22 Best Manufacturing ERP Software Picks For 2024
10 Best Manufacturing ERP Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 25 tools reviewed.
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
There are seemingly countless ERP solutions out there, so figuring out which one is best for you is tough. You want to streamline manufacturing processes, improve resource utilization, and provide real-time visibility into all aspects of production but need to figure out which tool is the best fit. I've got you! In this post I make things simple, leveraging my experience having researched dozens of tools and my exposure to supply chains in large corporations to bring you this shortlist of the best manufacturing ERP software.
What is Manufacturing ERP Software?
Manufacturing ERP software is a tool used to address the unique challenges of the manufacturing sector. It integrates and manages core business functions, ensuring seamless coordination between different departments, from production planning to distribution, to optimize the entire manufacturing process.
Key features include production planning, inventory management, quality control, supply chain management, and shop floor control. This empowers manufacturing companies to make data-driven decisions, minimize lead times, and adapt to changing market conditions for sustained competitiveness.
Overviews Of The 10 Best Manufacturing ERP Software Products
Check out my reviews of the best manufacturing ERP software to find the best one for you.
Fishbowl is a comprehensive inventory and manufacturing management software that offers robust solutions for tracking inventory, managing orders, and optimizing manufacturing processes. With its user-friendly interface and powerful features, Fishbowl enables businesses to enhance operations, improve accuracy, and boost productivity.
Why I Picked Fishbowl: Fishbowl stands out for its extensive feature set that supports end-to-end management of manufacturing processes. Key features include real-time inventory tracking, advanced work orders, and comprehensive bill of materials (BOM) management. These functionalities allow businesses to monitor inventory levels, manage production stages, and ensure accurate cost tracking.
Standout Features and Integrations:
Features include robust traceability capabilities, which ensure tracking of materials from procurement to final delivery. Additionally, Fishbowl's auto-purchasing system helps businesses maintain optimal inventory levels by automating reorder processes based on predefined thresholds. It also offers a mobile app that facilitates inventory management on the go by allowing users to scan barcodes, pick orders, and update inventory statuses directly from their mobile devices.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Xero, Salesforce, Shopify, Magento, Amazon, eBay, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, ShipStation, UPS, FedEx, USPS, PayPal, Avalara, SolidWorks, and Dropbox.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Ability to create custom reports
- Robust inventory control features
- Good integration with QuickBooks for easier accounting
Cons:
- User interface could be improved
- May take time to learn the software
MRPeasy is a comprehensive cloud-based manufacturing ERP software designed for small to mid-sized manufacturers, offering an affordable, user-friendly platform that integrates key business processes to enhance efficiency and productivity.
Why I Picked MRPeasy: MRPeasy excels in providing small to mid-sized manufacturers with an intuitive and affordable solution for managing their operations. Its strong suit lies in streamlining production planning, inventory management, and customer relationship management, making it an ideal manufacturing ERP software for companies looking to optimize their manufacturing processes.
Standout Features and Integrations:
Features include real-time production scheduling to ensure an efficient workflow and minimizes downtime, plus integrated CRM and sales management enhance customer relations and sales tracking. Furthermore, detailed inventory management with shop floor control offers precise inventory tracking and control directly on the manufacturing floor, providing a comprehensive suite of tools to streamline operations.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Xero, Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, Zapier, Salesforce, Mailchimp, Google Drive, and Slack.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Good customer support: Responsive and helpful support team
- Comprehensive features: Covers a wide range of manufacturing needs
- Affordable pricing: Great for small to mid-sized businesses
Cons:
- Learning curve: Initial setup can be complex for some users
- Limited customization options: May not fit all business models
Total ETO is an ERP software tailored for Engineer To Order (ETO) manufacturers, aiming to provide improved visibility and integration with popular business software solutions. It is recognized for its ease of implementation, affordability, and the support of a knowledgeable industry team, positioning it as a suitable choice for ETO manufacturers seeking an ERP system that caters to their specific needs.
Why I picked Total ETO: I chose Total ETO as the manufacturing ERP software after determining its specific alignment with the needs of Engineer To Order (ETO) manufacturers. Its distinctiveness lies in its targeted approach to the unique challenges faced by ETO industries, offering a solution that increases accuracy and efficiency. I judge Total ETO to be the best fit for ETO manufacturers' ERP needs because it is designed to cater to their specific requirements, as evidenced by testimonials from industry professionals.
Total ETO Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include a comprehensive suite of features tailored for manufacturers, including Sales Management for tracking customer interactions and data, Engineering Integration to synchronize engineering software data with the system, and Purchasing Management for overseeing purchase orders and supplier performance. It also provides Inventory Control to monitor materials, full project visibility with real-time data, and shipping and receiving to handle logistics.
Integrations include a range of software to support manufacturing processes, including CAD tools like SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, and Onshape for design and engineering. It also connects with accounting software such as QuickBooks and Sage, and leverages partnerships with Microsoft Business Partners and Mitrefinch's Time and Attendance software for business and workforce management.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Enhanced project management
- Integration capabilities
- Customization and specificity
Cons:
- A little pricey
- A bit of a learning curve
Not all manufacturing is the same. Acumatica offers tools for managing several different manufacturing approaches, including make-to-order, make-to-stock, and batch manufacturing.
