Enterprise Resource Planning Epicor vs SAP vs Infor ERP: Which ERP Software is the Winner? By Khaleel Hayes Enterprise Resource Planning No comments Last Reviewed: October 9, 2024 The ERP software industry is a competitive landscape with new systems and vendors popping up constantly. This article thoroughly compares three distinguished ERP systems: Kinetic (formerly Epicor ERP), SAP Business ByDesign and SyteLine by Infor. In this Epicor vs SAP vs Infor comparison, Kinetic is victorious. Get our ERP Software Requirements Template [addtoany] We’ll discuss each product’s overview, helpful software selection tips and how all three solutions compare with different functionalities. What This Article Covers Setting the Stage Solution Selection Features Comparison Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Marketing Management Sales Management Human Resource Management Project Management Demand and Sales Forecasting Purchase Management Cash Flow Management Order Management Multi-currency Management Procurement Supply Chain Management (SCM) Integrations Data Analysis Taxation Reporting Final Thoughts Setting the Stage In the past, we divided ERP systems into tiers representing the market they serve. Tier 2 solutions are for midsize companies, and Tier 3 is for smaller businesses. Respectively, a Tier 1 ERP solution caters to large, complex companies that need a wealth of features. As a result, Tier 1 ERPs, i.e., SAP and Oracle, are the most expensive ERP systems with highly recognized names. It’s easy to think Tier 1 solutions are the best option with all these credentials, but that’s not inherently true. Product Overviews As one of the first companies to provide ERP software, SAP has been around since 1972. Considered a top ERP market champion, SAP serves all business types and sizes and offers several solutions for more than 200 million users worldwide. On the contrary, Infor launched in 2002 as a manufacturing vendor and has since expanded its industry verticals. Koch Industries acquired Infor and became a wholly-owned, stand-alone subsidiary of Koch in 2020. Lastly, Kinetic, founded in 1972, provides industry-specific software for manufacturers, distributors, retailers and service organizations. People revered these vendors as the top solutions in the industry for decades. However, a platform’s actual value lies within the functionality. Furthermore, it doesn’t matter how popular an ERP vendor is if they don’t offer the correct functionality for your business. Between that fact and an increase in small businesses adopting ERP software, we’ve seen a shift in how we approach software selection. ERP vendors adapted to this shift, and as a result, tiered ERP solutions became a thing of the past. In other words, ERP solution values rely on capabilities and industries instead of popularity. Focus on comparing capabilities to determine whether a solution is right for you. Read on to learn more about what that process entails. Solution Selection How can you determine which software is right for your business? The answer lies in your requirements list, which tells you the best functionality that aligns with your workflows. Otherwise, you should consider ERP selection criteria and tips. Reviewing your requirements ensures you’re looking for the ideal vendor. Features Comparison Let’s compare Infor vs SAP vs Kinetic. The following contains a head-to-head capabilities comparison to reveal the best product for each system’s feature. Use this list after you’ve gathered your requirements and are ready to compare vendors. [addtoany] Compare Top ERP Software Leaders Customer Relationship Management Kinetic provides advanced CRM collaboration capabilities to connect employees, departments and supply chain partners. The solution centralizes operations to create a seamless customer service experience. Users can monitor and standardize every stage of the case management process and manage customer, supplier and vendor contact information. An example of SAP Business ByDesign. Meanwhile, Infor’s system provides an integrated solution between the front and back offices. The CRM allows users to manage their marketing, sales, order, contact and customer management activities. SAP Business ByDesign manages marketing, sales and service processes to drive customer engagement. The solution enables users to deploy personalized customer information for campaigns, lead generation, and qualification and sales team handovers. Winner: In this round of the SAP vs Infor vs Kinetic evaluation, SAP Business ByDesign is the winner as it enables users to employ personalized customer information for campaigns, lead generation and sales team handovers. Configuring the CRM solution to fit users’ needs gives this system a head above the rest. Marketing Automation Marketing automation management in Kinetic enables users to measure marketing campaign ROIs, understand the target market, improve communications