ERP and MRP Systems: How They Work Together

Bring planning, production, inventory, and financials into one connected system.

Manufacturers need two things to run smoothly: control over the business as a whole and the ability to plan production down to the last material. That’s where ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and MRP (Material Requirements Planning) systems come in. ERP helps manage finance, inventory, and customer relationships, while MRP ensures your shop floor has the raw materials, schedules, and capacity to meet demand.

Acumatica ERP brings both together. Instead of juggling disconnected software, Acumatica links finance, production, and the supply chain in one real-time system. The result is faster decision-making, lower costs, and a clearer view of your company’s health.

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What is an ERP System?

ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning. At its core, it’s software that unifies core business processes into a single system. Without ERP, companies often run finance, sales, inventory with separate tools—leading to delays, duplicate data, and siloed information. ERP brings everything together so teams work from the same real-time data.

With an ERP system, you can:

  • Track financial transactions across departments and entities

  • Produce consolidated financial statements with less effort

  • Manage customer records, job costing, and stock control in one solution

  • Oversee project management and supply chain activity from the same system

  • Give teams real-time access to the information they need to make better decisions

Acumatica ERP takes this a step further. Unlike many ERP vendors, it offers unlimited users, flexible cloud deployment, and industry-ready applications for manufacturing.

That means production planning, finance, and operations all stay in sync—helping optimize business operations from the production floor to the office.

What is an MRP System?

MRP stands for Material Requirements Planning. Unlike ERP, which covers the whole organization, MRP focuses on the production side of the business. Its job is to make sure the shop floor always has the right raw materials, parts, and resources available—at the right time—to keep customer orders moving.

With an MRP system, manufacturers can:

  • Plan production schedules around sales orders and customer demand

  • Prevent shortages and reduce excess stock with better materials management

  • Support multiple sites and shop floor control with accurate resource planning

  • Coordinate purchasing, stock control, and capacity planning across departments

  • Improve efficiency and cut costs by integrating with other business software

Acumatica’s MRP module built directly into the ERP platform. That means production planning isn’t siloed—it’s linked with finance, sales, supply chain, and inventory.

Schedules, material requirements, and financial reports all update in real time, giving manufacturers one clear view of both production and business operations.

ERP vs MRP: Key Differences

ERP and MRP are often mentioned together, but they serve very different purposes. ERP is broad, covering the entire business, while MRP focuses on production and manufacturing planning. Both are essential—but when they run separately, you often end up with duplicate work, inconsistent numbers, and unclear financials.

ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)

MRP (Material Requirements Planning)

Manages company-wide business processes (finance, HR, CRM, supply chain)

Focuses on production planning, materials management, and shop floor control

Produces consolidated financial statements and company-wide reports

Creates production schedules and purchase plans based on demand

Tracks intercompany transactions, reconciliations, and multiple processes

Tracks raw materials, components, and finished goods across the supply chain

Ensures compliance with GAAP, tax filings, and regulatory requirements

Balances inventory levels to reduce costs and prevent shortages

Provides dashboards and real-time data for business operations and decision-making

Provides real-time insight into production capacity and resource planning

Supports multiple entities, currencies, calendars, and other business departments

Supports multi-site manufacturing and exception management

 

ERP is the system of record for your business operations, while MRP is the engine that drives manufacturing. With Acumatica ERP, you don’t need separate systems—ERP and MRP work together in one cloud-based solution.

How ERP and MRP Systems Work Together in Acumatica

When ERP and MRP run separately, production and finance teams often end up looking at different numbers. That means extra reconciliations, unclear reports, and missed chances to improve processes.

With Acumatica, ERP and MRP are part of the same system. Finance, production, supply chain, inventory, and even customer management all work from the same real-time data. Everyone stays aligned, and decisions are made faster.

Here’s how it comes together:

  • Sales and Production in Sync
    Sales orders feed directly into MRP, so material requirements and production schedules always reflect customer demand.

  • Inventory Linked to Finance
    As materials are purchased or consumed, inventory updates flow instantly into ERP. Job costing and financial reports stay accurate without extra work.

