Choosing an ERP is one of the most consequential technology decisions a company makes because it's so difficult to reverse. Once you've implemented an ERP, migrated your data, adapted your processes, and trained your employees, you won't switch lightly. That's why the initial selection matters so much. Yet it's too often driven by consultants who favor a particular system or by IT preferences rather than business requirements.
The ERP landscape: what's available and who it's for
| System | Company size | Strengths | Weaknesses | Right if... |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAP S/4HANA | 500+ employees / corporate group | Comprehensive, deep industry functionality, global scalability | Very expensive, long implementation, high complexity | Global corporation, complex supply chain, regulatory requirements |
| Microsoft Dynamics 365 | 50–2,000 employees | Office integration, cloud-native, user-friendly | Module sprawl, license costs rise quickly | M365 environment already in place, CRM focus |
| Odoo | 5–200 employees | Affordable, open source, all-in-one | Limited enterprise features, many third-party modules needed | SMEs, low budget, start-up environment |
| Sage 100/200/X3 | 50–500 employees | Strong accounting and manufacturing capabilities in DACH | Less modern, smaller partner ecosystem | Swiss/Austrian SME, focus on finance |
| Abacus (CH) | 10–300 employees | Swiss regulatory requirements, payroll, financial accounting, reliability | Not a global system, limited industry modules | Swiss companies with a focus on Swiss compliance |
| Infor / IFS | 100+ employees, industrial | Industry-specific (MedTech, aerospace, service) | Less well known, smaller consultant network | MedTech, manufacturing, field service management |
The 6 decision criteria: before you contact a vendor
Company size & growth plans
A system that fits today also needs to support the business three years from now. If you're growing fast or expanding internationally, you need scalability from day one.
Industry-specific requirements
MedTech needs UDI/MDR. Manufacturing needs MRP. Service providers need PSA. Generic ERPs can require more customization than industry-specific solutions.
Integration landscape
What needs to connect to the ERP? Online store, CRM, WMS, production system? APIs and connectors are critical.
Internal IT resources
How much internal capacity do you have for administration, updates, and further development? Cloud ERP reduces the IT workload but increases ongoing costs.
Total cost of ownership (5 years)
Licenses + implementation + customization + maintenance + training + updates. The initial quote rarely reflects the total cost.
Consultant network in your region
The best ERP is worthless without local implementation partners. If you're based in Switzerland or the DACH region, you need local expertise.
"The right ERP isn't the most technically advanced one. It's the one that best supports your processes without requiring a three-year customization project."
The most common selection mistakes
- "We'll go with what the consultant recommends": Consultants often have certifications and incentives for specific systems. Having your own list of requirements is essential.
- Demos based on standard scenarios: Vendors show what their system does well. Make them demonstrate your actual processes using your data.
- The cheapest offer wins: Calculate TCO over five years, not just license costs. The cheapest system can turn out to be the most expensive.
- Too much customization planned: Every customization increases costs, complicates updates, and creates dependency. It's better to adapt your processes to the standard than the standard to your processes.
You don't choose an ERP based on the brand name. You choose it based on your processes, resources, and growth plans. If you define your internal requirements before the first vendor meeting, you stay in control of the negotiation. If you go into demos without them, the vendor controls the conversation.
Sources: Manufacturer product information (SAP S/4HANA, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Odoo, Sage, Abacus, Infor, IFS), accessed October 2026.
Published June 2026