Top 54 Production Software (Feb 2023)

A Buyer's Guide to Production Solutions

Manufacturing Software Buyer’s Guide
 
Manufacturing ERP, Manufacturing Software and Manufacture Execution System are all but a suite of comprehensive technology tools designed to improve the end-to-end processes in the manufacturing of a product. The manufacturing industry is perhaps one of the oldest in the history of humanity’s quest for industrialization. If it’s about automotive manufacturing, we’ve learned a lot of process disciplines from Henry Ford. In today’s modern manufacturing, high-level standards and best practices being introduced by semiconductor and electronics manufacturing companies from across the globe are shaping a great culture in the manufacturing business. Be it on food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, household wares, clothing, garments, test equipments, or consumer electronics, various disciplines in manufacturing enables us to get the best quality products since the early days until today.
 
Small businesses, large enterprises and even start-ups in the field of manufacturing are all tasked with one common goal – manufacture a product that will satisfy the demand of customers. Doing this is not an easy job. Managers, supervisors, technicians, operators, and support groups in charge of production operation must collaborate in order to fulfil the customers’ requirements for quality, affordability, and quantity. In today’s manufacturing environment, where there is more trade-offs between supply and demand, a software solution can be the key in solving the issues and challenges most manufacturers are facing. In this Buyer’s Guide, we from ITQlick.com would present to you a clear definition of manufacturing software solution, the types, the features, and more importantly, the right processes in acquiring this software technology. Whatever line of manufacturing business you are into, we can guarantee that upon reading this software solution buyer’s guide, you will come to realize that investing on this software solution is nevertheless a winning solution for your business.
 
Types
Depending on purpose, manufacturing software solutions can be categorized into these different types: application, kind of business, business size and technology.
 
According to application, the categories are:

• Material Requirements Planning (MRP)
• Manufacturing Execution System (MES)
• Manufacturing Accounting
• Production Planning and Scheduling
• Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)

 
There is a software solution suitable to these kinds of business:

• Light Assembly
• Discrete Manufacturing
• Made-to-Order Manufacturing
• Process Manufacturing
• Job-shop Manufacturing
• Mixed Mode Manufacturing

 
The types of software products based on existing technologies can be differentiated as:

• Cloud-based or Software-as-a-Service
• On-premise or On-site

 
Base on the size of business, the relevant types of software solutions are:

• Integrated Suite (ideal for MNEs)
• Industry-specific (ideal for SMEs)

 
It is important to note that software solutions based on technology can be mixed and matched with solutions available by business size. Other factors such as budget on hand, ROI and TCO considerations, functional requirements, and requirements for certain features and specifications can all affect your decision in selecting the right software solution for your business.
 
Features
When choosing a manufacturing software solution, a blend of features and benefits will come into your way. Your goal then is to analyze each of them and come up with a well-rounded list of features that must be completely visible in your system as you use it in the long run. Have a look on this list of features and identify which ones are really necessary to be included in your manufacturing software solution.
 

• Engineering and Material Design Planning Capability
• Demand and Forecasting Planning Capability
• Purchasing Function
• Quality Control Function
• Inventory Management Function
• Cost Management Capability
• Overall Usability
• Configuration/Customization Flexibility
• Production Workflow and Functionality
• System Integration Capability
• Scalability/Expandability

 
Again, keeping in mind that feature is one of the factors that can affect your decision-making, it is highly recommended that you conduct your own research of these features as in-depth as possible. By doing that move, there could be no other reasons on why you will not be able to fully bring these benefits into your manufacturing atmosphere.
 

• Optimization of you resources – raw materials, manpower, power that runs your machineries, office supplies, budget, etc.
• Increase on your production output, better production efficiency
• Avoidance of delays, downtimes, interruptions, and other untoward incidents that can jeopardize operation
• Reduce PPM (parts per million) defects and eliminate product discrepancies
• Increase the overall productivity while reducing cost of inventory and overhead expenditures

 
Solutions per Business Size, per Vendor
Being in the manufacturing business can already be considered as a huge success on your part as a business owner or executive running its operation. Whether you’re still small with only a few machines, tables, and people or already a corporation hitting the top spots in the stock market, your effort in bringing your company on this industry is already commendable. Such attitude you exerted in establishing your business is the same attitude needed in selecting and implementing the right manufacturing software solution to your business. And to further enhance your knowledge in selecting the right solution, here are the important points we from ITQlick.com would like you read on more.
 

• If you’re looking for one-size-fits all solution, the integrated suite offered by Oracle, SAP, Sage ERP, Epicor and NetSuite is the right solution for your mid-size to large company.

 

• If you’re management team is suggesting for an industry-specific software product, then go for the best-of-breed, single application solution offered by Exact Job, Fishbowl and Casco all of which are suited for SME manufacturers.

 

• You can be a unique manufacturing business and you need a custom-made solution. ProcessPro, NetSuite and Sage ERP can be your solution provider in that respect.

 
Here’s a few more solution providers for you to verify.
 
Providers for Small Businesses

• ERPLite
• Pilot ERP
• Smarter Manager
• RealTrac
• Job Master

 
Providers for Mid-Market

• Abas ERP
• Exact Macola
• xTuple ERP
• Syspro
• Plex Online

 
Pricing Considerations
Most executives will agree that the cost of software and its implementation are critical factors for the “go” or “no go” decision. Prices published on websites can be both convincing and deceiving and that’s the truth in almost all kinds of business. And when it comes to software business, you need to be very inquisitive in the money aspect of your solution. We from ITQlick.com would like you to go over these necessary steps when assessing the overall cost of your solution.
 

1. Don’t hesitate to send a Request for Proposal (RFP) to the solution providers. The price you’re seeing on websites and reports could be the list price (not the actual price) or estimated price. So be proactive and find that true price.
2. Don’t spend too much time on industry reports. Yes, they can help but doing your own research and survey can bring you into a more reliable price benchmarking report.
3. Search and ask for practical advice no matter how cheap or expensive that solution might be. Ask the experts. Visit websites of consultants with proven track records in business software solutions.

 
Here’s a reference guide for Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) where you can base your actions for steps 1 to 3 above.
 

• TCO for mid-market, Integrated Suite, manufacturing software solution can range from $3,000 to $6,000 per user.

 

• TCO for small business Integrated Suite solution ranges from $400 to $1,000 per user.

 
Market Trends
With the improving features and levels of functionality brought about by manufacturing software products, the trends in manufacturing automation keeps on increasing in the last couple of years. Manufacturing businesses feels the need for a software solution that could help them stand out against their competitors.
 
Productivity wise, according to reports, computer-based systems are somehow decreasing the demand for laborforces inside manufacturing plants in the past several years. But despite of lesser manpower, these automation systems were seen to increased labor productivity.
 
The use of advanced electronic systems like barcoding devices and tracking products plays important roles in the accuracy of information being sent out by manufacturing software solutions.
 
Cloud-based solution, despite large industries are still hesitant on implementing this solution over the on-premise type, is beginning to build its presence in the market place. Mobile devices, on the other hand, keep on doing their role inside and outside the manufacturing premise.
 
Considering all these trends and their impacts to your manufacturing business, we think that today is the right time for you to launch your investment on a manufacturing software solution.
Finding the right Production software for your business
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