In a world where customers expect custom-built solutions instead of off-the-shelf products, traditional ERP systems no longer cut it. For manufacturers who engineer every order to specification, the stakes are higher, timelines tighter, and complexity far greater. This is the reality of Engineer to Order (ETO) manufacturing.
What sets ETO apart isn’t just customization; it’s the fact that engineering starts only after the order is received. It requires deep integration between design, project planning, production, procurement, and finance. That’s why generic ERP systems fail to deliver the agility ETO businesses demand.
In this blog, we spotlight the top 9 ERP systems specifically built or tailored for ETO operations. Whether you’re a machinery manufacturer, fabricator, or high-tech engineering firm, these platforms offer the specialized features that can transform your business into a responsive, streamlined, and scalable operation.
What is ETO Software?
Engineer to Order (ETO) software is a specialized form of ERP designed for businesses that manufacture complex, highly customized products. Unlike Make to Stock (MTS) or Make to Order (MTO) models, ETO begins with engineering and design after a customer order is confirmed.
ETO ERP integrates engineering with core business processes to manage everything from RFQs, project costing, BOM creation, design iterations, resource scheduling, procurement, change management, and delivery.
Leading ETO ERP Solutions: Top 9 Picks for 2025
1. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management
Why it’s ideal for ETO:
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management is purpose-built for engineering-centric organizations that require robust project management and operational agility. For Engineer to Order manufacturers, it delivers an integrated environment that connects engineering, procurement, production, and finance within a single intelligent platform. It supports complex configurations, enables project forecasting, and ensures real-time collaboration between teams.
Standout Features:
- Advanced bill of materials (BOM) management with version control and engineering change tracking
- Seamless integration with Microsoft tools like Excel, Project, Power BI, and leading CAD software
- Project budgeting capabilities at multiple levels including resource, task, and deliverable
- Real-time visibility into resource allocation and capacity planning
- Built-in change management to handle engineering revisions with audit trails
Who uses it:
Ideal for mid to large-scale manufacturers in sectors like aerospace, electrical systems, industrial machinery, and heavy engineering.
Why it stands out:
The ability to extend and automate workflows using Microsoft Power Platform makes Dynamics 365 one of the most scalable ERP software for engineering companies. It empowers teams to manage every stage of the ETO lifecycle efficiently, from concept design to final delivery.
2. SAP S/4HANA for Discrete and Project Manufacturing
Why it’s ideal for ETO:
SAP S/4HANA brings together the power of enterprise-wide integration with deep project manufacturing capabilities. ETO manufacturers benefit from its project systems, product configuration engine, and tight integration with CAD and PLM environments, enabling complete lifecycle management.
Standout Features:
- Multi-layered project structures with embedded costing mechanisms
- End-to-end PLM integration, supporting engineering design and collaboration
- Procurement automation triggered by engineering release stages
- Capacity planning and advanced materials requirement planning (MRP)
- Variant configuration for engineered components tailored to customer requirements
Who uses it:
Ideal for large global enterprises manufacturing engineered products like turbines, defense equipment, rail systems, and industrial automation units.
Why it stands out:
SAP's holistic ecosystem supports global compliance, multilingual configurations, and scalable operations, making it an industry-standard ERP software for complex ETO manufacturing.
3. Infor CloudSuite Industrial (SyteLine)
Why it’s ideal for ETO:
Infor CloudSuite Industrial is designed to support highly configurable, engineer-to-order operations with strong quoting, estimation, and post-sales tracking capabilities. It streamlines customer-specific product development and seamlessly connects design to production.
Standout Features:
- Product configurator for tailor-made parts and assemblies
- Integrated production scheduling with advanced planning tools
- Revision-controlled documentation and design versioning
- Pre-sale estimation workflows linked with real-time design feedback
Who uses it:
Best suited for mid-sized manufacturers dealing with custom tooling, fabricated equipment, and niche engineered products.
Why it stands out:
Infor’s focus on industry-specific ERP software for engineering companies ensures faster implementation and lower customization costs, making it a flexible choice for ETO environments.
4. Epicor Kinetic ERP
Why it’s ideal for ETO:
Epicor Kinetic delivers a unified platform that integrates engineering, sales, shop floor control, and finance, tailored for custom manufacturers. It is particularly strong in managing multi-level BOMs, work instructions, and design revisions.
Standout Features:
- Engineering workbench with visual BOM management
- Advanced estimating tools for custom product pricing
- Change order routing and version approval workflows
- Embedded analytics and dashboards for real-time project tracking
Who uses it:
Preferred by SMBs and mid-sized manufacturers in sectors like metal fabrication, high-tech electronics, and industrial components.
