Software Tools That Will Improve Productivity For Manufacturing Companies

Businesses in the manufacturing industry, in particular, rely heavily on machinery, tools, and gadgets, so such companies will inevitably want to incorporate the latest tech released. This includes more than just hardware; there are various software and digital tools developed daily to provide management solutions, automate product planning and tracking, optimize time management, and more. To help you make the most of this prevailing trend, this article will compile a list of software tools that can benefit manufacturing companies and help increase their productivity.

Picture 1 of Software Tools That Will Improve Productivity For Manufacturing Companies

ERP and MRP Software Systems

You do not necessarily need to be a software engineer or a specialist when dealing with manufacturing software tools, but it does help to have a basic idea of the type of systems used. In the digital world, there are two main types of product planning: ERP and MRP. 

Enterprise Resource Planning or ERP systems have always been a prime option when it comes to handling day-to-day activities, such as project management, procurement, and supply chain reactions, this streamlines processes and info across the entire organization. It can handle a lot of projects simultaneously, so it is more expansive. It has features like email marketing, customer help desks, and marketing automation.

As for the Material Requirement Planning or MRP, this software is regarded as a subset of ERP and can be used as a standalone feature. It is used in manufacturing processes, such as scheduling, control, and planning for materials. It deals with smaller projects. It is designed particularly for manufacturing industries. In a nutshell, ERP lets a company manage and control all aspects of its business, whereas MRP guarantees that resources and materials are available for production.

MRPEasy

MRPEasy is one of the most popular MRP software used by many manufacturers, especially small manufacturing companies. It has a comprehensive interface that includes Production Planning, inventory management, purchase tracking, accounting, customer relationship management (CRM), and team support. It uses a spreadsheet interface that looks like a multidisciplinary Excel sheet. It allows you to track your company's expenses, utilization reports, and managerial statistics. MRPEasy is especially great for 3D printing manufacturers and companies in the defense and aerospace industries, and it provides four tiers to fit any budget.

NetSuite

This is a reputable, cloud-based ERP software system used by all sizes of business. Companies use it to manage inventory, host e-commerce stores, keep a record of the finances, and effectively uphold the CRM. It also has demand planning features, which are essential in striking a balance between demand and supply in the market. NetSuite is scalable and flexible, letting its users add and customize functions. It lets you focus on delivering services and products efficiently to grow your business.

Fishbowl Manufacturing

This ERP software is made for small and medium-sized enterprises. It provides advanced handling of material costs, orders automation, inventory control for companies that use QuickBooks or spreadsheets. It can perform inventory management tasks, such as tracking and reorder points in multiple locations. You are provided with visibility on production stages because Fishbowl Manufacturing lets you create multilevel work orders.

Katana

Katana is another great cloud-based, MRP software inventory software. It is designed for scaling businesses of all sizes to automate their workflows. Katana deals with warehousing, purchasing, manufacturing, and sales into a single online platform. It also assimilates with shipping, accounting, and e-commerce platforms. Its interface has a smart auto-booking engine, letting you see the finished goods, available raw materials, and prioritize orders.

Every business owner must look for ways to streamline their operations to stand out in their field. Luckily, technology has an answer to almost everything in life. There is no need to worry about the strenuous processes and overwhelming tasks when dealing with inventory, sales, purchases, or any other business-related matter. With the right software tools, you can now effectively streamline the operations of your manufacturing company.

Lesley Montoya

Update 15 October 2020