ERP System Examples: 10 Types and How Businesses Use Them

The term “ERP system” means something different depending on who's asking. For instance, a distributor needs one that catches a stockout before it happens, but a hospital network needs one that gets nursing schedules right across three shifts.

I pulled together 10 ERP system examples and researched how each handles real scenarios across 5 categories, from SAP S/4HANA's enterprise-scale finance consolidation to Odoo's flexible setup for small manufacturers. Each system brings data from different departments into a shared platform for managing core business operations.

By the end of this article, you'll know which type of ERP fits your company's size, industry, and deployment needs, plus a step-by-step framework for narrowing down the right one.

ERP System Examples at a Glance

Enterprise ERP Systems

Enterprise ERP systems coordinate complex tasks. These systems can operate across countries, financial structures, supply chains, and large workforces. Large enterprises use these ERPs because they can standardize shared processes and provide centralized controls and visibility at scale. 

For example, multinational organizations can connect inventory, procurement, financial reporting, and workforce data across business units while supporting regional systems and requirements.

SAP S/4HANA: Used for Complex Enterprise Operations

SAP S/4HANA is an enterprise ERP suite developed by SAP, built on the SAP HANA in-memory database. The system’s simplified data model and real-time processing distinguish it from older SAP ERP architectures. It also offers public cloud, private cloud, and on-premises deployments to address different standardization and control requirements.

Typical Users

SAP S/4HANA serves organizations of various sizes, including small and midsize ones. But its ability to consolidate fragmented processes, coordinate intercompany transactions, and manage complex manufacturing and supply chains makes it popular with large organizations. 

Core Functions

• Finance: Finance teams post transactions, reconcile ledgers, manage parallel accounting, and close company books using data directly from connected operational processes.
• Sourcing and procurement: Buying teams can issue and approve purchase orders, track supplier transactions, and connect goods receipts with invoices.
• Production planning and control: Planning teams can balance material demand and available capacity, release production orders, and track execution against integrated supply chain and finance data.

Example Use Case

When a manufacturer receives a customer order, the planning team can use the system to check material requirements and production capacity. The team then issues production orders when everything checks out. Delivery, billing, and finance can use SAP S/4HANA to manage billing and related financial transactions.

Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP: Used for Global Finance and Operations

Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP is a cloud-based system that helps companies manage finances and daily operations. Large companies can use shared financial data to manage complex operations and reporting in different countries.

Typical Users

This ERP serves financial organizations managing multiple legal entities, business units, currencies, and reporting requirements. It helps consolidate accounting structures, centralize procurement, coordinate project finances, and standardize transactions across operating units.

Core Functions

• Accounting hub: Convert transactions from Oracle and external systems into standardized, auditable journal entries for fast and centralized reporting across applications.
• Financial management: Your team can manage ledgers, payables, receivables, cash, assets, and intercompany accounting while tracing transactions across legal entities and currencies.
• Procurement: Approve requisitions, issue purchase orders, receive goods, and connect supplier invoices with finance records for payment.

Example Use Case

A finance team within a large organization uses Oracle Fusion Cloud to record supplier invoices, matching each with purchase orders and receipts. After approval, the company pays the invoices and records each payment in the correct accounts. The team can also review combined balances in one system instead of manually pulling data from separate systems.

Midmarket ERP Systems

Midmarket ERP systems connect finance, inventory, and operations for growing companies. They typically have fewer complex requirements than systems built for large global companies. By connecting data across departments, these systems reduce duplicate data entry and give teams current information for daily tasks and decisions.

Oracle NetSuite: Used for Scaling Multidepartment Operations

Oracle NetSuite is a cloud-based ERP suite owned by Oracle. It uses a multi-tenant SaaS architecture with vendor-managed upgrades, reducing the need for customer-managed version migrations.

Typical Users

NetSuite targets growing and mid-sized organizations needing an ERP focused on financial and operational capabilities that basic accounting software can’t provide.

Core Functions

• SuiteBilling: Generates recurring invoices from subscription contracts automatically, so revenue teams stop rebuilding billing schedules in spreadsheets each cycle.
• Advanced inventory management: Tracks stock across warehouses and bins by lot or serial number, preventing shipments of expired or recalled goods.
• SuiteAnalytics: Pulls live transactional data into dashboards without exporting to a separate business intelligence tool for reporting.

