SAP vs. JD Edwards: ERP Software Comparison
SAP and JD Edwards both offer incredibly popular, Tier I enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, designed to help businesses with balancing financials, sales, supply chain management, human resources (HR), and more.
Most modern ERP platforms are cloud-based to promote global business across multiple time zones and languages. This is true of both SAP Business One and JD Edwards EnterpriseOne. Which of these cloud-based ERP software systems is best suited for your business needs? Find out by reviewing their similarities and differences now.
SAP vs JD Edwards: Software Overview
Use this side-by-side comparison of SAP and JD Edwards software options to review deployment options, pricing levels, and popular features:
What is SAP ERP Software?
SAP, launched in 1972, has over 425,000 customers in over 180 countries using their various ERP systems. They offer multiple ERP products in order to provide options for every business to better plan, execute, predict, and simulate at all times:
- SAP S/4HANA makes both the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data accessible with real-time insight on any data.
- SAP Business One provides comprehensive business management capabilities for small- to medium-sized companies.
- SAP Business All-in-One ERP solution designed for mid-market to enterprise size businesses.
SAP ERP solutions offer a broad range of functional support for a wide variety of industry types, particularly manufacturers and distributors. However, they are also popular with real estate and healthcare companies due to the user-friendly interface.
All SAP systems use machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to continually customize functionality. And all of SAP's cloud platform systems integrate finance, sales, supply chain management, production, project management, and production processes in real-time.
What is JD Edwards ERP Software?
JD Edwards ERP solutions, distributed by Oracle, offer an integrated suite of user-friendly business applications to streamline work.
JD Edwards EnterpriseOne is primarily used by enterprise level companies. Based on Software Connect surveys, their industry-focus includes:
- Manufacturing
- Distribution
- Agriculture & Natural Resources
- Construction
- Service
In comparison, JD Edwards World is primarily used in:
- Consulting
- Professional Services
- Retail
- Manufacturing
While there is definite overlap between the two, JD Edwards EnterpriseOne is used by more businesses across a wider range of industries because there are industry-specific modules available.
Software Deployment Models
There are three main ways to deploy ERP software: on-premise, cloud-based, or hybrid models. Both SAP and JD Edwards offer cloud-based platforms which means the software is accessible from web-browsers and mobile devices. This means features can be accessed anywhere, allowing information to be exchanged simultaneously to your business partners all over the world. Pricing for cloud-based ERP is usually based on monthly or annual rates.
All SAP and JD Edwards ERP products are also available with on-premise implementation. This is usually cheaper than software-as-a-service (SaaS) necessary for cloud deployment since there is instead a one-time licensing and implementation fee. These systems are still popular since they don't rely on a constant Internet connection to operate, allowing for more work in areas with questionable connections. It is also easier to secure these solutions when access is limited.
Depending on your exact needs, you can build a hybrid model between the on-premise and cloud-based products. Business software customization allows you to control the level of accessibility.
Winner: Tie, both offer on-premise and cloud deployment
Pricing
Pricing on ERP products depends on a variety of factors like functionality, support expectations, company scale, and user count. As mentioned before, pricing primarily depends on if you want on-premise or cloud deployment. The costs for implementing SAP or JD Edwards solutions can vary significantly even amongst similar companies.
SAP Business One and Business-All-in-One costs are primarily based on the number of users or logins. Also, SAP products are SaaS subscriptions, paid monthly or on an annual basis. Whatever deployment or payment model you select, mid-market to enterprise corporations can expect to spend somewhere in the tens of thousands over the first 3 years of use.
JD Edwards EnterpriseOne has a much different pricing structure, as the total cost depends on all the components necessary for your platform. As such, the price tends to be hundreds of thousands of dollars for all combined elements, regardless of whether you seek a perpetual license or SaaS plan. And there are minimum user requirements to take into account.
Winner: Tie, both pricing models depend on your company
Software Scalability
The various ERP products developed by JD Edwards and SAP are used by independent freelancers all the way up to global enterprises. It's important to have an ERP solution which fits your current needs and can anticipate future expansion.
SAP's ERP solutions are popular with mid-market to small businesses while the Business All-in-One is preferred by larger companies. However, it is easy to scale your software to fit your growing business needs.
JD Edwards EnterpriseOne is used overwhelmingly by enterprise-level corporations, though it is also used by mid-market and small businesses who are expecting growth. JD Edwards World is slightly smaller in scale.
Winner: SAP
Types of Industries Served
ERP products include features to automate front-office and back-office business processes. These tools can be used by just about every industry imaginable. SAP ERP software is generally used in manufacturing, distribution, and other businesses along the supply chain. These solutions are used to a less frequent degree in consulting, real estate, and healthcare.
In contrast, JD Edwards ERP software is used by the following industries:
- Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Construction
- Distribution
- manufacturing
- Professional Services
- Retail
Additionally, JD Edwards has industry-specific modules available to serve different types of businesses.
Winner: JD Edwards
SAP vs JD Edwards: What is the Best ERP Software?
SAP and JD Edwards each both have their own benefit, depending on what you're looking for in an ERP solution.
Which you select will depend on your exact business needs, company size, and even industry. SAP products tend to be used by enterprise-level manufacturers while JD Edwards is better suited to enterprise and midmarket companies in any field. Yet no single platform has a clear advantage over the others without taking your current business processes into account.
The business software market offers a lot of unique products. Compare some of the most popular ERP options before you buy.
Looking for a new ERP system by SAP or JD Edwards? Get free help from one of our software advisors.
