Central ERP and Xero
Outgrown Xero? Add ERP and keep Xero for your books
Feel like you have outgrown Xero? Often it is the rest of the business that needs more, and Central ERP and Xero are designed to work together. Xero is accounting software that many UK SMEs rely on for their books. When the rest of the business outgrows spreadsheets, Central ERP adds CRM, inventory, jobs and operations, and connects to Xero through its API so your finance team keeps working as they do today.
Outgrown Xero? How Central ERP and Xero work together
Xero keeps the books
Your accountants carry on using Xero for ledgers, tax and financial reporting, with no retraining and no change of adviser.
Central ERP runs operations
Customers, stock, orders, purchasing, jobs and people are managed in Central ERP, the areas accounting software is not designed to cover.
Connected, not copied
The API integration passes financial data across automatically, removing double entry and keeping both systems in step.
Central ERP vs Xero: pricing
Published list prices as shown by each provider, checked October 2026.
Central ERP
- Free
- £0
- Standard
- £40 per user per month, minimum 5 users
- Complete
- £80 per user per month, minimum 10 users
- Custom
- Priced to your requirements
Custom workflows and UK support from the team that builds it. See full pricing
Xero
- Ignite
- £18 per month
- Grow
- £39 per month
- Comprehensive
- £55 per month
- Ultimate
- £70 per month
Per organisation per month, excluding VAT. Introductory discounts are often offered for the first months.
Xero is priced as an accounting package, so many businesses keep it for their books and add Central ERP for sales, stock, jobs and people, with the two connected.
Source: Xero pricing, checked October 2026.
What each system is designed to do
| Central ERP | Xero | |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Runs the whole business: sales, stock, operations, people and reporting | Accounting: ledgers, bank reconciliation, invoicing and tax |
| Customer management | Built in Customer Record Management linked to orders and service history | Typically contact records for billing, with CRM often added through third party apps |
| Inventory | Stock across multiple locations, linked to sales, purchasing and distribution | Typically basic stock tracking, with advanced inventory often handled by add ons |
| Field service and jobs | Callout, install and job scheduling built in | Generally handled by separate apps connected to Xero |
| Custom procedures | Custom task types with condition based automation | Generally focused on accounting workflows |
| Accounting | Integrates with Xero so your books stay where they are | Core strength and the system of record for your accounts |
| Support | UK implementation and ongoing support from an established IT partner | Support typically through Xero and your accountant or adviser |
Xero is a trademark of its respective owner. This comparison reflects our general understanding and published information as at October 2026, and is intended as a guide only. Please check current details with each provider.
Which setup is right for you?
Central ERP is likely the right fit if
- You use Xero but run stock, jobs or customers on spreadsheets and separate apps
- You want one system for operations without changing how your accounts are done
- You need procedures and approvals tailored to your sector
- You want a UK partner to scope and support the implementation
Xero on its own may be enough if
- Your needs are mainly bookkeeping, invoicing and tax
- You have few operational processes beyond sending invoices
- A handful of connected apps already covers everything you need
Not sure which is right for you?
Talk it through with our UK team. We will give you a straight answer.
Frequently asked questions
Does Central ERP replace Xero?
No, it does not need to. Central ERP integrates with Xero through its API, so you keep Xero for your books while Central ERP manages customers, stock, orders, jobs and people. Your accountants carry on as normal, and financial data passes across automatically, removing the need to enter information twice.
When have you outgrown Xero on its own?
You have outgrown Xero on its own when the rest of the business runs on spreadsheets and separate apps. Signs include rekeying orders into invoices, stock that does not match, jobs tracked on whiteboards and reports that take days to compile. That is the point to add an ERP system alongside your accounts.
How does Central ERP integrate with Xero?
Central ERP connects to Xero through Xero's API. Financial information created in Central ERP, such as sales and purchases, flows across to Xero automatically. This keeps your operational records and your accounts in step, removes double entry and reduces the risk of errors when figures are copied between systems by hand.
Is ERP better than accounting software?
ERP and accounting software do different jobs. Accounting software such as Xero handles the books, tax and financial reporting. ERP manages the wider business, including customers, stock, orders, operations and people. For growing SMEs the strongest setup is often both, connected together so each does what it does best.
Is Xero an ERP system?
No. Xero is cloud accounting software built for bookkeeping, invoicing, bank reconciliation and VAT. An ERP system covers the wider business, such as customers, stock, purchasing, jobs and people, in one shared database. Many SMEs keep Xero for their books and connect an ERP system like Central ERP to run everything else.
How long does it take to add ERP alongside Xero?
Typical setup and configuration of Central ERP takes 2 to 4 weeks, depending on how complex your processes are. Because Xero stays in place for your books, there is no accounting migration to plan. The work focuses on mapping your operations, setting up the modules you need, connecting Xero and training your team.
How much does it cost to add Central ERP to Xero?
Central ERP has a Free plan for smaller needs, then Standard at £40 and Complete at £80 per user per month, excluding VAT, with Custom plans for specific requirements. You keep your existing Xero subscription for your books, and you choose the Central ERP plan that matches the size of your team.