SAP S/4 or Infor M3: which ERP solution for complex global operations?
When it comes to digital transformation, supply chain and financial management on a global scale, Infor M3 and SAP S/4HANA ERP are at the heart of strategic decisions taken by industrial companies. But behind their promises of performance, cloud integration and functional robustness, their models and functionalities differ... sometimes radically.
Infor M3 is particularly aimed at industrial companies with high levels of operational complexity. In contrast, SAP S/4, the mainstay of the SAP ecosystem, is positioned as a global ERP solution, massively adopted by multinationals and groups with complex processes.
📌 In this article, we offer you a detailed comparison of these two benchmark ERPs. Features, pricing, user experience, integrations, use cases... we get our hands in the engine to help you choose the suite that will propel your business into a new era.
What is Infor M3?
Infor M3 overview
Infor M3, a key component of the Infor CloudSuite, is a cloud ERP developed for industrial companies, particularly in the manufacturing, supply chain, fashion, food and retail sectors.
Designed to support complex operations on a global scale, M3 offers a modular, sector-based approach. Its strength lies in its integrated industry-specific business model, which means it can be adapted quickly to specific requirements on the ground without the need for extensive development work.
Deployed mainly in SaaS mode, Infor M3 is part of the cloud transformation, with an infrastructure hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS). This makes it a robust, secure and highly scalable solution, particularly suited to global enterprises.
Key features of Infor M3
Before we go into too much detail, it has to be said: Infor M3 is not a 'generalist' ERP. Its approach is very industry-focused, with particular attention paid to the needs of the manufacturing and supply chain sectors.
⚒️ Here are the key functionalities that make Infor M3 a solid and specialised ERP:
- advanced supply chain management : management of complex flows, demand planning, stock optimisation, supplier tracking, etc;
- production and industrial planning: support for discrete, job-based or continuous flow manufacturing processes, with multi-site planning capabilities;
- management of global financial operations: multi-entity, multi-currency accounting, international tax compliance, budget monitoring, etc;
- modular, industry-specific ERP: predefined modules by sector: fashion, agri-food, equipment, chemicals, etc. with preconfigured models;
- modernised user interface (H5 UI): responsive web user experience, customisable by role, and accessible on mobile;
- automation and integration via Infor ION: middleware platform for connecting M3 to other tools (CRM, WMS, etc.), with automated workflows;
- integrated business intelligence (Infor Birst): real-time reporting, interactive visualisations, predictive analysis based on operational data.
Advantages and disadvantages of Infor M3
You can't choose an ERP system without analysing the benefits/constraints ratio. Infor M3 shines in certain respects, but it also has its limitations, particularly when up against a behemoth like SAP.
✅ Infor M3 is particularly appealing to industrial companies looking for a flexible, pre-configured business solution . Here's what we've learned from our experience:
- strong adaptation to industrial business processes, with specific turnkey models ;
- native cloud deployment via Infor CloudSuite, which is quicker and less costly than an on-premise ERP;
- A modern, user-friendly interface, even for non-technophiles;
- Flexibility of configuration without code, using Infor OS tools;
- excellent supply chain management, recognised as one of the most comprehensive on the market;
- well-integrated cloud ecosystem thanks to the ION platform, facilitating exchanges with other tools.
❌ No solution is perfect. Despite its qualities, Infor M3 can show limitations, particularly on certain types of project:
- less suited to very large multi-sector companies than SAP S/4 ;
- fewer certified partners and experts available on the market than SAP or Oracle;
- sometimes complex to build up skills, particularly for in-house teams unfamiliar with Infor ;
- more limited functional scalability outside target industry sectors;
- some third-party integrations require specific developments, despite the ION platform.
Infor M3
What is SAP S/4?
Overview of SAP S/4
SAP S/4HANA, or simply SAP S/4, is the next-generation ERP solution developed by SAP, the world leader in business management software. Designed as the successor to SAP ECC, S/4 is based on the in-memory HANA database, enabling it to run operations in real time, even on massive volumes of data.
