Legacy ERP systems like Infor XA (formerly MAPICS) have supported U.S. manufacturers for decades. But as digital transformation accelerates, many companies running XA are facing a familiar challenge:

• Outdated green-screen UI
• Limited scalability
• Difficulty integrating modern tools
• High cost of customizations
• Limited cloud capabilities
• Risk of relying on aging technical resources

If you are searching for Infor XA alternatives, it likely means your manufacturing operations are ready for a more agile, cloud-ready, AI-powered ERP system.

This 2026 guide breaks down the top Infor XA alternatives, trusted by manufacturing, distribution, and industrial businesses, and helps you understand which system best fits your modernization journey.

What Is Infor XA (MAPICS)? And Why Are Manufacturers Moving Away From It?

Infor XA, originally MAPICS, is a long-established ERP solution designed for discrete manufacturers. While stable, many companies feel restricted by its:

• Outdated AS/400 architecture
• Limited cloud innovation
• Complex customization layers
• Higher long-term maintenance costs
• Skills shortage of RPG and green-screen developers
• Difficulty integrating with CRM, eCommerce, WMS, and automation tools

Modern manufacturing requires real-time data, mobile access, predictive analytics, extensibility, and automated workflows, capabilities XA struggles to deliver.

This is why manufacturers are evaluating modern Infor XA alternatives that provide flexibility, cloud scalability, and better total cost of ownership.

Top 10 Infor XA Alternatives for Manufacturers

Below is a curated list of the most trusted Infor XA replacement options, ranked based on:

• Cloud capability
• Manufacturing depth
• Integration ecosystem
• Cost of ownership
• AI & automation
• Upgrade path & scalability
• Global support network

Let’s dive in.

1. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (Best Overall Infor XA Alternative)

Best For: Small to mid-sized manufacturers looking for modern cloud ERP with strong extensibility
Deployment: Cloud & On-premises

Why It’s #1: Deep manufacturing, easy customization, lower cost, seamless integration with Microsoft ecosystem

Dynamics 365 Business Central is one of the most popular ERP modernization choices for companies leaving legacy systems like XA, Navision, GP, or MAS.

It offers powerful capabilities aligned with modern manufacturing needs:

Key Features

• Production planning & scheduling
• Shop floor execution
• Bill of materials (multi-level)
• MRP & MPS
• Warehouse and inventory management
• Quality checks
• Job costing & capacity planning
• Built-in analytics via Power BI
• Microsoft Copilot (AI assistance for planning, forecasting, reporting)

Why Business Central Is a Strong Infor XA Alternative?

• 100% cloud-ready
• Integrates with Microsoft 365, Teams, PowerApps, Power Automate
• Faster deployment
• Lower implementation cost
• Highly customizable without heavy coding
• Works seamlessly with manufacturing add-ons like Insight Works

Bonus: 30-Day Free Trial

Microsoft offers a Business Central free trial for 30 days, allowing manufacturers to test workflows, production modules, and dashboards before committing.

Implementation Partner: Dynamics Square

Dynamics Square helps manufacturing companies migrate from legacy systems like Infor XA to Business Central through:

• Data migration
• Custom manufacturing extensions
• User training
• Integrations with CRM, eCommerce, WMS
• Post-go-live support

This makes it the top recommended alternative for companies planning a smooth modernization.

Ready to migrate from Infor XA to a modern ERP?
See how Dynamics 365 Business Central can transform your manufacturing operations.
Book a free consultation with Dynamics Square today.

2. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations

Best For: Large, multi-entity, complex manufacturing operations

This enterprise-grade ERP platform is ideal for companies that outgrew XA and need advanced manufacturing, global financials, supply chain visibility, and end-to-end automation.

Highlights

• AI-driven demand forecasting
• Global multi-company financials
• Complex production & planning
• IoT-based shop-floor insights
• Predictive maintenance

3. Epicor Kinetic (formerly Epicor ERP)

Best For: Discrete and mixed-mode manufacturing

Epicor Kinetic remains a strong contender for mid-sized manufacturers looking for flexibility combined with strong production features.

Key Features

• Job shop management
• Engineer-to-order & configure-to-order workflows
• Material management
• MES functionality

4. Oracle NetSuite

Best For: Fast-growing manufacturers moving fully to cloud

A popular cloud ERP with strong financials, inventory, and order-to-cash operations.

