Manufacturing and Inventory Management Software
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Organizing your manufacturing business got you all tied up? As your orders grow, so do the number of spreadsheets you need to update manually. Skimming through multiple sheets and lists to ensure everything on the manufacturing floor is running smoothly can be tedious. What if we told you there's a way to make this entire process more efficient and less stressful? Here’s a secret–MRP systems can help you with that.
Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems are a game-changer for manufacturing businesses because they automate and streamline many inventory and production tasks.
No more clunky spreadsheets or manual updates – just streamlined manufacturing processes that drive your business forward.
To assist you in finding the perfect MRP system, we've delved into their websites, scoured customer reviews, and consulted former users. This effort has resulted in a carefully curated list of the top 10 MRP systems designed to streamline your manufacturing process. This guide specifically targets MRP software for small and midsized businesses with revenue up to $50M.
Material Requirements Planning or MRP is a system manufacturers use to track the components, sub-assemblies, and raw materials needed to manufacture a product. This system is also efficient in predicting the timing and quantity of raw materials needed.
MRP systems are highly efficient and increase the productivity of a company by managing aspects like calculating existing inventory, identifying and reordering any low inventory items, scheduling processes. These factors reduce the overall lead time and optimize inventory management in manufacturing.
Before buying an MRP software, keep in mind the specific requirements of your company or industry. We’ve listed some generic features that an optimal MRP software should contain:
Ultimately, the top MRP software for manufacturers aligns perfectly with your company's unique needs and requirements. It should offer a robust feature set, an intuitive user interface, customization options, scalability, and excellent support, all at a reasonable cost.
Several signs indicate that a small business should consider upgrading or changing its MRP (Material Requirements Planning) software. These signs often point to inefficiencies, limitations, or inadequacies in the current system that hinder business operations and growth. Here are some common signs to watch for:
When one or more of these signs become evident, it's essential for small businesses to evaluate their current MRP software's effectiveness and consider upgrading to a more suitable solution that aligns with their evolving needs and future growth aspirations.
Now that you know the standard qualities required in MRP software, you can choose the best system that is suitable for your business requirements from the following list:
Pricing: $129 / Month - $1,499 / Month
Implementation Costs: $0 - $8,000
Free Trail: 14 Day free trial
At the top of the list is Brahmin Solutions. The software offers a comprehensive MRP software designed specifically for small to mid-sized manufacturing businesses. With advanced features and real-time data analytics, Brahmin Solutions helps you optimize production scheduling, inventory management, sales order management, and supply chain management from one central location. Its user-friendly interface and customizable workflow is a perfect solution to help you achieve operational excellence and stay ahead of the competition without facing any manufacturing challenges.
Comprehensive Product Management: Brahmin Solutions offers a complete product management system, allowing businesses to manage their products from start to finish, including variants, kits, and product bundles, making it an ideal solution for businesses with complex product lines.
Expertise in Multiple Industries: Brahmin Solutions has extensive experience managing supply chains for businesses in various industries, including food, food manufacturing, brewing, health and supplements, cosmetics, and personal care, making it an ideal solution for businesses with complex and diverse supply chain needs.
Seamless Integrations: Brahmin Solutions seamlessly integrates with a wide range of third-party applications, including accounting and financial management software, CRM systems, ERP systems, e-commerce platforms, and shipping and logistics providers, making it easy to incorporate into existing workflows and systems.
Batch tracking: Certain businesses, particularly those handling perishable inventory, must adhere to legal requirements for batch tracking. On the other hand, companies managing both stock items and custom orders can easily differentiate their inventory using batch tracking within MRP software.
Production Planning: Effective production planning is critical for the success of any manufacturing operation. Brahmin Solutions will help you strategically plan production schedules, ensuring the efficient use of resources while meeting customer demands. It supports decision-making by providing visibility into the production process, from raw materials to finished goods.
Pricing: $2145 / Year per user
Implementation: $4,000 - $10,000
Free Trial: 14 days
Fishbowl Manufacturing stands out as a powerhouse in the realm of MRP software, furnishing insights into inventory levels and sales orders, thus enabling firms to orchestrate production plans with precision and allocate resources easily. Noteworthy features include:
Beyond its inventory management prowess, Fishbowl Manufacturing encompasses sophisticated production scheduling tools. These tools facilitate the creation and management of work orders, tracking labor costs, and monitoring production progress with finesse.
Pricing: Base price is $999 / Month
Implementation: $25,000 - $100,000. Implementation done only via partners.
Free Trial: None. Product Demo
When compiling a list of top-notch MRP software, it's impossible to overlook NetSuite, a dynamic cloud-based MRP solution tailored for enterprises of all sizes and spanning diverse sectors.