Why I picked Acumatica: Juggling different manufacturing methodologies opens up new jobs, improves efficiency, and reduces cost, but it’s complicated. I found that Acumatica’s primary appeal is that it can handle all of that as well as streamline processes and manage multiple sites. And all for a reasonable price.
Acumatica Standout Features and Integrations:
Features include support for several manufacturing methods, easy access to data anywhere, and automated order management. I found that Acumatica offers a comprehensive solution with the tools needed by manufacturing businesses to manage and automate their production planning, scheduling, and inventorying requirements.
Integrations with Acumatica may come at an additional cost. You’ll have to contact Acumatica or a partner. It's missing some standards, including Google and Microsoft.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Full range of functionality
- Intuitive interface
- Support for multiple manufacturing methodologies
Cons:
- Implementation may be lengthy
- Lackluster customer support
Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP offers a manufacturing ERP system with a long list of easy-to-use features built around a basic dashboard. However, keep in mind that what you see is what you get, as customization takes some effort.
Why I picked Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP: Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP made my list of the best manufacturing ERP software largely because of the positive things users have to say about it. With it, you can centralize decision-making and visualize workflows, making it much easier to meet company goals and deadlines.
Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP Standout Features and Integrations:
Features include the ability to locate resources from across your enterprise. You can search for the skills or availability you need easily. It’s also possible to track KPIs from all of the products in your business to see what’s working and where help is needed. The dashboard interface is simple to use and will be familiar to most people.
Integrations include most of the apps you’re looking for, including Microsoft and Google products. There is a long list of pre-built integrations, including a bunch of other Oracle apps, tools to build your own, and a marketplace of third-party authored integrations.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Works with any size enterprise
- Simple-to-use interface
- Lots of tools that aid in project management
Cons:
- Expensive
- Customization can be complicated
Striven is a cloud-based manufacturing ERP created by a company with decades of experience. It gives you the ability to fully integrate the various parts of your business and offers features to fit the needs of continuous, discrete, and batch-process manufacturing.
Why I picked Striven: Striven offers a wide range of tools to fit the needs of your business, including features that enable job costing, production reports, and inventory control. While I found it lacking depth in training materials, it’s an affordable option for most businesses, from large to small.
Striven Standout Features and Integrations:
Features available from Striven include many to aid in your manufacturing business, whatever you manufacture. As cloud-based software, it excels in keeping the various aspects of a company organized, even if they’re at different locations. One feature I appreciated was the aid in finding and recruiting high-quality employees. If your business offers field service and maintenance, Striven can also help keep jobs organized and on time.
Integrations include business basics from both Google and Microsoft. Striven will also integrate directly with Ship Station and Twilio to communicate and ship to your clients more easily. It also has an API that allows you to build your own integrations.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Helpful and easy-to-contact customer service
- Centralizes management, even across several locations
- Decades of industry experience
Cons:
- ‘Portals’ for interacting with customers, vendors, and suppliers cost extra
- Lacks some training options
New software must always be tailored to your business’s specific needs, no matter how well designed. Open-source software like ERPNext can be totally customized to fit your business while remaining accessible for everyone on your team to use.
Why I picked ERPNext: One of the key selling points of ERPNext relates to its open-source nature, which makes it very easy to customize. I found that it’s possible to add what you need and remove fields and functions that you don’t use.
ERPNext Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that define ERPNext make it a great option for internet sales. It comes stocked with basic ERP modules for managing finances, inventory, and your manufacturing floor. One fascinating feature I found particularly interesting was the multilingual website builder so that you can sell products around the world.
Integrations include most Google products, including your calendar and maps. It’s also a great choice if your business depends on e-commerce, with integration into payment apps, marketplace apps, and more. ERPNext also has an API so that you can build your own integrations.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Suitable for a range of industries
- Easy to customize
- Simple pricing structure
Cons:
- Lacks clear documentation
- Lacks customer support
SAP is one of the leading providers of ERP software. Adding S/4HANA improves the classic version in several ways, particularly by moving to the cloud and adding both artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). It can help automate many business processes and predict future needs.
Why I picked SAP S/4HANA: SAP has been used worldwide for years. SAP S/4HANA is its latest cloud-based version that adds a layer of AI and ML. That technology has taken a leap forward in the last couple of years, and this manufacturing ERP allows you to take advantage of those advances to improve your business.
SAP S/4HANA Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that I found the most interesting with SAP S/4HANA are ML and predictive AI, particularly Intelligent Scenario Lifecycle Management (ISLM). ILSM allows you to create “intelligent scenarios” that can be trained to handle many functions for you. You decide when they’re ready to be put into production.
Integrations aren’t included out of the box, which disappointed me. However, SAP provides APIs so you can integrate with your favorite apps and products.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface tailored to the role
- Cloud-based service includes backups and recovery
- ML automates even complex processes
Cons:
- Expensive
- Longer implementation times
Process manufacturing comes with some special challenges, including precise manufacturing timetables and expiration dates. Aptean ERP offers a solution designed to handle these challenges.