Example Use Case

A distribution company processes a customer order in NetSuite. The team can check inventory availability, commit stock to the order, and manage picking and fulfillment activities all within the platform. As the order moves through fulfillment and billing, NetSuite generates the appropriate accounting transactions.

Acumatica: Used for Connected Midmarket Operations

Acumatica is a cloud ERP that offers consumption-based licensing with unlimited users, alongside other licensing options. It allows for both private cloud and hosted SaaS deployment.

Typical Users

The ERP system serves construction firms, distributors, and manufacturers and offers unlimited-user licensing that does not charge for additional user seats. Its connected apps reduce manual work by managing projects, service, inventory, and expenses in one system.

Core Functions

• Field service management: Schedules technicians by location and skill, then converts completed work orders directly into customer invoices without re-entry.
• General ledger: Consolidates multiple entities and branches into one chart of accounts, so consolidated reporting skips manual currency conversion.
• Warehouse management: Directs pickers to bin locations by barcode scan, cutting fulfillment errors that come from manual pick lists.

Example Use Case

A distributor enters a customer order in Acumatica and checks available inventory before shipping. If stock runs low, the system issues a purchase order and updates inventory when goods arrive. Acumatica also records the financial activity tied to each order, giving operations and accounting access to the same data without manual reconciliation.

Manufacturing ERP Systems

Manufacturing ERP systems connect materials, production, inventory, orders, scheduling, and financial records. These systems help optimize production decisions that often affect purchasing and cash flow.

Epicor Kinetic: Used for Manufacturing Operations

Epicor Kinetic is built for manufacturers, connecting production, supply chain, and financial tasks in one system. It can also pull real-time machine and worker data from Epicor Advanced MES, helping you plan schedules using current production information.

Typical Users

This system suits manufacturers with complex production. The ERP helps manage materials, product changes, production jobs, and schedules. Kinetic connects the process from quotes and orders through production and shipping. Epicor Advanced MES can also add real-time machine and shop-floor data.

Core Functions

• Advanced planning and scheduling: Schedules and sequences production using capacity, resource constraints, material availability, and delivery requirements.
• Quality management: Records inspections and nonconformances and connects quality records with relevant inventory and production data to support lot, serial, and job traceability.
• Shop floor data collection: Captures labor and production activity from shop-floor transactions and feeds that information into job tracking and costing.

Example Use Case

A planner schedules a job in Epicor Kinetic based on available resources. The production manager records labor and production activity so teams can track costs and progress. If customer needs change, engineering updates the job details so other teams can work from current information.

Infor CloudSuite Industrial: Used for Complex Manufacturing Workflows

Infor CloudSuite Industrial is an ERP for manufacturers. Built on the SyteLine platform, it connects production planning, scheduling, shop-floor operations, and finances in one system.

Typical Users

The platform fits industrial equipment makers and other manufacturers. It helps manage complex production needs, from product setup through manufacturing. Companies with multiple facilities can also share production and operations data across locations.

Core Functions

• Advanced planning and scheduling: Uses finite-capacity planning and scheduling to sequence production based on available resources, materials, and manufacturing requirements.
• Configure price quote: Uses product rules and customer selections to configure products, calculate pricing, create quotes, and generate manufacturing information for supported configurations.
• Enterprise asset management: Infor EAM can connect asset, maintenance, and equipment history with operational processes to support preventive maintenance and equipment availability.

Example Use Case

A manufacturer receives a custom order and uses CloudSuite Industrial to plan materials, resources, and production. If the customer changes the order, engineering can update the job so production and cost records stay current.

Small-Business ERP Systems

Small-business ERP systems connect core financial and operational records in one system and can help with scaling operations. For example, recording a sale updates inventory, revenue, and customer balances without duplicate data entry.

Odoo: Used for Flexible Business Management

Odoo has both an open-source Community edition and a proprietary Enterprise edition. Companies can start with individual applications such as accounting and activate inventory, manufacturing, CRM, or other apps as their requirements grow.