NetSuite encompasses an array of functionalities crucial for comprehensive business management, encompassing:
NetSuite delivers real-time insights into various business operations, empowering organizations to make well-informed decisions and enhance their workflows. With its intuitive visual dashboards and detailed reports, NetSuite helps businesses monitor performance and uncover opportunities for improvement.
The software's extensive customizability allows it to be tailored to the specific needs of any enterprise. Moreover, its seamless integration with third-party systems further enhances its functionality, providing a robust and flexible solution for diverse business requirements.
NetSuite stands out as a comprehensive and adaptable ERP system, offering numerous features designed to streamline processes and boost overall performance.
Pricing: Starts at $49.00 per month per user
Implementation: $0. Uses partners to implement. Additional implementation charges may apply.
Free Trial: 30 Days
MRPeasy is a cloud-based solution meticulously tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized manufacturers.
MRPeasy furnishes an impressive array of features aimed at facilitating streamlined production processes, encompassing:
Harnessing intuitive visual dashboards and robust reporting mechanisms, MRPeasy empowers manufacturers to monitor performance metrics and pinpoint avenues for enhancement meticulously.
Moreover, MRPeasy offers unparalleled convenience with its mobile apps for Android and iOS devices, enabling manufacturers to access critical functionalities from any location. Furthermore, with multilingual and multi-currency support, MRPeasy proves to be a versatile solution well-suited for companies with an international footprint.
Pricing: Starts at $179.00 / Month - $1,999 / Month
Implementation: $0 - $1,499. Uses partners to implement. Additional implementation charges may apply.
Free Trial: None. Product Demo
A modern manufacturing and inventory management solution for small and scaling businesses. Real-time tracking, seamless integration, and innovative features streamline operations for efficient production and inventory control. Here are some of Katana’s features:
Pricing: Grants one app free for all users; Standard price for all apps begins at $24.90
Implementation: $493 - $25,000. Uses partners to implement. Additional implementation charges may apply.
Free Trial: 14 day free trial.
Odoo presents a robust suite of business applications encompassing MRP (Manufacturing Resource Planning) software, catering to the comprehensive needs of manufacturing processes. From raw material procurement to final product delivery, businesses can seamlessly plan, schedule, and track their manufacturing operations within Odoo's integrated ecosystem.
Odoo applications can be praised for their:
This adaptability ensures Odoo can align perfectly with diverse business needs, fostering efficiency and growth.
By integrating with a wide range of apps, Odoo enables businesses to manage diverse aspects, including sales, customer relationships, inventory, and human resources, fostering seamless information flow and interdepartmental communication.
Additionally, Odoo's traceability feature allows for efficient tracking of lots or serial numbers throughout the production chain, which is vital for quality control and warranty management.
Pricing: Quote based.
Implementation: Not much information provided.
Free Trial: No. Personalized platform tour.
Fulcrum Pro stands out for its specialization in OEMs and made-to-order manufacturing environments. These types of manufacturing jobs need a high level of customization and flexibility. Fulcrum Pro’s cloud-based platform is built with this in mind, offering seamless integration with various systems to allow for that necessary customization. Its scheduling and estimating modules can be tailored to meet the unique requirements of each made-to-order job, ensuring efficient management of both resources and time.
Quick and accurate quoting is often crucial for made-to-order jobs. Fulcrum Pro’s quoting module simplifies this process, enabling fast and reliable quotes that handle the complexities and customizations inherent in made-to-order products.
Pricing: $50,000 - $500,000, with a cost per user of $500 per month
Free Trial: No. Demo
Implementation: $100,000+
Continuing our exploration of top-tier MRP software, we spotlight Plex Manufacturing Cloud, a cloud-based ERP solution meticulously crafted for manufacturing enterprises. Plex Manufacturing Cloud presents a comprehensive array of features geared towards seamlessly managing the entire production lifecycle, from the shop floor to executive oversight, encompassing:
Renowned for its adaptability, Plex Manufacturing Cloud can be tailored to suit the unique exigencies of any enterprise. Moreover, it boasts seamless integrations with many third-party systems, including CAD, CAM, and accounting platforms, thereby amplifying organizational capabilities.
Pricing: Starts at $600 per month
Free Trial: No. Demo
Implementation: None
Wherefour emerges as a comprehensive ERP solution designed specifically for the needs of the food and beverage manufacturing industry. With its feature-rich platform, Wherefour offers end-to-end traceability, enabling businesses to track ingredients from procurement to production to distribution. This meticulous tracking helps ensure the highest quality and safety of products, which is critical in the food and beverage sector.
One of Wherefour's standout features is its intuitive interface. Designed with the user in mind, the platform is easy to navigate, reducing the learning curve and helping teams become proficient more quickly. Customizable workflows are another key benefit, allowing businesses to tailor the software to their specific operational needs. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for companies dealing with unique production processes or compliance requirements.
