Manufacturing ERP
Manufacturing operations demand ERP systems that can handle complex bills of materials, production scheduling, quality management, and shop-floor execution. Whether you run a discrete job shop, a continuous process plant, or a mixed-mode facility, the right ERP platform is critical to throughput, compliance, and profitability.
8
Sub-industries covered
40+
ERP vendors evaluated
6–18 months
Typical implementation
The manufacturing ERP landscape spans purpose-built solutions for small job shops through global enterprise platforms supporting multi-plant, multi-country operations. Modern manufacturing ERP extends beyond traditional MRP II to encompass IoT-driven shop-floor visibility, advanced planning and scheduling (APS), integrated quality management, and end-to-end supply chain orchestration. Selecting the right system requires matching your production methodology — discrete, process, repetitive, or engineer-to-order — with a vendor whose domain expertise aligns to your sub-industry.
Browse by Sub-Industry
Discrete Manufacturing
ERP for manufacturers of distinct, countable products built through routings and assemblies
Process Manufacturing
ERP for formula- and recipe-based production with batch tracking and yield management
Automotive
ERP for automotive OEMs, tier suppliers, and aftermarket parts manufacturers
Aerospace & Defense
ERP for A&D manufacturers, MRO providers, and defense contractors with strict compliance requirements
Electronics
ERP for electronics manufacturers, PCB assemblers, and semiconductor companies
Food & Beverage
ERP for food processors, beverage producers, and ingredient manufacturers with FDA and FSMA compliance
Pharmaceuticals
ERP for pharmaceutical, biotech, and life sciences manufacturers with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance
Textiles & Apparel
ERP for fashion brands, textile mills, garment manufacturers, and footwear companies
Top ERP Vendors for Manufacturing
Related Research & Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is manufacturing ERP and how does it differ from generic ERP?
Manufacturing ERP includes modules purpose-built for production planning, bill-of-materials management, shop-floor execution, and quality control that generic ERP systems lack. These capabilities support MRP/MRP II logic, capacity planning, work-order tracking, and regulatory compliance workflows specific to manufacturing environments.
Should I choose a cloud or on-premise manufacturing ERP?
Cloud ERP offers faster deployment, lower upfront costs, and automatic updates, making it ideal for small to mid-size manufacturers. On-premise or hybrid deployments may be preferred by large manufacturers with complex integrations, strict data-sovereignty requirements, or shop-floor systems that demand low-latency local connectivity.
How long does a manufacturing ERP implementation typically take?
Small to mid-size manufacturers can go live in 6–12 months with a focused scope. Mid-market implementations with multiple plants typically take 9–15 months. Enterprise-wide, multi-site rollouts for large manufacturers commonly span 12–24 months or longer, especially when legacy system migration and custom integrations are involved.
What is the difference between discrete and process manufacturing ERP?
Discrete manufacturing ERP manages production of distinct, countable items through routings and work orders (e.g., machined parts, assembled products). Process manufacturing ERP handles formula- and recipe-based production with batch tracking, yield management, and potency calculations for industries like chemicals, food, and pharmaceuticals.
Which ERP vendors are strongest for mid-size manufacturers?
Epicor Kinetic, Infor CloudSuite Industrial (SyteLine), SYSPRO, and Acumatica are consistently ranked among the strongest options for mid-size discrete manufacturers. For process manufacturing, Infor CloudSuite Process, BatchMaster, and Sage X3 are leading contenders. QAD and Plex (now part of Rockwell Automation) excel in automotive and high-volume repetitive environments.
How much does a manufacturing ERP system cost?
SMB manufacturers (10–50 users) should budget $75,000–$350,000 for software and implementation. Mid-market deployments (50–250 users) typically range from $250,000 to $1.5 million. Enterprise implementations for large manufacturers with multiple plants can exceed $2–10 million depending on scope, customization, and global rollout requirements.
What role does IoT play in modern manufacturing ERP?
IoT integration enables real-time machine monitoring, automated production counts, predictive maintenance scheduling, and environmental condition tracking directly within the ERP. This connectivity reduces manual data entry, improves OEE visibility, and supports digital twin and Industry 4.0 initiatives by feeding live shop-floor data into planning and analytics modules.
Need help choosing an ERP for Manufacturing?
Tell us about your project and we'll recommend the best-fit ERP for your industry, company size, and budget.