Selecting the best cloud ERP for your business: Key trends and platforms in 2025
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are now central to how organisations run finance, operations, supply chain and customer processes. In 2025, the market is crowded with cloud first, AI enabled platforms, which makes choosing the right ERP system both more powerful and more complex.
Below are five key factors to consider when selecting an ERP system in 2025.
1. Define core business needs and strategic goals for ERP implementation
Before you compare products, define what you actually need your ERP to achieve and how it will fit into your wider digital backbone.
- Which business problems are you trying to solve today?
- Which processes are most painful or risky (for example order fulfilment, project control, maintenance, compliance or supplier collaboration)?
- Do you only need to standardise finance and operations, or do you also need to manage complex products, assets or project information across multiple sites and partners?
- What measurable outcomes do you want in the next 3 to 5 years (for example faster month end close, fewer stockouts, better project margins, higher asset availability or fewer data errors between systems)?
If your business depends on complex, long-lived assets or engineered products, make sure your requirements also cover how ERP will work with engineering, asset and lifecycle data, and how securely you need to share that information with suppliers and customers.
Documenting these needs and goals gives you a requirements shortlist so you can quickly rule out ERP systems that are not a realistic fit, and it will also reveal where you may need complementary platforms alongside ERP for collaboration and asset information management.
2. Research and compare top ERP platforms in 2025 (Cloud, TCO, industry fit)
With your requirements in hand, the next step is to structure your market research, not just browse vendor websites.
When comparing ERP systems, look at:
- Functional coverage (finance, supply chain, manufacturing, projects, service, CRM and so on)
- Cloud vs on premises or hybrid deployment options
- Total cost of ownership, including licences, implementation and ongoing support
- Industry specific capabilities and localisation
- Vendor reputation, reference customers and ecosystem of partners
Most new ERP projects now favour cloud deployment, with recent surveys indicating that a clear majority of organisations choose cloud over traditional on-premises systems. This makes it even more important to understand each vendor’s roadmap, release cadence and data residency model.
3. Evaluate ERP integration and technical fit with your existing IT landscape (PLM, MES)
The “best” ERP on a generic feature list may not be the best fit for your organisation. Evaluate how each shortlisted system will work in your real environment:
- User experience and ease of adoption for non technical roles
- Integration with existing systems such as PLM, CRM, MES, EAM, HR or bespoke line of business tools
- Support for your current and future operating model (multi company, multi site, global operations)
- Flexibility to accommodate changing regulatory, reporting and customer requirements
A good fit reduces the need for heavy customisation and makes it easier to maintain the system over time.
4. Plan the ERP implementation journey, governance, and change management
Selecting an ERP system is only half the decision. The way it is implemented will largely determine whether the project is seen as a success. When assessing vendors and implementation partners, ask about:
- Project methodology, governance and risk management
- Training and change management support for different user groups
- Data migration approach, including cleansing and enrichment of legacy data
- Testing, cutover and go live support, plus stabilisation after go live
You should plan for ERP implementation to be a structured change programme, not just a technical installation.
5. Ensure long-term ERP support, vendor roadmap, and AI readiness
An ERP system is a long term investment, so look beyond go live. Review each vendor’s roadmap and commitment to innovation, particularly in areas such as embedded analytics and artificial intelligence.
Key points to consider:
- Quality and responsiveness of support services
- Frequency and impact of software updates and security patches
- Access to training, documentation and user communities
- Native capabilities for reporting, dashboards and AI driven insights
- How easily the ERP can share data with other platforms for business intelligence or advanced analytics
Choosing an ERP system that is AI ready and open for integration will help you extract value from your data well beyond basic transaction processing.
Bringing it together
Selecting the right ERP system in 2025 is not just about ticking off features. It is about aligning a platform to your strategy, operating model and data landscape so that you can support growth, control risk and enable better decision making.
Top 5 most used ERP systems in 2025: Comparison for enterprise & SMBs
Discover the top 5 most adopted ERP systems in 2025: Vendor comparison
Once you have identified your business needs and goals and started to explore what ERP can offer, a natural next question is: Which of the top ERP vendors should you look at first, and why?
Here are the top 5 most used ERP systems in 2025, based on the latest publicly available market data and industry reports from HG Insights, Apps Run The World, 6sense, and Gartner:
Microsoft Dynamics – Currently the most widely installed ERP system worldwide when measured by total customer count. Dynamics 365 is the clear leader among small and medium-sized businesses and continues to gain ground in larger enterprises thanks to seamless Microsoft 365 integration, rapid deployment, and competitive pricing.
Oracle – Holds the #1 position in global ERP software revenue in 2025, driven by the continued growth of Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP and NetSuite. It serves businesses of every size with comprehensive modules for finance, procurement, supply chain, projects, and analytics.
SAP – Remains the dominant choice for the world’s largest enterprises and still powers the majority of Fortune 500 and Global 2000 companies. SAP S/4HANA offers unmatched depth in finance, manufacturing, supply chain, and human resources for complex, high-volume operations.
Workday – Has solidified its place among the top-tier ERP providers with its modern, cloud-native platform. It is now one of the most widely used solutions for financial management and human capital management, especially in services, technology, education, healthcare, and mid-to-large enterprises.
Infor – Maintains a strong top-5 position through its industry-specific CloudSuite offerings. It is particularly popular in manufacturing, healthcare, distribution, fashion, food & beverage, and hospitality, where tailored functionality and a modern microservices architecture deliver clear advantages.
