Try Before You Buy: ERP software demos offer potential buyers a hands-on experience with the platform, allowing them to test features and see if the software meets business needs before making a commitment.
The ERP Vendors That Love to Share: Top ERP providers like Oracle, SAP, Microsoft, Unit4, and Cetec offer personalized demos, showcasing their platforms' unique features and benefits tailored for diverse industry needs.
Finding The Right Solution: During your demo, consider factors including scalability, ease of adoption, and cost of ownership to determine if the ERP software is the right fit for your business.
ERP software implementation can be challenging, so you want to try the vendor’s platform before investing. Luckily, the best vendors understand this and offer ERP software demos to those in the market.
As a financial controller, I know how important it is to make an informed choice, especially when ERPs help manage your entire system. That’s why I’ve put together this demo guide.
To save you from having to search around, I compiled some of the top demos of the most popular ERP tools on the market to help you explore your options before making a decision. In this article, you’ll find an overview of top ERP platforms, tips on what to look for during a demo, and guidance to help your team choose the perfect fit. So, let's get into it.
A Quick ERP Software Demo Preamble
ERP demos are interactive experiences that let you explore the platform’s user interface, test features, and determine if the software fits your business needs.
They'll showcase how the ERP handles common business scenarios and processes, demonstrating its capabilities in a real-world context. You'll have the chance to ask questions, explore specific functionalities, and get a taste of the user experience. Most demos are interactive, allowing you to navigate the system, input sample data, and see how the platform generates insights and reports.
Importance of ERP Demos in Decision-Making
ERP demos are crucial in the selection process, providing a complete picture of the software’s practical use. Here are reasons to opt for an ERP software demo before purchasing:
- Functionality Assessment: Demos show the ERP's features in action, helping you determine if it meets your business requirements and can streamline your processes. For example, if you work in healthcare or oil and gas industries, you may need ERPs with higher compliance than others.
- UX Evaluation: By interacting with the software firsthand, you can assess its ease of use, navigation, and overall user-friendliness.
- Customization Options: Demos let you explore the ERP's flexibility and discuss potential customizations with the vendor to ensure it can adapt to your needs.
- Integration Capabilities: You can inquire about the ERP's ability to integrate with your existing systems and third-party applications during the demo.
- Vendor Relationship: Demos allow engagement with the vendor, gauge their expertise, and determine if they're a good fit for your organization.
- Stakeholder Buy-In: Involving key stakeholders in the demo process fosters ownership and ensures the chosen ERP aligns with everyone's needs.
- Informed Decision-Making: ERP demos provide the insights needed to make a confident, data-driven decision when selecting the right tool for your business.
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Workday Adaptive Planning
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Rippling Spend
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QuickBooks Online
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Top ERP Software Providers Offering Demos
ERP software has a range of differentiating features, implementation processes, and pricing structures. If you’re unsure where to start your research, here are the 5 best ERP vendors offering personalized and public demos to new users.
Oracle Cloud ERP
Oracle Cloud ERP is a cloud-based enterprise resource planning solution that helps businesses streamline processes, make informed decisions, and drive growth. With its user-friendly interface packed with advanced features, Oracle Cloud ERP lets organizations manage finances, procurement, projects, and more from a single GUI. The solution is highly adaptive to any industry.
Key Features
- Financial Management: Oracle Cloud ERP offers a complete suite of financial management tools, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash management.
- Procurement: Streamline procurement processes with Oracle Cloud ERP's tools for sourcing, contracting, and supplier management. Optimize spend, reduce risk, and improve supplier relationships.
- Project Management: Stay on top of your projects with Oracle Cloud ERP's project management capabilities. Plan, budget, and track projects in real-time, ensuring seamless collaboration among team members.
- Reporting and Analytics: Gain insights into your business performance with Oracle's built-in reporting and analytics tools. Create custom reports, dashboards, and visualizations.
- Integration and Extensibility: Oracle Cloud ERP integrates with other Oracle applications and third-party systems, allowing a unified business ecosystem. An open architecture and APIs enable further functionality extension.
