Which Is Better for Manufacturing Companies: SAP or NetSuite?

You're not the only manufacturing company attempting to decide between NetSuite and SAP. Selecting an ERP system is a significant choice, similar to selecting a business partner. Additionally, it's simple to become overwhelmed by the variety of options available. I've got your back, so don't worry.

As someone who has written about ERP systems for more than ten years and assisted companies like yours in making informed technological decisions, I'm here to simplify, authenticate, and make this actionable.

Let's examine which ERP, NetSuite or SAP, might be more appropriate for your manufacturing company.

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The Essentials of a Manufacturing ERP

Before comparing the two, let’s talk about what manufacturing businesses usually need from an ERP:

• Management of inventory and supply chains
• Planning and scheduling for production
• Real-time financials and reporting
• Integration with CRM and sales systems
• Scalability as the business grows
• Interface that is easy to use for your team
• Cloud accessibility (particularly when working remotely or in multiple locations)

Let's now compare SAP and NetSuite.

SAP for Manufacturing: The Heavyweight Champ

SAP is like the heavyweight champ of ERP systems. There is no denying its power. The features of SAP's manufacturing-focused solutions, particularly SAP S/4HANA, are abundant:

Pros:

• Highly customizable for complex operations
• Excellent global compliance and regulatory support
• Strong support for advanced manufacturing processes
• Deep analytics and business intelligence tools

Cons:

• High implementation and maintenance cost
• Requires more IT involvement
• Longer setup time
• Can be overwhelming for small to mid-sized manufacturers

SAP works great for large manufacturing enterprises with big budgets, complex workflows, and dedicated IT teams.

NetSuite for Manufacturing: The Agile Contender

NetSuite, a cloud-native ERP by Oracle, is built with flexibility in mind. It’s become super popular with small to mid-sized manufacturers, and for good reason.

Pros:

• Cloud-based and accessible from anywhere
• Faster implementation
• Reduced total cost of ownership (TCO)
• Integrated financials, eCommerce, and CRM
• Regular updates and strong support
• Scales well as you grow

Cons:

• Less customizable than SAP (but often good enough)
• May require add-ons for very niche processes
• Learning curve for advanced modules

For expanding manufacturers who need to move quickly, maintain flexibility, and stay away from significant IT overhead, NetSuite is fantastic.

Integration Skills: How Well Do They Get Along With Others?

ERP systems are not isolated entities. Your system must integrate easily with your other tools, such as payroll, warehouse management, CRM, and more.

• SAP provides extensive integrations, particularly for businesses that use other SAP products. Third-party integrations are also supported, though they may call for more specialized work.
• In addition to a strong marketplace (SuiteApp) for plug-and-play extensions, NetSuite has built-in integrations. If you want to connect to other platforms more quickly and easily, this is perfect.

NetSuite typically provides a more seamless experience if simple integration is a top concern, particularly for cloud-based tools.

Value Time: When Can You Expect to See Outcomes?

This one’s huge. ERP projects have a notoriously long implementation time, but this need not be the case.

• Depending on the degree of customization, SAP can take anywhere from 12 to 24 months to fully deploy.
• Going live with NetSuite usually only takes a few months.

Therefore, NetSuite could provide you with faster wins if speed is important, such as when you're attempting to scale or replace a legacy system quickly.

Vendor Support & Community

A great ERP system is only as good as the support behind it. When something breaks (and something always will), who’s in your corner?

• Although SAP has vast partner networks and a global presence, support is typically slower and more formal.
• Particularly if you're collaborating with a reputable NetSuite Partner or VAR, NetSuite provides responsive support options.

Not to be overlooked is NetSuite's robust learning center, active forums, and online community, which facilitate troubleshooting and feature exploration. For VARs and ERP consultants, tapping into these resources, alongside proven modern ERP lead generation strategies for VARs, can build both credibility and client trust in competitive spaces.

Which One Should You Pick, Then?

Here's a constructive way to look at it:

• If you’re a large global manufacturer with very specific and complex needs —> SAP might be your match.
• If you’re a fast-growing manufacturer that wants to get started quickly and scale smart —> NetSuite is likely the better choice.

What most people don't know is that a lot of businesses follow trends or what a vendor is most aggressive about. However, your decision should be based on your team, your objectives, and your workflow.

Are You Still Not Sure? Let’s Talk Lead Generation for VARs

Educating the buyer is crucial if you're a Value-Added Reseller (VAR) attempting to assist manufacturers in making this choice, or if you work as a consultant, agency, or vendor in this field.

To stand out in the crowded and competitive ERP market, you need a well-defined strategy, start by exploring these modern ERP lead generation strategies for VARs that deliver consistent visibility and trust.

I strongly advise VARs to review this guide on contemporary ERP lead generation tactics. It is full of practical advice on how to increase visibility, trust, and a consistent flow of qualified leads.

Concluding Remarks: Fit Is More Important Than Software

Ultimately, NetSuite and SAP are both excellent tools. How well the ERP supports your operations, growth, and people, however, is what really counts.

Go slowly. Pose challenging queries. Demo both if you can. Additionally, speak with people who have made the transition in your industry.

Make sure the solution you choose will enable you to build more intelligently, quickly, and robustly, whether it's SAP or NetSuite.

Do You Need Help Making a Decision?

Please get in touch if you're still unsure about which ERP is best for your manufacturing company. I would be pleased to guide you.

Together, we can ensure that your ERP journey is secure.

FAQs for Which Is Better for Manufacturing Companies: SAP or NetSuite?

What are the key features a manufacturing ERP should have?

A manufacturing ERP should offer inventory and supply chain management, production planning and scheduling, real-time financials, CRM and sales system integration, scalability, an easy-to-use interface, and cloud accessibility.

Is SAP or NetSuite better for large manufacturing companies?

SAP is generally better suited for large manufacturing enterprises with substantial budgets, intricate workflows, and dedicated IT teams, due to its high customisation and strong support for advanced processes.

Why is NetSuite often preferred by small to mid-sized manufacturers?

NetSuite is popular with small to mid-sized manufacturers because it is cloud-based, offers faster implementation, has a reduced total cost of ownership, and integrates financials, eCommerce, and CRM seamlessly. It scales well with growth.

How do SAP and NetSuite compare on implementation time?

SAP can take 12 to 24 months to fully deploy, depending on customisation. NetSuite typically goes live in just a few months, offering quicker results for businesses needing rapid deployment.

Which ERP system offers more seamless integration with other tools?

NetSuite generally provides a more seamless integration experience, especially with cloud-based tools, thanks to its built-in integrations and a strong marketplace for extensions. SAP also offers extensive integrations, but they may require more specialised work for third-party tools.