Why I picked Aptean: To be clear, Aptean doesn’t only handle process manufacturing, but it is an area of specialty. Some of the fastest growing business sectors for small businesses, like canna-business and nutraceuticals, use this type of manufacturing. Aptean ERP enables you to precisely manage the most complex of formulas or recipes and manufacture products of the highest quality.
Aptean Standout Features and Integrations:
Features include regulatory reporting, integrated testing processes, formula, and receipt management. But what impressed me most was the ability to manage variables such as batch size, potency, yield management, allergen control, and quality testing. This product also offers inventory and warehouse management, lot tracing, recall capabilities, streamlined compliance functionality, production planning, and product costing.
Integrations may require third-party service. Aptean also doesn’t offer APIs.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Intelligent inventory
- Tools for custom pricing and discounts
- Action center for monitoring KPIs
Cons:
- Limited customization
- Integrations are complicated
Rootstock is built on the Salesforce platform, creating a tightly integrated value chain from raw material supply to finished goods shipping.
Why I picked Rootstock: Many businesses use salesforce.com to generate leads and fulfill orders, which is great for distribution or direct sales businesses. But for a manufacturing business, it can create challenges. I found that Rootstock provides a unique opportunity to combine sales, service, and manufacturing.
Rootstock Standout Features and Integrations:
Features include customization without coding. Connect employees with Salesforce chatter—automated returns and warranties management.
Integrations are available through the Salesforce App Exchange. At last count, there were over 7000 apps on the platform. Popular tools include Sage, REDA, Goldfinch, and Ascend ERP tools.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Regular updates and improvements
- Built on the Salesforce platform
Cons:
- Frequent bugs
- Substandard customer support
| Tools | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Fishbowl | Pricing upon request | Website |
| MRPeasy | From $49/user/month | Website |
| Total ETO | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Acumatica | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Oracle ERP | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Striven | From $10/user/month, (min 5 users). | Website |
| ERPNext | From $50/month (unlimited users) | Website |
| SAP S/4HANA | From $0.75/unit/month (600 units and 3-month contract minimum) | Website |
| Aptean | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Rootstock | From $150/user/month | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareOther Options
There is no shortage of manufacturing ERPs available, each with its own focus and set of features. Take a look at these additional manufacturing ERP software options.
Selection Criteria for Manufacturing ERP Software
Here’s a short summary of the main selection and evaluation criteria I used to develop my list of the best manufacturing ERP software for this article:
Core Functionality
Manufacturing ERP must deliver specific features to streamline and automate core business and manufacturing processes. It should help you control the operation, from the shop floor to the executive suite, creating a complete business management platform.
Key Features
In order to deliver the core functionality I outlined above, here are the basic features products that made it onto my list had to provide:
- Inventory management: My first piece of critical functionality was the ability to effectively manage the process of ordering, storing, using, and selling a company’s inventory, along with managing raw materials, components, and finished products.
- Financial management: The second capability I looked for was the means for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling the financial activities of the business.
- Supply chain management: Another must-have feature to make my list is being able to handle the entire production flow, from sourcing raw components all the way to delivering the final product to the consumer.
- Quality management: My final piece of critical functionality is the ability to monitor, control, and record quality processes in order to verify that goods are produced within tolerance, in accordance with all relevant standards, and are free from defects.
Usability
ERP software will be used by employees at all levels of a company, with varying levels of comfort with the software. An intuitive and simple interface is crucial.
Module Availability
ERP software usually comes with a set of business functions it covers with its ‘base model,’ usually including scheduling, financing, and a few others. Adding modules offers functions that may not come with the base offering.
Training and Support
Even the most intuitive software takes some time to learn. Transitioning to new ERP software can cost you time and money. Quality training shortens transition times after implementation, while support allows for quickly resolving problems.
People Also Ask
Still have questions about how manufacturing ERP software works or what to look for? We have the answers to commonly asked questions.
What is the most common ERP system used in manufacturing?
There may be no single answer, as manufacturing is a very broad business sector. Different types of manufacturing favor different types of solutions. However, some of the more popular include SAP, Oracle NetSuite, and Microsoft Dynamics 365.
What is the difference between MRP and ERP systems?
A materials requirements planning (MRP) system focuses specifically on the manufacturing aspect of the business. MRP will offer more features for keeping suppliers on track and actually manufacturing your product.
ERP offers a wider focus on the whole business. ERP software will cover the same things as MRP software but also include tools for accounting, distribution, and other aspects.
What are the three types of ERP deployments?
ERP systems usually come in one of three types: on-site, cloud, or hybrid. In an on-site environment, software lives on your own servers, so you must handle maintenance and security. When software is in the cloud, it can only be accessed with an internet connection. A hybrid setup involves the best of both worlds.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a manufacturing ERP for your business can be daunting. Your choice will have a profound effect on how your business runs, as nearly every aspect will be touched by the ERP software. However, there are options catering to nearly every sort of manufacturing. This guide is a great place to start your search. With it, you can find the option that perfectly fits your needs.
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