  • Cost Control Across Entities
    Intercompany transactions, allocations, and reconciliations are handled automatically. Profit or loss is tracked correctly, even across multiple entities.

  • Smarter Planning and Forecasting
    Finance teams see the impact of production schedules on cash flow, while operations can fine-tune resource planning and capacity management.

By combining ERP and MRP in one platform, Acumatica ERP gives manufacturers clarity across both production and finance—helping reduce costs, improve efficiency, and keep up with customer demand.

Advanced MRP Capabilities in Acumatica

Acumatica’s built-in Material Requirements Planning (MRP) module gives manufacturers the tools to balance supply and demand across every site, warehouse, and production line. Beyond standard planning, it includes powerful features that simplify complexity and improve decision-making:

  • Time-Phased Material Planning – Ensure materials are procured or manufactured just in time, reducing excess inventory and avoiding costly shortages.

  • Manage by Exception – Use automated exception messages to defer, expedite, or cancel supply items based on real-world changes in demand and production schedules.

  • Multi-Site and Multi-Warehouse Planning – Run MRP across multiple plants and warehouses for a consolidated view of materials and transfers.

  • Master Production Scheduling (MPS) – Drive plant operations from a master schedule that feeds into material planning, improving coordination across labor, machines, and inventory.

  • Forecasting and Blanket Orders – Incorporate forecasted demand or blanket sales orders into MRP runs, so purchasing and production are aligned with both customer demand and long-term planning.

  • Detailed Audit and History – Access MRP history to benchmark performance, review recommendations, and ensure audit-ready traceability.

By combining ERP and MRP in one solution, Acumatica doesn’t just connect business processes—it gives manufacturers a proactive planning tool that adapts to changes, optimizes resources, and supports growth.

Business Benefits of Using MRP and ERP Software Together

When MRP and ERP software are combined in one platform, manufacturers gain visibility and control across every part of their operations. With Acumatica ERP and its built-in MRP module, the benefits go far beyond efficiency: they touch financial accuracy, production planning, and growth.

Centralized Data Management

All manufacturing operations—from production scheduling and supply chain management to finance and inventory—are managed in one connected system. No more juggling multiple tools or re-entering data across disparate systems.

Accurate Financial Reporting

Production costs for labor, machines, and raw materials flow directly into your financial reports. With full audit trails and detailed MRP history, manufacturers can trust that consolidated statements are consistent, accurate, and aligned with compliance standards.

Better Cost Control

Acumatica helps you tie expenses directly to production activity. Coordinating labor, machines, and materials reduces excess costs and ensures resources are used efficiently, so profitability is easier to measure and improve.

Improved Compliance

Audit-ready reporting, built-in approval workflows, and complete traceability of transactions help your manufacturing business avoid misstatements and stay aligned with accounting and tax requirements.

Real-Time Visibility

Dashboards and exception reporting give instant insight into material shortages, scheduling conflicts, and overall production health. Finance, operations, and leadership work from the same live data.

Scalability for Manufacturing Growth

Whether you’re running one plant or multiple sites, Acumatica adapts as your business grows. It supports multi-site and multi-warehouse manufacturing, while keeping production, supply chain, and finance fully connected.

By integrating MRP and ERP software in a single solution, Acumatica ERP helps manufacturers cut waste, improve efficiency, and plan smarter—supporting growth without adding complexity.

Simplify the Manufacturing Process with a Connected MRP and ERP Software

Acumatica ERP with built-in MRP gives manufacturers real-time visibility from the production floor to the finance department. With sales, purchasing, production, inventory management, and accounting all connected in one solution, you get accurate financial reports, optimized production scheduling, and fewer surprises.

At Milestone, we configure Acumatica to match your manufacturing processes—so you can eliminate manual reconciliations, plan smarter, and scale with confidence:

  • Automate material requirements planning (MRP) to stay ahead of demand

  • Lower costs by removing manual reconciliations and duplicate processes

  • Improve compliance and reporting with accurate, real-time data

  • Strengthen financial health while streamlining day-to-day operations

Acumatica ERP helps manufacturers manage complexity, achieve cost savings, and scale with confidence.

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