Business Operations

The Top 7 Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Solutions

Discover The Top Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning Solution to optimize business processes and resource management. Explore features such as machine learning-driven data analytics, customization, and scalability.

Last updated on Jun 24, 2024

Written by Caitlin Jones

Technical review by Laura Iannini

The Top 7 Cloud ERP Solutions include:

1. Acumatica Cloud xRP Platform
2. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
3. Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP
4. NetSuite Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System
5. Plex Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
6. Sage Intacct
7. SAP S/4HANA Cloud

Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions provide a flexible and scalable way for businesses to manage and integrate their various operations and financial processes in one unified system. They offer a collaborative, end-to-end approach to process and resource management, providing applications for managing financials, supply chain, manufacturing, operations, reporting, and human resource activities. By moving these capabilities to the cloud, rather than using an on-premises ERP system, companies can reduce costs associated with maintaining hardware, enable remote accessibility, ensure the security of their data, and improve their ability to accommodate growth.

Cloud ERP systems work by integrating all necessary operations into a unified, shared database that can be remotely accessed from any location. This provides all the teams within a business with an accurate and real-time overview of their business operations at any given time. It also means that you can streamline your business operations, reduce manual tasks, and automate workflows, which enhances data accuracy and makes it easier to generate insightful reports. This, in turn, can lead to enhanced productivity, more efficient decision-making, and improved financial compliance.

In this article, we’ll explore the top cloud ERP tools designed to optimize business processes and resource management. We’ll highlight the key use cases and features of each solution, including data analysis capabilities, customization options, and machine learning capabilities that enable forecasting, predictive analysis, and data-driven decision making.

Acumatica Cloud xRP Platform

Acumatica’s Cloud xRP Platform provides developers and software companies with an architectural framework and application development solution that they can easily customize according to businesses’ unique ways of operating. Built on top-of-the-line cloud and mobile technology, Acumatica xRP provides a cost-effective and flexible way to manage IT infrastructure and business applications without the need for significant capital investment and staffing increase.

Acumatica’s Cloud xRP Platform offers a range of features to support software companies and developers. It uses standard web technologies and development languages, allowing modification of business logic through platform tools or a separate integrated development environment. The platform also leverages AI with ML to automate manual processes. It includes features like a simplified web interface for simple application changes and workflow updates without deep programming knowledge. Acumatica also comes with a robust reporting and analytics feature that includes hundreds of standard reports out-of-the-box and options to customize reports, and it integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Power BI for further analytical tools. Acumatica xRP supports mobility with iOS and Android devices, allowing work from anywhere with its responsive design.

Acumatica’s Cloud xRP Platform was created in the cloud and is designed to adapt to the ever-evolving needs of mid-market companies and their customers. It provides a seamless integration with existing tools and systems, a user-friendly interface, and modern, cross-module workflows. It also offers the flexibility to scale users and resources as per needs while maintaining compliance with GDPR, SOC Type 1 & 2, and PCI DSS.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central streamlines business operations for small and medium-sized businesses by integrating finance, sales, service, and operations. It utilizes next-generation AI and automated workflows to streamline processes, and improves decision-making, and it guarantees data protection while ensuring regulatory compliance through features like advanced encryption and role-based access. Notably, its compatibility with Microsoft 365 applications like Outlook, Excel, and Teams reduces time in switching between tasks for users.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central helps boost financial performance with its ability to manage finances end to end. This includes overseeing budgets, automating bank reconciliation, and tracking fixed assets. Plus, the AI-enhanced feature enables accurate cash-flow projections by analyzing the financial position of the business. The system also supports multi-currencies, languages, exchange rates, and tax regulations, adding to its versatility. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central also improves customer relations by keeping track of customer interactions and providing guidance on potential sales opportunities. It transitions smoothly from sales to service operations and improves the overall customer experience by linking with Dynamics 365 Sales, Customer Service, and Field Service. It also facilitates project management using advanced job costing and reporting, and aids employee productivity with role-based access and collaborative features with Microsoft Teams.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central optimizes supply chain management with improved vendor management and order fulfilment. Plus, it offers AI-powered sales and inventory forecasting to keep the supply chain efficient. The easy pick-and-put-away process supported by barcode scanners makes it a comprehensive solution for businesses aiming to enhance their operational productivity, financial performance, customer relations, project management, and supply chain management.

Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP

Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP is a full-featured, modern, cloud-based ERP suite offering advanced tools such as AI and real-time analytics to streamline business operations. The platform can be deployed at a pace comfortable to the business, ensuring transition to a cloud ERP system is smooth and confident.

