ERP systems are necessary for businesses and industries of all sizes and niches. Local shops and cafes, and big manufacturing companies use ERP to keep track of business resources and facilitate operations that otherwise would be done manually.

Technology has made business operations less time-consuming and easier to handle, and ERP is the best way to modernize business functions and resource management.

Today, ERP software are fully customizable and can be used across a variety of departments, including finance, operations, retail, and sales.

Benefits of ERP systems

  • Improved data security with constant backups
  • Accurate real-time data to make better business decisions
  • Give employees more tools to increase revenue and hit sales goals
  • Enhanced business reporting with a single unified system
  • Cloud based mobile accessibility to use from anywhere

Read more: Dynamics 365 Benefits: 5 Advantages of Having ERP from Microsoft

ERP overview

Industries that benefit most from ERP

Any business or organization in need of a management system in one place will benefit from ERP software. ERP systems can be incorporated into almost any industry – this includes mid-market and small businesses.

Here are some examples of industries that use ERPs:

Read more: Learn more about ERP for specific Industries 

ERP for manufacturing 

ERP software is increasingly beneficial to the manufacturing sector. By using a cloud-based ERP, finance, purchasing, production, and operations departments can communicate with ease. Sales teams can communicate directly with warehouse teams to ensure accurate real-time inventory and realistic client expectations. ERP for manufacturing speeds up these processes and bring value to each of the department it serves. The software also allows companies to identify the most and least marketable products so that they can manage purchasing more efficiently as well as bringing innovations to the market. 

ERP for retail 

By being able to view warehouse levels in real-time, your team can ensure accurate stock levels. Features such as sales, payments, inventory management, tracking and marketing are all overseen by ERP systems. Because retail brands focus on selling directly to consumers, their ERP solutions need to include consumer-oriented functionality in addition to standard ERP features. 

ERP for professional services 

When it comes to the professional service industry, ERP systems are a necessity to modernize the operational structure. From keeping a record of investments to capturing customers and employee data.  

ERP for automotive industry 

Since the automotive industry requires both supply and manufacturing, ERP software can be utilized for the integration of supply chain activities, monitoring projects, and the execution of designs while saving costs with an improved and accurate system. The production line in the automotive industry is extremely complex, each vehicle is made of hundreds of individual parts, with different roles and a variety of vehicle types. 

This makes an ERP extremely valuable for the automotive industry. It’s also most often an industry with a global reach, meaning that an ERP for automotive industry would have to keep data of complex partnership chains and activities. ERP systems are able to centralize information and ensure streamlining of operations. 

ERP for food and beverage 

Food and beverage manufacturers also need an ERP system to support the creation of a quality and uniform product that meet industry requirements. Food and beverage manufactures need a system to support alcoholic beverage production, meat and seafood processing, fresh produce handling, confectionery production and more. 

Industry specific ERP examples 

Which companies use ERP? Any business in any industry can use an ERP. But ERPs comes in various products with features that aims to different market segments and business sizes. This can make it difficult to choose the right ERP on your own, but an ERP consultant with expertise in this field can help you find the ERP for your business.

Calsoft is a Gold Microsoft Partner and has successfully implemented Dynamics 365 to numerous industries. The Dynamics 365 suite currently offers:

  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations Enterprise Edition (formerly Microsoft Dynamics AX) – ERP and CRM software-as-a-service product meant for mid-sized and large enterprises. Integrating both Dynamics AX and Dynamics CRM features, consisting of the following modules: for Financials and Operations, for Sales Enterprise, for Marketing, for Customer Service, for Field Service, for Project Service Automation. Easily connected with Office 365 and PowerBI.
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (formerly Microsoft Dynamics NAV) – ERP and CRM software-as-a-service product meant for small and mid-sized businesses. Integrating both Dynamics NAV and Dynamics CRM features, consisting of the following modules: for Financials and Operations, for Sales Professionals, for Marketing. Easily connected with Office 365 and PowerBI.
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Service (formerly Microsoft CRM)

Below we’re going to show you three examples of companies in different industries that Calsoft has helped to implement an ERP system.  

ERP for Food and Beverage Industry 

Company name: Wakou 

Industry: Food manufacturer 

ERP solution: Microsoft Dynamics NAV 

Needs: Accounting, Supply Chain Management, Production Control, Integration with other systems 

Read the full case study here 

ERP for Distribution Industry 

Company name: AGCI 

Industry: Chemical Industry 

ERP solution: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 

Needs: Operation efficiency, risk management, preparation for future 

Read the full case study here 

ERP for Retail Industry 

Company name: Sanrio 

Industry: Retail Industry 

ERP solution: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations 

Needs: Finance, inventory management, order processing, shipping, integration with ecommerce, integration 3rd party warehouse 

Read the full case study here 

Read more: Industry Case Studies 

There is no denying that ERP software has become a huge part of every industry, making operational executions easier and faster over time. But each industry has its own requirements and challenges when it comes to ERP customization. If you find the right ERP system for your industry and business, it could be a big win for your organization.