CIMA Members in Europe

Morning all,

We are looking into implementing a new ERP system to streamline and improve processes. The two top runners are Epicor and Syspro. Can you please give feedback if you have used any of these systems and what your experience of them is ?

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Caroline Sharp
Castings Technology International Limited
Rotherham
+4407377450278 00000000000
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I have some experience in ERP implementation for an SME, but not of those two which you mention specifically. The one we eventually settled on was Jeeves (Jeeves ERP - a powerful cloud ERP system | Jeeves ERP), but overall from a non-technical person such as myself, it appeared that the choice of ERP backend was nowhere near as important as its implementation and frontend, insofar as the ERP backends all appeared to offer similar functionality. So our eventual choice of ERP provider was largely driven by the preference of the external IT contractor we tasked to help with implementation and frontend design. In other words, we chose the implementation team (largely based on sector experience, price, resource availability, flexibility and support) which we wanted to work with, and then let them guide us as to which ERP software they preferred to work with. Obviously it's a different matter if you are using your own in-house engineers for the implementation.

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Cameron Christie
C. Lewis (France)
Cotignac
604098871
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Hello Caroline, 

If you have already shortlisted the vendors I would check the flexibility of both solution in terms of customization of the preconfigured processes. Most of the cloud based ERP now do not leave too much room for client specific development. Question is if you fully accept the "standard" or you would like to modify some business flows.

Other important elements:

• trusted SI (system implementor) with relevant hand-on experience
• realistic timeline
• primary ERP module (finance, logistics, manufacturing)
• Complexity of your own changes/development
• "appetite for the change" represented by the users
• User Interface (UI) - ease of navigation

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Maciej Sej
Other
SAP Solution Architect
Raszyn
+48608594461
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-16-2026 07:45
From: Cameron Christie
Subject: ERP System

I have some experience in ERP implementation for an SME, but not of those two which you mention specifically. The one we eventually settled on was Jeeves (Jeeves ERP - a powerful cloud ERP system | Jeeves ERP), but overall from a non-technical person such as myself, it appeared that the choice of ERP backend was nowhere near as important as its implementation and frontend, insofar as the ERP backends all appeared to offer similar functionality. So our eventual choice of ERP provider was largely driven by the preference of the external IT contractor we tasked to help with implementation and frontend design. In other words, we chose the implementation team (largely based on sector experience, price, resource availability, flexibility and support) which we wanted to work with, and then let them guide us as to which ERP software they preferred to work with. Obviously it's a different matter if you are using your own in-house engineers for the implementation.

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Cameron Christie
C. Lewis (France)
Cotignac
604098871
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The answer to this question is never that simple.  Size, scope, industry and diversity of your organisation are key drivers.  It is a decision that will impact your company for the next 10-20 years.  As a manufacturing company the importance of a solid back end should not be underestimated.

A few years ago I implemented Microsoft AX Dynamics.  The US consulting support team did not understand VAT, intrastats, foreign trade, IBAN payments and many things we take for granted in Europe.  European support partner access was blocked by HQ.
The biggest operational issue we had was the user base was very small so every new recruit needed to be trained how to use it.
SAP/Oracle etc can be very expensive but as a UK SME the business case would need to overwhelming not to use a product like SAGE.

An established user base in UK and a huge support network is really important.

Good luck with your project. 

Kind Regards
Iain

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Iain Wallace
FCA Switzerland SA
Volketswil
+4441793773085 00 000 000 000
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