Ultimately, the right ERP system for your business will depend on your specific industry, company size, budget, growth plans, and existing technology ecosystem. By starting with the current market leaders, you can make a more confident and informed decision.
Key factors for selecting the right ERP system for your business in 2025
Top ERP vendor spotlight: Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, Workday, and Infor
Choosing the right enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is crucial for the success of your business. With so many options available, it can be challenging to navigate the top 5 most widely used ERP systems and determine which one is right for you. Below is an overview of these systems, including their key strengths and common considerations.
Microsoft Dynamics
The most affordable and fastest-to-deploy option among the leaders, with outstanding integration into Microsoft 365, Power Platform, and Azure. Ideal for small and mid-sized companies or any organisation already in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Pros: Affordable pricing • Rapid deployment • Seamless Microsoft integration
Cons: May need add-ons or partners for highly specialized or industry-specific processes
Oracle
Offers exceptional scalability and depth through Fusion Cloud ERP and NetSuite. Works extremely well for businesses of all sizes with strong modules in finance, procurement, projects, and supply chain.
Pros: Top-tier scalability • Suits companies from startup to global enterprise • Comprehensive functionality
Cons: Complex licensing • Longer and more expensive implementations • Higher total cost of ownership (especially during migrations)
SAP
Provides the deepest and most comprehensive functionality available, making it the go-to choice for large, global enterprises with complex, high-volume operations.
Pros: Unmatched depth and breadth • Powers most Fortune 500/Global 2000 companies • Extremely robust for complex needs
Cons: Long and costly implementation • Steep learning curve • Requires significant training, change management, and strong IT resources
Workday
Delivers a beautiful, intuitive, always-current cloud experience with particular strength in financial management and human capital management (HCM).
Pros: Modern, user-friendly interface • Continuous updates (no upgrades needed) • Excellent for finance and HR
Cons: Higher pricing • Still building depth in heavy manufacturing, distribution, and supply-chain scenarios compared to SAP/Oracle
Infor
Stands out for its industry-specific CloudSuites and modern, flexible microservices architecture. Often the fastest path to value in its target verticals (manufacturing, healthcare, distribution, fashion, food & beverage, hospitality).
Pros: Deep industry tailoring • Fast time-to-value in focused sectors • Modern and extensible design
Cons: Strongest features are vertical-specific • Less advantageous for companies with generic or multi-industry needs
Choosing the best ERP: Final considerations for your business size and industry
Overall, each of these five ERP systems has proven strengths and realistic trade-offs. The best choice for your organisation will depend on:
- Your industry and regulatory environment
- Company size and complexity
- Budget and deployment timeline
- Existing technology ecosystem and cloud strategy
- Long-term goals around analytics, AI and integration
By carefully weighing the current market leaders against your unique requirements, you can select the ERP system that will drive efficiency and growth for years to come. If you also depend on complex, long-lived products or assets, the next step is making sure that ERP does not become another silo. That is where a through-life engineering data platform such as ShareAspace can help, managing detailed engineering asset information across systems, partners and the entire lifecycle.
Unlock lifecycle value: Integrating ERP with your engineering data
Do not let your ERP become another silo. Connect it to assured, shareable asset information to unlock full lifecycle value.
Choosing the right ERP system in 2025 is only part of the story. To really unlock value, you also need a way to manage complex engineering and asset information across multiple systems, suppliers and lifecycle phases. That is where ShareAspace comes in.
ShareAspace is a through life engineering data platform that allows organisations with complex assets to define, acquire, control and share information with confidence. It is designed to support the full lifecycle of asset data across extended supply chains and in-service operations, sitting alongside your ERP to close the gaps between engineering, projects, manufacturing and support.
Built on a standards-based architecture, ShareAspace integrates flexibly with existing ERP, PLM, asset management, and line-of-business tools, rather than forcing you into a single-vendor stack. It is a market-leading packaged product developed, maintained and supported by Eurostep and BAE Systems, and is available on-prem or in the cloud, either direct from Eurostep or as part of the BAE Systems digital management solutions set.
1. Maintain control of your master data
As you evaluate ERP options, control of master and reference data is critical. ShareAspace helps you:
- Protect your core product and asset data while still making it available for collaboration
- Consolidate siloed data sets from legacy and best of breed systems
- Assure data quality before you share or receive information
- Break down silos by aligning processes, people and data, and enabling full data interoperability
This means your ERP does not become a new silo, but part of a connected, governed information landscape.
2. Trust your data throughout the lifecycle
An ERP system is only as good as the data it holds. ShareAspace strengthens this by helping you:
- Ensure partners and suppliers are always working with correct, assured information
- Build consistency into product and asset definitions across systems and organisations
- Provide all stakeholders with access to assured information throughout the lifecycle
- Maintain full traceability and an audit trail over years and decades
The result is higher confidence in every decision that depends on ERP and engineering data.
3. Collaborate effectively across your ecosystem
Modern ERP strategies must plan for secure collaboration across an extended supply chain. ShareAspace is purpose built to:
- Support efficient, structured communication with partners and suppliers across the asset lifecycle
- Secure sensitive product information and intellectual property, and support compliance obligations
- Optimise your supply chain with up to date product and configuration information
- Provide decision ready data that is prepared for AI and business intelligence use
By combining a well chosen ERP with ShareAspace, you create a robust digital backbone that connects transactional processes with rich engineering and asset information.
Next step: If you are currently reviewing ERP systems, factor in how you will manage and share complex asset information around them. To see how ShareAspace can extend and de-risk your ERP strategy, contact us for a demonstration or consultation.
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