In manufacturing, efficiency, visibility, and control are everything. That’s where an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system comes in — unifying operations, reducing waste, and supporting growth.
But the big question most manufacturers face is: Which ERP system is right for my business?
A practical starting point is your annual turnover, since it reflects the scale of operations and investment capacity. However, turnover alone doesn’t tell the full story. To make the best decision, you should also consider:
- Team Size / No. of ERP Users – How many people will actively use the ERP?
- Type of Manufacturing – Discrete, process, or mixed.
- Deployment Preference – On-premise or cloud.
- Customization & Integration Needs – Do you need out-of-the-box or highly tailored solutions?
- Long-term Growth Goals – Local scale or global expansion?
Let’s see how turnover and team size together can guide your ERP selection.
1. Small Manufacturers (Turnover < ₹50 Cr / <$1.5M | Users: 5–50)
Typical Manufacturing Types:
- Discrete (assembly of components).
- Light process manufacturing.
Key Needs:
- Basic inventory, production scheduling, invoicing, and compliance.
- Simple workflows for small teams.
Deployment Preference:
- Cloud-first or hybrid (to avoid heavy IT infrastructure).
ERP Options:
- Odoo Community Edition(Recommended) – Modular, free to start, and expandable.
- TallyPrime with Add-ons – Ideal if accounting is central and manufacturing is light.
Growth Perspective: Start lean and flexible. If your team grows beyond 20–30 users, be ready to upgrade to a more robust ERP.
2. Mid-Sized Manufacturers (Turnover ₹50–500 Cr / $1.5M–$15M | Users: 100-1000)
Typical Manufacturing Types:
- Mixed manufacturing (discrete + process).
- Batch or contract manufacturing.
Key Needs:
- End-to-end visibility across procurement, MRP, inventory, quality, and HR.
- Workflow automation for teams spread across departments.
Deployment Preference:
- Cloud (for scalability) or on-premise (if data security is critical).
ERP Options:
- Odoo Enterprise – Highly customizable and scales smoothly.
- SAP Business One – Robust, reliable, designed for mid-sized operations.
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central – Cloud-native, great for collaboration.
Growth Perspective: This stage demands an ERP that not only supports today’s 50–100 users but can expand as you add new plants, divisions, or product lines.
3. Large Manufacturers (Turnover > ₹500 Cr / $15M+ | Users: 1000+)
Typical Manufacturing Types:
- Process-heavy industries (chemicals, pharma, F&B).
- Complex discrete (automotive, aerospace) or mixed-mode.
Key Needs:
- Advanced MRP, multi-plant operations, IoT/AI-driven analytics.
- Multi-currency, multi-location, and compliance support.
- Deep customization and high-volume transaction handling.
Deployment Preference:
- Cloud-first for global accessibility, hybrid or on-premise for high-security industries.
ERP Options:
- SAP S/4 HANA – Enterprise-grade, best for global manufacturers.
- Oracle NetSuite – Cloud-first, excellent for multinationals.
- Infor CloudSuite Industrial (SyteLine) – Manufacturing-specific depth and flexibility.
Growth Perspective: ERP here becomes a strategic enabler, supporting hundreds of users across plants, countries, and supply chains while driving innovation and predictive analytics.
| Business Size | Turnover | Team Size (ERP Users) | ERP Options |
| Micro / Small | < ₹10 Cr | 5–50 | TallyPrime + Add-ons, Odoo Community |
| Growing SME | ₹10–50 Cr | 50–100 | Odoo Enterprise, Zoho (for lighter ops), SAP B1 (entry level) |
| Mid-Large | ₹50–500 Cr | 100–1000 | Odoo Enterprise (advanced), SAP B1, Microsoft Dynamics 365 BC, ERPNext (custom-heavy) |
| Enterprise | ₹500 Cr+ | 1000+ | SAP S/4 HANA, Oracle NetSuite, Infor CSI |
Putting It All Together
When choosing your ERP, think beyond turnover. Consider:
- Turnover (Scale & Investment Capacity) – Budget and operational complexity.
- Team Size (User Count) – Determines licensing cost, workflow depth, and collaboration needs.
- Manufacturing Type – Discrete, process, or mixed affects required modules.
- Deployment Preference – Cloud vs. on-premise impacts cost and control.
- Customization & Integration – Flexibility for unique processes.
- Growth Goals – Ensure the ERP can grow with you.
Final Thoughts
Turnover gives a starting point, but adding team size makes ERP selection far more accurate. A small company with 10 users won’t need the same ERP as a 500-user enterprise, even if they operate in similar industries.
At Areterix Technologies, we help manufacturers evaluate not just their revenue but also their team size, operations, and long-term goals to implement ERP solutions that truly fit.
👉 Looking for the right ERP for your business? Let’s talk.