Wherefour excels in production planning and scheduling, allowing manufacturers to streamline their operations effectively. By providing real-time data and insights, the software helps make informed decisions, ensuring that production schedules are optimized and resource utilization maximized. This not only improves efficiency but also reduces operational costs.
Additionally, Wherefour integrates seamlessly with industry-specific tools such as compliance software. This integration enhances regulatory compliance and quality control, which are paramount in the food and beverage industry. Businesses can easily manage audits, certifications, and other regulatory requirements, ensuring that they meet all necessary standards and maintain their market reputation.
Moreover, Wherefour's reporting capabilities are robust, offering comprehensive insights into various aspects of the manufacturing process. Businesses can generate detailed reports on production efficiency, inventory levels, and supply chain performance, helping them to identify areas for improvement and implement strategies for continuous growth.
Pricing: Starting at $349 monthly
Free Trial: 14-day free trial
Implementation: Starting at $449
Concluding our roster of top-tier MRP software is Unleashed. This software stands as a dynamic inventory management solution tailored for businesses of all sizes. With its cloud-based platform, Unleashed offers real-time inventory tracking, enabling businesses to efficiently manage stock levels and streamline operations. Integrated with a range of popular accounting and e-commerce platforms, such as Xero and Shopify, Unleashed ensures seamless data synchronization and holistic business management.
Its intuitive interface and robust reporting capabilities empower businesses to make informed decisions and optimize their supply chain processes.
And that makes 10! Remember always to analyze each software by using their free trials to determine which software will work best with your business.
Have you come across ERP systems before? All these abbreviations must be confusing and that’s why we're here to help.
MRP (Material Requirements Planning) and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) are both software solutions used by businesses to manage their operations, but they serve different purposes and have different functionalities.
MRP:
MRP Key features:
ERP:
ERP Key features:
In summary:
Here's a simple analogy to help illustrate the difference:
MRP is like a GPS navigation system for your production process, helping you plan and manage your route (production schedule) and ensure you have the necessary resources (materials) along the way.
ERP is like a comprehensive business management dashboard, providing a single platform for all your business operations, including financial management, human resources, supply chain management, and more.
MRP 1 focuses solely on the inventory and materials required to manufacture products based on actual or forecasted customer demand, whereas MRP 2 provides greater insight into all manufacturing resources, such as production line capacity or workforce capabilities. MRP 2 gives companies much greater control over their scheduling, forecasting, budgeting and production processes. MRP 2 has evolved further into the commonly used ERP software. In many cases, companies may use MRP 2 tools as part of a more comprehensive ERP software suite.
MRP 1 is no longer sold, and MRP 2 has replaced it. Some smaller manufacturers are still using MRP 1 or homegrown software with its functionality. The added functionality in MRP 2 is very beneficial to manufacturers. Today's growing manufacturers are looking for help forecasting production resources.
The typical implementation time for MRP (Material Requirements Planning) software can vary depending on several factors such as the complexity of the business processes, the size of the organization, the extent of customization required, and the readiness of the company for the implementation. On average, for a small to medium-sized business, the implementation process should take place anywhere from 18-24 months.
Cloud-based MRP (Material Requirements Planning) software offers several advantages over on-premise solutions, particularly in terms of accessibility. With cloud-based systems, users can access the software from anywhere with an internet connection, making it ideal for businesses with multiple locations or remote employees. This flexibility can lead to increased productivity and better collaboration among team members.
Scalability is another area where cloud-based MRP systems excel. As your business grows, you can easily scale up your cloud resources to match your needs without the need for significant hardware investments. This scalability ensures that the software can grow with your business, providing long-term value.
When you're evaluating MRP vendors, a great place to start is their official website. Reputable vendors typically feature sections for case studies and testimonials, often labeled 'Resources' or 'Customer Success Stories'. These sections offer valuable insight into how other manufacturers have successfully utilized the system.
Case studies with measurable outcomes are particularly useful. Look for instances where the MRP system has led to concrete improvements, such as lower lead times, higher production throughput, or significant cost reductions. These real-world results can provide a clear picture of the system's potential ROI.
Leveraging predictive analytics for capacity planning: Predictive analytics enables production planners to generate revenue projections and performance forecasts by analyzing data such as material requirements and order quantities. By comparing forecasted data with actual performance, it’s possible to pinpoint bottlenecks and implement corrective actions to enhance productivity.
Implementing barcodes or RFID for smart inventory tagging: MRP systems utilize barcodes and RFID technology to tag equipment and inventory, allowing for remote monitoring of inventory levels and product availability. Some systems even incorporate two-dimensional barcodes that provide descriptive information alongside identifiers like part numbers.