and build customer and prospect relationships. This robust solution allows users to generate and manage marketing campaigns from end to end. SyteLine offers a more straightforward approach; the marketing department can track all marketing or sales campaign elements, including their effectiveness. Similar to SyteLine, SAP Business ByDesign provides simplicity. This system allows users to employ personalized customer information for more effective marketing campaigns, lead generation and qualification, and sales team handovers. Winner: Kinetic is the winner of this category. With advanced capabilities, it takes marketing management to the next level. Sales Management Kinetic’s sales management function includes estimate and quote management, order management, POS and demand management. The solution is straightforward and automates sales processes. SyteLine contains more complex capabilities. It allows the sales representatives to assist prospects and customers from initial interest through order placement. The sales team forms, creates and manages customers, prospects and opportunities. Additionally, the solution supervises communications with contracts and provides forecasts. Regarding SAP, the user can improve account management and leverage Sales Force Automation, from contact interactions to invoicing. It also provides pipeline bubble charts to view opportunity success rates. Winner: SyteLine– the only system of the three with sales forecasting capabilities – is the winner for sales management in Infor vs SAP vs Kinetic. Access to sales insights provides a competitive advantage for Infor CSI users. Compare ERP Pricing & Costs with our Pricing Guide Human Resource Management With Kinetic, users can configure their own HR programs, tools and processes. Integration options are available with the user’s payroll and benefit vendors. SyteLine’s HR feature includes recruiting, applicant tracking, personnel records, performance history, compensation management, benefits management, US regulatory requirements and payroll capabilities. SAP contains onboarding, payroll, time and attendance features, labor management, and requests and approval. It empowers employees to self-manage timesheets, procurement processes and personal information. This system allows administrators to manage their employee onboarding process, create and monitor policy-compliant purchase requests and automated approvals, manage time, labor, and compensation with centralized data, and process payroll via third-party payroll providers. Winner: SAP Business ByDesign wins this category with the most robust features for managing HR. Project Management Kinetic’s project management uses estimation, planning, scheduling, costing and supply chain logistics, which gives complete control and analysis of any project. The solution integrates project planning, resource management, time and expense management, and billing and revenue recognition functionality. An example of SyteLine’s Interface. While managing a project in SyteLine, the user works with a project header, project tasks and project resources. Users can cross-reference project resources to other transactions with this system. Additionally, the user can report on costs from each level of the project individually or roll up prices into the entire project cost. One of its shining capabilities allows the user to perform what-if situations without actually working on a project. SAP Business ByDesign provides real-time project collaboration and monitoring. It enables teams to manage, deliver and monitor projects while they’re live and in progress. Winner: SyteLine claims this advantage in this Infor vs SAP vs Kinetic evaluation thanks to what-if analysis tools. Like the winning reporting feature, access to business insights offers evaluation and competitive advantage opportunities. Demand and Sales Forecasting Demand and sales forecasting allow users to anticipate inventory needs. Kinetic manages forecasts by opportunity probability, category and territory. Establish forecast models for each item, accounting trends, seasonalities and events. Leverage statistical forecasting for better inventory level management. SyteLine enables users to perform sales forecasts and calculate estimates based on historical demand via what-if analysis algorithms. This module allows users to react in real time to their situations. In contrast, SAP Business ByDesign allows users to forecast the future demand for their products. This bare-bone feature gets the job done, but it doesn’t support configuration. Winner: Kinetic takes the cake for the demand and sales forecasting category in this Infor vs SAP vs Kinetic comparison. Kinetic provides advanced configuration capabilities so users can account for unique, personal situations. Purchase Management Kinetic simplifies purchase order generating and supplier performance tracking with automatic modules to enhance vendor