The key features of Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP cover several business sectors. Its financial management segment delivers a comprehensive view of a company’s financial situation, including accounting, analytics, asset and revenue management, and expense management. It assists with project management by formulating plans, tracking projects, managing resources, and scaling resources based on requirements. Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP also simplifies the procurement process by integrating source-to-pay processes, simplifying supplier management, improving supplier selection, maintaining spending compliance, and boosting profitability. Oracle also employs AI and machine learning in its risk management and compliance segment to reinforce financial controls and prevent misappropriation. The platform also offers a performance management tool that enables comprehensive planning across finance, HR, supply chain, and sales. Finally, the supply chain and manufacturing module helps prepare for rapid changes by improving resilience and fostering agility in planning.

NetSuite Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System

NetSuite ERP, a cloud-based business management solution, facilitates more effective operations through the automation of core functions and delivery of real-time insights into operational and financial performance. The integrated suite manages various aspects, including accounting, order processing, inventory management, production, supply chain and warehouse operations, enhancing visibility into data and control over business.

NetSuite ERP allows for better decision making with access to financial, operational, and transactional data aggregated from across the business. Customizable dashboards, reports and visual analytics provide both a summary-level overview or a deeper look into business activities. Businesses see operational simplification, managing multiple aspects from a single application, which also automates manual functions and, in turn, frees up resources for better customer service and unveiling new opportunities. With this product, companies can also effortlessly manage multiple subsidiaries, business units and legal entities. Real-time visibility at a spectrum of levels and the standardization of business processes across divisions and subsidiaries are achieved seamlessly. NetSuite ERP supports over 27 languages and 190 currencies and is utilized globally, spanning more than 200 countries.

Features incorporated into the system include automated financial processes, inventory visibility, supply chain optimization, flawless order management and increased warehouse efficiency. Accounting software, financial management tools, as well as global business, enterprise performance, inventory, order, supply chain and warehouse management capabilities are also built in, and procurement systems ensure optimal pricing and timely purchasing. Overall, NetSuite ERP is a comprehensive ERP solution with lots of available modules, that’s straightforward to deploy and manage and delivers fast time-to-value.

Plex Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

Plex ERP is a holistic business management solution, designed for industries focused on manufacturing. Its robust features are designed to drive performance, maximize revenue, and limit costs by offering a real-time, comprehensive view of your production lifecycle across all plants. It also mitigates operational risks and protects brand integrity by providing thorough traceability and ongoing operational monitoring.

The Plex ERP software is enriched with support for industrial IoT (IIoT), adding an additional tier of visibility for monitoring plant-level performance and the use of assets. The software brings together financial, operational, and IT strategies into a single platform, providing a complete view of enterprise operations, creating a seamless connection between your shop floor and top floor, and improving the management of end-to end production and supply chain. However, Plex ERP offers more than just oversight—it also facilitates an efficient workflow. When any changes or adjustments occur in the market or from customers, the software enables the top floor to dispatch modifications effortlessly to the shop floor, without any disruption to the workflow. It automates processes and functions, integrating effortlessly with suppliers and providing accurate delivery records.

Plex ERP also has useful tracking capabilities. It records all digital and physical transactions, thereby enhancing accuracy and traceability. Beyond tracking, Plex ERP can yield substantial insights via trend analysis, corporate financial consolidation, financial management, and human capital management. Overall, we recommend Plex ERP as a strong cloud ERP tool for manufacturing companies that want to connect all aspects of the business to a single source of truth.

Sage Intacct

Sage Intacct is an AI-powered continuous accounting and ERP solution that caters to businesses of all sizes, from growing startups to public companies. It offers a comprehensive suite of financial management services, customized for the client’s individual industry needs.

Sage Intacct delivers features such as dashboards and reporting to provide real-time insight into business finances. Its dimensional feature categorizes transactions and operational data for deeper business tracking. The Intelligent General Ledger feature combines AI and automation for efficient streamlining of accounting processes, while Accounts Payable and Receivable features reduce manual tasks in payments and boost cash flow. Dynamic allocations and global capabilities offer further resources for business efficiency and overview. Additionally, Sage Intacct provides a complete fixed asset management system, automating processes to speed up the end-of-month closing period and reduce associated risks. For businesses operating across multiple entities, Sage Intacct’s Multi-Entity Insights offer clarity and optimization.

