When it comes to ERP systems – which is best?

In today’s “always on” digital world business leaders are increasingly turning to ERP business software to operate more efficiently. But there is still some confusion over which “type” of ERP system is best. Large bespoke “on premise” solutions have their fans but increasingly the spotlight falls on agile cloud solutions which suit businesses of all sizes.

SAP has a great reputation for serving large enterprises extremely well with bespoke ERP systems like S/4HANA but less is known about the great stable of smaller solutions such as Business 1 for small business and Business ByDesign for the rapidly growing and mid-size operation.

Spot the difference – SAP S/4HANA and SAP Business ByDesign

So instead of asking “Which type of ERP system is better” you could frame the question as “What is the difference between SAP S/4HANA and SAP Business ByDesign?

As it happens, InCloud Solutions recently welcomed SAP supremo and head of Business ByDesign Rainer Zinow to London where over 50 solution users gathered to ask him just that. Below is a recording of Rainer’s answer in which  Business ByDesign customers are compared very favourably with fans of pod coffee. Do you want to pop the pod in and get a great cup of coffee or do you want to know the exact temperature to which the water is heated?

Have a listen – it might clarify a few issues about ERP systems for you. But if you don’t have the time – there is a transcript of Rainer’s words below.

“The S4 customer is typically any advanced in their experience – in their journey into IT. They are typically at the point now where they say look, the one size fits all solution is not what I am looking for.

The ByDesign customer is more – if I paint an extreme – the company which says, “you know what? I don’t want to have any IT people at all, I don’t know what they do – they have high salaries and traditionally whenever I wanted to grow my revenue by one pound I had to increase my IT spend at the same level.

Obviously they expect that that solution is open for integration if they want more, but they would describe themselves as the ones who have a Nespresso capsule in their hands – they can put it into the machine – they know that they need to put water in, they need to push the button but that is about as much as they want to do.”

Rainer Zinow – Head of SAP Business ByDesign 2018

If you would like to read a deeper dig into the differences between SAP Business ByDesign and SAP S/4HANA our managing director Bob Atkinson (pictured above with Rainer) wrote this informative article about the two ERP systems – just click on the text above.

And if you like the SAP Business ByDesign approach to modern ERP – the “solution in a box” answer to business integration and efficiency – then you can find out more by browsing our extensive website for useful content about the SAP Business ByDesign solution – and how we will support you . 

Finally why not call or e-mail for a chat with one of our friendly consultants about how you might use SAP Business ByDesign to make your business more efficient. Click here to get in contact.