Typical Users

Small and midsize businesses can start with specific Odoo apps and add more as they grow. Retailers, manufacturers, and service businesses can connect accounting, CRM, inventory, sales, and other functions in one platform, reducing reliance on separate systems.

Core Functions

• Inventory: Tracks inventory across warehouses and locations, with validated receipts, deliveries, and other stock movements updating inventory records.
• Point of sale: Records retail transactions and integrates sales data with Odoo's inventory and accounting applications based on configured POS workflows.
• Studio: Provides visual tools for modifying fields, views, models, automation rules, and other application elements without coding for many common customizations.

Example Use Case

A small manufacturer enters a sales order in Odoo, which checks inventory and reserves the needed parts. As the production team uses materials, Odoo tracks usage automatically. Accounting can then invoice the customer from the same order, keeping sales, production costs, and revenue connected.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central: Used for Small and Midsize Business Operations

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a cloud ERP. It allows teams already in the Microsoft ecosystem to handle daily work without constantly switching between applications.

Typical Users

Small and midsize businesses that already use Microsoft 365 can add Business Central without learning a completely new system. It’s ideal for companies that need a bigger solution than QuickBooks, as Business Central can also manage purchasing, inventory, and finance.

Core Functions

• Microsoft integration: Connects with Microsoft applications and services such as Excel, Outlook, Teams, and Power BI to support everyday ERP workflows.
• General ledger: Posts financial transactions across departments and locations using a shared chart of accounts, supporting centralized financial reporting and period-close processes.
• Warehouse management: Tracks inventory by warehouse and bin location and updates inventory records as goods move through receiving, picking, and shipping.

Example Use Case

A purchasing agent creates and submits a purchase order for approval in Business Central. When goods arrive, the system connects receipts, invoices, inventory, and financial records, helping finance spot errors and reconcile accounts.

Healthcare ERP Systems

Healthcare ERP systems help providers manage finances, supplies, inventory, and equipment while meeting healthcare requirements. Organizations can connect ERP software with EHRs, pharmacy tools, and other systems. 

Blaze.tech: Used to Build Custom Healthcare ERP Systems 

Blaze.tech gives you the option to self-build your ERP or have their development team create your ERP for you. It’s not a packaged, out-of-the-box ERP.

Typical Users

Health systems, clinics, and healthcare startups can use Blaze to build ERP tools around their specific workflows. Your team can update these tools themselves, reducing their reliance on spreadsheets and outside software vendors.

Core Functions

• Workflow automation: Connect intake, documentation, approvals, and data processing so information moves between healthcare teams without repeated manual entry.
• EHR and EMR integrations: Connect Epic, Oracle Health, and athenahealth to custom applications through healthcare-specific integrations.
• HIPAA-ready infrastructure: Build healthcare applications with HIPAA-enabling controls, SOC 2 Type II compliance, and HITRUST e1 certification without adding separate security products.

Example Use Case

A hospital's supply chain team builds a custom procurement app in Blaze instead of waiting for the ERP vendor to release an inventory module. The app pulls usage data from the EHR, flags low stock automatically, and routes purchase approvals to department heads.

Workday: Used for Healthcare Finance and Workforce Operations 

Workday is a cloud ERP that connects finance, HR, workforce planning, and other business tasks. Healthcare organizations can use it to manage staff, payroll, scheduling, and finances while connecting it with specialized healthcare systems.

Typical Users

Large hospital networks can use Workday to manage thousands of employees across different roles and shifts. It helps organizations track staffing and labor costs without relying on separate databases.

Core Functions

• Workforce management: Manages employee schedules, hours, and qualifications to help healthcare organizations plan staffing.
• Financial management: Connects budgets, transactions, and reports across departments to help teams manage finances.
• Payroll: Calculates employee pay, deductions, and overtime based on company rules and worker data.

Example Use Case

A hospital scheduler uses Workday for assigning shifts to the nursing staff based on availability and qualifications. Workday uses recorded hours and pay rules to calculate payroll.

What Is an ERP System?

An ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system is software that connects a company’s main business functions, such as finance, accounting, procurement, inventory, manufacturing, supply chain, human resources, and order management, through shared data. It helps teams in all areas work from the same information. 

