ERP systems may be built to handle complex business workflows, but that doesn’t mean using them should feel complex. Yet, clunky interfaces, steep learning curves, and unintuitive designs remain common pain points across many ERP platforms.

Through working on and studying ERP systems, we've seen what tends to work best when it comes to improving ERP user experience. Here are some takeaways that may help developers, designers, and product teams build more intuitive and user-centric ERP systems.

Understand the Real Users (Not Just the Decision-Makers)

A common misstep in ERP development is designing primarily for stakeholders who approve the budget, not the people who use the product every day. Real improvements come from spending time with the actual users: the finance team reconciling transactions, the HR manager running payroll, or the warehouse staff checking inventory.

We’ve observed that user interviews, contextual inquiries, and reviewing support tickets can surface pain points that don’t appear on spec sheets. These insights often lead to small changes that dramatically improve usability, like better defaults, simpler workflows, or clearer terminology.

Simplify Without Oversimplifying

ERP platforms are complex by nature. That doesn’t mean the interface has to be. One thing we've seen work well is breaking large processes into manageable steps and offering contextual help wherever possible. For example, guiding users through a multi-step invoice generation process with in-product cues helps reduce reliance on external documentation.

However, simplification shouldn’t come at the cost of power users. Balancing ease of use for beginners with efficiency for experienced users is key. Layered complexity—where basic actions are surfaced and advanced options are tucked deeper, tends to strike this balance effectively.

Role-Based Dashboards Go a Long Way

Generic dashboards often try to do too much. We’ve found that role-based dashboards—designed specifically for finance, HR, operations, or project teams- help users get to what they need faster. These views can surface relevant metrics, shortcuts, and tasks without requiring users to dig through menus.

Personalization also plays a role here. Allowing users to customize widgets or reorder their dashboard elements offers flexibility without compromising structure.

Watch Out for Over-Nesting

Deep, nested menus are one of the top frustrations we’ve seen users mention in ERP tools. While it’s tempting to group everything in dropdowns and submenus, this often makes the interface feel more complex than it actually is.

Using broader categories with clear labels and including a robust global search can be more effective. Think less “hide and seek,” more “show and guide.”

Microinteractions Improve Confidence

Small feedback elements like success messages, loading animations, or field validation go a long way in building trust. Users dealing with sensitive tasks like financial approvals or payroll submissions want assurance that their action has been processed and ideally, a way to undo or edit it.

We’ve seen that thoughtfully designed microinteractions reduce uncertainty, especially for users who aren't ERP-savvy or are transitioning from manual processes.

Test Early, Iterate Often

UX improvements don’t have to wait until after launch. Many ERP development teams benefit from introducing usability testing in the prototype stage. Even informal click tests or walkthroughs can reveal friction points early.

It’s also helpful to include non-technical users in QA phases—those who don’t live and breathe the product every day. Their reactions often reflect your broader user base.

Conclusion

Improving ERP UX isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about making complex systems easier to use, adopt, and rely on. By focusing on real user behavior, simplifying key interactions, and designing with clarity, developers can build ERP tools that work better for the people who use them every day.