Deployable in the cloud, in hybrid mode or on-premise, SAP S/4 is designed for international companies, often large-scale or operating in complex environments. Its modular architecture and extensive functional coverage make it a particularly robust suite for managing all aspects of a global business: finance, supply chain, manufacturing, HR, purchasing, sales, etc.
SAP S/4 is also at the heart of SAP's ambition for digital transformation, with a focus on artificial intelligence, automation, intelligent workflows and integration with the SAP ecosystem (SuccessFactors, Ariba, Concur, etc.).
Key features of SAP S/4
SAP S/4 offers an impressive range of business functionalities. Although it may seem oversized for some SMEs, it remains a benchmark in the ERP market for its functional power and scalability.
⚒️ Before delving into the details of the comparison, here is an overview of the key functionalities of SAP S/4:
- global financial management (SAP FI/CO) : consolidation, controlling, multi-entity, international regulatory compliance ;
- Advanced Supply Chain Management (SAP SCM): integrated planning, logistics, warehouse management, real-time monitoring ;
- Production and Operations Management (SAP PP/MM): discrete, process or make-to-order manufacturing, with integrated MRP and scenario simulation;
- modular, connected cloud suite: modules connected to SuccessFactors (HR), Ariba (purchasing), Fieldglass (external services), etc. ;
- Fiori user experience: intuitive, responsive and customisable interface, designed for the cloud and mobile use;
- artificial intelligence and automation: automated processes, intelligent recommendations, real-time predictive analysis;
- integration platform via SAP BTP: easy connection to other internal or third-party tools via API, SAP Integration Suite, etc.
Advantages and disadvantages of SAP S/4
Before deciding between Infor and SAP, it is essential to understand where SAP S/4 excels... and where it can cause problems. Here we summarise the strengths and weaknesses of SAP's flagship ERP, based on market feedback.
✅ SAP S/4 is designed for demanding businesses looking for a complete, integrated and scalable solution. Here's what users are saying
- extremely broad functional coverage, with highly advanced business modules ;
- Suitable for large international companies, with multi-entity, multi-currency and multi-standard management;
- high performance thanks to HANA technology, even for complex data volumes;
- Extensive and consistent ecosystem, facilitating integration with other SAP or third-party solutions;
- enterprise-grade security and compliance, regularly updated;
- Modernised user experience via Fiori, with seamless web and mobile access;
- highly developed support and community, with thousands of certified partners worldwide.
❌ But SAP S/4 is not without its constraints, particularly in terms of cost, complexity and deployment time:
- high licence, deployment and maintenance costs, often above the market average ;
- lengthy and cumbersome implementation project, requiring expert support;
- complexity of the interface and settings, despite recent UX efforts;
- less accessible to SMEs, particularly in terms of budget and organisation;
- limited flexibility without customisation, which can lead to specific developments;
- migration from ECC still tricky for some companies (S/4 projects often heavy).
SAP S/4HANA
Infor M3 vs SAP S/4: compare functionalities
When you compare two ERP systems like Infor M3 and SAP S/4, it's not a question of "more functionality", but of consistency with your business needs. One shines for its industrial specialisation, the other for its overall power and functional coverage.
| Functionality | Infor M3 (CloudSuite) | SAP S/4 (SAP S/4HANA) |
| Native cloud deployment | Yes (Infor CloudSuite via AWS) | Yes (SAP Cloud, RISE with SAP) |
| Industry specialisation | Very strong (integrated business models) | ⚠️ Medium (requires configuration or add-ons) |
| Supply chain & logistics | Excellent, very detailed | Excellent, but more complex to configure |
| Global financial management | Solid, with multiple companies | Very robust and comprehensive |
| Production & planning | Modules specific to industrial processes | Ultra-complete but more generic |
| User experience (UX) | Modern H5 interface | Fiori UX fluid but sometimes technical |
| Integrated Business Intelligence | Infor Birst included | SAP Analytics Cloud or BOBJ optional |
| Automation / workflows | Via Infor OS and ION | With integrated SAP BTP / AI |
| Marketplace & connectors | ⚠️ More limited | Very broad ecosystem |
| Suitable for large companies | ⚠️ Moderate (better for industrial mid-market) | Yes, clearly designed for global use |
1. Focus on supply chain management
Infor M3 stands out in sectors with complex flows:
- agri-food
- fashion,
- custom manufacturing, etc.
