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ERP Change: When is a New ERP System Sensible?

Pia Heßler 3/14/2025

The most common reasons for change and helpful tips for your ERP transition

Table of contents
  1. When does an ERP change make sense?
  2. The most popular ERP systems for small and medium-sized companies on OMR Reviews are:
  3. Fazit: microtech ist eine gute Wahl für den ERP-Wechsel in kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen

A change of ERP is a significant step for small and medium-sized businesses: It comes with some challenges and even more opportunities. For the change of your ERP system to succeed, we have compiled the most important information and a detailed ERP change guide for SMEs in this article.

Recommended ERP-Systeme

On our comparison platform OMR Reviews you can find more recommended ERP systems. We present over 300 solutions that are specially tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized companies, start-ups and large corporations. These ERP systems offer comprehensive support in all business processes. Take this opportunity to compare the various ERP solutions, drawing on authentic and verified user reviews:

  • Hublify
  • Payhawk (Free Demo) />
  • Billbee
  • orgaMAX
  • microtech büro+
  • weclapp
  • Myfactory
  • Sage 100
  • 360ᵉ by e-velopment
  • Pickware
  • SAP S/4HANA Cloud, public edition
  • JTL
  • MOCO
  • Xentral ERP
  • e.bootis-ERPII
  • Deltek Maconomy
  • Munixo
  • reybex Cloud ERP
  • Haufe X360
  • cgrd commerce GRID
  • TOPIX
  • When does an ERP change make sense?

    There are many reasons that speak for changing your ERP system. In many cases, several arguments apply.

    "Always optimize a running system" instead of "Never change a running system"

    Many companies hold on to their outdated software forever because they are used to it. They shy away from the supposedly high costs that could arise from a system change. But in fact, according to the consulting firm Aberdeen Group, the maintenance costs of legacy systems alone are supposed to make up between 16 and 20 percent of the list price annually (Source: "The Cost of Doing Nothing: Why you can't afford to sit on an ERP software decision"). With a technological upgrade, companies could reduce their ERP costs (e.g. by eliminating maintenance costs) and generate higher revenues at the same time (e.g. by optimizing their processes).

    Company Growth

    An ERP solution must grow with the company. If it doesn't, the use of a more modern system is often indispensable to remain competitive. The Digitization Index SMEs 2019/2020 surveyed small and medium-sized companies: The innovations as part of the transformation process could lead to improvements in process optimization, customer satisfaction, customer acquisition and revenue development.

    Grafik: Ergebnisse durch Digitalisierungsmaßnahmen

    Source: Digitization index SMEs 2019/2020

    Lowering IT costs

    Companies can switch from a cloud solution to an on-prem solution or from an on-prem solution to a cloud solution to reduce their IT costs. The advantage of on-prem software is owning the ERP. This means users buy and install the ERP system on their computer. This way, companies avoid ongoing ERP costs, because the purchase costs are only due once. With a cloud solution, companies avoid high acquisition costs because they pay (for example monthly) per license for the use of the software. That's all for the acquisition costs. But what about all the other costs?

    If an on-prem solution is further developed by the provider, the updates are usually not installed automatically at the users. This way, they can decide for themselves whether they want to carry out a (possibly chargeable) software update or not. In addition, an on-prem solution can incur costs for computing capacity, storage space, hardware and the effort of the internal IT department. Compared to the cloud solution the utilization of an on-prem solution does not affect the costs.

    Some companies withdraw from their on-prem ERP in order to lower their operating and maintenance costs. This means, they buy a license and thus the right to use the ERP system. The advantage of cloud ERPs is the minimal IT effort in-house. The systems are updated and maintained by the providers – all this happens in the background. For this use, users continuously pay a fixed amount.

    As you can see, both cloud and on-prem solutions can have a positive or negative effect on your IT costs. You should calculate the prices for each ERP system individually, taking into account the expected usage period.⁠

    Grafik: SaaS vs On-Prem

    Data security

    ⁠⁠We can't say in general where your data is safer. Due to a (supposedly) higher data security, some companies move from a cloud solution to an on-prem ERP or vice versa.