Benefits
- Increased Efficiency: By automating and standardizing processes, Oracle Cloud ERP reduces manual effort, minimizes errors, and improves operational efficiency. This allows your team to focus on high-value tasks that drive business growth.
- Enhanced Visibility: With real-time data and analytics, Oracle Cloud ERP provides a 360-degree view of your business. Its enhanced visibility enables informed decisions, identify improvement opportunities, and respond quickly to changing market conditions.
- Lower Total Cost of Ownership: As a cloud-based solution, Oracle Cloud ERP eliminates upfront hardware investments and ongoing maintenance costs. You benefit from a predictable, subscription-based pricing model that aligns with your business needs and budget.
How to Request a Demo
To experience Oracle Cloud ERP firsthand, visit the Oracle website, go to the ERP section, click "Request a Demo," and fill out the contact form. A representative will reach out to you to schedule a personalized demo based on your requirements and business goals.
SAP ERP
SAP S/4HANA Cloud combines SAP’s in-memory database, SAP HANA, with a simplified data model and user-friendly interface into a single cloud-based ERP. It enables businesses to streamline processes, gain real-time insights, and adapt to changing market conditions. Claiming a 40-60% faster time to value with 50% less implementation costs, it’s one of the most scalable platforms.
Key Features
- Intelligent Automation: SAP S/4HANA Cloud uses AI and machine learning (ML) to automate routine tasks, optimize processes, and enhance decision-making, allowing your team to focus on high-value activities that drive business growth.
- Real-time Analytics: SAP HANA's in-memory technology enables SAP S/4HANA Cloud to provide real-time analytics and reporting for instant insights into your business performance.
- Industry Best Practices: SAP S/4HANA Cloud comes pre-configured with industry-specific best practices and business processes. It allows quick adoption of proven methodologies and streamline operations, reducing implementation time.
- Scalability and Flexibility: As a cloud-based solution, SAP S/4HANA Cloud offers scalability and flexibility. You can easily add new users, markets, or products without extensive IT resources or investments.
- Continuous Innovation: SAP S/4HANA Cloud delivers automatic updates and innovations, ensuring access to the latest features and functionalities without the busywork.
Benefits
- Productivity on Autopilot: By automating tasks, streamlining processes, and providing real-time data access, SAP S/4HANA Cloud helps businesses improve operational efficiency and employee productivity.
- Faster Time-to-value: With its pre-configured best practices, guided implementation process, and intuitive interface, SAP S/4HANA Cloud enables organizations to realize the benefits of their ERP investment 40-60% quicker.
- More Scalability: As a cloud-based solution, SAP S/4HANA Cloud allows businesses to easily scale their operations up or down based on changing needs, without extensive IT resources.
How to Request a Demo
To experience SAP S/4HANA Cloud firsthand, visit the SAP website and navigate to the SAP S/4HANA Cloud product page. Click on the "Request a Demo" button to fill out the contact form with your details. A company representative will reach out to you to schedule a personalized demo shortly after.
Microsoft Dynamics 365
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a suite of intelligent business applications to streamline processes, make data-driven decisions, and deliver exceptional customer experiences. With its modular design and seamless integration with the Microsoft ecosystem, Dynamics 365 offers a flexible, adaptive, and scalable solution for businesses of all sizes across various industries.
Key Features
- Unified Platform: Dynamics 365 provides a unified platform that integrates ERP, CRM, and other business applications, enabling seamless data flow and collaboration across departments.
- AI Insights: Using AI and machine learning, Dynamics 365 offers predictive analytics, sentiment analysis, and personalized recommendations to help businesses make informed decisions and optimize operations.
- Customization and Extensibility: With its modular architecture and low-code/no-code tools, Dynamics 365 allows businesses to tailor the solution to their needs and integrate with third-party applications.
- Cloud-based Scalability: As a cloud-based solution, Dynamics 365 offers scalability, allowing businesses to adapt to changing demands and grow without extensive IT resources.
