SAP Business ByDesign vs IFS

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Our analysts compared SAP Business ByDesign vs IFS based on data from our 400+ point analysis of ERP Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

SAP Business ByDesign Software Tool
IFS Software Tool

Product Basics

SAP Business ByDesign is a cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software designed to serve the needs of midsize businesses. It offers a comprehensive suite of services, including financial management, customer relationship management, supply chain management, and project management, among others. This software is particularly well-suited for businesses looking for a scalable solution that can grow with them, providing the flexibility to adapt to changing business needs. One of the key benefits of SAP Business ByDesign is its ability to offer real-time analytics and insights, enabling businesses to make informed decisions quickly. Additionally, its user-friendly interface and the fact that it's a cloud-based solution mean that it can be accessed from anywhere, at any time, which enhances operational efficiency. When compared to similar products, users often highlight its comprehensive feature set and the robust support provided by SAP. Pricing for SAP Business ByDesign typically follows a subscription model, based on the number of users and the scope of the services required, making it a flexible option for businesses looking to manage their expenses effectively.

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IFS offers is a suite of connected workflows such as accounting, warehouse management, distribution, sales and HCM. By integrating a range of front- and back-office workflows, the program aims to alleviate internal snags and streamline operations.

The software contains real-time insights and can be accessed either through the cloud or via on-premise installation. It’s intended for use by medium and large companies. The program is highly integrative and contains various online support and training options for users.

To learn more about their primary ERP offering, visit our IFS Cloud page.
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Product Insights

