Our editorial review staff had the opportunity to use and demo two prominent ERP players in the market: SYSPRO and UNIT4 Business World. Our first-hand experience with both solutions is the basis for this comparison so you can make a better decision on which is right for you.
SYSPRO has built a reputation primarily in the manufacturing and distribution sectors. It’s an ERP software designed for discrete manufacturing and mixed-mode operations. SYSPRO is best suited for small to large enterprises in a wide range of industries, from automotive and chemicals to electronics and food.
The most significant advantage of SYSPRO is its user-friendliness and accessibility across devices. It also supports parallel accounting for global regulations. However, SYSPRO requires 3rd party add-ons for functions like EDI and shipping notifications. It does not include payroll or HR modules, and there are limited training resources available.
In contrast, UNIT4 Business World is a fully integrated, role-focused ERP system. It’s ideal for service or people-based organizations that need financial accounting and other back-office software. This solution is particularly aimed at service-based organizations in Professional Services, Public Sector, Nonprofit, and Higher Education sectors.
Unit4 ERP stands out for its high customization and a broad spectrum of functional modules. However, the extensive customization capabilities can lead to upgrade challenges. It also lacks built-in tutorials for complex features.
After thorough testing and review, our recommendation for most businesses is SYSPRO. SYSPRO’s accessibility, user-friendliness, and compatibility with a wide range of industries give it a competitive edge. It’s also notable for its ability to integrate with AI, MI, IoT, and Cloud-hosting, making it a future-proof investment for many businesses.
UNIT4 Business World may be a better fit for service-focused organizations or related sectors due to its high customizability and the wide array of functional modules.
Both SYSPRO and UNIT4 Business World have strengths catering to different business needs. For a broader view of ERP solutions, check out our roundup of the best ERP software available today.