[Comparative] ERP accounting: which ERP software should you choose?
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Did you know that you can use an accounting ERP instead of a traditional accounting package or software ?
There are countless ERP packages on the market, and you can sometimes get lost among the variety of modules and functions they offer: sales management, stock management, production management, customer relations (CRM), invoicing, business intelligence, dashboards, etc.
But what exactly is an ERP and which is the best ERP software for your business?
We've reviewed the features and strengths of 5 of the best ERPs on the market, to help you choose the one that best suits your needs.
ERP software: definition
What is an ERP?
An ERP is a software package for managing and steering a company's operational departments, by centralising all information in a common database that is updated in real time.
It also offers specific modules for :
- stock management
- human resources
- accounting
- sales management
- purchasing, etc.
ERP stands for enterprise resource planning.
ERP provides an accurate overall view of the state of a company's activities, helping it to make decisions to improve processes and productivity.
Why use an accounting ERP?
What is the difference between accounting software and an accounting ERP?
An accounting ERP has the same functions as traditional accounting software:
- VAT management: calculation, management of different regimes, automatic remote filing,
- general accounting: chart of accounts, balance sheet, profit and loss account,
- cost accounting: budget plan, forecast and actual variances, trial balance,
- payment management,
- cash flow: working capital, working capital requirements,
- monitoring accounts receivable and payable: payments, work in progress, collections, reminders,
- management of tax returns: approved tax documents filled in semi-automatically.
The difference lies in the fact that the ERP accounting module is interconnected with other modules, with which it can interact in real time: sales management, dashboards, CRM, project management, etc.
So ERP lets you go further by :
- automating certain tasks to save time
- ensuring that information is traceable, and therefore reliable,
- updating data in real time, so avoiding data entry errors,
- providing a 360° view of your business, so you can make better decisions.
Comparison of the best ERP software
A handful of software publishers are leaders in the ERP market and have been proving their worth for many years. While the best-known are Sage, SAP and Oracle, we also present some alternatives, with an overview of their features and strengths.
Business One from SAP: a complete tool for VSEs and SMEs
For SAP, sharing and accessing information are key to business performance and success. More than simply managing business operations, Business One is designed to help small businesses and midsize companies make intelligent use of their data and automate processes to improve competitiveness and identify new opportunities.
Business One - SAP
Some Business One features :
- automated entry of accounting entries,
- financial planning and analysis (unification of transactions, creation of estimates and forecasts, optimisation of flows),
- cash management through planning, automation and rationalisation of flows, centralisation of bank accounts),
- access to 500 extensions and a development kit to adapt to all business sectors and their specific needs,
- efficient management of sales processes and use of customer data to offer a customer journey and experience that meet their expectations.
Business One's strengths :
- Pricing to suit the budgets of small businesses,
- regulatory compliance, greater control over cybersecurity and data confidentiality,
- wide-ranging support thanks to extensive documentation and advanced training, and a pool of experts who can help you with your projects.
SAP Business One
EBP Horizon: adapting to different professions
EBP is a French software publisher that has been an expert in accounting for over 35 years. With the option of being combined with sales management and payroll modules, EBP Horizon is an accounting software package that adapts to different business sectors and company sizes, to meet the specific needs of each structure as closely as possible.
EBP Horizon
EBP Horizon features include
- dashboards with indicators that monitor performance in real time (cash position, outstanding receivables and payables, turnover, etc.),
- automatically generated double-entry accounting,
- remote VAT filing from within the software,
- real-time transmission of information to your chartered accountant,
- automatic monitoring of investment depreciation.
The strengths of EBP Horizon :
- pre-filled, simplified forms for entering accounting entries, accessible without any accounting skills,
- options tailored to your size or activity (SMEs, VSEs, associations, self-employed professionals, works councils, public bodies, etc.),
- a human and efficient support service for all technical and functional questions.
Horus Solutions: ERP dedicated to accountancy firms
Horus Solutions is a platform specialising in business management solutions that offers a module dedicated to accountancy firms. This ultra-complete, tailor-made module includes a full range of features and tools designed to help accountancy firms manage their operations efficiently, simplify their processes and provide a quality service to their clients.
Features include
- centralised customer database management,
- customisable dashboards and detailed reports,
- the creation of collaborative workspaces for each customer, where you can exchange documents and communicate easily,
- a digital safe for storing your customers' documents in total security,
- a time management tool to track the time you spend on each assignment and invoice your customers accordingly,
- real-time schedule management with notifications of delays to manage your assignment schedules,
- accessible on computer, tablet or smartphone.
