ERP comparison in Switzerland: selecting the best system for your business

ERP is an essential link in the management of a company's business, especially in industry. But you still need to choose the solution that meets your expectations and uses, given the wide range of solutions available on the market. 

For a first ERP project or the integration of a new, more modern tool, Choosing a solution is far from simple. In this article, we give you a few tips for a thorough ERP comparison to find the software solution best suited to your business. 

Why compare management software? 

The Swiss market offers many possible choices, so you need to be at least as informed as possible when selecting a solution. Between a standard or customised solution, a generalist or specialised business tool, a SaaS technology or open source... it can be difficult to find your way around. Selecting the ideal ERP system then involves carrying out a rigorous internal comparison of the different solutions. 

When you're looking for a management solution, an ERP benchmark is an essential step. But what does it involve? It's an approach based on a prior study of your business processes and requirements, to avoid embarking on a risky comparison. The ERP comparison must take certain criteria into account: 

• Desired functions and modules 
• Specificities linked to my activity or company (ERP for small companies, watchmaking activity, etc.) 
• The desired hosting mode or technology (On premise, Cloud, open source, no code/low code) 
• Theergonomics of the solution 
• The level of collaboration 
• Deployment time 
• The budget and associated costs (maintenance, training, etc.) 

Be careful not to fall into the trap of a simple comparison table. An ERP benchmark isn't just about applying filters, it's a real in-depth analysis to establish a customised comparison of software solutions for your business. In fact, the objective should not be to know which is the best tool on the market, but rather the one that meets your processes, activities, uses and company profile. 

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Rely on user reviews 

When comparing ERPs, the opinions of customers and users are important elements to consider. For more relevance, gather opinions or testimonials from companies that are close to your sector of activity, your specific business or the size of your company. 

Where can you find user reviews? Here again, a web search will be of great help in arriving at your decision. Some ERP comparators display reviews or ratings directly in their comparison table. The vast majority of publisher websites publish references and testimonials for their software solutions. You can also frequently find interviews with ERP software customers in the press and specialist magazines. 

Sound out your professional network 

Your company's ecosystem is just as useful for obtaining relevant information on the subject. Among your network, it may be worth interviewing players in your sector who potentially use an ERP that interests you. Whether it's a partner or a supplier, their advice can be invaluable to your thinking. If you are changing ERP tools, ask around within your company for feedback from users of the solution (production manager, CFO, etc.). 

If you would like more guidance in your comparison, consulting an external consultancy may be a good idea. Some consultants with a good knowledge of the company's business and the solutions available on the market can give you further pointers. 

Compare software company

Choosing management software also means choosing a publisher-integrator. As a human and financial investment over several years, it is essential to choose a publisher capable of presenting a long-term vision of its product. Find out more about: 

• Current and future developments of the solution 
• Frequency of updates 
• The latest innovations 
• Organisational stability of the service provider 
• Services associated with the solution 
• Skills on the market 

Request customised presentations of the solution   

The ERP demonstration is a decisive stage in your comparative study. The aim of the demo is to help you identify which tool in your selection will be the most suitable. The ERP demo phase is an opportunity to compare the tool's operation, ergonomics and ease of use. Each pre-selected publisher-integrator will be able to provide a more or less complete demo of its software: 

• The video demo is a simple overview of the solution, its interface, its main features and the user experience. 
• The online demo offers greater immersion and allows you to assimilate the features of the ERP. 
• A demonstration tailored to your processes is the ideal way to get a concrete idea of a solution. During this demo, the ERP is subjected to a scenario and you see how the software responds. 

ERP comparison by company size 

It's important to remember that ERP systems are available for any company, whatever its size, activity or organisation. 

ERP for small businesses 

We tend to think that finding the right management solution for a small business can be difficult. And yet, when we map out the ERP market, we find a range of ERP software dedicated to small organisations and start-ups. 

Faced with the needs of manufacturers looking for industrial management that includes production, many solutions have been developed that are simpler, more flexible and quicker to deploy than traditional ERP systems. These include SAP Business One, Clipper, Winbiz and Fortee. Among them,ERP Fortee is a comprehensive tool for structuring small, fast-growing companies looking for agility. 

ERP for SMEs to large enterprises 

At the comparison stage, it's hard to overlook the main ERP systems on the market, such as SAGE, Oracle, Microsoft  and Bexio. Just like management software, ProConcept is aimed at SMEs and large Swiss companies offers a comprehensive tool that can evolve and adapt to your processes over time. When making your selection, consider all the solutions available. A "big" ERP can also offer a more specific vertical business offering. 

Comparing ERP management solutions will take time. As a central element of your information system, the choice of the future tool must be the result of a methodical process. The methodology exists and is accessible to small, medium-sized and large companies alike. The most important thing is to ensure that the ERP software fits in with your current system architecture and supports your company's strategic objectives, including growth.