employee training and skills, managing document revisions and changes, work instructions,

non-conformance and corrective actions, gauges, equipment as well as a detailed statistical

process control (SPC) function.

Epicor ERP covers 98% of Quality Management attributes required in an ERP in comparison

to an average 82% of its competitors.

Sales Management

Epicor Sales Management module automates labour-intensive processes for proposal

generation, configuration and quoting. It also automates order entry to improve sales

productivity by increasing accuracy during the quote and order processes.

In the Sales Management module, Epicor ERP has 95% coverage of features and functions.

The average support offered by other ERP suites is 90%.

Product Technology

The service-oriented architecture (SOA) provides midmarket businesses with the ability to

easily and efficiently align information systems and technology resources.

Epicor ERP is an end-to-end solution with a single source for all software needs. The solution

is supported by a global services and support organization that provides efficient

implementation services.

The technology architecture, design of the user interface and several options for deployment

makes the solution robust from a functional standpoint and provides an overall low total cost

of ownership.

Epicor ERP supports 83% of Product Technology characteristics and outpaces the average

competitor (66%).


21

According to a report By MarketWatch, the global

ERP software market is forecasted to generate a

revenue of 47 Billion by 2020 as well as an increase

in CAGR at the rate of 7%. The report also shows that

SAP and Epicor are among the long-standing players

in the industry and remain to be in the game for

2019.

So, what’s trending?

Deployed on Cloud:

Cloud ERP will continue to be a growing trend in 2019. However, organisations will

have to balance the capabilities of the newest cloud technology while focusing on

data security and compliance.

According to a recent study conducted by Forbes, 41% of enterprise workloads will

run on public cloud platforms while another 22% will run on hybrid cloud

platforms by 2020.

Compliance:

With GDPR redefining compliance in the European Union, organisations are now

required to demonstrate good corporate financial governance through

compliance. ERP enables processes that can systematise and formalise the

collection and reporting of information in order to minimise errors and thus

support compliance efforts.

2019 will see ERP software demonstrate a big development in the compliance and

regulatory functionalities across all products.

22

ERP predictions for 2019

Hybrid ERP:

2019 also sees a trend towards the Hybrid ERP approach. For those organisation

who are hesitant to make a make full transition to the cloud, the Hybrid approach

will play an important role. In a hybrid ERP, an On-Premise ERP is hosted on the

cloud, taking away all the Capex and Infrastructure related costs and moves the

ERP into an Opex model.

A hybrid -cloud approach allows organisations to access the efficiency and

effectiveness of cloud solutions. This approach is ideal for mid-sized or large

enterprises that have complex operational processes and existing systems that

need to be integrated.

The Two-Tier approach:

Organizations in the market for ERP solutions are increasingly considering a two-

tier ERP strategy. In a two-tier ERP approach, organizations keep their existing Tier-

1 ERP systems at the corporate level which serves as the global standard while

choosing a second ERP system for the subsidiaries to support the specific needs

of those individual business units.

The two-tier strategy is cost effective and can be deployed rapidly. Gartner

Research found that companies see a 33 percent reduction in implementation

costs in a two-tier deployment model. The system also ensures standardisation of

processes across business units as well provides transparency and accuracy of

information across the board.

Social ERP:

Consumerization of ERP is one of the growing trends in 2019. With the advent of

social media, we are now seeing ERP vendors offer a social connect as part of the

ERP experience. ERP software’s now provide a platform for organisations to build

collaboration with customers or suppliers at a transactional level within the ERP.

IoT:

IoT continues to revolutionise technology as we know it. Integrating IoT Edge

computing devices to ERP is gaining traction across industries, especially in Supply

Chain, Logistics, Warehouse Management and Manufacturing. Enterprises will

demand more robust and intelligent ways to make use of data. ERP vendors such

as Epicor, SAP, Oracle, Infor and others are already investing heavily in business

intelligence capabilities as this trends matures further.

Mobility:

2019 will see more enterprises moving away from desktop access and more

towards mobility devices. Organisations building a digital workplace demand

business processes in terms of availability of real time information to be accessible

on the go. This will be a major game changer in the ERP industry.


23

Previously, ERP was beyond the reach of

most midsize organizations, but the advent

of rapid ERP implementation programs

means smaller businesses can reap the

benefits of ERP systems without the

associated drawbacks of complexity and

expense.

Whether the business is outgrowing entry-level software or replacing a legacy system, choosing

an ERP that is a good fit for the company can have a strong impact on future growth and

profitability. The design of the software, the quality of the integration tools and the experience

of the integration partner all have a vital role to play.

As we have seen, an ERP system is applicable to any organization that needs to improve the

efficiency and flexibility of its processes. Rapid implementation is especially applicable to

smaller-midsize organizations because of their requirements for low cost and rapid time-to-

benefit.

The 7 software solutions compared in this document were chosen because they represent a

reasonable sample of ERP solutions in the EMEA region.

By comparing Epicor ERP's functionality to the support offered by the average ERP software, we

are able to analyse the success ratio of the Epicor solution.

Aberdeen’s Sector Insight on the “Total Cost of ERP Ownership for Mid-Size Companies” included

comparisons to 6 major ERP providers, based on responses from the 645 mid-size companies

surveyed. The results showed that on average Epicor software costs less to purchase, implement

and to maintain on a per-user basis. The survey also revealed that Epicor customers implement

over 8% more modules when compared to other mid-size companies using competitive

solutions whether Tier 1 or SMB focused.