Key features:
- numerous certifications: GDPR, ISO 25051, NF 552,
- scanning of your customers' documents and automatic import using optical character recognition (OCR),
- a customised solution tailored to your needs.
Horus l'intégrale
Odoo: an all-in-one, customised tool
Odoo is a complete, integrated ERP with 45 modules that can be adapted to suit all your needs. The solution offers functions for monitoring and optimising your cash flow, whatever the size of your business.
Features include
- automation of accounting processes such as provisional invoices based on sales orders,
- bank synchronisation with a catalogue of 24,000 banks,
- import of statement files for greater speed,
- list view for an overall view and easier decision-making,
- a wide range of multi-adaptations to meet the specific needs of each company (multi-device, multi-company support, multiple users for secure access).
Key features :
- a wide range of functions to help you choose the best possible solution,
- integrated payment management to avoid unpaid invoices,
- value for money.
Odoo
Sage FRP 1000cloud: for medium-sized and large companies
The finance departments of large and medium-sized businesses face some major challenges: collecting figures, guaranteeing their security and reliability, and using them to make operational and strategic decisions. Sage FRP 1000cloud meets their needs, helping them to manage their financial activities with complete peace of mind.
Some of the features of Sage FRP 1000cloud :
- general, analytical, auxiliary and budgetary accounting operations,
- real-time overview of financial flows, cash management and bank reconciliations, secure and automated payments,
- control and optimisation of all business-related flows (purchasing, sales, stock management),
- bespoke reporting to monitor business performance in real time using dashboards and indicators,
- the ability to interact with a wide range of modules (payroll, HR, CRM, etc.).
Sage FRP 1000cloud strengths:
- scalable, to keep pace with your company's growth and your new needs;
- ensures compliance with current regulations thanks to regular updates;
- business expertise that meets the needs of a wide range of industries (hotels, construction, insurance, associations, etc.).
Sage FRP 1000 Cloud
Silog ERP: the leading specialist in the industrial sector
Silog ERP is SaaS software that helps very small businesses, SMEs and SMIs manage their industrial issues. Aeronautics, electronics, mechanics, plastics processing, foundries: this comprehensive ERP can be easily adapted to the specific needs of each business to handle all the operational functions and optimise the various workflows.
Silog ERP
Features include
- management of all general, third-party and analytical accounting,
- reporting tools to manage activity (dashboard, production monitoring) and generate financial reports,
- a communication section that brings together and shares various documents and information (CRM, electronic document management, business intelligence, etc.),
- production resource planning, workshop management and automated production monitoring,
- management of the production master plan, technical specifications, batches, etc.
Its strengths :
- functionalities developed specifically for industries to meet their legislative, quality and safety constraints,
- the ability to customise the interface (language, task automation, specific display, etc.) and add modules as required,
- Easy to set up, this solution also features intuitive navigation.
SILOG ERP
Yourcegid Finance Y2: the CFO's virtual office
For more than 20 years, Cegid has been offering business management software solutions tailored to the different businesses and needs of the market. Yourcegid Finance Y2 is a 100% cloud-based platform dedicated to the administrative and financial directors (CFOs) of SMEs, to help them optimise their organisation and performance.
Yourcegid Finance Y2 - Cegid
Some of the features of Yourcegid Finance Y2 :
- accounting activity management functionalities (bank links, remote declarations, fixed asset management, etc.),
- automated cash entries thanks to interconnection with bank statement flows, easier closings, rapid identification of anomalies,
- internal management and steering of the company's activity, with monitoring of your customers and your assignments (assignment letters, invoicing and time management, etc.),
- a powerful business intelligence tool to help you make the right decisions quickly, thanks to dashboards, financial indicators, graphs and reports,
- access to company data and information in the same tool, enabling collaborative working (notes, comments, etc.) and a 360° view.
The strengths of Yourcegid Finance Y2 :
- intuitive and flexible, it adapts to your needs ;
- the Cegid cloud takes account of regulatory updates;
- expert support throughout the project, from needs analysis to implementation and data migration, including training and support.
Choosing your accounting ERP: looking to the future
Choosing an ERP that meets your needs is one thing. But choosing an ERP that will meet your future needs is even better.
Your company's aim is to grow and develop, and your needs may change just as quickly. Flexibility and the ability of your software to evolve with your business are therefore essential criteria in your choice.
So what about you? What accounting software do you use? Why do you want to switch to an ERP? Tell us in the comments!
Article translated from French