Choosing Your Manufacturing ERP
SAP Business One, MYOB Exo, and Pronto are the three dominant ERP systems for Australian manufacturers and distributors in the $5M-$100M revenue range. Each serves different business profiles and priorities.
Quick summary: MYOB Exo wins on cost and speed for light manufacturing. Pronto dominates wholesale distribution. SAP Business One provides the most comprehensive capabilities for complex manufacturing and long-term scalability.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | SAP Business One | MYOB Exo | Pronto | Winner | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost (per user) | $80-$150/user | $100-$200/user | $120-$180/user | SAP | SAP lowest per-user cost but requires more users typically |
| Implementation Cost | $80K-$250K | $40K-$120K | $50K-$150K | MYOB Exo | MYOB Exo fastest and cheapest to implement |
| Manufacturing Capability | Advanced (routing, MRP, shop floor) | Good (BOM, work orders, job costing) | Medium (basic manufacturing) | SAP | SAP strongest for complex manufacturing |
| Warehouse Management | Advanced (bins, zones, pick/pack) | Basic (multi-location, transfers) | Excellent (purpose-built for distribution) | Pronto | Pronto market leader for Australian distribution |
| Australian Payroll | Via add-on/integration | Built-in (STP, super, awards) | Built-in (comprehensive) | MYOB Exo | MYOB Exo most seamless Australian payroll |
| Financial Management | Comprehensive global standard | Strong AU-focused financials | Good financials, distribution-focused | SAP | SAP most sophisticated financial capabilities |
| Inventory Tracking | Serial/batch, quality management, MRP | Serial/batch, basic MRP | Serial/batch, consignment, landed cost | SAP | SAP most comprehensive inventory control |
| Multi-Currency | Excellent global multi-currency | Good multi-currency | Good multi-currency | SAP | SAP best for international operations |
| Reporting & BI | Crystal Reports, advanced analytics | Standard reports, custom via dev | Good standard reports, customization | SAP | SAP most powerful reporting capabilities |
| Ease of Use | Complex, requires significant training | Dated but familiar for MYOB users | Powerful but steep learning curve | MYOB Exo | MYOB Exo easiest for Australian staff |
| Scalability | Excellent to $200M+ | Good to $100M | Good to $150M | SAP | SAP longest growth runway |
| Implementation Time | 6-12 months | 3-5 months | 4-6 months | MYOB Exo | MYOB Exo fastest to go live |
Which System Suits Your Business?
Light Manufacturing ($5M-$20M)
Recommended: MYOB Exo
Why: Best value for straightforward manufacturing with moderate complexity. Fast implementation, familiar interface for MYOB users, adequate manufacturing features.
Key requirements: BOM tracking, work orders, job costing, Australian payroll
Complex Manufacturing ($20M-$100M)
Recommended: SAP Business One
Why: Worth the investment for complex routing, advanced MRP, shop floor control, and quality management. Scales well as you grow.
Key requirements: Multi-stage production, material planning, production scheduling
Wholesale Distribution ($10M-$100M)
Recommended: Pronto
Why: Purpose-built for Australian distributors. Excellent warehouse management, pricing matrices, multi-location, and freight management.
Key requirements: Advanced warehouse, customer pricing, landed costing, consignment
Manufacturing + Distribution ($15M-$50M)
Recommended: MYOB Exo or Pronto
Why: MYOB Exo if manufacturing is primary, Pronto if distribution is primary. Both handle hybrid businesses adequately at this scale.
Key requirements: Balanced manufacturing and warehouse capabilities
International Operations
Recommended: SAP Business One
Why: Best multi-currency, multi-entity, and international compliance support. Worth the premium for global operations.
Key requirements: Multi-country, inter-company, currency management
Rapid Growth ($10M to $50M in 3-5 years)
Recommended: SAP Business One
Why: Invest in scalability early to avoid second system replacement. SAP grows with you to $200M+ without major upgrade.
Key requirements: Long-term scalability, advanced capabilities you will grow into
Strengths & Limitations
SAP Business One
Strengths
- Most comprehensive manufacturing capabilities (routing, MRP, quality)
- Excellent scalability to $200M+ revenue
- Strong global multi-currency and international operations
- Advanced reporting and business intelligence
- Largest implementation partner network globally
- Best-in-class inventory management and warehouse control
- Strong long-term investment (avoid second ERP replacement)
- Comprehensive financial management and controls
Limitations
- Highest implementation cost ($80K-$250K)
- Longest implementation timeline (6-12 months)
- Complex system requiring extensive training
- Requires dedicated system administrator
- Australian payroll often requires third-party add-on
- Ongoing support costs highest ($30K-$80K/year)
- Overkill for simple manufacturing or distribution under $20M
MYOB Exo
Strengths
- Fastest implementation (3-5 months)
- Lowest total cost for $5M-$30M businesses
- Best Australian payroll integration (STP, super, awards)
- Familiar interface for MYOB users
- Good manufacturing capabilities for light-medium production
- Strong Australian partner network
- Adequate for most manufacturers under $50M revenue
- Lower ongoing support costs
Limitations
- Dated interface compared to modern cloud ERPs
- Less sophisticated than SAP for complex manufacturing
- Limited scalability beyond $100M revenue
- Weaker warehouse management vs Pronto
- Custom reporting often requires developer
- Manufacturing capabilities lag SAP for advanced needs
Pronto
Strengths
- Purpose-built for Australian wholesale distribution
- Excellent warehouse management (best-in-class)
- Strong multi-location inventory and transfer management
- Sophisticated customer pricing and margin control
- Good for manufacturers with strong distribution component
- Landed cost tracking for importers
- Strong Australian partner network focused on distribution
- Handles consignment stock and freight management well
Limitations
- Manufacturing capabilities not as deep as SAP or MYOB Exo
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Mid-range pricing (not cheapest option)
- Smaller user base than MYOB or SAP
- Interface complexity can slow staff adoption
- Less suitable for pure manufacturing without distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
For manufacturers under $20M with straightforward operations, MYOB Exo or Pronto offer better value. SAP Business One is stronger for $30M+ manufacturers with complex BOMs, global operations, or rapid growth plans. Pronto excels for distribution-heavy manufacturers, MYOB Exo for MYOB ecosystem users, SAP for long-term scalability.
