Comparison · Light vs IFS
Light vs IFS
IFS Cloud is an industrial platform built around asset readiness: enterprise asset management, aviation maintenance, field service, manufacturing execution and supply chain, with ERP and finance on the same platform. It is made for defence contractors, defence forces and component manufacturers that keep mission-critical assets available. Light is the finance platform for defence-tech, robotics and autonomous systems companies: one ledger across the parent company, development teams and overseas subsidiaries, with programme cost reporting, supplier bill capture, approvals and an audit trail the finance team controls, while engineering and production stay in their specialist systems.
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Light and IFS, compared
| Feature | Light | IFS |
|---|---|---|
| Programme and project cost reportingIFS: project management, financial control and asset management on one platform | Yes | Yes |
| Procurement: purchase orders and spend governanceIFS: an end-to-end Source-to-Pay solution that enforces spend governance | Yes | Yes |
| Financial reporting and forecastingIFS: AI-powered financial management with forecasting, cash flow and real-time insight, built for industrial enterprises | Yes | Yes |
| Implementation and support from the vendor's own teamIFS: IFS Cloud Services, IFS Consulting and IFS Success | Yes | Yes |
| Enterprise asset management, maintenance and field serviceIFS: the core of Total Asset Readiness: EAM, aviation maintenance and field service on the same platform as ERP | No | Yes |
| Manufacturing execution with supplier quality and configuration controlIFS: discrete, process and project manufacturing, with quality records, supplier certifications and configuration control | No | Yes |
| Fleet health and maintenance scheduling for defence forcesIFS: predictive maintenance and maintenance scheduling across the full asset lifecycle, with modules adopted independently | No | Yes |
4 week implementation
KPMG global partnership
Remove 4+ tools
700+ apps
The world's most demanding finance teams run on Light.
Keep production where it is
IFS Cloud runs enterprise asset management, maintenance, field service and manufacturing execution with ERP and finance on the same platform. Light is the finance platform beside your specialist systems, and connects to them through its API.
- 01
One ledger across the group
Light brings the parent company, development teams and overseas subsidiaries onto one ledger. Consolidate across entities and currencies, and keep local statutory books and group reporting together, with adjustments you can trace.
- 02
Programme costs you can trace
Cost centres and custom properties organise entries by programme, with drill-down to the transactions. Agents code supplier bills and match them to purchase orders, and approvals keep preparers, approvers and payers separate. Specialised contract costing needs its own assessment.
When to choose Light
- 01
One ledger for every entity
Bring the parent company, development teams and overseas subsidiaries onto one ledger, consolidated across entities and currencies.
- 02
Programme costs in view
Cost centres and custom properties organise entries by programme, with drill-down from every report to the transactions behind it.
- 03
Approvals with the audit trail
Route by amount, vendor, cost centre or entity, with preparers, approvers and payers kept separate and every decision recorded.
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fastest growing companies
See how finance teams run lean and global on Light.
Read customer stories-
“We evaluated several vendors. Light won because it covers our full finance stack, revenue, AR, AP, expenses, and consolidation, without stitching together a patchwork of point solutions.”
Tanja, Director of FinanceOmnea -
“Even though we’re three entities, it’s like I’m running a finance department for one entity.”
Thobias, Finance ManagerAlva Labs -
“I really like that Light’s AI already gives me suggestions, GL accounts, cost centers, tax codes. I don’t have to start from scratch.”
Cédric, Finance ManagerOper Credits -
“Nine times out of ten the AI matches everything and posts it to the right account. One click and you’re done.”
Jeppe, CFOKeyShot
Built for the daily work
Bills through to payment
Capture invoices, route approvals and pay vendors from the same system.
Room to grow
One ledger built to handle billions of transactions across your business.
Trace every number
Open a report and drill straight into the transactions behind it.
Spending, under control
Expenses, vendors and cards connected to your ledger.
Expenses
Collect receipts, approve expenses and track spend as it happens.
Vendors
Keep supplier details, bills and approvals together. Apply your purchasing rules as work moves through.
Cards
Issue cards for employees and vendors. Pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay. Send receipts through Slack, Teams or email.
Frequently asked questions
Does IFS cover maintenance and MRO?
Yes. Enterprise asset management, aviation maintenance, field service and maintenance scheduling are the core of IFS Cloud.
Does Light run manufacturing or asset maintenance?
No. Engineering, manufacturing and delivery stay in their specialist systems; Light is the financial foundation and connects to them through its API.
When does IFS fit?
When the business manufactures, maintains or sustains assets and wants production, maintenance, field service and finance on one platform.
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