What Is SAP ERP?
SAP offers a wide range of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software systems, with the ability to provide solutions for the largest and most complex businesses around the globe. As one of the largest ERP vendors and software developers in the world, SAP is considered one of the “big three” in the business software industry, along with rivals Oracle and Microsoft.
SAP was formed in 1972 after five software engineers from IBM decided to start their own business rather than give up on an enterprise management system they were working on. This accounting and financial system would eventually evolve into an early version of modern ERP systems. SAP leveraged their innovative business systems to grow into one of the largest publicly traded software companies in the world, with more than 425,000 customers across 180 countries. SAP ERP products include SAP S4/HANA, SAP Business One, and SAP Business ByDesign, along with other available systems.
What Is Included in SAP ERP?
SAP ERP offers a complete suite of software modules and features that companies expect to get within an ERP solution. This includes financials and accounting, manufacturing, distribution, inventory management, research and development, service management, sales, and much more. Since SAP offers many types of business solutions, such as customer relationship management, business intelligence, supply chain management, and human resources management, companies can tailor the ERP solution to accommodate their business requirements.
Benefits of Using SAP ERP
SAP ERP is designed to streamline business processes and sources of data within an integrated ERP solution. Instead of using multiple apps and databases, a company runs operations through a single ERP system. This eliminates redundant systems while deploying more efficient and effective business processes and the ability to improve collaboration across all departments. An ERP can also support automation of business processes, including those involving multiple departments.
SAP ERP Pricing
Like most ERP vendors, SAP doesn’t release price lists online for their ERP solutions. SAP offers multiple ERP solutions for different industries and business types. As such, the price of SAP ERP will change depending on the type of ERP. The general rule of thumb for ERP pricing is that bigger businesses will pay more than smaller or less complex companies. Costs rise as more user licenses and ERP features are needed to cover business requirements. As such, companies will need to contact a reseller or an SAP representative to get a detailed ERP pricing quote.
SAP ERP Comparison
Since SAP is among the top ERP providers in the world, the best comparison would be Oracle and Microsoft, the other two tier 1 ERP vendors. Companies such as Infor, IFS, Sage, Epicor, and QAD are smaller competitors that provide comparable ERP functionality for many business scenarios that don’t involve the most massive enterprises.
SAP ERP Reviews
As one of the biggest ERP vendors and developers, SAP tends to be scrutinized more than most business software companies. Overall, the majority of reviews for SAP ERP have been very positive. This includes business software websites that collect user feedback, and reviews from industry experts and market research firms.
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