Which ERP is Best for Aerospace Businesses in the UK?

Choosing the best ERP for aerospace businesses in the UK isn’t just about tracking inventory or managing accounts. Aerospace manufacturing, MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul), and supply chain companies face some of the most demanding regulatory and quality standards in the world. A good ERP system must deliver more than operational efficiency—it has to support rigorous compliance, traceability, engineering change management, and global collaboration.

So, which ERP systems stand out for UK aerospace companies? Let’s explore what matters most and review some of the leading options.

Key ERP Requirements for UK Aerospace Companies

When selecting an ERP, aerospace businesses in the UK should prioritise:

• AS9100 and regulatory compliance
  Your ERP must support AS9100 requirements (the aerospace quality standard) and other relevant frameworks like UKCA marking, export controls, and ITAR (for defence contracts).

• Full traceability
  End-to-end tracking of parts, materials, suppliers, and production processes is critical for audits, customer demands, and regulatory obligations.

• Complex BOM and engineering change management
  Aerospace products often feature multi-level BOMs with frequent design changes. The ERP must handle engineering change orders seamlessly.

• Advanced MRP and scheduling
  Strong production planning is essential to manage long lead times, expensive materials, and highly engineered assemblies.

• Integrated quality management
  Quality planning, inspections, non-conformance reports, corrective actions, and audits should be fully integrated.

• Global supply chain management
  Support for multi-currency, multi-language, and multi-site operations is important for companies with international suppliers and customers.

• Secure data management
  Defence and aerospace contracts often require cybersecurity certifications like Cyber Essentials Plus or compliance with NIST 800-171.

• Strong UK-based support
  Because aerospace ERP projects are complex, reliable local consultancy and vendor support is crucial.

Top ERP Systems for Aerospace Businesses in the UK

Here are some of the best ERP options for aerospace businesses in the UK, based on industry adoption, functionality, and local support:

IFS Cloud

IFS is a leader in aerospace and defence ERP. It’s used by both major primes and Tier 2/3 suppliers. Key features include:

• AS9100-ready quality management

• Advanced MRO (ideal for service providers)

• Complex project management capabilities

• Full manufacturing, supply chain, and asset management

• Configurable, cloud-native architecture

IFS has a strong UK presence and is widely adopted in both civil and defence aerospace sectors.

To find out more about IFS you can visit this link.

Infor CloudSuite Aerospace & Defense

Infor offers a dedicated industry CloudSuite designed for aerospace and defence firms that need:

• Advanced BOM and change management

• Integrated quality and compliance tools

• Supply chain visibility and planning

• ITAR/export control compliance support

Infor has a well-established UK partner network and is known for handling complex manufacturing and service environments.

To find out more about Infor you can visit this link.

Epicor Kinetic

Epicor Kinetic (formerly Epicor ERP) is a popular choice among mid-sized aerospace manufacturers and precision engineering firms. Advantages include:

• Robust MRP and production scheduling

• Traceability with serial/lot tracking

• Integrated quality management

• Flexible deployment options (cloud or on-premise)

• Strong UK partner ecosystem

Epicor is a solid choice for SMEs that need deep manufacturing capabilities without the scale or cost of systems like IFS or Infor.

To find out more about Epicor you can visit this link.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 (with Aerospace Partner Solutions)

Dynamics 365 isn’t aerospace-specific out of the box, but many UK Microsoft partners offer industry-focused extensions. Benefits:

• Powerful financial and supply chain core

• Customisable compliance workflows

• Partner add-ons for AS9100, MRO, and project manufacturing

This is an appealing option for businesses already invested in Microsoft’s ecosystem seeking a flexible, extensible platform.

To find out more about Microsoft Dynamics 365 you can visit this link.

SYSPRO

SYSPRO is popular among small and mid-sized aerospace and precision engineering firms in the UK. It offers:

• Lot and serial traceability to support AS9100

• Advanced BOM management with engineering change control

• Integrated quality management tools

• Strong MRP and production scheduling

• Flexible deployment (on-premise or cloud)

• Excellent UK partner network and support

SYSPRO is particularly well-suited to UK SMEs looking for aerospace-ready functionality without enterprise-scale complexity.

To find out more about SYSPRO you can visit this link.

QAD Adaptive ERP

QAD is widely used in high-complexity manufacturing sectors, including aerospace:

• Comprehensive traceability and compliance support

• Advanced planning and scheduling

• Global supply chain management

• Modern cloud platform with low-code customisation

QAD has UK-based consulting expertise and is well-suited to suppliers integrated into global aerospace supply chains.

To find out more about QAD you can visit this link.

How to Choose the Best ERP for Your Aerospace Business

The best ERP for aerospace businesses in the UK isn’t necessarily the most expensive or feature-packed—it’s the one that truly fits your operational needs, scale, and budget. Here’s a quick guide:

• Large, complex manufacturers or MRO firms
  → IFS Cloud, Infor CloudSuite Aerospace & Defense

• Mid-sized precision engineering companies
  → Epicor Kinetic, SYSPRO, QAD Adaptive ERP

• Businesses invested in Microsoft
  → Dynamics 365 with aerospace-focused partner solutions

• High service/MRO requirements
  → IFS Cloud, Infor CloudSuite

Also consider:

• Local support: Ensure your chosen vendor or partner has deep aerospace expertise and strong UK presence.

• Deployment model: Choose between cloud or on-premise, based on security, compliance, and IT strategy.

• Budget and ROI: Aerospace ERP is a significant investment, so get clear proposals and realistic ROI estimates.

Final Thoughts

Aerospace is unlike any other industry. Regulatory demands, precision manufacturing, and global supply chains mean you can’t get away with a generic ERP. From AS9100 compliance to advanced supply chain management, your ERP should help you deliver quality, traceability, and customer confidence at every stage.

Fortunately, UK aerospace companies have excellent ERP choices, from large-scale solutions like IFS and Infor to SME-friendly options like Epicor, SYSPRO, and Dynamics 365. Take the time to evaluate vendors carefully, involve your team early, and choose a system that will grow with your business – keeping you compliant, efficient, and competitive for years to come.

You can also compare these solutions with 100+ other ERP systems using our AI-powered Compare ERP tool. It’s free to use and provides top three tailored recommendations, making it easy to find the best ERP for your business in minutes.