Pros

• Fully cloud-native
• Strong supply chain functions
• Good inventory and procurement modules

Cons

• Manufacturing features often require add-ons
• Higher subscription cost

5. SAP Business One

Best For: Small to mid-sized manufacturing companies

SAP Business One is widely used by manufacturers transitioning from outdated systems but staying within a manageable complexity range.

Top Benefits

• Solid MRP
• Good financial control
• Wide ecosystem of manufacturing extensions

Still evaluating the best Infor XA alternative?
Get a personalized ERP modernization roadmap for your business.
Request your free assessment now.

6. Acumatica Manufacturing Edition

Best For: Cloud-focused manufacturing companies

Acumatica stands out for licensing flexibility and its modern web interface.

Strengths

• BOM & routing
• Production management
• Project manufacturing
• Cloud-native platform

7. Infor CloudSuite Industrial (SyteLine)

Best For: Existing Infor users wanting to stay in the ecosystem

SyteLine is often recommended to XA users wanting better cloud capabilities without moving away from Infor entirely.

Reasons to Choose

• Strong discrete manufacturing
• More modern UI
• Better cloud support than XA

8. Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform

Best For: Plant-floor-centric manufacturers

Plex is designed for real-time shop floor and MES control.

Why Manufacturers Choose Plex

• Strong MES functionality
• Real-time production monitoring
• Built-in quality management

9. QAD Adaptive ERP

Best For: Global manufacturers requiring compliance and supply chain depth

QAD is popular in automotive, medical devices, and industrial manufacturing.

Highlights

• Demand & supply chain planning
• Quality & compliance
• Multi-language and multi-country management

10. Sage X3

Best For: Process and discrete manufacturing with budget constraints

Sage X3 is a cost-effective ERP with solid manufacturing and distribution capabilities.

Pros

• Fast implementation
• Flexible customizations
• Strong financials and multi-entity support

11. Odoo Manufacturing

Best For: Budget-conscious companies wanting modular, open-source ERP

Odoo is not as deep as Business Central or Epicor but works well for smaller teams.

Advantages

• Modular
• Cost-effective
• Easy to customize

How to Choose the Right Infor XA Alternative?

When replacing a legacy system, manufacturers should evaluate:

• Cloud readiness
• Manufacturing fit (ETO, MTO, CTO, discrete, mixed-mode)
• Integration needs
• Licensing & long-term cost
• AI and automation capability
• Reporting & analytics
• Number of plants & locations
• Industry-specific extensions
• Support ecosystem

Among all options, Business Central consistently leads due to cost-effectiveness, Microsoft ecosystem, and partner availability.

Want to compare Infor XA with Microsoft Dynamics 365?
Our experts can guide you with real-world insights and cost analysis.
Schedule your free discovery call.

Infor XA vs. Dynamics 365 Business Central (Quick Comparison)

Why Manufacturers Are Switching to Business Central?

• Lower operational cost
• Better integration capabilities
• Future-ready cloud architecture
• Large support community
• Modern reporting and dashboards
• Automation through Power Automate
• Strong manufacturing extensions
• Fast implementation timeline

Experience Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central hands-on.
Explore manufacturing, planning, inventory, and automation features.
Start your free 30-day Business Central trial.

Conclusion: Why Choose Dynamics Square for Your Infor XA to Business Central Migration?

Why Choose Dynamics Square for Manufacturing ERP Implementation?

Dynamics Square is a trusted Microsoft Partner helping U.S. manufacturers modernize their ERP systems. If you're considering Business Central as an Infor XA alternative, Dynamics Square offers:

Expert Migration Support

• Infor XA to Business Central data mapping
• AS/400 database extraction
• Manufacturing BOM & routing migration

Manufacturing-Focused Implementations

• ETO, MTO, CTO, and discrete workflows
• MES & WMS integrations
• Custom manufacturing extensions

End-to-End Services

• Licensing
• Implementation
• Customizations
• Training
• Ongoing support

Why Manufacturers Prefer Dynamics Square For Business Central Implementation?

• 1500+ successful ERP implementations
• Manufacturing domain expertise
• U.S. team for support
• Cost-effective deployment models

If you're planning to upgrade from Infor XA (MAPICS), Dynamics Square ensures a seamless, low-risk migration to a modern, cloud-powered ERP.

Struggling with outdated Infor XA workflows?
Upgrade to a future-ready, cloud ERP built for modern manufacturing.
Talk to a Dynamics Square specialist.