The processes are pre-configured for these industries.
SAP S/4 offers an extremely complete supply chain (via SAP SCM), natively integrated with :
- planning
- purchasing
- logistics
- and production.
But this richness often requires custom implementation.
💡 Verdict: Infor M3 is quicker to implement in a business logic. SAP S/4 is more powerful on a large scale, but more expensive to configure.
2. Focus on global financial management
SAP S/4 integrates very mature modules (FI/CO) covering everything from :
- consolidation
- multi-country taxation
- budget management
- real-time financial analysis.
It is a market benchmark.
Infor M3 offers solid financial management, but is designed more for international mid-market groups than for multi-activity conglomerates.
💡 Verdict: SAP S/4 is to be preferred for complex or multinational financial environments. Infor M3 is sufficient for structured but less diversified industrial groups.
3. Focus on integrations and interoperability
SAP S/4 offers a very powerful platform with SAP BTP, its Business Technology Platform, and a wide range of certified connectors. Integration is advanced, but may require specialised skills.
Infor M3 relies on Infor ION, a middleware that facilitates data exchanges between applications, but with a less extensive ecosystem than SAP's.
💡 The verdict: SAP is ahead of the game for companies needing complex interoperability. Infor remains successful if the scope remains under control.
4. Focus on user experience and ergonomics
Infor M3 offers a modern, fluid and responsive H5 interface that is easy to customise according to business roles.
SAP S/4 has made great efforts with Fiori UX, but some users still report a technical learning curve, especially during initial configurations.
💡 Verdict: Infor M3 wins points for simplicity. SAP is more complete, but less accessible without training.
5. Focus on Business Intelligence and analytics
Infor M3 integrates Birst, a cloud-native BI platform. The result: accessible, customisable, business-oriented dashboards.
SAP S/4 relies on SAP Analytics Cloud or BOBJ, which are more powerful but often sold as separate modules.
💡 Verdict: Infor offers simple, integrated BI by default. SAP offers more analytical power, at the price of complexity (and budget).
Infor M3 vs SAP S/4: compare prices
📌 Prices for Infor M3 and SAP S/4 solutions are not publicly available. For more information on their prices, contact their business team.
| Plans | Infor M3 | SAP S/4HANA |
| Entry | On quotation | On quotation |
| Intermediate | On quotation | Quotation |
| Enterprise | Quotation | On quotation |
Infor M3 vs SAP S/4: which interface is more intuitive?
You can have the best ERP in the world... if the interface gives the impression of piloting a Russian satellite in 1986, it won't last. Today, the user experience (UX) has become a decisive criterion for the adoption of ERP software.
| Criteria | Infor M3 (CloudSuite) | SAP S/4 (SAP Fiori) |
| User interface (UI) | Web H5 UI: modern and responsive | SAP Fiori: clean, modular design |
| Customisation | Customisation by role/business line | Highly customisable via Fiori apps |
| Learning curve | ⚠️ Low for business users | ⚠️ Medium to high depending on modules |
| Navigation & ergonomics | Simple and fluid, intuitive UX | ⚠️ Navigation can be complex |
| Mobile / responsive | Mobile-friendly, no dedicated app | Fiori mobile app (SAP Mobile Start) |
| Average time to learn | A few days to 2 weeks | 2 weeks to several months |
| Integrated business experience | Highly contextualised according to industry | Requires configuration or add-ons |
Handling and navigation :
- Infor M3 offers an H5 web responsive interface, designed to be accessible from any modern browser, without the need for heavy installation. The UX is designed by business role, with fast, fluid navigation, well suited to non-technical industrial users.