collaboration, order precision and bargainings. Cross-references, mass order receipts and other tools help users diminish inventory tiersand increase their on-time delivery rates. SyteLine’s purchasing function creates purchase requisitions for item or service requests. Once an authorized employee approves the plea, it becomes a purchase order. The company can use the purchase order to confirm payments and ensure that the correct items are received. SAP Business ByDesign streamlines the company’s purchasing activities and provides buyers with real-time information to negotiate better prices. Winner: Kinetic wins the purchase management category because of its automated purchasing tools, advanced delivery capabilities and more. Compare Top ERP Software Leaders Cash Flow Management Cash flow management is similar to accounting management. Kinetic offers standard accounting capabilities, such as accounts receivable and payable. SyteLine also offers accounts payable and receivable. Lastly, SAP Business ByDesign uses customer and supplier transaction data to get real-time visibility into the cash position. Winner: In this round of the Infor vs SAP vs Kinetic comparison, SAP Business ByDesign wins the cash flow management category with in-depth cash position insight capabilities. Order Management Kinetic’s order job wizard generates appropriate jobs for new orders in a single step. Check customer credit status online at quote, order and shipment entries. Link sales orders, assignments, purchase orders, field service calls, cases, tasks, milestones and budget information can be linked to manage projects. A preview of Kinetic’s UI. SyteLine provides opportunity forms to track estimated orders assigned to prospects or customers. SAP does not offer order management capabilities, but third-party integrations are available. Winner: The order management category was an easy win for Kinetic, which possesses the most robust capabilities for this particular functionality. Multi-currency Management The Kinetic POS function enables users to manage multiple currencies. This straightforward solution contains the bare-minimum capabilities for multi-currency management. SyteLine governs multiple currencies and converts amounts to their home currency during international transactions. In addition, the user can define multiple currencies for a customer by using the Customer Currency Codes form or the Currency Codes tab on the Customers form. Users can create client orders and invoices in foreign currencies. It also defines multiple currencies for a vendor by using vendor currency code forms or the currency codes tab on the vendors’ form. SAP Business ByDesign superintends multiple currencies, operating units and reporting standards. This solution is slightly more advanced than the Kinetic order management system. Winner: SyteLine provides the most comprehensive multi-currency management capabilities in this round of SAP vs Infor vs Kinetic. Compare Top ERP Software Leaders Procurement Kinetic streamlines purchase order writing and supplier performance tracking with automated purchasing tools to improve supplier collaboration, order accuracy and negotiations. SyteLine enables users to enter a vendor record and track and control all subsequent supplier transactions. SAP Business ByDesign maintains a central supplier and product information database that monitors multiple supplier contracts. The solution streamlines the purchasing activity and provides the buyers with real-time data. Winner: SAP Business ByDesign provides the best procurement management with access to business insights and the ability to manage multiple contracts simultaneously. Supply Chain Management (SCM) Kinetic’s SCM features include purchase management, demand management, inventory management, shipping and receiving, warehouse management, material management and supplier relationship management. SyteLine offers manufacturing, material planning and inventory management tools in its SCM module. SAP Business ByDesign conducts comprehensive supply network and layout views for supply chain modeling. Control material flows with an exception-driven procurement planning approach. Leverage product development, manufacturing, warehouse and logistics features. Winner: SAP Business ByDesign is the winner because it offers in-depth supply chain modeling. Integrations Kinetic merges with Epicor Commerce Connect, Salesforce and other systems. Alternatively, SyteLine can fuse with an EDI translator and other CRM solutions. SAP Business ByDesign can combine with other third-party on-premise and cloud solutions. Winner: Kinetic wins this round, as it integrates directly with a couple of valuable, popular CRM systems. Data Analysis Kinetic leverages cloud-based Epicor Data Analytics (EDA), powered by Phocas, to reduce costs, identify new opportunities and expedite decision-making. This module lets users stay up-to-date with daily business changes