How ERP Solutions are Transforming Small and Medium-Sized Businesses in Kenya

May 7, 2025

The Power of Best ERP Systems for Manufacturing and SME Growth

Lorna sat quietly behind the counter of her small distribution business in Nakuru. It had been another frustrating week. Her invoices were delayed, suppliers were calling nonstop, and she couldn’t tell whether she was making a profit or barely breaking even. Her shelves were a mess, her books disorganized, and her staff confused. What Lorna didn’t know was that a solution existed—one that would later turn her business around and triple her revenue in just under a year.

That solution? ERP—Enterprise Resource Planning.

In this post, you’ll see how top manufacturing software companies are changing the game for Kenyan SMEs just like Lorna’s. We’ll explore the problems you might be facing, and more importantly, offer the powerful, practical solutions ERP systems bring to the table.

The Big Problem Plaguing SMEs in Kenya

Why Wholesale Distribution Software Small Business Solutions Are Essential

You might have different departments—sales, inventory, HR—all running on their own systems. None of them talk to each other. You spend hours chasing updates or reconciling data, only to end up more confused. This disconnection kills productivity and prevents your business from scaling effectively.

Are you still entering sales data into Excel sheets? You’re not alone. Manual processes are error-prone. One small typo can cost you thousands—or even a client. Production ERP systems eliminate these costly mistakes through automation.

Inventory Nightmares That Food Manufacturing ERP Can Solve

You’ve either overstocked, understocked, or lost track entirely. When customers ask for something, you scramble to check, only to tell them it’s out of stock—again. Missed sales opportunities pile up, especially in specialized industries like food production where inventory management is critical.

You don’t know exactly how much money is going out or coming in. Financial records are scattered and unreliable. You can’t make informed decisions because your numbers don’t add up. Best manufacturing ERP software for small business solutions provide the financial clarity you need.

What Happens If You Don’t Act?

You’ll continue to burn time, money, and opportunities. Your competitors utilizing retail ERP systems will outpace you with faster processes and better data. You might even start to lose customers—and good employees. The business you worked so hard to build could slowly crumble.

But don’t worry, help is not only available—it’s revolutionary.

How ERP Solutions Are Transforming SMEs in Kenya

The Impact of Top 10 Manufacturing ERP Systems on Business Integration

ERP connects every department in your business—from sales and finance to inventory and HR—into one cohesive system. You get real-time data, instant updates, and a single source of truth. According to a 2023 study by Deloitte, SMEs implementing ERP systems reported a 34% increase in operational efficiency and 28% reduction in administrative costs.¹

ERP gives you dashboards and reports that show your business performance at a glance. You’ll know what’s selling, what’s failing, and where to invest next. Pharmaceutical manufacturing software users particularly benefit from this level of precision in their highly regulated industry.

How SaaS Manufacturing Software Simplifies Inventory Management

Track inventory levels in real-time. Set automatic reorders. Know exactly what you have, where it is, and how fast it’s moving. You’ll never lose a sale due to stockouts again. Cloud-based solutions offer accessibility without the hefty infrastructure investment, perfect for growing businesses.

Say goodbye to guesswork. ERP for custom manufacturing handles invoicing, payroll, bank reconciliation, and tax reporting—automatically. Your finances become transparent and trustworthy, allowing you to focus on innovation and growth.

Specific Use Cases in Kenya

How Best Cloud ERP for Manufacturing Transforms Kenyan Industries

Agro-processors are using ERP to manage supply chains, monitor crop input costs, and control distribution. For example, Kenyan coffee producers have seen a 40% improvement in traceability and quality control after implementing specialized ERP systems.²

Manufacturing startups using production ERP systems have reported up to 60% reduction in production planning time and 25% decrease in raw material waste. The McKinsey Global Institute found that SMEs leveraging digital tools like ERP grow revenues up to 5 times faster than their peers.³

Retailers use retail ERP systems for stock movement, supplier tracking, and multi-location management. A Nairobi-based retail chain expanded from 3 to 15 locations in just two years after implementing a comprehensive ERP solution—with the same management team.

Tailored ERP Solutions from Ongadi Studios

At Ongadi Studios, we understand the daily struggles small and medium-sized businesses face. That’s why we’ve created a suite of affordable ERP solutions designed to automate your processes, eliminate inefficiencies, and help you scale with confidence, without breaking the bank.

We don’t just implement ERP, we build custom systems that fit your industry, your needs, and your budget, including specialized top manufacturing software companies solutions.

Our ERP Solutions Include:

ERP for Academic Institutes: Powerful, customized ERP systems for colleges and universities to manage admissions, exams, finance, HR, student portal and more.
Modern Desktop Accounting Software: Reliable, easy-to-use accounting tools to manage your books with speed and accuracy.
Well-Designed Helpdesk Software: Give your customers and team the support they deserve with streamlined ticketing and resolution tools.
HR and Payroll Software: Simplify HR processes, payroll, leave, attendance, and compliance—built for Kenyan organizations.

Industry-Specific Solutions: Food Manufacturing ERP and Beyond

We proudly serve a wide range of industries across Kenya, including manufacturing, trading & distribution, professional services, financial services, engineering (EPC), e-commerce, education, healthcare, non-profit, and retail.

Our food manufacturing ERP solutions help address unique challenges like batch tracking, expiration date management, and compliance with food safety regulations. Companies implementing these systems have reported up to 45% improvement in recall readiness and quality control.⁴

You don’t need a big budget to get big results. At Ongadi Studios, we make enterprise-level ERP accessible for small businesses, because we believe every business—no matter the size—deserves to thrive.

Choosing the Right ERP Partner

Finding the Best Manufacturing ERP Software for Small Business

Choose a provider who understands the Kenyan market, laws, and business culture. They’ll provide relevant training and support tailored to your specific industry needs.

Cloud ERP gives you remote access and automatic updates, perfect for flexible and fast-moving businesses. Best cloud ERP for manufacturing solutions offer scalability without massive upfront investments—particularly valuable for SMEs with growth ambitions.

Start with essential modules and grow as your needs increase. Avoid bloated systems with features you’ll never use. A report by Gartner shows that businesses taking a modular approach to ERP implementation are 30% more likely to stay within budget and achieve ROI faster.⁵

Why Ongadi Studios is Your Best ERP Partner

At Ongadi Studios, we specialize in tailoring ERP solutions that fit the unique needs of Kenyan SMEs. We don’t just sell software—we partner with you for long-term success, offering solutions ranging from wholesale distribution software small business to pharmaceutical manufacturing software implementations.

You’ll get a personalized ERP roadmap, hands-on training for your staff, 24/7 support, and flexible pricing that suits your budget.

We’ve helped businesses across Kenya streamline operations, reduce waste, and achieve real growth. Our clients implementing ERP for custom manufacturing have seen an average of 35% improvement in production efficiency and 20% reduction in operational costs.

Final Thoughts

ERP isn’t just for big corporations. It’s for you—the entrepreneur juggling invoices, staff, inventory, and customers. It’s for you—the visionary trying to grow without losing control. It’s for you—the business owner who wants clarity, confidence, and real-time results.

Don’t let outdated systems hold you back. Let ERP solutions, like the top 10 manufacturing ERP systems we offer at Ongadi Studios—transform your business just like it did for Lorna.

Ready to take the next step? Get in touch today, and let’s build the future of your business, together.