The Top ERP Systems for the Food and Beverage Industry
Below is a comprehensive, independent comparison of the top-rated manufacturing ERP software systems for the food and beverage industries. Food and Beverage manufacturers can use the matrix below to compare ERP to determine which systems best fit their business.
You can request demos and obtain competitive pricing directly from ERP vendors. Additionally, with our detailed selection guide, you’ll gain knowledge to make the smartest investment in an ERP solution aligned with the priorities of your food or beverage company. Read our selection guide.
19 ERP Systems Found
Price Range$85K - $150K |
Price Range$5K - $250K |
Price Range$50K - $800K |
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Price Range$7.50K - $150K |
Price Range$3K - $40,000K |
Price Range$20K - $750K |
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Price Range$25,000K - $500,000K |
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Cost Per User$60/mo |
Cost Per User$300/mo |
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Cost Per User$150/mo |
Cost Per User$75/mo |
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Cost Per User$250/mo |
Cost Per User$5,000/mo |
Cost Per User$150/mo |
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Cost Per User$50/mo |
Cost Per User$4,000/mo |
Cost Per User$125/mo |
Cost Per User$500/mo |
Cost Per User$500/mo |
Cost Per User$200/mo |
Cost Per User$175/mo |
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95%
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98%
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78%
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99%
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Version8.7 |
VersionCloud |
Version17 |
VersionM3 13.4 |
Version- |
VersionV12 |
VersionIFS Cloud |
VersionAlways Current |
VersionAlways Current |
Version8.1 |
Version8.0 |
Version2024 R1 |
VersionAlways Current |
VersionAX 2020 |
VersionRelease 2024.1 |
Version2023 |
VersionAlways Current |
VersionCloud 2021 |
Version6.2 |
Financing OptionsLease, Subscription |
Financing OptionsSubscription |
Financing OptionsLease to Own |
Financing OptionsLease, Subscription |
Financing OptionsSubscription |
Financing OptionsFinance, Subscription |
Financing OptionsFinance, Subscription |
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Financing OptionsLease, Subscription |
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Financing OptionsFinance, Subscription |
User Range5 — 150 |
User Range1 — Unlimited |
User Range10 — 2000 |
User Range20 — 1000+ |
User Range25 — Unlimited |
User Range10 — 1000 |
User Range100 — and up |
User Range1 — Unlimited |
User Range5 — Unlimited |
User Range5 — 1000 |
User Range10 — 1000 |
User Range5 — Unlimited |
User Range5 — Unlimited |
User Range5 — 2250 |
User Range10 — unlimited |
User Range25 — unlimited |
User Range1 — 5900 |
User Range15 — Unlimited |
User Range20 — Unlimited |
Minimum Fee to Implement$45,000 |
Minimum Fee to Implement$5,000 |
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Minimum Fee to Implement$150 |
Minimum Fee to Implement$100,000 |
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Minimum Fee to Implement$20,000 |
Minimum Fee to Implement$40,000 |
Minimum Fee to Implement$25,000 |
Minimum Fee to Implement$10,000 |
Minimum Fee to Implement$0 |
Minimum Fee to Implement$50,000 |
Minimum Fee to Implement$10,000 |
Minimum Fee to Implement$200,000 |
Minimum Fee to Implement$100,000 |
Minimum Fee to Implement$75,000 |
Minimum Fee to Implement$25,000 |
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Installs2000+ |
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Architecture.NET |
ArchitectureHosted Cloud, SaaS |
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ArchitectureSOA, Multi-tenant |
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ArchitectureHosted Cloud, Single-tenant |
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Unique FeaturesDynamic formulation, workflows, snapshot planning & scheduling vs advanced MRP & MPS, optimized batch job creation & dependent job linkages, QA continuous improvement, auto UOM conversions, mobile task execution, graphical lot traceability & recall |
Unique Features |
Unique FeaturesAs a comprehensive ERP platform with the industry’s largest functional foundation, Deacom ERP provides a rich set of capabilities designed specifically for growing process manufacturing and distribution businesses around the world. All functionality specific to these industries is developed and supported in-house and written into the core platform. |
Unique Features |
Unique FeaturesUnique features of inecta Food ERP include our solution's dynamic capabilities, the breadth of its services, and our extensive support. |
Unique FeaturesSage X3 helps your business thrive and stay competitive by providing users with the information they need to serve their customers better, take back control over the quality, and eliminate inefficiencies across the organization. It streamlines your core processes – from manufacturing to distribution and financial management to business services – while adapting to your industries best practices. |
Unique FeaturesIFS Applications is a single, integrated product supporting the management of 4 core processes: Service and Asset, Manufacturing, Project, and Supply Chain. |
Unique FeaturesBuilt on Microsoft Dynamics, Aptean Food & Beverage is a Microsoft certified, food and beverage-specific ERP. Aptean Food & Beverage is designed to reduce implementation risk and cost by being a 90% fit-out-of-the-box. Being focused on the food and beverage industry has allowed Aptean Food & Beverage to invest in functionality that is most important to the industry. |
Unique FeaturesDELMIAworks IQMS also offers a broad choice of deployment options that will allow you to pick the solution that is best for your business: on-premise or hosted Cloud ERP deployment via hosted managed services or SaaS. Providing three deployment options gives you the flexibility to choose the best solution for your company and your budget. |