and visualize data across all business systems, from production to sales. Since Kinetic takes a modular approach, EDA comes at an additional cost. Meanwhile, SyteLine offers predictive analytical capabilities. SAP Business ByDesign has equipped analytical tools. It offers insight consumption training, prepares data sources for critical users, extensive analytics and more. Winner: SAP Business ByDesign wins this round with equipped analytical capabilities. Compare ERP Pricing & Costs with our Pricing Guide Taxation Epicor’s tax connect module delivers cloud-based compliance solutions for various transaction taxes, including sales and use, VAT, GST, excise, communications, lodging and more. The solution provides real-time transaction visibility that tax authorities require. This tool integrates with Kinetic but comes at an additional cost. Regarding SyteLine, the user automatically creates tax transactions. The taxation tool is undecorated but provides baseline functionality and process automation. SAP lacks tax-related transaction creations. However, it supports taxation through its third-party integration for tax calculation, which helps users obtain real-time tax rates. Vertex or Avalara are available for this integration. Winner: Kinetic provides the best taxation capabilities. With the cloud-based solution, users can complete complex, unique transactions while on the go. Reporting Kinetic provides robust reporting functionality for users. The Electronic Compliance Engine (ECE) framework ensures the delivery of legally required electronic reports. In addition, statements can be made regarding HR from every angle, including regulatory compliance requirements. Business activity queries, or BAQs, leverage reports, dashboards and more to help users consistently comprehend all enterprise operations. Capture machine and operator data to obtain real-time KPIs and visual analytics via Epicor Advanced MES (Mattec). SyteLine comes with business intelligence tools, which offer financial and operational reporting. Generate custom reports that take business needs into account. SAP Business ByDesign has analytics built into every process and meets reporting standards. With an emphasis on financials, the system provides users with tools to create accounting reports. Winner: Kinetic has the best reporting capabilities with access to a wealth of insights, while SAP and Infor focus solely on financial reporting. In addition, Kinetic provides more opportunities for configuration and in-built compliance. Company Size Suitability Kinetic caters to small, medium and large businesses. SyteLine serves small and medium-sized companies. SAP Business ByDesign specializes in medium-sized enterprises. Winner: Kinetic wins for company size suitability, as it caters to businesses of any size. This versatility allows virtually any organization to implement Kinetic. Pricing Kinetic pricing is $$$, which is considered mid-priced on our pricing spectrum, which goes up to $$$$$. SyteLine’s price rating is $, at the lowest end of the spectrum. Similar to Kinetic, SAP Business ByDesign is mid-priced, with a pricing rating of $$$. Winner: SyteLine offers the most affordable solution, as it’s comparatively less expensive than SAP and Epicor’s offerings. Compare Top ERP Software Leaders Final Thoughts Kinetic took the lead with eight advantages across nineteen features and is the majority winner. Comprehensive capabilities for marketing management, demand and sales forecasting, purchase management, order management, reporting, taxation, company size and suitability, and integration. SAP Business ByDesign takes second place. SAP claims six features: customer relationship management, human resources management, cash flow management, procurement, supply chain management and data analysis. Lastly, SyteLine wins for sales management, project management, multi-currency management and pricing. Remember: though Kinetic won in this Epicor vs SAP vs Infor comparison, it may not be the solution for you. Check out our comparison guide and requirements template for more ERP solutions and modules. What do you think of our Epicor vs SAP vs Infor comparison? Let us know by leaving a comment below! Compare ERP Pricing & Costs with our Pricing Guide Top Competitors DELMIAworks Starting at $25,000 per user license Syspro ERP Starting at $12,100 per user NetSuite OneWorld Starting at $999 per month for base access Kinetic Starting at $175 per user per month for a base system SyteLine Starting at $4,200 per user IFS Applications Starting at $1,000 per user (One Time License) Sage Business Cloud X3 Starting at $2,600 per full user license fee JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Starting at $1000 per user SAP Business ByDesign Starting at $149 per user per month Microsoft Dynamics ERP Starting at $190 per user per month Khaleel HayesEpicor vs SAP vs Infor ERP: Which ERP Software is the Winner?07.29.2024