Why it stands out:
Epicor’s intuitive interface and industry templates allow rapid deployment for ETO manufacturers, supporting agile change handling and improved time to market.
5. Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform
Why it’s ideal for ETO:
Plex offers a fully cloud-native platform that integrates ERP, MES, and quality management into one solution. It is built for manufacturers requiring real-time visibility, compliance, and engineering traceability.
Standout Features:
- Interactive control panels with live shop floor insights
- Built-in compliance and quality management workflows
- Engineering document management linked with production orders
- Comprehensive integration with financials, MES, and inventory modules
Who uses it:
Highly effective for industries with complex product lifecycles and compliance requirements such as aerospace, medical device, and automotive sectors.
Why it stands out:
Plex's manufacturing-first architecture enables engineering companies to minimize disruptions, enhance traceability, and deliver highly regulated, custom-built products with confidence.
6. IFS Cloud ERP
Why it’s ideal for ETO:
IFS Cloud ERP is tailored for asset-intensive and long-cycle project manufacturers. It supports ETO operations by integrating project management, service lifecycle, and engineering collaboration into a single digital framework.
Standout Features:
- Project scheduling with Gantt charts and milestone tracking
- Lifecycle costing for end-to-end visibility into project financials
- Subcontractor coordination and procurement workflows
- Role-based portals for client and supplier collaboration
Who uses it:
Engineering-driven companies in industries like construction, shipbuilding, aviation, and power generation.
Why it stands out:
IFS offers one of the most comprehensive platforms for project-centric manufacturing, allowing for granular visibility and better control across the entire engineer-to-order value chain.
7. JobBOSS² ERP
Why it’s ideal for ETO:
JobBOSS² simplifies ETO management for job shops with high variability in design, order frequency, and production volumes. Its focus is on speed, clarity, and control from quote to delivery.
Standout Features:
- Visual job scheduling and resource loading boards
- On-the-fly cost estimation with margin visibility
- Real-time change order processing
- Mobile accessibility for live shop floor updates
Who uses it:
Ideal for small to medium manufacturers delivering prototypes, specialty parts, and customer-specific assemblies.
Why it stands out:
JobBOSS² delivers flexibility and control without over-engineering the system. It’s a practical ETO ERP for engineering firms that need quick turnaround without compromising accuracy.
8. Deltek Costpoint
Why it’s ideal for ETO:
Deltek Costpoint caters specifically to engineering firms and government contractors, where regulatory compliance, cost control, and labor tracking are essential. It combines project ERP with earned value management for full lifecycle project tracking.
Standout Features:
- Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)-driven costing and progress tracking
- Labor cost allocation and DCAA-compliant reporting
- Engineering integration with financial oversight
- Multi-tier subcontractor and billing management
Who uses it:
A trusted ERP for engineering companies handling government contracts in defense, aerospace, infrastructure, and environmental sectors.
Why it stands out:
Deltek's focus on compliance and accountability makes it the go-to choice for firms that must meet strict regulatory, financial, and reporting standards while managing complex ETO workflows.
9. Priority ERP
Why it’s ideal for ETO:
Priority ERP is a modular, cloud-enabled ERP system offering high functionality with minimal implementation friction. It provides strong capabilities for ETO companies that need efficiency without complexity.
Standout Features:
- Project-oriented planning and inventory control
- Gantt chart-based visual scheduling tools
- BOM and revision management integrated with purchasing
- Sales and CRM features for managing custom requests and quotes
Who uses it:
Best suited for small engineering firms, tool manufacturers, and custom builders looking for scalable ERP in software engineering.
Why it stands out:
Priority ERP delivers core ETO functionality at an affordable price point, making it a great entry point for growing manufacturers who require process visibility and collaboration without the burden of a large ERP deployment.
Final Thoughts: Engineering-Driven Manufacturing Needs Engineering-Driven ERP
For manufacturers building the future one custom project at a time, the ERP system you choose is not just software: it's the backbone of your operations. It determines how efficiently your teams collaborate, how accurately you quote and deliver, and how resilient your projects are against disruption.
The ERP systems highlighted above are more than digital tools. They are strategic enablers built for a world where no two orders are alike. And for engineering-centric manufacturers, they unlock the precision, speed, and control necessary to succeed in a demanding market.
At DynaTech, being a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Partner, we work closely with engineering and manufacturing leaders to implement tailored ERP solutions – especially Microsoft Dynamics 365 – that fit ETO complexity without compromising speed or scalability. Our industry accelerators and integration tools are designed to make ETO transformation practical, fast, and ROI-driven.