It is important that software buyers carefully identify which modules are critical to their success,

and ensure that the selected software offers sufficient coverage in those specific areas.

With advanced business technologies, a product like Epicor ERP makes competing in global and

emerging markets within the scope of virtually every commercial enterprise.


24

Conclusion

RheinBrücke is committed to designing and delivering solutions that enable Small and Medium

Enterprises to thrive in today’s complex business environment. Our primary goal is to build a long-

term relationship as a trusted advisor with our clients by nurturing and maintaining our clients’ trust

through the delivery of the high quality IT & ERP solutions. We assist our clients to define the

measurable business benefits that will be achieved together by using our teams of client-focused

consultants, who combine a passion for excellence with strong ERP skills and in-depth experience in

transformational change in their industry.

Our services along with our expertise in technologies like mobile, cloud and big data help us provide

custom solutions and offerings to address specific business needs. We have made a pronounced

impact on multiple business verticals like Manufacturing, Automotive systems, Metal Fabrication, Oil

& gas and Medical devices. We are driven by a strong desire to have a tangible impact on returns

with our deep expertise, functional and technical knowledge. Enterprises who have partnered with

us particularly across Continental Europe, the Middle East and Asia, have witnessed the creation of

tangible value through the implementation of strategic IT business solutions.

RheinBrücke has been awarded the Epicor International Partner of the year twice in the last 3 years

and is also a platinum partner. We are also an SAP COIL Partner. This partnership facilitates project-

based co-innovation of best-in-class technologies and platforms with SAP.

Schedule Your Free 30-minute Consultation with our Experts Today!


25

www.rheincs.com | [email protected]

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References

https://www.betterbuys.com/erp/2019-erp-predictions/

https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/gartner-top-strategic-predictions-for-2019-and-

beyond/

http://dquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Forrester-Vendor-Landscape-for-SaaS-ERP-

2017.pdf

https://www.gartner.com/reviews/market/single-instance-erp-for-product-centric-midmarket-

companies

https://www.top10erp.org/

https://reviews.financesonline.com/

https://www3.technologyevaluation.com/research/article/epicor-erp-software-review-industry-

specific-erp-for-manufacturing-distribution-retail-and-services.html

https://www3.technologyevaluation.com/store/benchmark/epicor-erp.html

https://www.softwareadvice.com/

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20070904005420/en/Epicor-Delivers-Lowest-

Total-User-Cost-Independent

https://www.epicor.com/solutions/business-solutions.aspx

https://d2oc0ihd6a5bt.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/708/2013/11/ERP-Top-20-

White-Paper.pdf

http://www.epaccsys.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Adaptive-ERP-Software-

Whitepaper.pdf

http://erpsoftware360.com/erp-software.html

http://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Enterprise-Resource-Planning-ERP-software-

suppliers-Essential-Guide

https://www.erpfocus.com/

https://www.panorama-consulting.com/comparison-between-sap-oracle-and-microsoft-

dynamics/

https://www.capterra.com/enterprise-resource-planning-software/

This document was prepared by RheinBrucke IT consulting. We made every effort to provide an objective analysis using

reliable online resources. It does not reflect analyst opinion, TEC’s position or other contextualizing factors. If you feel that

we have made a mistake or omitted important information, please contact [email protected] and we will make the

necessary corrections. Please visit www.rheincs.com for further information or please click here to speak with our experts.


26

http://dquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Forrester-Vendor-Landscape-for-SaaS-ERP-2017.pdf

http://dquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Forrester-Vendor-Landscape-for-SaaS-ERP-2017.pdf

https://www.gartner.com/reviews/market/single-instance-erp-for-product-centric-midmarket-companies

https://www.gartner.com/reviews/market/single-instance-erp-for-product-centric-midmarket-companies

https://www.top10erp.org/

https://reviews.financesonline.com/

https://www3.technologyevaluation.com/research/article/epicor-erp-software-review-industry-specific-erp-for-manufacturing-distribution-retail-and-services.html

https://www3.technologyevaluation.com/research/article/epicor-erp-software-review-industry-specific-erp-for-manufacturing-distribution-retail-and-services.html

https://www3.technologyevaluation.com/store/benchmark/epicor-erp.html

https://www.softwareadvice.com/

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20070904005420/en/Epicor-Delivers-Lowest-Total-User-Cost-Independent

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20070904005420/en/Epicor-Delivers-Lowest-Total-User-Cost-Independent

https://www.epicor.com/solutions/business-solutions.aspx

https://d2oc0ihd6a5bt.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/708/2013/11/ERP-Top-20-White-Paper.pdf

https://d2oc0ihd6a5bt.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/708/2013/11/ERP-Top-20-White-Paper.pdf

http://www.epaccsys.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Adaptive-ERP-Software-Whitepaper.pdf

http://www.epaccsys.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Adaptive-ERP-Software-Whitepaper.pdf

http://erpsoftware360.com/erp-software.html

http://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Enterprise-Resource-Planning-ERP-software-suppliers-Essential-Guide

http://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Enterprise-Resource-Planning-ERP-software-suppliers-Essential-Guide

https://www.erpfocus.com/

https://www.panorama-consulting.com/comparison-between-sap-oracle-and-microsoft-dynamics/

https://www.panorama-consulting.com/comparison-between-sap-oracle-and-microsoft-dynamics/

https://www.capterra.com/enterprise-resource-planning-software/

the top erp contenders in 2019...1 enterprise software spending is on the rise with an 8.3 per cent...

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