For example, a purchase order can update inventory and accounting without staff entering the same data again. ERP systems range from tools for large global companies to platforms built for specific industries or growing businesses.

How to Choose the Right Type of ERP System

Choose the right type of ERP for your business by first identifying the processes you need to connect and then determining requirements for your industry. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Identify the Business Processes You Need to Connect

By identifying your business processes, you’ll often find the manual actions that slow you down. These tasks can include re-entering the same information in different systems or using several different spreadsheets across departments. 

Step 2: Identify Industry-Specific Requirements

Your industry could have specific legal requirements or operational standards that include workflows or rules that a basic ERP may not support. Determine which specialized features or compliance tools you need.  For example, if you’re a food distributor, you may need a function that tracks product batches.

Step 3: Define Your Integration Requirements

Integration requirements cover the outside tools your ERP needs to connect with, such as CRM, e-commerce, and payroll software. Strong integrations reduce manual data entry between systems. For instance, retailers can have online orders that automatically update inventory.

Step 4: Determine Your Customization Requirements

Customization requirements cover tasks an ERP can’t handle with its standard settings, such as company-specific approval chains or specialized inventory tracking. Adding custom features can increase costs and make future updates harder. Manufacturers should check whether a unique production process requires custom development.

Step 5: Choose a Deployment Model

The deployment model for your ERP refers to where it runs, such as in the cloud or on company servers. Your IT resources and security needs help determine the best option. 

On-prem vs. cloud: On-prem ERP gives you more direct control, but it also comes with greater maintenance demands. Cloud ERP is generally easier to deploy and scale, and can provide a clearer path to vendor-native agentic AI. Some organizations running older on-prem systems may need to migrate or re-platform to access the full AI capabilities offered by their ERP vendor. 

Step 6: Evaluate Implementation Requirements

Implementation requirements include your ERP launch and setup requirements, including moving data, connecting systems, testing the software, and training staff. You may need to consider hiring a consultant if your team lacks the time or skills to move existing data.

Step 7: Compare Total ERP Costs

Total ERP costs go beyond the software price: You must also budget for setup, integrations, training, custom features, and maintenance. For example, you could spend more on implementation than on its first year of software fees.

Build a Custom ERP With Blaze.tech

Most ERP system examples force healthcare teams into rigid modules built for someone else's workflow. Blaze offers flexibility by offering a custom solution that fits your specific needs. 

Here’s why more healthcare teams use Blaze to build their ERP:

• Replace repetitive administrative work: Automate patient intake, document routing, approvals, and reminders without ripping out your existing EHR.
• Faster implementation than traditional ERP builds: Launch in weeks instead of the months a standard ERP rollout takes.
• AI integrations built for real clinical workflows: Supports automated patient intake, document extraction, and OpenAI integration alongside secure EHR and EMR connections built for how your team works.

Schedule a free build consultation call today and stop forcing your workflows into someone else's ERP template. Blaze builds the system around how your team already works.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Some Common Examples of ERP Systems?

Common examples of ERP systems include SAP S/4HANA, Oracle Fusion Cloud, NetSuite, Acumatica, Epicor Kinetic, Odoo, and Workday. These platforms connect finance, inventory, and operations, reducing manual data entry and cutting duplicate work across departments.

What Is an Example of an ERP System in a Company?

An example of an ERP system in a company is a distributor using NetSuite to check inventory, commit stock to an order, and generate accounting entries automatically. This system helps the distributor avoid stockouts and reduce manual reconciliation between fulfillment and finance.

Is SAP an ERP System?

Yes, SAP is an ERP system. The system is specifically SAP S/4HANA, built on the SAP HANA database for real-time processing. It consolidates finance, procurement, and production data, reducing fragmented reporting and manual reconciliation across large organizations.

What Is the Best ERP for Healthcare Organizations? 

The best ERP for healthcare organizations depends on needs. Workday suits large hospital networks managing staffing, payroll, and finance, while Blaze.tech fits teams wanting a custom-built system tied to their EHR. If your healthcare ERP handles PHI (protected health information), the vendor must provide a BAA, and your ERP must have HIPAA-enabling features like encryption and audit logs so your organization can attain HIPAA compliance.