- Mobile Accessibility: Dynamics 365 offers mobile apps and responsive web design, enabling users to access data and perform tasks on the go, enhancing productivity.
Benefits
- Data-Driven Decisions: With built-in analytics and AI insights, Dynamics 365 empowers users to make data-driven decisions. The platform offers customizable dashboards and reports to monitor key performance indicators and identify trends and opportunities.
- No-Code Automation: By automating manual processes with no-code and low-code tools, Dynamics 365 helps organizations improve operational efficiency and productivity. Users can streamline workflows, reduce errors, and focus on high-value tasks.
- Adaptive and Scalable: As a cloud-based solution that integrates with your Microsoft 365 ecosystem, Dynamics 365 allows organizations to easily scale their operations up or down based on changing needs.
How to Request a Demo
To schedule a demo, visit the Microsoft Dynamics 365 website and go to the "Contact Us" page. Fill out the form with your details, business needs, and preferred contact method. A Microsoft representative will reach out to you to schedule a tailored demo. Alternatively, you can sign up for a free trial to explore it yourself.
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Workday Adaptive Planning
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.4 -
Rippling Spend
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8 -
QuickBooks Online
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4
Unit4 Business World
Unit4 Business World, formerly Agresso Business World, is a role-focused ERP solution for service-centric organizations. With its flexible architecture, Unit4 Business World empowers companies to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and drive growth. The solution offers integrated modules, including financials, human resources, project management, and procurement, providing a unified view of critical business data.
Key Features
- Financial Management: Unit4 Business World offers robust financial management capabilities, including general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, cash management, and financial reporting. The solution enables organizations to gain real-time visibility into their financial performance and make informed decisions.
- Project Management: Stay on top of your tasks with Unit4 Business World's project management tools. Plan, budget, and track projects in real-time, ensuring seamless collaboration with accurate billing and revenue recognition.
- HR and Payroll: Streamline your HR processes with Unit4 Business World's integrated HR and payroll functionality. Manage employee records, benefits, leave, and payroll processing within a single system, reducing manual effort.
- Procurement: Unit4 Business World's procurement module optimizes your supply chain. Manage supplier relationships, streamline purchasing workflows, and ensure compliance with policies and budgets.
- Reporting and Analytics: Gain insights into your business performance with Unit4 Business World's reporting and analytics capabilities. Create custom reports, dashboards, and visualizations to monitor key metrics and make data-driven decisions.
Benefits
- Extremely Customizable: Unit4 Business World's unique architecture allows organizations to adapt to changing business requirements without extensive IT involvement. A flexible data model and workflow engine enable users to configure the system to meet their needs.
- Smarter Change Management: Unit4 Business World handles change, enabling organizations to adapt quickly without disruption or costs. Unit4 customers save 55% annually on change-related costs compared to other ERP systems.
- Vertical ERP: Unit4 has expertise in people-focused industries like professional services, public sector, non-profits, and higher education, providing tailored solutions.
How to Request a Demo
To experience Unit4 Business World firsthand, visit the Unit4 website and navigate to the ERP section. Click the "Talk to sales" button, then fill out the contact form. A sales executive will schedule a personalized demo.
Cetec ERP
Cetec ERP is a cloud-based ERP vendor for small and mid-sized manufacturers. It offers modules tailored to manufacturing businesses, including CRM, inventory management, production planning, and financial management — all through a single platform. By automating processes with real-time data access, Cetec ERP helps manufacturers increase efficiency and productivity.
Key Features
- Integrated Platform: Cetec ERP provides a single, unified platform that encompasses all manufacturing operations, including CRM, quoting, order management, purchasing, inventory, production, quality, and accounting.
- Cloud-Native Architecture: Built from the ground up as a web-based application, Cetec ERP offers the benefits of a true cloud solution, such as real-time data access, automatic updates, and reduced IT infrastructure costs.
