For small and mid-sized manufacturers (SMBs) in 2025, ERP-related pain points often revolve around affordability, ease of use, and flexibility. See if your business can relate to any of these.
Here are the top 10 challenges they face:
High Implementation & Maintenance Costs – SMBs often struggle with the upfront and ongoing costs of ERP systems, including licensing, customization, and IT support.
Limited IT Resources – Unlike larger manufacturers, SMBs typically lack in-house IT teams, making ERP implementation, maintenance, and troubleshooting more difficult.
Complexity & User Adoption – Many ERP systems are designed for large enterprises, making them overly complex for SMBs. Employees may struggle with adoption due to unintuitive interfaces and insufficient training.
Scalability Constraints – Some SMBs start with entry-level ERP solutions that lack the ability to scale as they grow, forcing costly migrations or inefficient workarounds.
Integration with Existing Tools – Many SMBs rely on QuickBooks, spreadsheets, or niche software for specific processes. Integrating these with an ERP can be challenging, leading to disconnected systems.
Real-Time Data Visibility – SMBs need access to real-time financials, inventory, and production data but often struggle with ERP solutions that provide delayed or fragmented reporting.
Supply Chain & Inventory Management – SMB manufacturers need agile ERP solutions that help manage supply chain disruptions, supplier communication, and just-in-time inventory strategies.
Customization & Flexibility – Many ERP systems require extensive customization to fit SMB needs, which can be costly and difficult to maintain over time.
Regulatory & Compliance Challenges – SMBs in industries like aerospace, medical devices, or automotive manufacturing need ERP solutions that simplify compliance tracking without adding complexity.
Cloud vs. On-Premise Dilemma – While cloud ERP is more cost-effective and scalable, some SMBs are hesitant to transition due to security concerns, internet dependency, or existing on-premise infrastructure.
Infor CloudSuite Industrial (CSI) is specifically designed to address the key ERP challenges that small and mid-sized manufacturers (SMBs) face in 2025. Here’s how CSI and LogicData help overcome these pain points:
Affordable & Predictable Costs – CSI is a cloud-based ERP with a subscription model, eliminating the need for expensive on-premise hardware, maintenance, and IT staff. SMBs can scale their ERP costs with their growth. Learn more about cost
Minimal IT Requirements – Since CSI is cloud-based, SMBs don’t need a large IT team to manage servers, security, or system upgrades. Infor handles updates, security, and maintenance, reducing operational burdens.
User-Friendly & Role-Based Interface – CSI offers an intuitive interface designed for manufacturers, with industry-specific dashboards and workflows. This reduces the learning curve and improves user adoption.
Built for Growth & Scalability – CSI supports SMBs as they grow, handling everything from small-scale operations to complex multi-site manufacturing without requiring system migrations.
Seamless Integration – Unlike rigid legacy ERP systems, CSI easily integrates with existing tools like QuickBooks, Salesforce, MES systems, PLM software, and e-commerce platforms, eliminating silos and improving efficiency.
Real-Time Business Insights – CSI provides real-time inventory, production, and financial data through built-in analytics and reporting tools, allowing SMBs to make faster, data-driven decisions.
Configurable, Not Custom-Coded – Unlike traditional ERP solutions that require costly customizations, CSI is highly configurable out of the box, ensuring SMBs get tailored workflows without complex coding.
Regulatory Compliance Made Easy – CSI automates audit trails, quality control, and compliance tracking for industries like aerospace, medical devices, and automotive, reducing compliance risks.
Cloud Flexibility with Enterprise-Level Security – CSI runs on AWS GovCloud, providing enterprise-grade security, high uptime, and disaster recovery, ensuring SMBs can operate without worrying about cybersecurity threats.
