Choosing the right software architecture is one of the most strategic decisions a modern finance or operations leader will face.
The decision between adopting a fully integrated ERP system or taking a modular best-of-breed software approach can have long-term consequences for agility, scalability, and cost-efficiency.
This article explores the key differences, advantages, and use cases for both approaches, but leans into a growing truth: for many mid-sized and enterprise organisations, a best-of-breed strategy offers more control, faster innovation, and better results than traditional ERP platforms.
Best-of-breed refers to individual applications that are built specifically to excel in one area of business — for example, finance, procurement, HR, customer relationship management (CRM), or business intelligence. Instead of relying on a single vendor to provide a bundled suite of tools, best-of-breed architecture empowers organisations to select the leading software in each category and connect them through integrations.
This approach has become increasingly viable and attractive thanks to the rise of cloud computing, open APIs, and low-code/no-code integration platforms.
Organisations no longer have to choose between specialisation and integration — now they can have both.
More organisations are moving toward best-of-breed ecosystems for several compelling reasons:
While best-of-breed architecture is powerful, it’s not without challenges. However, modern infrastructure and support models have made these issues far more manageable:
In short, the barriers that once held best-of-breed back are now largely resolved, especially for organisations that value agility and modern architecture.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software is designed to consolidate key business functions into one platform. An ERP system might include finance, HR, procurement, inventory management, CRM, project planning, and more — all under a single umbrella, provided by a single vendor.
ERPs were historically built for large enterprises that needed standardisation across departments and locations. Today, providers like Oracle, SAP, NetSuite, and Microsoft Dynamics offer ERPs to organisations of all sizes, promising simplicity, consistency, and control.
ERP systems offer several well-known advantages:
However, these benefits often come at the cost of flexibility, speed, and innovation, particularly in fast-moving industries or growing mid-sized firms.
Many successful organisations now use best-of-breed systems to support core business areas. Common examples include:
When deciding between ERP and best-of-breed, consider the following strategic criteria:
What are your organisation’s goals over the next 3–5 years? If speed, innovation, and flexibility are central, best-of-breed systems allow you to pivot and scale more effectively.
Does the software reflect how your teams actually work? Best-of-breed software is often better aligned to your current processes, reducing the need for reengineering. ERP systems may require you to conform to their workflows, leading to workarounds or inefficiencies.
Rolling out best-of-breed systems typically involves less risk, less downtime, and quicker user adoption. ERP projects, by contrast, require intensive planning, training, and often disrupt day-to-day operations during go-live.
Cloud-native best-of-breed tools are updated frequently, often without manual intervention. With ERP, updates may be slower, more disruptive, and entirely dictated by the vendor. You're also more likely to be locked into long-term contracts.
Do you have (or want) a modern, API-driven tech environment? Best-of-breed strategies align with today’s modular, cloud-first IT architecture, giving you better integration options and future-proofing.
If you're using multiple best-of-breed suppliers, you retain negotiating power and the ability to switch providers if performance dips. With a full ERP, it’s all or nothing, making it harder to walk away from poor service or misaligned pricing.
Best-of-breed tools let you tailor your stack to your sector, business model, and workflows, giving you the ability to stand out rather than settle for “off the shelf” ERP functionality.
Your business will change. Best-of-breed systems are modular by design, making it easier to scale, upgrade, or replace parts of your tech stack without costly disruption.
While ERPs may seem cheaper up front, the full cost of implementation, consultancy, customisation, and upgrades can be significant. Best-of-breed often offers better ROI through faster time-to-value, lower risk, and the ability to optimise spending over time.
ERP systems still play a role, particularly in organisations with simpler needs, lower complexity, or limited IT resources. In some cases, a centralised suite does reduce the number of vendors and offers a “good enough” solution.
However, for finance and operations leaders seeking modern functionality, agility, and future-readiness, the flexibility of best-of-breed is hard to ignore.
The ERP vs best-of-breed decision is no longer about size — it’s about strategy.
While ERP systems promise simplification, they often deliver compromise. Best-of-breed platforms allow organisations to build a tailored ecosystem that evolves with their business.
In a world where agility, innovation, and user experience drive success, best-of-breed software represents a smarter, more sustainable way forward — especially in complex environments like finance, HR, and operations.
At bluQube, we specialise in helping organisations build future-proof finance systems that integrate seamlessly with the tools they already love. Whether you're replacing legacy ERP or enhancing part of your stack, we can help you take the next step confidently. Get in touch today to book a demo.
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