- Manufacturing-Focused: Unlike generic ERP systems, Cetec ERP is purpose-built for manufacturing, with industry-specific features like BOM management, MRP, shop floor control, and barcode scanning.
- Flexible Customization: The system allows for extensive customization to match unique business processes and workflows without the need for costly custom development.
- Scalability: Cetec ERP's modular design and cloud infrastructure enable manufacturers to start small and scale the system as their business grows, without significant upfront investments.
Benefits
- Cost-Effective: Cetec ERP offers an all-in-one platform with all modules included for a low monthly subscription, making it a cost-effective ERP solution for SMB manufacturers.
- Uniquely Manufacturing-Focused: Cetec’s system is designed to grow with your manufacturing business, providing practical tools to handle stringent regulatory requirements and track dynamic production environments as it matures.
- Great Support: Cetec ERP is known for its responsive and knowledgeable customer support team, who prioritize customer satisfaction and quickly address any questions or concerns.
How to Request a Demo
To experience Cetec ERP for yourself, visit the website first. From there, you have two options. You can sign up for a free trial or request a guided sales demo. To access either option, click on the “Free Trial” button in the top navigation of Cetec ERP’s website. From there, you can choose to opt for a month-long free trial or schedule a demo by filling up a brief form.
Comparing Features And Benefits
That was a lot of information to digest. If you're still unsure of which ERP system you want to demo, take a look at the chart below. In it, I listed the key differentiators, main industries it serves, deployment type, and more to help you make an informed decision.
ERP Solution | Key Differentiators | Industry Focus | Deployment | Customer Support |
Oracle Cloud ERP | • Detailed integration suite • Advanced reporting and analytics | Manufacturing, healthcare, and financial services | Cloud based | Dedicated support resources and online knowledge base |
SAP S/4HANA Cloud | • In-memory computing for real-time analytics • Embedded AI and machine learning (ML) | Manufacturing, retail, and consumer goods | Cloud based | Extensive online resources and user community |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 | • Seamless integration with Microsoft ecosystem • Modular and adaptable architecture | Professional services, retail, and manufacturing | Cloud based and on-premises | Extensive partner network for implementation and support |
Unit4 Business World | • Flexible and adaptable architecture • Designed for people-centric organizations | Professional services, public sector, non-profit, and higher education | Cloud based and on-premises | Dedicated account management and support teams |
Cetec ERP | • Purpose-built for small and mid-sized manufacturers • Integrated CRM, inventory, and production management | Manufacturing industry | Cloud based | Responsive and knowledgeable support team |
How To Choose The Right ERP Software
With a staggering 80% of customers unhappy with their current ERP solution, the need to get your choice right could not be overstated. But the market is vast and diverse, offering a wide range of solutions tailored to different industries, company sizes, and budget requirements.
Choosing the wrong ERP can lead to prolonged implementation times, lack of user adoption, and failure to achieve expected benefits. So, here’s how to make sure you choose the right partner the very first time around.
Factors to Consider
- Scalability: Look for an ERP solution that can grow with your business. It should be able to accommodate changes in your processes, organizational structure, and market demands. Cloud-based ERPs often offer greater scalability and flexibility compared to on-premise solutions.
- Ease of Adoption: The success of your ERP implementation largely depends on user adoption. Choose a solution with an intuitive interface, easy navigation, and robust training resources. Involving end-users in the selection process can help ensure buy-in and smoother adoption.
- Third-Party Integrations: ERP solutions should seamlessly integrate with other existing business applications. Look for solutions with open architectures, pre-built connectors, and APIs to minimize integration challenges and ensure a unified data flow.
- Industry Expertise: Consider vertical ERP solutions that cater to your industry's unique requirements. Vendors with deep domain expertise and pre-configured industry best practices can help you achieve faster time-to-value and align with your business processes.
- Cost of Ownership: Evaluate the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the ERP solution, including software licenses, hardware, implementation, customization, training, and ongoing maintenance.
And if you find you're still struggling to determine the best ERP solution for your team, consider taking a look at my top ERP solutions.
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