Independent research firm Information Services Group (ISG) has classified Sage X3 as a Leader in its evaluation of ERP solutions for midsized manufacturers.
A key reason for this recognition is Sage X3’s platform capability, which ISG identifies as a critical factor in long-term ERP performance, scalability, and return on investment.
But what exactly makes Sage X3’s platform stand out?
What does ISG mean by “ERP Platform”?
ISG defines Platform as:
“An essential evaluation category indicating the strength and resilience of a software provider’s product architecture. A well-designed platform ensures secure and compliant operations, dependable scalability and uptime, and a unified, intuitive experience for multiple user personas.”
Platform strength accounts for 45% of ISG’s Product Experience score — more than any other single component in the ERP assessment.
This makes Sage X3’s leadership in this category a significant achievement for mid-market manufacturing businesses evaluating ERP systems.
How ISG evaluates ERP platform capability
ISG measures ERP platforms across four core dimensions:
1. Adaptability: Customisation and Integration
Modern manufacturers require ERP software that adapts to their operational model. Sage X3 delivers strong integration capabilities and flexible configuration options, enabling businesses to tailor workflows, connect systems, and support growth. Learn more about how Sage X3 supports production environments in our guide to ERP for mid-sized manufacturing businesses.
2. Manageability: Governance, Security and Compliance
Security and regulatory compliance are essential in manufacturing sectors such as:
- Food and beverage
- Pharmaceuticals
- Chemicals
- Discrete industrial manufacturing
ISG specifically highlighted Sage X3’s approach to data protection, customer privacy, and regulatory compliance, making it particularly suitable for highly regulated industries.
3. Reliability: Uptime, Scalability and Performance
Manufacturers operating across multiple locations need an ERP platform that scales with them. Sage X3 provides dependable uptime, strong performance, and the ability to support expanding operations — ensuring continuity as businesses grow.
4. Usability: Intuitive Design and AI enablement
User adoption is critical to ERP success. Sage X3 offers role-based experiences and an intuitive interface that supports finance teams, operations managers, and shop-floor users alike.
Platform usability reduces training time, increases productivity, and improves data-driven decision-making across the organisation.
Why platform strength matters for mid-market manufacturing
ISG notes that platform excellence impacts not only daily operations but also long-term ERP value and ROI.
A strong ERP platform:
- Accelerates implementation
- Simplifies multi-site management
- Reduces operational risk
- Supports digital transformation
- Enables scalable growth
Because the platform underpins everything from analytics to production control, Sage X3’s top-tier ranking reinforces its position as a dependable and mature ERP foundation for midsize manufacturers.
Download the full Sage X3 ISG report to explore the complete analysis.
Continuous innovation: Sage Copilot and AI enablement
ISG evaluated Sage X3 based on the 2025 R1 release. Since then, Sage has introduced Sage Copilot, an AI-driven assistant featuring Intelligent Agents that enhance usability, improve decision-making, and introduce intelligent automation.
This advancement further strengthens Sage X3’s platform capability, extending the value recognised in ISG’s evaluation.
What this means for ERP buyers
For mid-market manufacturers assessing ERP software, independent validation from ISG provides confidence in platform resilience, security, scalability, and usability.
Sage X3’s recognition as a platform leader confirms its ability to support operational complexity today while enabling future growth.
