Choosing a new ERP is one of the biggest technology decisions an aviation business can make. It affects how you quote parts, manage inventory, plan maintenance, stay compliant, and serve customers every day.

For many aviation companies, the challenge is not deciding if they need a new ERP. It’s deciding which one fits their reality.

This guide walks through the most important factors you should consider when selecting an ERP, using real-world industry context rather than sales claims. The goal is simple: help you ask the right questions before you commit.

Start With the Problem You’re Trying to Solve

Before comparing features or vendors, it helps to get clear on why you are looking for a new ERP in the first place.

Many aviation companies reach this point because their current system creates work instead of removing it. 

• Manual steps creep in 
• Teams rely on spreadsheets
• Data lives in too many places
• Visibility drops just when pressure increases.

Many aviation teams reach a point where their ERP quietly works against them. Quoting takes longer than it should. Reports arrive too late to be useful. Simple changes require workarounds or outside help. Over time, these small frustrations add up, making it harder to respond to customers, manage inventory, or adapt as the business grows. 

When a system no longer keeps pace with daily operations, it stops being a support tool and becomes a source of friction.

A new ERP should not just replace old software. It should remove bottlenecks that slow teams down today and limit growth tomorrow.

Look for Aviation-Specific Fit, Not Generic Software

Aviation is not a generic industry. Regulatory requirements, traceability, repair workflows, and aftermarket complexity all demand systems built with aviation in mind.

Generic ERPs often require heavy customization to handle FAA or EASA requirements, serialized parts, or repair workflows. That adds cost and risk over time.

In aviation, the best ERP systems go beyond basic accounting or inventory modules; they are built to support the full complexity of aftermarket operations. That means the software needs to handle sales processes, MRO workflows, and supply chain coordination in ways that reflect real aviation work rather than forcing teams into workarounds. When an ERP aligns with these core aviation functions, it reduces manual effort and supports smoother operations across the business.

Independent industry research supports this idea. Deloitte notes that industry-specific ERP solutions often reduce implementation risk and long-term maintenance because they align more closely with real workflows rather than forcing workarounds.

Consider Your Company Size and Stage of Growth

One of the most overlooked ERP selection factors is company size. The “best” ERP for a large enterprise may overwhelm a smaller organization, while a lightweight system may not scale for a fast-growing business.

Smaller aviation companies

Smaller distributors or MROs often benefit from systems that deploy quickly, require less internal IT support, and avoid over-customization. Speed, usability, and clean data matter more than deep configuration from day one.

Mid-sized, growing businesses

Growth introduces complexity. Quote volume increases. Inventory expands. Compliance demands more structure. Mid-sized companies often need stronger reporting, automation, and role-based workflows to avoid adding headcount just to keep up.

Larger or multi-site organizations

Enterprise-level aviation businesses usually need deeper configuration, integrations, and governance. Change management and phased implementation become critical at this stage.

AvSight’s 6-Step Aviation Software Implementation Guide highlights how aligning the implementation approach with company size reduces disruption and improves adoption. 

Read: The 6 Step Aviation Software Implementation Guide 

Gartner research also shows that ERP projects succeed more often when scope and complexity match organizational maturity, rather than future ambitions alone.

Evaluate Implementation, Not Just Features

ERP failures rarely happen because of missing features. They happen because of poor implementation.

A strong ERP partner should offer a clear implementation process, aviation expertise, and realistic timelines. Teams should understand what data to clean, how to train users, and how to manage change.

A successful ERP implementation doesn’t have to feel like a risky, disruptive event. When you approach it as a structured process, with clear steps, defined roles, and aviation-focused guidance, teams can transition smoothly without major interruptions. Thinking about implementation in this way turns what can feel like a “nightmare” into an organized opportunity for improvement and better alignment across departments.

According to McKinsey, successful ERP transformations focus as much on people and process as on technology, especially in regulated industries.

Think About Flexibility and Customization Carefully

Every aviation business has unique workflows. The question is not whether customization matters, but how it is handled.

Rigid systems force workarounds. Over-customized systems become expensive to maintain. The right balance allows configuration without breaking upgrade paths or increasing long-term risk.

Customization can be a powerful way to make an ERP fit unique aviation workflows, but it’s important to balance it with standard capabilities. When teams go overboard with bespoke changes, it can slow upgrades and increase long-term maintenance. Smart configuration and limited custom development help systems adapt without creating technical debt. 

Understanding when to customize and when to rely on proven standard functionality helps keep the ERP agile and aligned with evolving business needs.

Forbes also highlights that overly rigid legacy systems slow decision-making and force manual processes, especially as business demands change.

Plan for What Comes Next, Not Just Today

Aviation technology is changing quickly. Cloud platforms, mobility, automation, and AI now shape how teams work across maintenance, sales, and operations.

Even if you do not need advanced automation today, your ERP should support future capabilities without a full replacement.

IDC research shows that cloud-based ERPs give organizations more flexibility to adopt new tools over time, including analytics and AI, without disrupting core operations

This future-readiness matters most in aviation, where regulatory pressure, labor constraints, and supply chain complexity continue to grow.

Choosing With Confidence

Selecting the right aviation ERP is not about finding the most features. It is about finding the right fit for your size, workflows, and long-term goals.

The strongest decisions come from asking clear questions:

• Does this system support how we actually work?
• Can our team adopt it without constant workarounds?
• Will it grow with us without creating new friction?

A well-chosen ERP becomes a foundation for better decisions, stronger compliance, and smoother operations. A poorly matched one becomes another obstacle to work around.

The difference starts with choosing intentionally

If you want an ERP built around real aviation operational workflows, AvSight offers a modern approach designed specifically for sales, MRO, and aftermarket operations. It combines aviation-focused functions with flexible configuration, mobile workflows, and built-in automation that reduces manual work without taking control away from your team.

Most importantly, AvSight continues to evolve alongside the industry. As aviation operations face tighter regulation, ongoing labor constraints, and increasing data demands, AvSight helps teams stay adaptable instead of locked into rigid systems.

If you are evaluating ERP options and want a platform designed for how aviation businesses actually work, AvSight is worth a closer look.

Learn more about AvSight or request a demo.