Beyond providing software, Sage Intacct fosters a customer community, granting access to a host of benefits and resources. Users can engage with experts and industry peers through member masterclasses, community forums, and customer meetups. Users can also participate in the Sage Intacct User Conference, an exclusive event for learning and collaboration. Educational resources and software certification opportunities are available for those seeking to enhance their software proficiency. Overall, we recommend Sage Intacct as a strong cloud ERP tool for businesses focused on financial management, that would benefit from strong community and support options.

SAP S/4HANA Cloud

SAP S/4HANA Cloud is an all-inclusive, modular ERP solution that enables intelligent, end-to-end automation of operational processes. It serves as a hub for innovation, allowing firms to shift from product- to service-based models, and adapt to dynamic changes using real-time data. Offering pre-designed business processes specific to various industries, the solution clears the path for growth, while improving business margins. It also promotes sustainable operations by proactively managing regulatory requirements and minimizing environmental impact. The S/4HANA Cloud public edition, a fully-managed SaaS offering, is sold directly and through various partner channels.

Beyond financial management and HR, SAP S/4HANA Cloud also handles O2C, indirect procurement, and vendor management. The platform also provides finance features such as global entity consolidation and treasury management. It enables service-centric businesses to source and manage third-party resources effectively. The software also fits well into a broader ecosystem of cloud solutions, including SAP’s Fieldglass and Ariba for e-procurement and supply chain management. Finally, SAP offers its digital discovery feature via GROW with SAP to aid customers in identifying best practices for processes, thereby kickstarting the implementation process.

SAP S/4HANA Cloud is built on SAP’s Business Technology Platform (BTP), which offers resources for extending functionality and integrating with other SAP and non-SAP systems. The platform is designed for midmarket, large, and global enterprises, serving clients across the Americas, EMEA, and the Asia-Pacific region.

The Top Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Solutions

Everything You Need To Know About Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning Solutions (FAQs)

What Are Cloud ERP Solutions?

To understand what cloud ERP solutions are, we first need to understand what enterprise resource planning (ERP) tools are. ERP tools help organizations to manage and integrate their business processes and resources—including their equipment, employees, capital, and materials—across multiple business functions and departments, such as accounting, HR, and sales. They provide a single, unified view of company information, which multiple teams can access and collaborate on in real time, ensuring that everyone is working with the same data and is on the same page. This, in turn, improves data integrity, eliminates data duplication, and reduces errors.

Cloud ERP solutions are ERP platforms that businesses can access over the internet, rather than having to install them on-premises. There are two main types of cloud ERP deployment: private cloud ERP tools, and public cloud (SaaS) ERP tools.

Private cloud ERP solutions require your IT team to deploy, maintain, and secure the necessary hardware and software components for the system in your own on-premises environment or in a third-party private cloud. While this gives you more control over the infrastructure, it often means high upfront costs, and employees can usually only access the service from specific third-party apps or devices.
Cloud ERP tools that are delivered as-a-Service don’t require you to install any hardware; they’re hosted on remote cloud servers and delivered over the internet. This means that users can access them from anywhere with an internet connection and a device that can connect to a browser. With a SaaS deployment, the cloud ERP provider is responsible for the system’s updates and security.

Some cloud ERP providers even enable you to deploy the solution as a hybrid of the private cloud and SaaS models. In this article, when we refer to “cloud ERP solutions”, we’re usually talking about SaaS tools.

How Do Cloud ERP Solutions Work?

Cloud ERP solutions offer very varied features sets that work in different ways, depending on the industry and size of organization they’re designed for. However, there are some functions that are common to all cloud ERP solutions. Firstly, they all have a centralized database in which they store data about business resources and transactions. This database is accessible to all teams and departments, enabling them to collaborate on one single, normalized version and minimizing error. This core database is then connected with workflow-driven business processes across different departments (e.g., HR, finance, marketing), helping to integrate those processes with relevant people and technologies across the business.

Additionally, all cloud ERP systems come with an accounting and finance function, which includes features to help businesses manage financial processes, analytics and reporting, and forecasting.

This is where cloud ERP tools may start to differ, offering a selection of further functions that may include (but aren’t limited to) human capital management (HCM), customer relationship management (CRM), procurement and order management, inventory management, supply chain management, asset management, product lifecycle management, project management, distribution and transport management, and demand management and forecasting.

What Are The Benefits Of Cloud ERP?