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Unique FeaturesSYSPRO is a software company that supplies Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions to manufacturing and distribution companies. SYSPRO’s strength lies in its specialist experience and industry-built approach to technology, which can be deployed as on-premise solutions, cloud SaaS or hybrid, and accessed anywhere, anytime from mobile devices. Key features of the SYSPRO solution include its depth of functionality in Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM), Inventory Optimization & Management, Distribution and Procurement, self-service portals and supply chain extensibility, customization tailoring, and low-code extensibility tools. SYSPRO also supports out-of-the-box integrations, connectors, and business process automation, and customers have the ability to integrate technologies such as AI, ML, and IoT into their ERP system and extend the solution and connect to other systems. By choosing SYSPRO, customers gain access to a team of global industry experts who help them drive maximum value from their business systems and solutions. SYSPRO empowers customers to secure a digital future and enables digital transformation, supporting data & analysis-driven decision-making with integrated solutions to enable visibility and engagement. SYSPRO leads manufacturers and distributors through significant growth. The business also strongly commits to channel partner success and focuses on ensuring a highly successful solution implementation and customer experience. SYSPRO gives customers the confidence to say yes – to the next idea, the next opportunity, the next possibility, and to achieve more. |
Unique FeaturesUnique consumption-based licensing provides flexibility and facilitates collaboration, enabling all employees and external parties to access information and systems to execute daily activities and long-term strategic goals. Acumatica is the only ERP vendor offering free online training via Acumatica Open University. Acumatica's formal Customer Bill-Of-Rights, a unique commitment in the software industry, ensures fair and ethical treatment of customers and trading partners. |
Unique FeaturesCetec ERP is a single, unified business platform that delivers “tier 1” enterprise-level feature breadth at extraordinarily lower costs than traditional systems, owing to a long history combined with completely modernized cloud/SaaS technology. Their approach is direct, friendly, and transparent: they own the technology (i.e. no “bolt-ons”), and offer the software directly with no markup (i.e. not through incompetent third-party VARs), and offer close, attentive in-house support. |
Unique FeaturesDesigned for mid-size and large manufacturers |
Unique FeaturesAs a suite of cloud-based applications, NetSuite brings together all the systems that businesses need to grow, scale and adapt to change. |
Unique FeaturesThis is Oracle's newest Cloud ERP System for companies over 200M in revenue. |
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Unique FeaturesVAI is a single vendor that offers Cloud Hosting, ERP Software, and Support. It offers an enterprise-wide subscription that allows organizations to grow revenue, expand locations, and add users without paying additional software subscription fees. VAI provides experienced and direct support from the author, all based in the USA. |
LimitationsBusiness Manufacturing application runs with QuickBooks, Sage 100/300, Microsoft Dynamics GP and SAP Business One financials. BatchMaster Manufacturing is uniquely architected for use by formula-based, process manufacturers in the food, chemical, nutraceutical, life sciences, pharmaceutical, and hemp related industries. |
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Limitations |
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LimitationsRestaurants and grocery stores. |
LimitationsNot suitable for companies smaller than 10 million in revenue. |
LimitationsIFS is not suitable for smaller organizations under $100 Million in annual revenue. |
LimitationsCan’t be: Multi-national and multi-plant operation (more than MexCanUSA), $1 Billion plus, 500+ users, Multi-location broad line distributors (these groups should look at our F&O system). |
LimitationsDELMIAworks IQMS is not a solution fit for businesses that are not manufacturing environments. |
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LimitationsAcumatica is devoted to the midmarket. It is not a great fit for large enterprises in need of fully global support. |
LimitationsNot ideal for service-based or retail businesses. No “HR” or “Payroll” inside the platform; requires integrating to a third-party payroll system. |
LimitationsNot appropriate for small companies |
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LimitationsNot for smaller companies with under $150 Million in Revenue |
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LimitationsCompanies with revenue under 20 million that are not in the wholesale distribution, manufacturing, specialty retail, service and repair, or rental industries. |
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Food and Beverage ERP Selection Guide
In this ERP selection guide we cover
- Understanding the Industry’s Significance
- The Indispensable Role of ERP in Food & Beverage Manufacturing
- Food and Beverage Industry Challenges & ERP Solutions
- Leading Food ERP Systems Setting the Pace
- ERP Features & Requirements for Food and Beverage Manufacturers
- The Relevance of Cloud ERP for Food and Beverage
- Food and Beverage ERP Solutions by Business Size
- Understanding the Costs of Food ERP
- Technical Considerations
- Vendor Evaluation in Food and Beverage Manufacturing
- Food and Beverage Manufacturing ERP Implementation
- Case Studies: ERP Successes in the Food and Beverage Sector
- Future Trends in ERP for Food & Beverage Manufacturing
- FAQs for Food and Beverage Manufacturing ERP Buyers
Understanding the Industry’s Significance
The global food and beverage industry isn’t just substantial; it’s pivotal to economies and cultures worldwide. According to the World Economic Forum, Food systems are essential to life and currently account for around 12% of global GDP and over 40% of all jobs. Beyond its financial heft, the food sector shapes lifestyles, traditions, and innovations. The industry is undergoing transformative changes, with consumers increasingly leaning towards health-centric choices and sustainable practices.
