Best ERP Systems For Small Businesses & Mid-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)

Shortlist the UK’s Best ERP Solutions for Small Business to eliminate manual data input, automate business processes & integrate cross-module workflows.

What Is ERP Software For Small Business?

To reduce time spent on manual data transfers and order processes, SMEs should consider ERP Software.

ERPs are ideal for small businesses with multiple connecting processes, like distributors, manufacturers and retailers. Whether outgrowing QuickBooks and Spreadsheets, or replacing outdated systems due to lack of scalability.

ERP Software combines your accounting, order fulfilment, HR, inventory management, e-commerce, and payroll processes.

It delivers real-time business data and insight from a single source of truth. This eliminates the need to force the integration of applications with manual input or open-source fixes.

It enables customisable cross-module workflows to reduce siloed data and improve decision-making. Although less complex, tier 2 cloud ERP systems are best for SMEs, as they’re cheaper and easier to implement than tier 1.

What Are the Best ERP Systems for Small and Mid-Sized Businesses?

Winman

An ERP system designed for small to medium-sized business manufacturers. It ensures seamless integration to meet large quantity and made-to-order production demands. Winman is presented as an all-in-one cloud-based solution offering flexibility and scalability. Boasting 30 years of industry and implementation experience.

Ideal For:

• Manufacturers with over 10 employees
• Businesses working with single-site and multi-site setups
• SMEs with a first year ERP budget of at least £30,000

Implementation

• Takes 3 to 9 months to implement
• Implementation training and support are provided in two stages before going live
• 90% of the implementation process covers business process reviews, system building, and training
• 10% of the implementation process is preparation for Go Live

Cost

• Users: From £10 per user per month
• Hosting: From £500 per month
• Implementation: £750 per day

See If Winman Is Right For You

RamBase

A cloud ERP focusing on low-volume, high-value manufacturing processes. It is a system built by manufacturers, for manufacturers. It provides weekly functionality updates and works across multiple mobile devices.

Ideal For:

• Manufacturers with over 15 employees
• Businesses producing high-value, low-volume products
• Organisations from manufacturing, electronics, wholesale distribution, and automotive industries

Implementation

• Takes between 3 to 9 months to implement
• Provides fully assisted on-site implementation training and support
• Supplies a Wikipedia-type documentation with illustrations for each module and process

Cost

• Basic: £109 per user per month (min. 5 users)
• Flexible: £135 per cross-functional user per month (min. 10 full users)

See If RamBase Is Right For You

Statii

MRP Software is built for small to medium manufacturers and focuses on make-to-order operations. It’s a highly customisable solution offered as a rolling monthly subscription with no long-term contract. Statii positions itself as an accessible digital alternative to paper and spreadsheet-based processes.

Ideal For:

• SME manufacturers with less than 50 employees
• Manufacturers with over 10 engineers or technicians
• Businesses with a £3,000 first-year software budget

Implementation

• Implemented in as little as 7 days to 4 weeks
• Basic support and training are included in the price, with self-directed resources available

Cost

• 3-user System: From £64 per user per month
• Additional Support: Free

See If Statii Is Right For You

INFOR

Specifically designed for discrete, process, and food & beverage manufacturing processes. It utilises AI, machine learning, and robotic process automation technologies. While SMEs can benefit, it is built for medium to enterprise-size organisations.

Ideal For:

• Businesses with over 100 users
• SMEs that have a first year budget of £750,000
• Organisations with multiple sites and a complex distributed supply chain

Implementation

• Estimated timescale of 3 months to 1 year
• Offers self-directed and in-person implementation training and support
• Provides a prescriptive, phased-approach to implementation and deployment

Cost

• User: From £120 per user per month
• Hosting: POA
• Implementation: POA

See If INFOR Is Right For You

ENAPPS

An SMB-focused ERP product focusing on manufacturing, construction, and distribution. It boasts strong accounting capabilities and focuses on business process integrations for SMEs. Key features include real-time business intelligence insights, in-depth reporting tools, and customisable workflows.

Ideal For:

• Businesses 10-100 employees
• SMEs operating in the B2B market
• Organisations that focus on bespoke and discrete manufacturing processes

Implementation

• Estimated timescale between 4 weeks to 9 months
• Self-service, remote-assisted, and full service training and support offered
• Comprehensive support for onboarding and training third-party contractors

Cost

• User: From £77 per user, per month
• Core Modules: From £550 per month
• Implementation: From £20,000 to £100,000 (fixed price)

See If ENAPPS Is Right For You

Flowlens

A system designed for SME manufacturers that combines MRP, service management, and CRM processes. Its main focus is eliminating manual and paper-based processes, while simplifying compliance with common standards.

Ideal For:

• Manufacturers with 2 to 100 employees
• Businesses with a first year budget of £5,000
• Users with moderate to complex MRP processes

Implementation

• Complete implementation from 4 weeks to 3 months
• Follows a step-by-step process covering preparation, readiness, and roll-out
• Provides two implementation packages that include a dedicated onboarding manager, process and implementation advice, system-wide training, and more

Cost

• Subscription: From £239 per month
• Additional Modules: From £50 per month
• Implementation Packages: From £3,300

See If Flowlens Is Right For You

How Much Does ERP Software Cost Small Businesses?

ERP systems for small businesses average around £100-£200 per user per month. Some ERP vendors offer free applications with limited functionality, like Odoo.

Systems like Winman start at just £10 per user, per month. While prices for Infor Cloudsuite and EFACS increase to £120 per user per month and £4,000 per month, respectively.

These costs are for SaaS subscription fees only. There are several other pricing factors to consider, too:

• Module requirements
• Implementation costs, including data migration and consultancy
• User training and support
• System maintenance
• Integration costs with existing systems, like finance and CRM tools
• Upgrade costs when scaling

In general, small and midsized businesses are willing to spend between $200 and $300 on ERP implementation.

What Are the Key Features of a Small Business ERP System?

ERP features will vary based on user requirements. SMBs and SMEs require features to ease small business pain points. These include a lack of automation, time wasted on manual workflows, insufficient data visibility, and disconnected processes.

Ideal ERP features and modules for small businesses include:

• Financial and accounting management
• Inventory, stock, and order management
• CRM integration
• Data analytics and reporting
• HRM integration for timesheet tracking and payroll
• Mobile app capabilities
• Automation of time-consuming tasks using ML, AI, and IoT inputs

How Long Does ERP Implementation Take For Small Businesses?

ERP implementation is typically a complex process that can take up to three years for multinational enterprises. For small businesses, it can take from as little as 7 days to 6 months.

The minimal implementation time, in comparison to enterprises, is because most ERP small business solutions are cloud-based. This eliminates the lengthy process involved when implementing an on-premise system.

Small businesses also require fewer customisations and have less complex processes.

What Support Is Offered to SMBs When Implementing an ERP?

Efficient training and support are key to successful ERP take-up. For small businesses that may not have an IT team, this stage is crucial.

When looking for an ERP small business solution, ensure the vendor provides support and training in the form of:

• In-person, on-site training
• Detailed documentation, knowledge base, and illustrations
• 24/7 chat support
• A phased implementation plan