SAP: $80-$150/user/month, implementation $80K-$250K. MYOB Exo: $100-$200/user/month, implementation $40K-$120K. Pronto: $120-$180/user/month, implementation $50K-$150K. For 15 users over 3 years: SAP $350K-$600K total, MYOB Exo $200K-$400K, Pronto $250K-$450K.
Yes. MYOB Exo handles multi-level BOMs, work orders, job costing, and production tracking for light-to-medium manufacturing. It supports assembly/disassembly and basic MRP. However, it lacks SAP depth for complex routing or advanced planning. For 5+ stage production or complex scheduling, SAP is stronger.
Pronto is generally better for wholesale distribution. Purpose-built for Australian distributors with advanced warehouse management, multi-location inventory, landed cost tracking, and sophisticated pricing. MYOB Exo handles distribution adequately but with less warehouse depth. For pure distribution, Pronto is the market leader.
MYOB Exo: 3-5 months (fastest, especially from MYOB AccountRight). Pronto: 4-6 months for standard distribution. SAP Business One: 6-12 months due to configuration complexity. For businesses needing quick go-live with minimal disruption, MYOB Exo is fastest.
Yes. SAP Business One Australian localisation includes GST, BAS, STP, superannuation, and local tax compliance. However, Australian payroll often requires third-party add-ons. MYOB Exo and Pronto have more mature built-in Australian payroll. For businesses where payroll is critical, MYOB Exo has most seamless compliance.
SAP Business One has most sophisticated inventory with serial/batch tracking, quality management, warehouse bins/locations, cycle counting, and advanced MRP. Pronto is strong for distribution inventory with multi-warehouse and landed costing. MYOB Exo has good inventory for light manufacturing but lacks SAP depth.
No, you should not run these alongside MYOB for accounting. Each is a complete ERP with full financials. Running dual accounting creates reconciliation nightmares and compliance risks. Choose one as your complete ERP, or stay with MYOB AccountRight and integrate manufacturing-specific software.
MYOB Exo is generally easiest for Australian staff, especially those familiar with MYOB. Pronto has steeper learning curve but is powerful once learned. SAP is most complex, requiring 2-4 weeks training vs 1-2 weeks for MYOB Exo. For businesses with high staff turnover, MYOB Exo adoption is typically faster.
SAP almost always requires in-house admin or managed services ($30K-$80K/year). Pronto typically needs part-time admin ($20K-$50K/year). MYOB Exo can run with power user plus occasional consultant ($15K-$30K/year). Ongoing support costs are significant factor — SAP highest, MYOB Exo lowest.
SAP Business One has most comprehensive reporting with Crystal Reports, customizable dashboards, and advanced analytics. Detailed production reports, material usage analysis, shop floor performance metrics. Pronto has strong distribution reporting. MYOB Exo has adequate reports but custom reports need developer. For real-time production visibility, SAP provides most value.
Yes, both scale beyond $50M. Pronto runs some of Australia largest distributors at $100M+. MYOB Exo supports $50M-$150M manufacturers/distributors. SAP scales more easily to $200M+ and handles complexity better. If planning to grow beyond $100M or expand internationally, SAP provides longer runway.
None have native e-commerce integrations as strong as cloud ERPs. All can integrate via middleware (Jitterbit, Boomi) or custom APIs but require development work. For manufacturers/distributors with significant e-commerce, expect integration costs of $15K-$40K to build reliable sync. All three can be integrated but none make it easy.
When businesses outgrow these systems (typically $100M+ or very complex operations), upgrade path is usually SAP S/4HANA, Microsoft Dynamics 365, or Oracle NetSuite. Migration costs $150K-$500K and takes 9-18 months. This is why some choose SAP Business One earlier — to avoid second ERP replacement. Consider 10-year growth trajectory.
SAP has largest global partner network with many Australian partners, though quality varies. Pronto has smaller but highly specialized Australian network with deep product knowledge. MYOB Exo has moderate-sized Australian network with varying expertise. Focus on finding partner with strong references in your specific industry rather than just system choice.
Probably not, unless you have complex international operations or plan to grow to $50M+ within 3-5 years. At $15M, MYOB Exo or Pronto deliver 80% of what you need at half the total cost. SAP premium makes sense for: multi-country operations, complex manufacturing with advanced MRP, or strong long-term scalability. For straightforward Australian manufacturing/distribution under $30M, MYOB Exo or Pronto are better investments.
Need Help Choosing Your Manufacturing ERP?
Choosing between SAP, MYOB Exo, and Pronto is a critical decision. We have implemented all three systems for Australian manufacturers and distributors. Get independent advice tailored to your specific business requirements and growth plans.