This vast industry encapsulates a broad spectrum of entities:
- Food Producers: The unsung heroes, often the farmers, cultivating essential raw materials.
- Food Processors: The vital bridge that transforms raw ingredients into our favorite consumables.
- Food Packagers: Ensuring our foods remain fresh, safe, and ready for consumption.
- Food Distributors: The logistical backbone, moving products seamlessly from farms to forks.
- Food Retailers: Our familiar grocery stores, restaurants, and digital food platforms.
Many companies in this sector operate across multiple categories, seamlessly blending roles. For example, a single firm could process raw ingredients, manage their packaging, and oversee distribution, thus encompassing various food and beverage supply chain stages. Such multifaceted operations amplify the intricacy of their ERP requirements.
The Indispensable Role of ERP in Food & Beverage Manufacturing
Companies in the food and beverage sector rely on ERP systems to integrate and optimize complex operations. These tools act as a central nervous system, connecting previously disparate processes into a cohesive ecosystem.
The advantages of implementing the right ERP solution are far-reaching:
- Real-time Data Access: Enhances demand forecasting by providing instant data insights.
- Optimized Production: Streamlines processes to reduce waste and boost efficiency.
- Critical Traceability: Offers heightened lot traceability, essential during product recalls.
- Assured Compliance: Ensures alignment with ever-changing food safety standards.
- Improved Quality Control: Identifies and mitigates quality concerns, ensuring that only top-tier products reach consumers.
- Enhanced Customer Experience: Utilizes technology to elevate every customer touchpoint, from order to delivery.
- Efficient Inventory Management: Employs technology to fine-tune inventory levels, curtailing waste, and economic drains.
- Streamlined Supply Chain: Refines the supply chain, leading to cost reductions and swifter deliveries.
These benefits are just the tip of the iceberg regarding the advantages food and beverage companies can experience by implementing a food ERP system.
Now, let’s dive deeper into the specific challenges endemic to the industry and how tailored ERP solutions empower food manufacturers to overcome hurdles, work smarter, and thrive.
Related: Best Practices in Food and Beverage Manufacturing
Food and Beverage Industry Challenges & ERP Solutions
Let’s examine how ERP systems address challenges and pain points for food manufacturers. Below, we will highlight common challenges and discuss how ERP software solves them.
Common Pain Points
- Fluctuating Raw Material Availability and Prices: Consider an avocado price surge due to high demand or a coffee shortage due to unforeseen climate events. Such fluctuations demand adaptive planning.
- Compliance and Regulation Adherence: Compliance becomes complex due to varying safety and quality standards across countries, states, and regions.
- Inventory Management: Striking a balance to ensure both understocking, leading to missed sales, and overstocking, causing wastage, is crucial.
- Quality Control: Consistency is king. Ensuring every product batch matches the set standard is non-negotiable.
- Supply Chain Management Complexities: From farm to table, the supply chain spans multiple touchpoints, each susceptible to disruptions.
How ERP Solves Them
- Adaptive Planning: With real-time data analysis, ERP software allows businesses to anticipate and adjust to raw material prices and availability fluctuations.
- Regulatory Compliance Made Easier: These systems come pre-equipped with modules that align production processes with prevailing regulations, ensuring products meet local, federal, and international standards.
- Inventory Optimization: By integrating sales, production, and inventory data, ERP systems aid in making informed inventory decisions.
- Unwavering Quality: The best ERP systems ensure consistency across the board through systematic batch tracking and quality control modules.