    Some consider on-prem safer as the sensitive data is hosted in the own building – on the own servers. The local backup provides additional protection. For others, the local hosting is exactly the reason why they advocate for cloud ERPs: Georedundancy through data centers at different locations is supposed to minimize downtime risk",".User-friendliness

    ERP systems only fulfill their purpose if they are gladly and effectively used by employees. For this, they have to be especially

    intuitive and fun",". The ERP switch can also be initiated by departments themselves or the HR department. You should not underestimate this aspect, because the usability has particularly long-term consequences. It significantly influences productivity, satisfaction and the rate of fluctuation of your employees and thus your entire company success.Source: Own illustrationBusiness IntelligenceOld ERP systems often have no, few or poor

    Grafik: Benutzerfreundlichkeit

    business intelligence

    functions, with which the most important business key figures are determined and monitored. These features form the basis for

    data-based decisions and are therefore of great importance in every department.Source: microtechCooperation with externals

    Grafik: Business Intelligence

    The purchasing and selling processes

    have fundamentally changed: The research, price comparison and the ordering and complaint process usually take place

    digitally - on the PC or mobile phone - . All functions that simplify the cooperation with clients and suppliers (e.g. customer and supplier portals), can be a reason for switching ERP.FlexibilityMany old ERP systems demand that users adapt to the system and not the other way around. This can make daily processes

    very difficult and limit productivity. This can include the necessity of

    mobile use",": Most companies offer their employees at least a hybrid workspace - sometimes even completely in home office or remote. If the old ERP system cannot keep up here, this is a reason for changing.Source: microtechComplianceLaws

    Grafik: Flexibilität

    often change, and as a result the requirements for IT systems. Instead of choosing a separate whistleblower solution, a company can for example look for a solution with a integrated whistleblower management",".

    Compatibility of the tool set

    A company usually uses several IT systems - some of them self-made. Decisive in choosing a tool is not only the tool itself, but the smooth interaction of the entire tool set, to ensure a error-free and redundancy-free as well as gapless data flow. If your ERP system does not offer all necessary integrations, that can be a reason to replace it with a different system.Source: microtech

    Governmental subsidies

    Government subsidies can also encourage you to question your old ERP system.Government subsidies at federal level: "Digital now - investment support for SMEs" or the application tool of the Federal Office for Economy and Export Control (for companies that have already existed for a year and also want to take advantage of advisory services on other topics)

    Grafik: Kompatibilität

    Government subsidies at state level: The subsidy follows the criteria catalogue of investment and development banks (different from state to state).

    KfW

    : The KfW (Credit Institute for Reconstruction) grants affordable and long-term loans.

    • ⁠You should keep an eye on these ERP systems in the event of an imminent changeOn
    • OMR Reviews you will find many
    • ERP systems for small and medium-sized companies. You can refine your tool selection by using rating filters. Take a look at the verified user reviews. They will assist you in your decision.
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    Whichever ERP system you choose: Careful planning is the be-all and end-all when introducing an ERP system or changing to a different ERP. For assistance, check out our article ERP implementation in five steps",". It is best to download the free whitepaper

    from microtech directly to prepare optimally for the ERP implementation. It contains detailed information on

    the methods","the duration"," andthe costs of your ERP setup.Source:

    • Whitepaper microtech "Planning and Implementing a Successful ERP Setup"
    • Thanks to its high adaptability and
    • flexibility the ERP system from microtech is especially suitable for small and medium-sized trading, production and service companies. The comprehensive solution

    Grafik: ERP-Projektplan

    replaces island solutions or an outdated ERP system with the modules inventory management, finance and payroll accounting, e-commerce, logistics and shipping, production and manufacture as well as checkout. The OMR Community praises the user-friendliness, the

    range of functions and the customer support. But I can tell you a lot - convince yourself: Test microtech now for free and without obligation","!Conclusion: microtech is a good choice for an ERP change in small and medium-sized companiesMany reasons can advocate for a change in ERP or even make it indispensable. In any case, you should plan and execute it carefully and in a structured manner. A popular tool that covers the most common reasons for change is microtech. It is intuitive, modularly built, offers a wide range of functions (from the classic ERP functions to special functions such as a ERP Production Planning) and first-class support.Funktionsumfang und den Kundensupport. Aber ich kann dir viel erzählen – überzeuge dich am besten einfach selbst: Teste microtech jetzt kostenlos und unverbindlich!

    Fazit: microtech ist eine gute Wahl für den ERP-Wechsel in kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen

    Viele Gründe können für einen ERP-Wechsel sprechen oder ihn sogar unabdingbar machen. In jedem Fall solltest du ihn sorgfältig planen und strukturiert durchführen. Ein beliebtes Tool, das die häufigsten Wechselgründe abdeckt, ist microtech. Es ist intuitiv, modular aufgebaut, bietet einen großen Funktionsumfang (von den klassischen ERP-Funktionen bis Spezialfunktionen wie einer ERP-Produktionsplanung) und erstklassigen Support.

    Pia Heßler
    Author
    Pia Heßler

    Pia war mehr als 10 Jahre im Vertrieb und Marketing verschiedenster Unternehmen aktiv. Danach gründete sie ihr eigenes Unternehmen und betreibt dieses zusammen mit ihrer Geschäftspartnerin.

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