Why the ERP industry doesn’t work for SMEs [Q&A]

The ERP industry has been built for large enterprises, often leaving small and medium-sized businesses with overly complex, costly, and slow systems.

We spoke to Morgan Browne, founder and CEO of Enterpryze, to learn why the answer is automation platforms built for SMEs with systems that are simple, practical, and created to enable growth, not overwhelm it.

BN: What are the practical consequences for an SME when they try to force a large-scale, legacy ERP system to fit their business?

MB: When an SME attempts to bend a traditional, legacy ERP system to fit their needs, the result is typically higher costs, long deployment timelines, and increased risk. Legacy ERPs are built for large enterprises, so SMEs often face months of implementation, the need for specialized IT teams, heavy customization, and ongoing maintenance.

These systems can create operational delays, slow digitization, and lock SMEs into a rigid structure that cannot easily evolve as the business grows. Instead of helping, legacy systems introduce inefficiencies, complexity, and unnecessary overhead, all barriers that SMEs can’t afford when agility and simplicity are essential.

BN: How does a truly cloud-native infrastructure provide the flexibility and scalability that is needed for a fast-growing SME?

MB: A truly cloud-native ERP provides SMEs with automatic scalability and continuous updates. Because Enterpryze is built as a multi-tenant, serviceless AI-native platform on AWS, it delivers 99.99 percent uptime, automatic monthly enhancements, and no downtime or upgrade projects.

It is important for SMEs to opt for a platform where features and capacity can be added instantly without ripping and replacing systems. This allows them to grow seamlessly from basic finance to warehouse management, e-commerce integrations, or multi-location operations. Cloud-native design gives SMEs the flexibility to adapt, scale, and evolve without disruption, much like upgrading from VHS to Netflix.

BN: How can embedded AI in an ERP system help to eliminate repetitive tasks and improve decision-making accuracy?

MB: Embedded AI removes manual workload and delivers fast, accurate insights so SMEs can operate more intelligently. Agentic AI can automate repetitive tasks such as invoice scanning, different language options, bank reconciliations, automated purchase orders, and instant expense tracking.

AI also simplifies access to business data, allowing users to ask for information directly and receive clear insights. This eliminates time-consuming manual work as well as boosts decision-making accuracy by providing real-time visibility, reducing errors, and preventing costly mistakes like overordering or mismanaging inventory.

BN: Is there an immediate financial gain for an SME is likely from moving to an ERP system specifically designed for smaller, fast-growing companies?

MB: Yes. An SME-focused ERP delivers quicker financial benefit because it eliminates the major cost barriers of traditional systems. Predictable pricing and fast time-to-value mean SMEs see quick returns through improved efficiency, fewer manual processes, real-time inventory accuracy, and better cash-flow oversight. Instead of spending months and large budgets implementing outdated tech, SMEs gain operational impact almost immediately. This is why Enterpryze deploys in as little as four weeks with an average of 10 service days, reducing implementation efforts by 70 percent and removing the need for large IT investments.

BN: How does a unified, cloud-native platform help businesses pivot or adapt quickly to a sudden market change?

MB: A unified cloud-native ERP gives SMEs the agility to react instantly when conditions shift. By consolidating finance, CRM, inventory, purchasing, and operations into a single platform with real-time data, decisions can be made quickly and confidently.

Automatic, disruption-free updates ensure SMEs always have the latest capabilities without upgrade projects. With a modular and scalable system, businesses are empowered with a platform that meets their current needs and adapts to market developments. Features are added rapidly, and integration with new sales channels and workflow adjustments is readily available as operations evolve. This agility enables SMEs to pivot faster than larger organizations tied to legacy systems, turning sudden market changes into opportunities instead of risks.

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