- Streamlined Supply Chains: With a unified view of the supply chain, ERP software can anticipate and mitigate disruptions.
Leading Food ERP Systems Setting the Pace
We have identified some frontrunner ERP software systems for the food and beverage industry that can manage its unique needs and business growth.
Food & Beverage ERP
Aptean's Food & Beverage ERP, based on Microsoft's Dynamics 365, is tailored for industry needs. It offers ingredient tracking, expiration management, lot profitability insights, and multi-currency support. The ERP seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft platforms, ensuring consistent updates.
Plex Manufacturing Cloud
Plex Manufacturing Cloud is a modern ERP solution optimized for manufacturing, delivered via the cloud. It provides real-time data and seamless updates, removing the need for traditional IT overhead. Offered as SaaS, it streamlines operations and supports growth.
INFOR Cloudsuite Process (Infor M3)
Infor M3 is a robust Cloud ERP tailored for industries such as chemicals and food. It provides enhanced security, reduces overall costs, and eliminates the need for major software upgrades. Built on the Infor OS platform, it extends capabilities with features like data management and AI.
ERP Features & Requirements for Food and Beverage Manufacturers
Understanding the unique challenges food manufacturers face, select ERP software has evolved to include pivotal features for this sector. Process manufacturing ERP solutions, for instance, are crucial as they deal specifically with batch-oriented or formula-based manufacturing, a staple in food production.
Related: Manufacturing ERP — The Top 10 ERP Systems
Let’s delve into the essential features:
- End-to-end Traceability: Imagine pinpointing where every grain of rice in a packaged meal originated. That’s the magic of traceability. Not only does it ensure safety standards, but it also aids in efficient recalls and fosters unwavering consumer trust. For example, think of a company recalling a particular batch of products. With traceability, they can precisely identify which items to pull and where they are rather than making a costly blanket recall.
- Recipe and Formula Management: As consumer demands shift — say, from high-sugar to sugar-free or from full-fat to vegan — it’s paramount that food and beverage manufacturers can easily change their recipes. And it’s not just about altering a recipe; it’s about doing so while keeping an eye on compliance and ensuring the tweaks are still cost-effective.
- Shelf-life Monitoring: Every manufacturer dreads wasted product. Being notified when products are about to expire is crucial. Not only does this minimize waste, it also guarantees that consumers always get fresh, high-quality products.
- Compliance Management: More than many others, food manufacturers sit in regulators’ crosshairs. An effective ERP system will ensure businesses always comply with ever-evolving safety requirements. Beyond just keeping businesses safe from legal troubles, compliance builds a brand’s reputation.
- Demand Forecasting: This is where past performance informs future action. Manufacturers with a robust ERP system can accurately gauge future demand by monitoring historical sales data, market trends, and external factors like seasons or festivals.
Niche Food ERP Software Modules
While generic ERP functionalities are all well and good, the complexities of food and beverage manufacturing require specialized modules:
- Quality Control: Creating a consistent product is as important as creating the product itself. This module ensures that every batch of strawberry jam has the same rich color, texture, and taste consumers love.
- Production Scheduling: Time is of the essence, especially when you’re dealing with perishables. An optimal production schedule ensures that raw materials are sourced and used judiciously with minimal waste.
- Waste Management: In today’s world, sustainability is a fundamental principle rather than just a trendy catchphrase. An ERP system can align waste management operations with environmentally friendly practices.
- Regulatory Reporting: Staying on top of safety regulations is critical in the food industry. This module acts as a translator, making the cumbersome task of report creation and submission straightforward and efficient.
Food ERP Integration with Other Software Systems
Food and Beverage manufacturers often employ various software systems throughout their production and delivery processes. Therefore, it’s critical their ERP systems can integrate with specialty software or, even better, have these capabilities built into the system.
- Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) for optimized storage and inventory management.
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) to understand and engage with consumers.
- Supply Chain Management (SCM) to coordinate the farm-to-table journey.
- Quality Management Systems (QMS) to maintain consistent product quality.
- Food Safety Systems to mitigate risks and enable rapid recalls.
Some companies may also integrate Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) for production floor monitoring, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) for new product development, and Business Intelligence (BI) for data-driven insights.
Integrating complementary systems enhances efficiency, visibility, and decision-making for food manufacturers and beverage companies.
The Relevance of Cloud ERP for Food and Beverage
Today, Food and beverage manufacturers need cutting-edge technology solutions that provide flexibility, scalability, and anywhere access to data. Cloud-based ERP software delivers these modern capabilities and more.
Cloud ERP Benefits for Food and Beverage Manufacturers
- Scalability on Demand: One of the stellar attributes of cloud-based ERP software is its inherent flexibility. Cloud ERP can seamlessly scale up without extensive modifications or cost escalations as your food and beverage business expands.
