Top 8 Production planning Software (Oct 2022)

2023's Best 9 Production planning Systems

Shlomi LaviShlomi Lavi / Oct 07, 2022

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1. Prodsmart

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $9,925 per year
  • Jun 24, 2022
Compare Prodsmart Vs. Prodsmart

ProdSmart is a production planning software that offers a paperless, mobile system that generates and provides users with insights to track manufacturing and fabricating shop floor quality and general production.


2. Planvisage SCM

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $10,000 per license
  • Jul 15, 2022
Compare Planvisage SCM Vs. Prodsmart

Planvisage SCM is a product planning software designed as a supply chain management platform through which businesses can save costs and increase bottom-line profitability.


3. OmegaCube ERP

  • Best for: Small businesses and start ups
  • Price: starts at $179 per user/month
  • Oct 07, 2022
Compare OmegaCube ERP Vs. Prodsmart

OmegaCube ERP is an enterprise resource planning solution for businesses of all sizes. It offers such capabilities as accounting, business intelligence, inventory management, and others. The software was designed and launched by Omega Cube Technologies headquartered in Illinois, United States.


4. ProfitFab ERP Software

  • Best for: Small businesses and start ups
  • Price: starts at $1,250 per license
  • Feb 21, 2022
Compare ProfitFab ERP Software Vs. Prodsmart

ProfitFab ERP Software is a growing cloud-based Inventory Management software, it is designed to support small and medium size business. ProfitFab ERP Software received a rating of 4.2 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


5. pc/MRP

  • Best for: Small businesses and start ups
  • Price: starts at $730 per license
  • Feb 26, 2022
Compare pc/MRP Vs. Prodsmart

pc/MRP is an award-winning cloud-based ERP software, it is designed to support small and medium size business. pc/MRP received a rating of 2.5 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1.6/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


6. Synchro PRO

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $1,200 per user/year
  • Mar 25, 2022
Compare Synchro PRO Vs. Prodsmart

Synchro PRO is a growing cloud-based Construction software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size construction business. Synchro PRO received a rating of 4.7 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered a bit pricey (4.5/5) vs their competitors.


7. OnSite

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $60 per user/month
  • Sep 09, 2019
Compare OnSite Vs. Prodsmart

OnSite is a fast growing cloud-based Human Resources software, it is designed to support small and medium size business. OnSite received a rating of 3.8 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (2.3/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


8. SMARTer Manager

  • Best for: Start up, Small business, Medium business, Large business
  • Price:
  • Aug 06, 2019
Compare SMARTer Manager Vs. Prodsmart

SMARTer Manager is a fast growing cloud-based ERP software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. SMARTer Manager received a rating of 4.6 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1.5/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


Pricing Guide - Production planning Software:

Manufacturing Software Pricing

Businesses looking for manufacturing software can expect to pay between $120 to $200 per month. Note that many products are priced per user, per month, so a company planning to deploy software with up to 10 user accounts should expect to pay around $1,500 per month if the software costs $150. Alternatively, some manufacturing software are priced on a per-year basis. For example, PINpoint is priced at $2,000 per user, per year, while Infor CloudSuite Industrial costs $150 monthly per user. Others are SAP Business ByDesign, which costs $149 monthly per user, and Work Instruction Software pricing is around $850 monthly per 15 users.

Also, manufacturing tools in the market can have their prices set based on business size, and some products are specifically designed to serve some sizes of business more.

  • Small Businesses should expect prices that range from $25 to $40 per user per month for manufacturing software. However, many products offer their entry-level package for free for small businesses, although with limited features. Some products within this price range are Pronest and Compass & HQ, which both cost $30 per user monthly each. However, some products can be bought perpetually; an example is DBA manufacturing, which requires a one-time fee of $2,000.
  • Medium Businesses can expect to pay between $40 to $100 per user, per month for manufacturing software, depending on the robustness of the chosen products features. For example, Omono costs around $45 per user, per month and ERPAG pricing is around $50 monthly per user. Enterprise 21 ERP Package is priced at around $3,500 for a lifetime usage per user.
  • Large Businesses can expect to pay between $120 to $200 per user per month for a manufacturing software enterprise plan. An enterprise plan comes with more features, and the prices are adjusted and discounted based on the size of an organization workforce. However, the above price range may not include fees for installation/setup and training. For instance, Dozuki costs $199 per user per month, Infor M3 $150 monthly per user, and Frepple offers a one-time fee of $5,000 for unlimited user accounts.

Manufacturing software best of breeds and their price ranges are as follows:

  • Production Scheduling Software For production scheduling software, users can expect to pay a price that ranges from $10 to $50 and $50 to $150 monthly per user for entry-level offerings. Premium and enterprise offerings of production scheduling software cost between $500 to $1,000 per user, per month. For example, Monday.com pricing starts from $8 monthly per user, Katana costs $100 monthly per user, and MIE Track Pro costs $150 per user. For higher tier products, Optessa costs $5,000 monthly per 5 users, Master Control Manufacturing costs up to $1,000 monthly, and Prodsmart $1,000 monthly for unlimited user entries.
  • Manufacturing Execution Software Many manufacturing software in the market have a one-time fee, while many others have undisclosed fees because they have to be adjusted to suit each organization needs. However, users can expect to pay between $30 to $200 monthly per user for manufacturing and executing products with monthly pricings. For example, Upkeep pricing starts from $35 monthly per user, while Realtrac costs $170 monthly per user. On the other hand, Fishbowl costs $4,500, and Shopkeeper System Jobs Control costs $7,500— both for perpetual licenses.
  • MRP Software Users can expect to pay between $25 and $100 upwards per user, per month for an MRP software; however, the prices largely depend on the tier of products and the robustness of their features. For instance, Odoo pricing starts from $25 monthly per user, Xtuple and Abas ERP pricing starts from $150 each per user per month, and WhereFour costs around $400 monthly for a number of users.
  • Quality Management Most quality management products in the market are priced on a per-user, per month basis. Their prices range from $10 and $50 upwards. These ranges are based on the tier of the products and their starting prices. For example, TRACKMEDIUM pricing starts from around $11 monthly per user, ISO Quality Management costs up to $10 monthly per user, and QualityKick pricing sits around $1,000 yearly per user.


A Buyer's Guide to Production planning 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 planning software for your business
Proper Production planning software selections are the precursor to successful deployment and business growth. Finding the right Production planning solutions doesnít have to be complicated, and it doesnít have to take days or weeks of your time.

After researching over 5,000 systems, we can identify the best solution for companies of all shapes and sizes. ITQlick.com is 100% free for software buyers.



Auditor - Shlomi Lavi

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Shlomi Lavi is an entrepreneur and founder of ITQlick.com. He holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Information Systems Engineering from Ben Gurion University in Israel. Shlomi brings 17 years of global IT and IS management experience as a consultant and implementation expert for small, medium and large-sized (global) companies. Shlomi’s goal is to share the best knowledge and news about information systems so you can make smarter buying decisions for your business.