ERP systems are often sold as the silver bullet for inventory accuracy. Brochures promise real-time visibility, streamlined workflows, and near-perfect stock levels. But when you talk to people who actually run warehouses, factories, and fulfillment teams, the story becomes more grounded, and more nuanced.

A recent discussion in the r/InventoryManagement community explored this exact question:

Do ERPs meaningfully improve inventory accuracy, or do they just digitize existing problems?

Here are the major takeaways from practitioners across manufacturing, retail, and distribution.

1. ERPs Don’t Fix Bad Processes, They Expose Them

Multiple commenters echoed the same message:

“ERP isn’t magic… If your processes are a dumpster fire, all an ERP gives you is a digital, timestamped dumpster fire.”

In other words, ERPs rely on consistent, disciplined execution. When people skip steps, like receipts, transfers, or adjustments, the data becomes inaccurate no matter how expensive or sophisticated the system is.

ERPs amplify good operations but spotlight the bad ones.

2. Any System *Can* Maintain Accurate Inventory, If People Use It Properly

Another user summed it up simply:

“Any system can keep accurate inventory… None of them can make people follow procedure.”

The conversation emphasized that accuracy is more a behavioral challenge than a technological one. Even tools with advanced features (barcode scanning, mobile picking, automated workflows) fail if teams treat them as optional.

3. Where ERPs *Do* Improve Accuracy

When implemented correctly and paired with strong operational discipline, ERPs can significantly boost stock accuracy. Users highlighted four major benefits:

Real-time visibility

When receipts, picks, and adjustments happen immediately, errors don’t pile up.

✔ Centralized data - An ERP reduces mismatched spreadsheets and conflicting versions of the truth.

✔ Standardized workflows & audit trails - Teams know exactly what step comes next, and the system logs every action.

✔ Improved planning - Better data results in fewer stockouts, less overstocking, and stronger forecasting.

Some contributors reported 95%+ accuracy when processes and training were well-aligned with ERP functionality.

4. Where ERPs *Fail* (and Accuracy Drops)

Common failure points mentioned in the thread:

• Delayed updates (people batch-entering work at the end of the day)
• Teams using Excel alongside the ERP
• Poor training
• Skipping required actions because they “take too long”
• Misalignment between ERP workflows and real-world processes

The thread stressed that people often blame the ERP, but the root issue is usually inconsistent execution.

5. The Industry Has an Overpromising Problem

One commenter, coming from the ERP sales world, called out a broader industry issue:

> ERP vendors oversell what their systems can fix.

> Tech alone doesn’t solve process problems, culture problems, or training gaps.

This misalignment between expectations and reality leads many teams to feel disappointed or overwhelmed after implementation.

6. The Final Consensus: ERP Success Is 80% Process, 20% Software

Across the thread, operators largely agreed:

• ERPs can dramatically improve inventory accuracy
• But only when paired with
  • Process discipline
  • Consistent training
  • Real-time updates
  • Avoiding parallel tools like Excel
  • Workflows that match how the business actually operates

When these elements align, ERPs become a powerful backbone for inventory management. When they don’t, they simply digitize chaos.

Takeaway for Leaders

If you're considering an ERP, don’t ask, “Will the system fix our accuracy issues?”

Ask:

• Are our current processes stable?
• Are people following them consistently?
• Do we have the discipline and training culture to support real-time updates?
• Are we willing to stop using side spreadsheets?

An ERP is a force multiplier, not a repair tool. It makes good operations excellent and broken operations painfully visible.