- Cost-Effective Operations: Gone are the days when companies had to invest heavily in on-premises server infrastructure. With cloud ERP, you pay for what you use, reducing overheads and ensuring optimal resource utilization.
- Remote Access Anytime, Anywhere: The food and beverage sector is vast, often requiring executives to be on the move – be it for supplier visits, quality checks, or trade fairs. Cloud ERP solutions offer accessibility from anywhere with an internet connection, ensuring you’re always in sync with your operations.
- Enhanced Security Protocols: Cloud providers invest significantly in security infrastructure. This means your data – recipes, supplier contracts, customer details – remains protected against potential breaches, with regular backups ensuring business continuity and safety.
Leading Cloud Food Enterprise Resource Planning Systems
Through extensive research, we’ve identified the top cloud ERP systems for food and beverage manufacturers. Our selections excel at core ERP functions while addressing the unique industry-specific needs of food manufacturers.
Deacom ERP
Deacom ERP is a unified ERP platform by ECI Software Solutions for manufacturers and distributors. It integrates features like inventory management, CRM, and eCommerce within one system. Designed for process manufacturers, it ensures regulatory compliance and adapts to changing market demands.
Plex Manufacturing Cloud
Plex Manufacturing Cloud is a modern ERP solution optimized for manufacturing, delivered via the cloud. It provides real-time data and seamless updates, removing the need for traditional IT overhead. Offered as SaaS, it streamlines operations and supports growth.
SYSPRO
SYSPRO ERP is a flexible enterprise solution with 40 years of industry-tailored development. It emphasizes user customization, offers cloud and on-premise deployment, and integrates advanced analytics for real-time decision-making, connecting seamlessly with AI and IoT.
Related: Cloud ERP Selection Guide
Food and Beverage ERP Solutions by Business Size
ERP software systems are beneficial for businesses of all sizes. Small, medium, and large enterprises all benefit from integrating and optimizing their complex operations through a robust ERP system.
This section will explore how ERP solutions differ based on business size and how to choose the right ERP system for your food or beverage business.
Food ERP Systems for Food Startups and Small Businesses: Improving Efficiency
Needs of Emerging Businesses
Startups and small businesses in the food industry face unique challenges, from limited resources to rapid growth pressures. A fitting ERP can provide structure and stability during these early pivotal stages.
Revenue Range: Under $500,000 to $10 million
Key ERP Features for Startups & Small Businesses
- Affordability with flexible pricing to match limited budgets
- Ease of use enabling intuitive user adoption with little IT expertise.
- Core industry capabilities like recipe management, lot tracing, and inventory control
- Rapid implementation focuses on critical processes first.
- Scalability allows growth in capabilities and users as the business expands.
- Mobility provides anywhere access from mobile devices.
- Customer support to compensate for the lack of internal IT resources.
Our Top ERP Recommendations for Startups & Small Food & Beverage Businesses
We strongly recommend small food and beverage companies evaluate these top ERP systems tailored for your segment:
BatchMaster Manufacturing
BatchMaster ERP software is an excellent choice for food manufacturers who are working to expand and grow their operations. Through BatchMaster’s embedded functionality, a food manufacturer can easily add powerful functions such as batch production, costing and inventory management to the software they already use. Their process manufacturing solutions are built for smooth and simple integration with SAP Business One, QuickBooks and other popular enterprise software.
NetSuite ERP
NetSuite ERP is a leading cloud-based solution for managing back-office operations and financial processes. It serves over 24,000 global customers and offers robust financial management, inventory, supply chain, and real-time analytics. This platform prioritizes innovation, growth, and swift decision-making through unified business insights.
Cetec ERP
This affordable ERP offers world-class manufacturing management at an amazing price tag (just $40 per user per month when licensed as a SaaS). Some highlights of the cloud-based Cetec ERP are CRM and sales management, manufacturing quoting, inventory management, mobile warehousing, quality assurance and more.
These leading solutions offer robust functionality plus affordability. Their user-friendly and rapid implementation models make them ideal for smaller operations with limited IT resources. These systems will drive greater efficiency, visibility, and growth without overextending tight budgets.
Compare all small business food and beverage ERP systems
Food ERP for Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)Addressing the Expansion Phase
Medium-sized food and beverage companies prioritize scaling after achieving stability. A fitting ERP should support current needs and future growth. When selecting the best system, it’s critical that it addresses today’s needs and will continue to support your business processes even after years of growth.
