Choosing the Right ERP Solution

How to Choose the Right ERP for Small to Mid-Sized Manufacturers

For small and mid-sized manufacturers, choosing and investing in an ERP system is one of the biggest strategic moves you can make. The right ERP doesn’t just track orders, it connects your entire operation, cuts downtime, improves scheduling, and helps you stay competitive against your competition. Get it right, and you will unlock better productivity, smoother operations, and a competitive edge. Get it wrong, and you will end up with cost overruns, downtime, and frustrated customers, and employees.

Not every ERP is built for the demands of metal fabrication, machining or Surface coating shops. Here’s how to choose the right one and avoid expensive mistakes.

Look For Industry Fit – Not Generic Software

Too many manufacturers waste time and money trying to adapt a generic ERP system to a highly specific shop floor. An ERP designed for manufacturing operations, especially in metal fabrication, machining, and powder coating should come with features like:

• Real-time shop floor tracking
• Advanced scheduling and shift planning
• Machine performance monitoring
• Smart inventory management
• Procurement and shipping management
• Seamless data and workflow integration across every department

If you are constantly managing workarounds, you’re using the wrong system.

Demand Real-Time Data Visibility

Downtime is one of the biggest hidden costs for manufacturers. If your ERP doesn’t give you real-time, actionable visibility into your production lines, machine statuses, inventory levels, and work orders, you lack the visibility you need to run an efficient operation.

A purpose-built ERP for manufacturing helps you:

• Prevent breakdowns with active machine monitoring and proactive maintenance
• Identify and resolve bottlenecks before they halt production
• Manage inventory by automatically tracking material levels and incoming shipments

Make Sure It Can Grow with You

Your operation today might look very different in 5 or even 10 years and your ERP must keep up. Make sure your solution can scale as you:

• Add new machines and production lines
• Expand into new markets and product lines
• Open new facilities
• Hire more staff and add shifts
• Expand your supply chain network
• Grow your customer base

If your software solution can’t grow with you, you’ll end up paying twice when you rip it out and replace it later.

Prioritize Ease of Use or it Won’t Get Used

Your ERP should make work easier, not harder. If your team finds it confusing or clunky, they will go back to spreadsheets, and paper workarounds, and al the promised benefits disappear.

Look for:

• Intuitive dashboards and interfaces
• Mobile access for managers and floor staff
• Simple training and requirements and user support

A system people cannot or will not use is a system you won’t get ROI from.

Back It Up with Support and Training

Even the best ERP system is useless without the right training, and support behind it. Ask any vendor the following questions:

• How do they handle implementation?
• Do they offer custom training for your team?
• Is live support easy to reach when issues come up?

A great ERP software provider should fell like an extension of your team, not a call centre you never hear back from.

Choosing the right ERP for your manufacturing business is about more than ticking boxes. It’s about finding a system that truly fits your shop floor, grows with you, and actively helps you cut downtime, boost productivity, improve efficiency, and stay ahead of your competitors. The right solution becomes the backbone of your operation

supporting your people, processes, and growth every step of the way. If you’re ready to see what a purpose-built ERP can do for your business, now is the time to take the next step.

Are you ready to find a purpose-built ERP for your facility, not a generic off the shelf system?

Talk to OnRamp today to learn more about how we help manufacturers build sustainable, resilient businesses.

Start with a 30-Min Introduction 📅