- SAP S/4, via SAP Fiori, offers a richer but more complex interface. Fiori allows you to create customised 'apps' for each use, but their configuration may require the intervention of consultants. As a result, the experience can vary greatly depending on the company and the level of customisation.
Interface customisation
Both solutions allow the interface to be customised by user, role or department.
- SAP goes a step further with Fiori Launchpad, a customisable cockpit in the form of a business portal. But this often requires a dedicated IT team or the involvement of an integrator.
- Infor M3, on the other hand, offers modular dashboards that are easy to adapt without coding, using tools such as Infor OS and Homepages Designer.
Mobile accessibility
Both publishers are banking on the cloud and mobility, but with different approaches:
- Infor M3 is natively mobile-friendly, via the H5 responsive interface. Users can access all its functions via a mobile browser.
- SAP S/4 offers a dedicated mobile app (SAP Mobile Start), with integrated Fiori functions. The experience is optimised, but depends on the correct deployment of the Fiori environment.
Infor M3 vs SAP S/4: compare integrations
The more naturally an ERP integrates with your IT or CRM stack, the more it becomes a strategic lever for overall business performance. For CIOs, CTOs or digital transformation managers, native connectors, the richness of the API and the level of automation are decisive criteria.
👉 Number of integrations available
- Infor M3 (via Infor ION): ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Infor offers several hundred integrations via its ION platform and CloudSuite ecosystem. Ready-to-use connections with tools such as Salesforce, Microsoft 365, Shopify, DocuSign, AWS, or even business software (MES, WMS). The approach remains focused on industrial sectors, with compatibility designed for production, logistics and finance management tools.
- SAP S/4 (via SAP BTP + Integration Suite): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
SAP has some of the most extensive integration coverage on the market. More than 1,500 connectors via SAP Integration Suite (formerly CPI), with native SAP integrations (SuccessFactors, Ariba, Concur, etc.) as well as third-party integrations: Salesforce, Oracle, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, HubSpot, Jira, etc. The solution is clearly aimed at global and heterogeneous environments.
👉 Ease of configuration
- Infor M3: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
With Infor ION, setting up integrations is relatively intuitive. Flow-based logic, coupled with a graphical interface, means that systems can be connected without coding. Numerous integration scenarios are preconfigured, reducing deployment times and facilitating maintenance.
- SAP S/4: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
The power is there, but so is the complexity. To configure integrations via SAP BTP, you often have to go through specialist SAP consultants. The documentation is dense, and the modular architecture requires a highly developed technical vision. The initial investment is substantial.
👉 Customisation and automation
- Infor M3: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Thanks to Infor OS and its automation tools (workflows, alerts, business triggers), integrations can be finely customised. For example, data can be synchronised between ERP, CRM and logistics tools, conditional actions can be triggered, and production variances can be monitored.
- SAP S/4: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is in the league of ultra-powerful ERPs. Integrations can drive complex cross-system processes: automated procurement, HR synchronisation between entities, multi-standard financial rules... The potential for orchestrating business flows is virtually unlimited, provided you have the necessary expertise.
💡 Conclusion
- Infor M3 scores points for its ease of deployment and ready-to-use business logic. Its ION middleware makes integration accessible to IT teams without necessarily resorting to an army of consultants.
- SAP S/4, on the other hand, is a heavyweight in enterprise architectures: nothing stands in its way when it comes to integration, but you have to be prepared to invest time, skills and budget.
When should you choose Infor M3 or SAP S/4?
Although these two ERP systems share a common objective - to optimise global business operations - their philosophies and use cases are not interchangeable. It all depends on your sector of activity, your size, the complexity of your operations and, of course, your internal resources.