Revenue Range: $10 million to $50 million
Key ERP Capabilities for Mid-Market Companies
- Scalability to keep expanding into new markets, facilities, and product lines
- Integration to connect growing teams across locations and consolidate software systems
- Advanced analytics to extract insights from increasing data volumes
- Customization to meet current needs with flexibility for future requirements
- Global capabilities to facilitate international expansion
- Automation to optimize supply chain, manufacturing, inventory, and other processes
Our Top ERP Recommendations for Mid-Sized Food & Beverage Companies
We recommend that mid-market food manufacturers consider these leading ERP platforms designed for your growth stage:
DELMIAWorks (IQMS)
DELMIAWorks (IQMS) Manufacturing ERP stands out as a holistic ERP and MES solution tailored specifically for the manufacturing industry, addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by manufacturers globally. Notably, its single-source development ensures that the system is less complex and more cost-effective than multi-solution alternatives.
Acumatica Cloud ERP
Acumatica Cloud ERP is a versatile system tailored for growing businesses. It integrates accounting, sales, and customer management with industry-specific add-ons and advanced technologies like AI and IoT. With a user-friendly interface and global adaptability, Acumatica stands as a premier, affordable ERP solution.
SYSPRO
SYSPRO ERP is a flexible enterprise solution with 40 years of industry-tailored development. It emphasizes user customization, offers cloud and on-premise deployment, and integrates advanced analytics for real-time decision-making, connecting seamlessly with AI and IoT.
These solutions offer the right tools to support your evolving needs, with strengths in flexibility, integration, analytics, and cost-effectiveness.
Compare all mid-sized companies (SME) food and beverage ERP systems
Food ERP for Large Corporations and Multinational Enterprises
Tackling Global Challenges
For large or multinational food and beverage corporations, challenges range from managing expansive supply chains to complying with international standards. An effective ERP system becomes invaluable in navigating these complexities.
Revenue Range: $50 million to over $1 billion.
Key ERP Features of an Enterprise ERP Solution
- Flexibility and customization to support diverse production, distribution, and compliance needs across global facilities and markets.
- Robust integration connects enterprise-wide systems into a unified landscape, including manufacturing, SCM, CRM, BI, and more.
- Multi-site management with centralized oversight but regional autonomy where needed.
- Advanced analytics and reporting with drill-down insights to inform executive decisions and strategy.
- Global supply chain optimization to manage product journeys across continents efficiently.
- Multilingual and multicurrency support to bridge international barriers.
- Regulatory compliance to navigate myriad global safety and labeling regulations seamlessly.
- Rapid scalability to accommodate mergers, acquisitions, and corporate expansion worldwide.
Our Top ERP Recommendations for Large Food and Beverage Corporations
We recommend that large food and beverage manufacturing corporations and multinational enterprises evaluate these top-tier ERP platforms:
Infor CloudSuite Industrial Enterprise (Infor LN)
Infor LN, once Baan, is a tailored ERP for manufacturers. Streamlining processes from production to planning, it's versatile for on-premises or cloud. It is Specialized in industries like aerospace and boasts quality control, Smart Manufacturing, and analytics.
IFS Cloud
IFS Cloud (previously IFS 10.0) is a versatile enterprise software combining ERP, EAM, and ESM functionalities. Started in 1983, its latest version boasts an intuitive user interface built on a component-based, Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), emphasizing adaptability across core processes like Manufacturing and Supply Chain.
SAP S/4HANA
SAP S/4HANA Cloud is an ERP system for manufacturers with AI, machine learning, and analytics. It provides real-time insights into manufacturing processes, facilitates quick adjustments to demand changes, and enables better decision-making. The system supports seamless integration with other SAP solutions and is extendible for enterprise-wide processes.
These solutions are crafted to meet the complexities of global operations, showcasing excellence in scalability, comprehensive integration, deep analytics, and fiscal efficiency.
Compare all large and enterprise-level food and beverage ERP systems
Understanding the Costs of Food ERP
Investing in an ERP system is a significant financial decision for any food and beverage manufacturer. The cost doesn’t only encompass the initial purchase or subscription fee but also the subsequent costs of implementation, maintenance, and possible upgrades to consider.
Let’s break down the factors influencing these costs.
- Software Licensing or Subscriptions: On-premise licenses have higher upfront costs but can reduce long-term expenses, which mature companies may prefer. Cloud-based follows a subscription model, providing flexibility that suits the dynamic nature of this industry.
- Implementation: Consultancy fees, data migration expenses, and initial user training such as specialized food safety sessions.
- Ongoing Maintenance & Support: Regular software updates, technical support, and troubleshooting to keep the ERP current.
- Additional Modules or Customizations: Adapting the ERP with new modules or customizations as business needs evolve incurs additional costs depending on complexity.
