After nearly three decades working with ERP systems, there’s one truth I’ve come to appreciate: ERP software should help you work smarter, not make you work harder.
Whether you're in accounting, customer service, operations, or the C-suite, chances are you’ve wrestled with an ERP system that either made your life easier or didn’t.
This is for you. The feedback I’ve heard from hundreds of ERP users can help you understand what lies ahead, wherever you are in your ERP solution journey.
Maybe you are looking for your very first ERP system, or wanting to move on from the simple system your business started with. Either way, you wonder, “What should I want in a new ERP?” This article will help answer that question.
Some of you are frustrated with the ERP system you use every day. This article will also help you know that you are not alone!
Let’s talk plainly about what everyday ERP users are asking for, what frustrates them the most, and what you should watch out for as you evaluate or use ERP software.
- What ERP Users Want (Yes, You’re Not Alone)
- How ERP System Priorities Shift by Business Size
- Real Talk: What ERP Users Say About the Pain Points
- Top ERP Failures Named by ERP Users
- What Users Should Expect from an ERP System
- The Benefits of Choosing an Experienced ERP Partner
What ERP Users Want (Yes, You’re Not Alone)
I’ve heard about it from CFOs who want clean reports and from warehouse staff who need the system not to slow them down. Across industries and job roles, four things keep coming up when ERP users talk about what matters most:
Ease of Use
You shouldn’t need a training manual or a consultant to enter a sales order or generate a report. Systems need to be intuitive.
Great Reporting and Analytics
People want clear, fast answers—not complicated exports. Real-time dashboards and simple drilldowns are no longer “nice-to-haves”—they’re expected.
Seamless Integration
ERP needs to integrate seamlessly with the rest of your tech—whether it's CRM, e-commerce, or inventory tools. Users are tired of “manual workarounds.”
Affordability
Cost matters, especially for small businesses. Hidden fees shouldn't blindside you or force you to pay $250/hour to tweak a report.
How ERP System Priorities Shift by Business Size
Depending on your company size, some needs become more or less urgent:
- Users in small businesses want simplicity and low cost. The system needs to function without requiring expensive assistance.
- Users in midsized companies care more about analytics and system integration as their complexity grows.
- Users in large enterprises demand high-end analytics, compliance, and integration, but they also struggle with user adoption.
Top 5 Things Users Want From Their ERP System
|
RANK |
USER WANTS FROM ERP SYSTEM |
|
1 |
Ease of Use |
|
2 |
Effortless Reporting & Analytics |
|
3 |
Seamless and 100%-reliable Integrations |
|
4 |
Affordability |
|
5 |
Responsive Support & Assistance |
Real Talk: What ERP Users Say About the Pain Points
Let’s be honest—ERP systems have earned some of their bad reputation. These are the complaints I hear most often, across industries:
- “It’s way too expensive.”
- “It’s just too complicated.”
- “Nobody likes using it.”
- “The reports still don’t show what I need.”
- “We were told it integrated easily. It didn’t.”
Top 5 Complaints Users Have About Their ERP System
|
RANK |
USER COMPLAINTS ABOUT ERP SYSTEM |
|
1 |
Too Complicated to Use |
|
2 |
Nobody Understands It, Nobody Likes Using It |
|
3 |
Reporting Is Inadequate and Hard to Modify |
|
4 |
It’s Way Too Complicated |
|
5 |
It’s Way Too Expensive |
Top ERP Failures Named by ERP Users
Throughout my years in the industry, I’ve heard about every problem users have with their ERP systems. Here are the most common negative outcomes.
Cost Overruns
If you’ve been burned by an ERP implementation that ballooned in price, you’re not alone. Many teams feel misled by initial estimates.
Complexity and Adoption
Users resist systems that don’t feel intuitive. Even powerful capabilities go unused when they’re buried behind complex menus or require IT to access.
Reporting Gaps
Too many users still dump ERP data into Excel to make sense of it. One user told me, “We thought ERP would eliminate spreadsheets. Now we use even more.” Ouch—but sadly true.
Integration Failures
Even in 2025, integrations often mean custom code, unexpected delays, and disappointed users.
What Users Should Expect From an ERP System
Whether you’re choosing a new ERP solution or stuck in one that frustrates you, keep this short list of must-haves in mind:
- Easy to navigate and use every day
- Delivers powerful, accurate information quickly
- Fits your budget—not just up front, but over time
- Can grow and adapt with your business needs
ERP systems don’t need to be perfect, but they should help, not hinder, your work.
The Benefits of Choosing an Experienced ERP Partner
Are you exploring new ERP options, or stuck with one that isn’t meeting your needs? Have you found an ERP system that works the way you do?
I’d love to hear your story. After 27 years, I’m still learning, and your experience helps shape what ERP solutions should be for all of us.
At Stellar One, our entire team has years of experience in a wide variety of ERP systems. That expertise helped us become an Acumatica Gold-Certified Partner. We are happy to advise you on the ERP solution that will best suit your business.
We’ll be frank with you if you need something that differs from what we provide. We know that finding the best ERP system is never a one-size-fits-all answer.
To learn more about top ERP systems and how they differ from each other, check out Best ERP Software in 2025.