  • Enhanced Visibility: It contains real-time data analysis and visualization tools. For example, users can look at their finances minute-by-minute as transactions are processed and payments are made. Additionally, the project management feature will enable users to see how projects are progressing and allows them to look at attachments and information associated with individual project stages. 
  • Growth-Oriented: The configuration ability of this tool is relatively high, which allows it to transform as business needs grow and change. Modules and different software systems can also be integrated with the program to account for the company's specific workflows. ;
  • Increased Collaboration:  It supports multi-site and global operations, allowing for centralization of information and employees’ collaboration across different business centers and workflows. The project management tool increases collaboration as it enables visualization of project tasks, accessed by users with the appropriate permission levels. 
  • Improved Customer Experience: Browse through customer history to target marketing collateral and sales discussions to a specific user. Not only does this improve sales, but it also offers personalized and nuanced experiences to the customers, which makes them happy and improves retention rates. 
  • Demonstrated Opportunities for Improvement:  It provides insight into the areas in which a business could be streamlined or where money could be saved. For example, the procurement management tool lets users look at contracts and bids from suppliers and compare them to negotiate better deals and discover snags in the supply chain by visualizing real-time production information. 
  • Data Security It secures data through AES-256 encryption and SOC 2 compliance. Firewalls and 24/7 security monitoring can help deter hackers. Additionally, SAP’s data centers are ANSI/TIA EIA-942 Tier III facilities with bulletproof walls, meaning that the threat of unauthorized access to the system is further reduced. 
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  • Accessibility: IFS solutions can be deployed through different avenues: SaaS, cloud service models, IFS Managed Cloud or on-premise. With cloud deployment, the program can be accessed at any time and any location as long as there is an internet connection available. 
  • Real-Time Data: The program includes real-time data and visualizations. For example, engineering changes, bottlenecks in the production system and any material shortages can be analyzed as they occur. Barcode scanning is also included to track the movement of products and materials throughout the supply chain. 
  • Revenue Boost: By identifying and reducing bottlenecks, forecasting demand and honing the sales process, revenue can be increased. IFS includes a range of features that can maximize revenue through elements such as reduction in spoilage and increased efficiency. 
  • Increase Productivity: IFS helps streamline and automate facets of workflows such as sales, manufacturing and distribution. By reducing the amount of time that employees spend on tasks such as supplier invoicing, which can be automated through this tool, more time is freed up for staff to work on other important tasks. 
  • Legal Compliance: This program helps to ensure company compliance with a range of industry or governmental standards and regulations. For example, IFS Human Capital Management can keep track of and manage employee health and safety measures in accordance with legal requirements. A dedicated maintenance tool is also available to help ensure that the company adheres to rules. 
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  • Financial Management: Leverage customer and supplier transaction data to look at the organization’s financial position in real-time. It supports multiple different currencies and reporting standards, ensuring that business conducted globally is accounted for and centralized. 
  • CRM 360 View: The CRM 360 view contains the ability to manage customers from the time they are prospects to their final purchase. The system uses historical purchase data to generate targeted advertisements. The customer history can be handed over to your sales team, who can use this information to refine and improve sales tactics.. 
  • Human Resources Management: The human resources tool allows employees to manage their timesheets and personal information. The program also gives HR professionals the ability to monitor purchase requests, complete payroll processing and manage time and labor. 
  • Project Management: The project management feature includes a project cost report that lets users calculate revenue and expenses on a project basis. It also enables users to analyze document flow through this feature’s integration with your supply chain. Documents such as customer invoices can be attached to projects to increase collaboration and visibility. 
  • Procurement Management: It centralizes supplier information, therefore enabling users to negotiate better deals and recognize inefficiencies. Users can also manage supplier contracts in the system. 
  • Supply Chain Management: Users can conduct demand planning in real-time using forecasting methods such as seasonal linear regression and moving average. The tool also contains outlier correction. Production management and supply network visibility are other helpful features of this tool. 
  • Localization: It allows users to operate globally. It centralizes information from different countries, companies and accounting systems to create a complete and accurate view of an organization’s state. 
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  • IFS Financials: IFS includes basic accounting tools such as general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable and fixed assets. It also contains business planning functionality that uses customer-defined planning models to enable demand-driven planning. The eInvoice tool automates supplier invoicing and enables electronic invoicing. Consolidation can also be conducted across multiple companies and with multiple reporting currencies. 
  • IFS Human Capital Management: This system allows employees to manage their own data as well as perform tasks such as applying for leave and updating time and expense reports. HR personnel can also manage payroll procedures, maintain health and safety information in accordance with government regulations and develop internal training programs through the tool. Recruitment can be done through the program’s connectivity with third-party applicant tracking systems (ATS). 
  • IFS Engineering: This feature includes the ability for continuously updated data related to factors such as design elements, products and facilities to be accessed throughout an organization. Change management capabilities allow users to view, approve and check changes before going ahead with change orders. The commissioning tool also ensures that facility components are designed, tested, etc. in accordance with operational requirements through the use of punch lists and mechanical completion packages. 
  • IFS Projects: IFS includes project management, risk management, project reporting and project budgeting features. Specific functionality consists of the ability to process project cost transactions, create projects using WBS, develop project schedules and develop forecasts using multiple versions of project estimates, reviews, budgets, etc. Estimate to Complete (ETC) and Estimate at Complete (EAC) principles are supported and spreading rules are available. 
  • IFS Manufacturing: This tool can calculate capacity requirements, conduct Master Scheduling for finished goods, manage the production to order process and enable employees to report production information quickly. Project-based, discrete, repetitive and batch process manufacturing are also supported through the system. Visualization of the production plan is included and enables users to identify bottlenecks and material shortages. 
  • IFS Supply Chain: IFS offers demand forecasting, supply chain planning, inventory replenishment, sales order management, procurement, rental management, warehouse management and shipment management features. The inventory function is connected to the demand forecasting tool and includes different planning strategies such as economic order quantity and service level-driven safety stocks. Item traceability is also supported through barcode functionality, which provides real-time stock information. 
  • IFS Sales & Service: This feature controls the customer lifecycle from the time a lead comes in to the time that a product reaches its final destination. It assists with transportation by allowing users to visualize driving routes. It also supports service quote and contract management. Sales efforts can be streamlined through the sales configurator, which includes a product advisor that uses a series of questions to define requirements and recommend products. 
  • IFS Maintenance: IFS enables users to evaluate potential improvements in equipment performance, communicate with subcontractors through a collaboration portal, develop leaner MRO operations and manage preventive maintenance schedules. It also makes regulatory compliance for vehicle fleets easier and manages tasks such as fault reporting, preparation, execution and final reporting for maintenance-related matters. 
  • IFS Business Enablers: This solution includes role-based portals and personalized access to ensure that employees, customers and suppliers view the most relevant information and that no one has access to privileged information that they should not be able to review. The solution contains real-time data and allows for the connection of internal and external programs through web services. Add-ins and add-ons can be implemented to customize the solution through RESTful oData APIs from IFS. 
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Product Ranking

#34

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#147

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Analyst Rating Summary

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Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

SAP Business ByDesign
IFS
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Analytics And Reporting Asset Management Customer Relationship Management Finance And Accounting Human Resource Management Inventory Management Manufacturing Order Management Procurement Project Management Service Management Supply Chain Management Warehouse Management 92 41 90 96 66 91 58 83 88 91 78 64 66 0 25 50 75 100
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User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 137 reviews
Great User Sentiment 121 reviews
81%
of users recommend this product

SAP Business ByDesign has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 81% when considering 137 user reviews from 5 recognized software review sites.