Typical use cases for Infor M3
Infor M3 is the right choice for industrial companies looking for an agile, rapidly deployable business solution. Its sector specialisation and predefined templates make it a powerful ERP for organisations that want to avoid lengthy ERP projects.
📌 Here's where Infor M3 excels:
- medium to large industrial companies with complex flows (food processing, textiles, chemicals, etc.) ;
- multi-site groups operating in several countries, without wanting a complete SAP architecture;
- manufacturers in ETO, MTO or MTS mode (Engineer-to-order, Make-to-order, Make-to-stock);
- organisations needing a cloud-native ERP solution that can be implemented quickly and by sector;
- companies with strong supply chain, logistics and production needs;
- organisations looking for a simple user experience and rapid integration with existing tools;
- companies looking to modernise their IS without blowing their budgets and deadlines.
🗣️ Customer testimonial :
Having integrated Infor M3 into the heart of our operations, we are now firmly committed to leading the industry in customer service and the development of new offerings.
Richard Calder, Directeur Informatique, Reynolds Catering Supplies LTD
Typical use cases for SAP S/4
SAP S/4 is designed for companies looking for complete functional coverage, the ability to manage ultra-complex operations and unlimited scalability. It's an ERP that shines in multi-activity, multi-market, regulated environments.
📌 Here are the cases where SAP S/4 is clearly to be preferred:
- large international companies operating in several business sectors ;
- multi-entity groups with consolidated reporting, regulatory compliance and auditability requirements;
- companies requiring extensive integration with other SAP tools (SuccessFactors, Ariba, Concur, etc.);
- organisations with highly customised business processes or driven by complex workflows;
- companies with stringent requirements in terms of security, compliance and IT governance ;
- organisations needing to orchestrate large-scale operations involving massive volumes of data;
- ERP projects managed with SAP-certified partners who have the budget and time to get it right.
🗣️ Customer story :
Our digital twin gave us useful insights on how to be more efficient. The results were exciting: 100% accurate remote recognition of production losses and a systematic evaluation of the impact of maintenance activities on plant performance.
Gabriel Marcuz, COO, ENGIE Energía Chile
Infor M3 or SAP S/4: make the right choice, not the biggest one
As we've seen, Infor M3 and SAP S/4 are not quite in the same league, and it's not a question of raw power, but of relevance to your business needs.
- Infor M3 stands out for its industrial specialisation, its speed of deployment and its ready-to-use sector-based approach. If you're a manufacturing, agri-food or fashion company, with complex workflows but no titanic IT structure, M3 may be the better, more accessible and targeted strategic decision.
- SAP S/4, on the other hand, remains the king of ERPs for large international companies, with unrivalled functional coverage, powerful integrations and the ability to orchestrate global operations. It requires a certain level of commitment (time, budget, expertise), but it can support growth on a very large scale.
FAQ - ERP, SAP S/4 and Infor M3
What is the main difference between Infor M3 and SAP S/4?
Infor M3 is an off-the-shelf industrial ERP, ideal for sectors such as food, fashion and manufacturing. SAP S/4, on the other hand, is a modular ERP platform, designed to manage complex operations on a global scale with a high level of customisation.
Is Infor M3 easier to deploy than SAP S/4?
Yes, thanks to its integrated industry models and native cloud deployment via Infor CloudSuite, M3 offers shorter implementation times. SAP S/4, on the other hand, often requires a lengthy project involving specialist integrators.
Which ERP is best suited to a fast-growing company?
It all depends. Infor M3 is well suited to fast-growing industrial SMEs and SMIs. If you're aiming for international, multi-market expansion, SAP S/4 offers better long-term scalability.
Is it easy to connect SAP S/4 or Infor M3 to other software?
Yes for both, but in different ways:
- Infor M3 uses ION, a simple and effective integration platform;
- SAP S/4 uses SAP BTP, which is much more powerful but also more complex to configure.
Article translated from French