What is the Best ERP Software for Manufacturing?

The best ERP software for manufacturing depends on your company’s size, processes, and growth goals. Leading solutions include:

• Acumatica Cloud ERP: A modern, flexible cloud solution ideal for small-to-mid manufacturers and fast-growing businesses.
• Infor CloudSuite Industrial (SyteLine): Advanced ERP for mid-to-large manufacturers with complex production, supply chain, and scheduling needs.
• Infor VISUAL: A proven system for job shops and custom manufacturers, with strong scheduling and costing tools.
• Infor XA: A robust IBM i-based ERP for established manufacturers seeking stability and modernization options.

When choosing ERP, manufacturers should prioritize production planning, supply chain visibility, quality management, financial integration, and scalability. Deployment options also matter, cloud offers flexibility and lower IT overhead, while on-premise may be required for strict compliance environments.

At WM Synergy, we help manufacturers evaluate their needs and select the ERP that delivers the greatest efficiency, visibility, and long-term value. With over 35 years of experience and 1,800+ clients, we guide companies toward the right ERP strategy to unlock their full potential.

How to Pick an ERP Software

Selecting the best ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software for manufacturing isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision. Every manufacturer has unique requirements based on their products, processes, regulatory environment, and growth strategy. The “best” ERP solution is ultimately the one that aligns with your operational goals while providing scalability, efficiency, and industry-specific functionality.

At WM Synergy, we’ve helped more than 1,800 manufacturers and distributors evaluate and implement ERP solutions over the past 35 years. Based on that experience, we know that the right ERP can transform manufacturing operations by streamlining production, improving visibility, and enabling data-driven decision-making.

Key Capabilities Manufacturers Need in ERP

Before evaluating specific ERP platforms, it’s important to define the critical capabilities manufacturers should expect from modern ERP systems:

• Production Planning & Scheduling – Tools that align material availability, labor, and machine capacity with customer demand.
• Inventory & Supply Chain Management – Real-time visibility into raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods across the entire supply chain.
• Shop Floor Control – Integration with machines and MES systems to capture real-time data on job progress, downtime, and quality.
• Quality Management – Built-in quality control, compliance tracking, and traceability to meet customer and regulatory requirements.
• Financial & Cost Management – Unified financials, job costing, and profitability analysis to connect operations with business performance.
• Analytics & Reporting – Dashboards and KPIs for proactive decision-making, along with predictive analytics for demand forecasting.
• Flexibility & Scalability – Ability to adapt as your business grows, whether expanding product lines, entering new markets, or integrating acquisitions.

Leading ERP Software Options for Manufacturers

Acumatica Cloud ERP

Acumatica has rapidly become a leader in cloud ERP thanks to its user-friendly design, mobile accessibility, and modern architecture. Manufacturers benefit from integrated financials, production management, inventory control, and CRM in a single platform. Its consumption-based pricing model is especially appealing for growing businesses.

Best fit for: Small-to-mid manufacturers and fast-growing companies that value usability, scalability, and flexible cloud deployment.

Infor CloudSuite Industrial (SyteLine)

Infor CSI (SyteLine) is a powerful ERP designed specifically for manufacturers with complex operations. It excels in industries such as industrial equipment, aerospace & defense, electronics, and automotive. Key strengths include advanced planning and scheduling (APS), strong engineer-to-order (ETO) and make-to-order (MTO) capabilities, and deep functionality for manufacturers with complex bills of material.

Best fit for: Mid-to-large manufacturers seeking robust functionality, industry-specific tools, and flexible deployment options (cloud, on-premise, or hybrid).

Infor VISUAL ERP

Infor VISUAL is a proven solution trusted by manufacturers for decades. It provides strong support for job shop and custom manufacturing environments with features like graphical scheduling and detailed job costing. While not as modern as SyteLine or Acumatica, VISUAL remains a solid choice for manufacturers looking for stability and targeted functionality.

Best fit for: Job shops and custom manufacturers who need a reliable ERP with strong scheduling and costing capabilities.

Infor XA (IBM i-based ERP)

Infor XA is a mature, highly reliable ERP built on the IBM i platform. It serves discrete manufacturers who require rock-solid performance, integration with legacy systems, and long-term stability. Many manufacturers running XA continue to modernize their environments by layering cloud extensions and analytics on top.

Best fit for: Established manufacturers running IBM i who want to modernize without abandoning a proven ERP backbone.

On-Premise vs. Cloud ERP for Manufacturers

One of the most important decisions manufacturers face is deployment strategy.

• Cloud ERP provides scalability, automatic updates, remote access, and lower IT overhead. It’s ideal for companies pursuing digital transformation or remote collaboration.
• On-Premise ERP gives manufacturers full control over data and systems, which may be necessary in industries with strict compliance or security requirements.
• Hybrid Models allow businesses to run core ERP on-premise while leveraging cloud for analytics, extensions, or mobility.

At WM Synergy, we help companies weigh these options to find the right fit for their IT strategy, security requirements, and long-term goals.

How to Choose the Best ERP for Your Manufacturing Business

With so many ERP choices available, the best way to decide is through a structured evaluation process. Consider:

• Industry Fit – Does the ERP provide out-of-the-box functionality for your type of manufacturing (discrete, process, job shop, engineer-to-order)?
• Scalability – Can it support your future growth, including global operations or new product lines?
• Integration – Will it connect with your existing systems such as MES, PLM, or CRM?
• User Adoption – Is the system intuitive and easy for employees to adopt across departments?
• Partner Expertise – Does the implementation partner understand manufacturing processes and change management?

Why Choose WM Synergy for ERP Implementations?

The truth is, there’s no single “best” ERP for every manufacturer. Instead, the best solution is the one tailored to your specific needs and implemented with operational excellence in mind.

WM Synergy is uniquely positioned to help manufacturers evaluate, select, and implement ERP systems. Unlike software vendors that only push one solution, we are software-agnostic advisors. We represent multiple ERP platforms—Infor CloudSuite Industrial, Acumatica, Infor VISUAL, and Infor XA—and help you select the right one.

Our approach goes beyond software installation. Through our Center of Excellence, we focus on process improvement, lean manufacturing, and organizational change management to ensure your ERP investment delivers measurable business outcomes.

Final Thoughts

The best ERP software for manufacturing depends on your size, industry, and strategic priorities. Whether you need the advanced planning capabilities of Infor CloudSuite Industrial, the modern flexibility of Acumatica, or the reliability of Infor VISUAL or XA, the right choice comes down to alignment with your business goals.

By working with an experienced partner like WM Synergy, you can confidently choose and implement the ERP system that not only runs your operations but also helps unlock your full potential.