Are you overwhelmed by conflicting Acumatica Cloud ERP reviews? Struggling to figure out which Acumatica issues could impact your team or goals?
As an authorized Acumatica reseller, we have chosen to work with Acumatica Cloud ERP. We believe it's the best all-around ERP platform for small and midsized companies.
But it’s not perfect for all companies. At Stellar One, we believe transparency is the best way to help you decide if Acumatica is a good fit for your business.
We know Acumatica inside and out because our expert team members have worked with dozens of ERP platforms over the years. That means we know the strengths and challenges of Acumatica compared to other platforms. Our daily conversations with our members and the team at Acumatica give us a deep insider perspective on Acumatica's challenges and how to solve them.
In this article, I’ll share the most common concerns we hear about Acumatica. By the end, you’ll know if Acumatica’s challenges would affect your particular business.
Acumatica Pricing: Is This Cloud ERP Too Expensive for Small Business?
For small businesses, choosing an ERP system is a significant decision and a major investment. It's important to know if it's a tool you can afford.
There’s no doubt that ERP platforms can carry some sticker shock. That’s because ERP solutions run your entire business operations in seamless synchronization. (See why ERP systems cost more than less powerful software tools.)
So, when you compare prices, it’s important to compare Acumatica to other ERP software, like NetSuite or Sage Intacct. Compared to many other ERPs, Acumatica has a simpler pricing structure likely to produce lower and more predictable prices for small to midsized businesses.
Hidden ERP Costs: First-Year vs. Long-Term Investment Analysis
Before making a purchasing decision, you need a clear picture of the sustainable value of your ERP options. You can do this by considering both your first year cost and recurring costs for each solution under consideration. How much is ongoing support? Are there extra fees to add users, apply software upgrades or personalize your system?
Some ERP providers offer deep initial discounts to gain your business. But there are rarely guardrails for what happens to your pricing beyond that.
A customer I spoke with recently said he went with a different ERP solution in 2019 because of the low initial quote. Since then, unfortunately, his prices have tripled. This is not uncommon, so you really need to know what to expect. The pricing information on this site will help.
Acumatica CRM Limitations: Basic Functionality vs. Advanced Integration Options
Acumatica’s CRM functionalities are limited to the basics. In some cases, this is precisely what businesses need. For others, integration with a separate CRM platform is preferable.
The key is to understand what you need from your CRM. If your main priority is tracking key details for customers and supply chain, Acumatica delivers. Acumatica centralizes contact information, opportunities, and customer service cases so everyone is on the same page.
Do your needs include advanced sales pipeline tracking and management? How about marketing campaigns with robust tracking and analytics? If so, you'll want to integrate your Acumatica ERP platform with Salesforce, HubSpot, or other best-of-breed CRM platforms.
Acumatica Partner Network: Why You Can't Buy Direct from Acumatica
Customers can’t license Acumatica ERP software from Acumatica. Instead, Acumatica works with a network of third-party ERP partners (sometimes called VARs).
Customers have two options for finding an Acumatica partner for implementation and support:
- Contact Acumatica. They will serve as your matchmaker by asking a few questions and assigning you to a partner.
- Select a partner. You get to pick your preferred partner for Acumatica licensing and implementation.
Some companies feel this creates an unnecessary go-between, and want to explore buying directly from an ERP publisher. But working with the right partner has advantages you should consider.
First, some ERP companies known for selling direct to the user do not provide significant support, especially after implementation. This means that unless you have a large and proficient IT team, you’re going to incur more expenses when you have to hire contractors for support or changes to your system.
A good partner knows your business well enough to resolve any technical issues quickly, so your business never slows down.
That is why Acumatica insists on having third-party ERP implementation and support partners. They know that having expert partners is the only way to provide the kind of customer support that an ERP solution needs.
Third-Party Integrations: Why aren’t Acumatica Marketplace Functionalities Built In?
The Acumatica Marketplace offers over 230 connectors and capabilities from third-party software creators. Why doesn’t Acumatica just add these capabilities to their software?
If all possible functions were included in Acumatica's core product, the development and maintenance costs would also have to be added. The result would be much larger and more expensive software than most businesses need or want to pay for.
Instead, they streamline their platform, allowing customers to add capabilities as needed.
Acumatica reviews apps before listing them on its Marketplace. But pricing isn’t always straightforward.
If pricing isn’t readily available, your ERP partner can contact the third-party software publisher on your behalf. In this case, your partner may need extra time to provide your quote.
Acumatica Partner Certification: Do Partner Credentials Make a Difference?
Does Acumatica’s certification of partners and individual technicians impact your outcomes? The answer isn’t as straightforward as it could be.
Acumatica uses individual certifications, total sales, and lead-to-close percentages to determine an Acumatica partner’s overall certification level. There aren't guidelines limiting which roles can earn certifications.
Some certified organizations might not work directly with you or Acumatica; they just employ staff members who achieved the individual certification. That isn’t ideal for customers who want to know what to expect from their ERP partners who do have certified experts implementing and supporting Acumatica, as we do at Stellar One.
Evaluating Acumatica Partner Expertise: Questions to Ask Your ERP Partner
How can you know what skills and expertise you’re getting? Ask to be introduced to ERP partner’s team members who will be working with you. Ask for their years of ERP experience, certifications, and experience with Acumatica. You can also ask for LinkedIn profiles to check their backgrounds.
Acumatica has three partner tiers: Registered, Silver, and Gold. As an Acumatica Gold-Certified Partner, Stellar One has the highest-level training and expertise in this ERP platform. But you don’t have to take our word for it. We’ll happily introduce you to our team members who have the chops to prove that their certifications are well-earned.
Choosing the Right Acumatica Partner for ERP Implementation Success
Now that you’ve gained a deeper understanding of Acumatica Cloud ERP's potential challenges, you can confidently approach your decision.
Remember, every ERP solution has its strengths and areas for improvement. The key is to align capabilities with your business needs while ensuring you have the right partner to guide you through implementation and beyond.
Ready to explore how Stellar One and Acumatica work for your business? Take the Fit Quiz to see if we’re the right partner for you.