Advice & Resources, BB News, Industry Insight
For private equity backed businesses, ERP is not just a systems upgrade. It is a commercial decision that directly impacts reporting accuracy, scalability and ultimately exit value.
We regularly speak to CFOs, Finance Directors and transformation leads across PE portfolio companies who are under pressure to deliver better data, tighter controls and faster integration post acquisition. The reality is simple, the wrong ERP slows growth and drains management time. The right one becomes a genuine enabler.
Below is a practical comparison of five leading platforms and what they mean in a PE context.
Why it works
Built for scale and complexity
Real time reporting across finance, supply chain and operations
Strong depth across manufacturing and process-led industries
Where it can bite
High licence and implementation costs
Longer delivery timelines
Heavy customisation can complicate upgrades
Best fit
Large, complex portfolio companies with international operations and a longer transformation horizon.
Why it works
Cloud native with faster deployment
Strong finance functionality out of the box
Proven in mid-market PE environments
Where it can bite
Limited depth in advanced manufacturing without add-ons
Costs increase as modules expand
Less flexibility for highly bespoke requirements
Best fit
Mid-market portfolio businesses prioritising speed to value, clean reporting and scalable infrastructure.
Why it works
Seamless alignment with the Microsoft ecosystem
Modular approach supports phased rollouts
Commercially competitive in the mid-market
Where it can bite
Delivery success heavily reliant on implementation partner
Advanced requirements may require third-party solutions
Legacy data integration can require significant internal resource
Best fit
Portfolio companies looking for balance between cost, flexibility and ecosystem integration.
Why it works
Industry-focused functionality across manufacturing and distribution
Pre-configured processes reduce heavy customisation
Cloud deployment lowers infrastructure overhead
Where it can bite
Smaller ecosystem compared to SAP or Oracle
Quality varies across implementation partners
Upgrade paths require careful management
Best fit
Operationally intensive businesses needing strong vertical capability.
Why it works
Particularly strong in asset management and field service
Flexible user interface supports adoption
Well suited to project-led and service-heavy environments
Where it can bite
Smaller support community
Less widely referenced across mainstream PE case studies
Licensing can be expensive for smaller businesses
Best fit
Industrial services, construction and asset-heavy portfolio companies.
In a PE setting, ERP selection is rarely just about features. It is about:
Speed to implementation
Quality of financial visibility
Scalability through acquisition
Clean data ahead of exit
Leadership capability to drive change
We see time and again that system choice and talent go hand in hand. A technically sound ERP can still fail without the right Finance Director, Programme Lead or ERP specialist to deliver it properly.
At Broster Buchanan, we support PE portfolio companies with specialist finance and change management recruitment. Whether you are implementing SAP, NetSuite, Dynamics, Infor or IFS, having the right interim or permanent expertise in place is what protects value and keeps timelines on track.
If you are reviewing your ERP strategy or preparing for a system implementation across your portfolio, speak to our team. We will connect you with the finance and transformation talent that ensures your ERP becomes a growth enabler, not an expensive distraction.