- Indirect Costs: Continuous training, potential system downtime during upgrades, and temporary productivity dips during transition periods.
- Hidden Costs: Inadequate training, software limitations, and surprising vendor fees.
The return on investment comes from leveraging ERP to drive efficiencies, strengthen inventory management, improve supply chain control, and more across operations. The right solution delivers substantive benefits that justify costs.
Related: ERP Pricing Guide: Understanding the Cost of ERP Software
Technical Considerations
Even the slightest mistake or oversight in food manufacturing can significantly impact product quality, safety, and your brand’s reputation. As a result, manufacturers must be aware of essential technical factors when selecting an ERP solution.
System Architecture
Understanding the underlying architecture of an ERP system is paramount. The architecture should support:
- Scalability: Can the system grow with your business? As you expand product lines, enter new markets, or increase production capacity, the ERP should effortlessly scale up without compromising performance.
- Reliability: Downtime in the food and beverage industry can mean significant losses. The ERP should boast high uptime percentages, ensuring continuous and smooth operations.
Security
Security is a top concern given the sensitive nature of data in the food and beverage sector – from proprietary recipes to supplier contracts.
- Role-Based Access: Ensure the food ERP software supports role-based access controls. This means employees can only access and modify the parts of the system relevant to their job roles.
- Data Encryption: All data, whether at rest or in transit, should be encrypted to prevent unauthorized access or breaches.
- Regular Audits & Compliance: The ERP vendor should regularly audit their systems and remain compliant with industry-specific regulations, ensuring your data’s integrity and security.
Customizability & Flexibility
Out-of-the-box solutions might only cater to some of the unique needs of some food and beverage manufacturers.
- Module Customization: The ability to adjust existing modules or add new ones as your processes evolve is crucial. However, a system requiring extensive customization may be a red flag that it’s poorly designed for the food or beverage industry.
- User Interface Flexibility: The ERP system should offer a user-friendly interface, allowing for custom dashboards and reporting tailored to individual preferences.
A robust, secure, and flexible ERP system is vital for success in the food and beverage industry. Engage with IT professionals and evaluate vendors carefully to ensure your chosen ERP meets technical benchmarks.
Vendor Evaluation in Food and Beverage Manufacturing
Choosing an ERP system goes beyond software features; the vendor’s reliability is paramount.
ERP Vendor Reputation Insights
- Industry Expertise: We have seen too many companies talked into systems that do not fit their industry. Seek ERP vendors with solid experience in the food and beverage sector. Review case studies where the system helped other companies of similar size and product line. Don’t be the first in your industry to use the system.
- Honest Feedback: Beyond vendor testimonials, consider seeking genuine user insights from independent reviews and forums. Ask to speak with actual customers who are using the system.
- Recognitions: Awards indicate a vendor’s commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.
Customer Support is Crucial
- 24⁄7 Assistance: Prioritize vendors that include round-the-clock support, given the unpredictable nature of your industry.
- Ongoing Training: A vendor’s commitment to continuous training and system updates is a testament to their long-term service dedication.
Transparent Pricing
- Clear Cost Structure: Understand if costs are one-time or subscription-based. Ensure there are no hidden charges, and assess added implementation costs, consulting, and customization early on.
Vendor Stability
- Financial Health: Choose vendors with proven financial stability to ensure continuous system enhancements.
- Future Vision: A vendor’s strategic plans can show sustained relevance to your needs.
Feedback Matters
- User-Driven Enhancements: Top vendors gather and act on feedback, showcasing their commitment to constant improvement. Evaluating vendors carefully ensures they align with your business needs and create a productive partnership.
Food and Beverage Manufacturing ERP Implementation
Unique Considerations
Implementing ERP in the food and beverage industry comes with unique considerations:
- Phased rollouts — A phased approach, starting with one site or process, is recommended to allow testing before full rollout due to complex, interconnected operations.
- User training — Extensive training on new workflows is essential, particularly for production teams used to paper-based systems. Training aids user adoption and is a critical piece to successful adoption.
- Recipe transition — Existing recipes and formulations must be standardized and digitized in the ERP system. This is a meticulous data-entry process that requires precision.
- Validations — Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), and Performance Qualification (PQ) protocols are essential to validate ERP processes and their integrations with Quality Management Systems (QMS) and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), in line with compliance mandates.
- Third-party integrations — ERP must integrate with manufacturing execution systems on the plant floor and other niche food and beverage software.
- Master data setup — Ingredient, BOM, routing, quality control spec, and other foundational data must be established before going live. This takes substantial effort.
- Go-live preparation — Advanced planning and dry runs ensure operational readiness before cutover. This lessens go-live disruptions to business processes.