80%
of users recommend this product

IFS has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 80% when considering 121 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

4.7 (14)
n/a
3.4 (38)
3.6 (20)
4.2 (24)
3.7 (22)
4.0 (22)
4.2 (65)
4.3 (39)
4.1 (14)

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

User-Interface: The solution has an intuitive user interface to facilitate understanding of the basic functions and navigate through the system with ease, according to 71% of users.
Reporting: According to 100% of users who reviewed this pro, it has advanced capabilities to create dynamic reports. Visualizations depict KPIs and other critical business metrics.
Documentation: About 100% of users who mentioned this pro said it has extensive documentation, with a user manual, videos, booklets and articles about the product’s use.
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Intuitive interface: Users consistently praise IFS for its user-friendly design and easy-to-navigate interface, which reduces training time and improves adoption rates.
Flexibility and customization: The system's modular architecture allows for a high degree of customization, enabling businesses to tailor it to their unique processes and requirements without extensive coding.
Strong industry focus: IFS is particularly well-suited for industries such as aerospace, manufacturing, and energy, offering deep functionality and expertise in these areas.
Mobile accessibility: Users can access the system from any device, including smartphones and tablets, enabling them to stay connected and productive while on the go.
Robust project management: IFS provides comprehensive project management capabilities, from planning and scheduling to resource allocation and cost tracking, helping businesses deliver projects on time and within budget.
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Expensive: The solution is costly compared to other solutions available in the market, according to 100% of users.
Speed: According to 100% of users who reviewed this con, speed is a significant concern as it affects business productivity.
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High upfront investment: IFS can require a significant initial investment for implementation and customization, potentially exceeding budgets for smaller businesses.
Steep learning curve: The system's complexity can lead to a steeper learning curve for users, requiring extensive training and support to achieve full proficiency.
Limited out-of-the-box functionality: While configurable, IFS may not offer pre-built features for specific industry needs, necessitating additional development or workarounds.
Integration complexities: Integrating IFS with existing systems can be challenging, requiring specialized expertise and potentially leading to data silos.
Performance bottlenecks: Large or complex implementations may experience performance issues, requiring careful optimization and infrastructure considerations.
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SAP Business ByDesign is a cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution that has garnered positive feedback from users for its comprehensive functionality and ease of use. The software provides a wide range of features, including financial management, customer relationship management (CRM), human resources (HR), supply chain management, and project management, all within a single, unified platform. Users appreciate the intuitive interface and the ability to access the system from anywhere with an internet connection. The cloud-based nature of the solution eliminates the need for on-premises infrastructure, reducing IT costs and complexity. While SAP Business ByDesign offers numerous strengths, some users have noted that the initial implementation process can be time-consuming and may require specialized expertise. Additionally, the software's extensive functionality can lead to a steeper learning curve for new users. However, SAP provides comprehensive training and support resources to assist with implementation and user adoption. Compared to other ERP solutions, SAP Business ByDesign stands out for its scalability and flexibility, allowing businesses to adapt the system to their specific needs as they grow. The software's ability to integrate with other business applications further enhances its value proposition. SAP Business ByDesign is particularly well-suited for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that require a comprehensive ERP solution without the complexity and cost associated with larger enterprise systems. The software's scalability ensures that it can grow alongside the business, while its cloud-based delivery model provides flexibility and accessibility. Additionally, SAP Business ByDesign's industry-specific functionality caters to the unique needs of various sectors, making it a versatile choice for businesses across different industries.

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User reviews for IFS paint a picture of a powerful and flexible ERP system, but one that demands investment and expertise. Fans praise its intuitive interface and industry-specific depth, especially in sectors like aerospace and manufacturing. "The power of IFS is amazing and overwhelming," one user gushes, noting its ability to handle 95% of their business processes. The modular architecture allows for significant customization, a major draw for many. "It can be tailored to fit almost any business environment," says another reviewer, contrasting it with the "rigid" feel of competing products like SAP. However, IFS isn't for everyone. The initial investment and customization needs can be daunting, particularly for smaller companies. "The cost can be high," admits a user, comparing it to the "more affordable" options like Microsoft Dynamics 365. Additionally, the complexity can lead to a steep learning curve. "It's not as user-friendly as NetSuite," says another reviewer, highlighting the need for extensive training. Integration challenges and potential performance bottlenecks are also mentioned as drawbacks. Ultimately, IFS seems best suited for companies with specific industry needs and the resources to invest in its extensive capabilities. "If you're looking for a deep dive into your industry, IFS is amazing," one user concludes. "But if you need something quick and easy, there are other options."

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