When you’re speaking with ERP teams day in, day out, you start to see the patterns long before everyone else does. Across Europe, the conversations my team and I are having with clients and candidates tell a clear story for 2026. Cloud is maturing, AI is becoming genuinely useful, and businesses are increasingly looking for ERP solutions and consultants that really understand their sector – the processes, compliance, and day-to-day challenges – not just the technology itself.
Here’s what we’re seeing on the ground and what it means for the year ahead.
IFS - AI, operational efficiency and the right people
IFS customers often have complex, operations-heavy environments. There’s real interest in digital workers and AI to ease the pressure, but many organisations struggle to find enough people with the right combination of platform knowledge and operational experience.
That’s why demand is high for consultants who understand IFS and can translate it into practical improvements for field service, maintenance or manufacturing teams. Without those people, even the best automation initiatives can stall.
Infor - organisations leaning into industry depth
Infor continues to attract businesses that want ERP that truly fits their sector. CloudSuite is gaining traction, especially across manufacturing, distribution and hospitality. The challenge for many organisations is finding consultants who understand both the technology and the industry landscape well enough to add real value.
Integration talent is also high on the wish list. As more businesses build hybrid setups, they need people who can make systems talk to each other cleanly.
NetSuite - the choice for fast-growing European firms
NetSuite continues to be the preferred ERP for organisations that want straightforward implementations and quick wins. Month end, reporting automation and multi-entity setups are among the biggest talking points in conversations.
Functional consultants, SuiteScript developers and professionals with strong European localisation experience remain consistently in demand.
Microsoft Business Central - high adoption and powerful integration
Business Central has become a very popular option for SMBs across Europe. Its real strength is how neatly it fits into the wider Microsoft ecosystem. Organisations are using Power Automate and Power Apps to extend processes without heavy development, and that trend is only growing.
This means consultants who can pair BC knowledge with wider Microsoft skills are especially valuable.
What we’re hearing across the board for 2026
These themes come up in almost every conversation:
- AI that supports everyday decisions and removes manual effort
- Cloud-first plans supported by realistic hybrid setups
- Interest in industry-specific solutions rather than one-size-fits-all
- Security becoming part of every ERP conversation
- Low-code tools helping teams move faster and with less dependency on developers
What this means for hiring and planning
From our perspective:
- Functional ERP knowledge is still essential, but cloud and integration skills now sit right alongside it
- Integration roles are becoming the glue that keeps projects on track
- Strong data people remain crucial to successful implementations
- Multi-country experience is a real advantage across Europe
- A flexible mix of permanent and contract resource helps teams respond to change
Final thought
The ERP market across Europe feels energised. Teams are busy, systems are evolving and there’s a real drive to get more out of the technology they’ve invested in. If you’re looking at your plans for 2026 or thinking about shaping your team, my team and I are always happy to talk things through. These are the conversations we have every day.