There are numerous benefits to implementing a cloud ERP tool:

Improve your security. Cloud ERP providers employ dedicated security teams and technologies to proactively protect sensitive business data stored in their platforms. Data is stored in secure and redundant data centers, and protected with encryption, backups, and access controls, all of which help prevent unauthorized access and data loss. Additionally, the provider will ensure that their system is regularly patched and updated, helping to prevent malware exploits. Finally, some cloud ERP platforms include AI- and ML-powered fraud detection capabilities that flag any suspicious transactions and unusual activities to you for further investigation.
Enable remote access. Unlike their on-premises counterparts, cloud ERP systems can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. This means that remote employees can easily access the system, and it also enables collaboration between geographically distributed teams.
Make data-driven decisions. Most cloud ERP solutions offer AI- and ML-powered data analytics, which enables them to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies within your data that can help you make better strategic and operational decisions. Additionally, these algorithms can use historical data to predict future behaviors and events, helping you to create accurate demand forecasts and sales projections. This, in turn, makes it easier for you to plan resource use, inventory, and staffing.
Embrace scalability and flexibility. Because they’re cloud-based and delivered via a monthly subscription, you can easily scale the computing power, storage, and number of users in your cloud ERP system without having to install any further hardware—you just ask the provider to sort it out for you. This makes it easy for you to increase the solution’s capacity as your business grows or cater to seasonal changes in demand. You can also add on further modules as needed.
Lower costs. Cloud ERP solutions don’t require you to invest upfront in any hardware, infrastructure, software licences, security, IT staff, or backups. You also don’t have to pay the cost of maintaining these components; you simply pay a monthly or annual subscription fee based on your usage of the system. This enables you to predict your spending more easily and reduces overall cost of ownership.
Improve the user experience. Some cloud ERP systems offer integrated natural language processing tools and chatbots that make it easier for users to interact with the platform.

What Features Should You Look For In A Cloud ERP Solution?

The right cloud ERP system can streamline operations, improve efficiency, and provide valuable insights, so it’s important that you find the right solution for your business. To help you do that, we’ve put together a list of the key features to look for when evaluating cloud ERP solutions:

Operational modules/functions: All cloud ERP systems include a range of modules or functions to support certain business processes such as finance, supply chain management, HR, inventory management, and CRM. Check that your chosen solution offers the modules that you need—for example, if you’re a manufacturing company, you may need functions to help you manage product distribution.
Data storage: Look for a solution with a strong database management system that will help you store and manage your data. This system should be able to handle large volumes of data, offer real-time access to that data, and integrate with all the business process modules you’ve added on.
Customization: As well as being able to add on different functions/modules, you should be able to customize workflows, fields, and reports to get the most out of your cloud ERP solution.
Reporting and analytics: Look for features such as dashboards, KPI monitoring, and predictive analytics, all of which will provide you with actionable insights and help you make data-driven decisions.
Automation and workflow management: Your solution should offer workflow management and automation tools that help improve efficiency, streamline processes, and reduce the need for manual intervention.
Collaboration tools: The best cloud ERP solutions facilitate collaboration between different teams. Look for features such as document sharing, messaging, and project management, as well as integrations with any other communication tools you’re using.
Scalability: You should be able to easily add or remove users and functionalities as your business grows or demand fluctuates.
Accessibility: Check that your chosen solution is compatible with all the devices that your users will use to access it. It should also be mobile-compatible for users that may need to access data on-the-go—this will mean it has a mobile-responsive design or a dedicated mobile app.
Integrations: Your cloud EPR should offer seamless integrations with the business applications you’re already using (e.g., CRM, HR, e-commerce). These will likely be API-based.
Security and compliance: The best cloud ERP tools offer a variety of in-built security features, including encryption, access controls, regular security updates, and data backup and recovery. If you work in a highly regulated industry, check that your chosen tool complies with industry regulations and standards relevant to your business.
User-friendly interface: Look for a platform with a user-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate. This will make it easier for your users to adopt, minimizing training time.

Caitlin Jones

Deputy Head Of Content

Caitlin Jones is Deputy Head of Content at Expert Insights. Caitlin is an experienced writer and journalist, with years of experience producing award-winning technical training materials and journalistic content. Caitlin holds a First Class BA in English Literature and German, and provides our content team with strategic editorial guidance as well as carrying out detailed research to create articles that are accurate, engaging and relevant. Caitlin co-hosts the Expert Insights Podcast, where she interviews world-leading B2B tech experts.

Laura Iannini

Cybersecurity Analyst

Laura Iannini is an Information Security Engineer. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity from the University of West Florida. Laura has experience with a variety of cybersecurity platforms and leads technical reviews of leading solutions. She conducts thorough product tests to ensure that Expert Insights’ reviews are definitive and insightful.