Careful consideration of these food and beverage-specific implementation factors helps ensure a smooth ERP transition. With the correct planning and preparation, companies can realize the full benefits of ERP software.
Case Studies: ERP Successes in the Food and Beverage Sector
Case studies provide persuasive evidence of the power of ERP software in transforming businesses. Let’s delve into real-world examples from the food and beverage sector to understand how ERP systems have driven success and reshaped these operations.
- Yuengling & Son ERP case study: Yuengling & Son replaced outdated, disjointed ERP systems with Deacom’s integrated platform across its breweries to support rapid growth. This centralized data and streamlined processes for efficiency and scalability.
- DCI Cheese ERP case study: DCI Cheese implemented Enterprise 21 ERP to consolidate multiple companies into an integrated system supporting rapid acquisition-driven growth. This delivered organization-wide data visibility, standardized processes, and improved profitability.
- Cypress Grove ERP case study: To address challenges from rapid growth, Cypress Grove cheese makers upgraded from outdated ERP to Aptean’s Food & Beverage ERP. This restored data integrity and delivered capabilities tailored to their manufacturing needs. The implementation provided accurate information to drive data-based decisions for continued expansion.
- Hausbeck Pickle Company ERP case study: Hausbeck Pickle Co. switched to Plex’s cloud ERP for production tracking and inventory management. Plex provided real-time visibility and traceability for fermentation processes and ingredient ratios. This increased inventory accuracy from 70% to 99.6% and fulfilled audit compliance efficiently. The solution offered data access and insights to optimize production planning and inventory costs.
- International Spices ERP Case Study: Struggling with outdated ERP systems, International Spices adopted NetSuite ERP. This unified solution streamlined the management of massive raw material quantities and elevated revenue by 50% without additional staff overhead. The system also hastened recall processes and month-end closes, positioning International Spices for market dominance with agile decision-making.
Future Trends in ERP for Food & Beverage Manufacturing
Food and beverage technology is constantly evolving, and so is ERP. To meet these industry developments, several emerging technologies and innovations to watch for in ERP software may be critical to the food and beverage industry in the years ahead.
- AI and machine learning: ERP platforms leverage AI for smart forecasting, predictive analytics, optimization, and more. This allows for more accurate demand planning and efficient operations.
- Digital twin technology: Virtual models of facilities and processes used for simulation and testing can smooth ERP implementation and enhance quality.
- Advanced batch tracing: Next-generation batch genealogy and ingredient tracing uses IoT sensors, blockchain, and unique molecular tagging to locate suspect ingredients. This bolsters recall response.
- Robotics process automation: Incorporating robotic automation into manufacturing processes can significantly improve efficiency by taking on repetitive tasks, such as assembly line operations and inventory management.
- Expanded mobility: Mobile optimization allows ERP access anywhere via smartphones and tablets with role-based interfaces. This suits the distributed nature of food and beverage operations.
- Sustainability: ERPs are incorporating carbon footprint tracking, waste reduction, and energy monitoring to support sustainability initiatives.
- Cloud-based systems: More food and beverage companies are adopting cloud-hosted ERP for flexibility, mobile access, and lower overhead.
Staying up-to-date on the latest ERP innovations allows food and beverage businesses to leverage emerging technologies for a competitive advantage.
FAQs for Food and Beverage Manufacturing ERP Buyers
What features should I look for in a food and beverage ERP system?
Key features to look for include recipe management, quality control, inventory management with expiration date tracking, manufacturing production scheduling, compliance management, lot tracking, and ingredient traceability for recalls. Make sure the system is being used successfully in your niche industry.
How much does ERP software cost for a food or beverage company?
Costs vary widely based on the size of your business, the number of users, and implementation complexity. However, expect monthly licensing costs from $30 to $500 per user, with more costly systems providing more robust capabilities. Implementation costs range from 1x to 5x the software licensing fees.
Is cloud or on-premise ERP better for food and beverage manufacturers?
Cloud ERP provides more flexibility and mobility, while on-premise offers more customization. Consider your business requirements and readiness for the cloud. Many larger enterprises still opt for on-premise, and many choose a hybrid of premise and cloud as they grow.
How long does it take to implement ERP in food manufacturing?
Allow an average of 9 – 18 months for a complete ERP implementation. A phased approach implementing modules over time is commonly used to mitigate risk and disruption. Be sure to provide adequate time for training to facilitate and quicken adoption.
What are the main benefits of ERP systems for food?
ERP Software streamlines decision-making, traceability, compliance, quality, inventory, efficiency, and profitability in the food industry by providing a single source of truth and specialized features.
Which departments of our business can use an ERP?
An ERP can be used by all departments of a food business, from accounting and scheduling to production and quality assurance.