7 best ERP software for manufacturing in 2023

What is manufacturing software?

Manufacturing software helps manage different aspects of the production process, including: 

• Engineering design 
• Inventory tracking 
• Forecasting 
• Purchasing  

It also facilitates communication between different departments within a company to ensure that the manufacturing process runs smoothly and efficiently. Manufacturing software can be used to track inventory levels and raw materials needed for production and easily identify where additional supplies are needed. This allows businesses to plan ahead when it comes to fulfilling customer orders quickly and accurately.   

Manufacturers can use this type of software for quality control purposes, helping them ensure that products meet safety standards before they’re shipped out.   

Manufacturing software can be used to help analyze manufacturing data and make key decisions about the factory floor. This includes identifying areas of waste or inefficiency and making changes that will reduce overhead costs while improving overall efficiency. By streamlining their production processes with the right software, businesses can keep up with customer demand while ensuring top-notch quality control. 

Key features of ERP for manufacturing

Before we deep dive into some of the best manufacturing ERP systems on the market, it’s best to understand what you need from your system and what most systems come equipped with. The following list you can use as a guide as you test and trial the different ERP systems.

The best ERP for manufacturing typically includes the following key features:

1. Material and inventory management — allows companies to track and manage their raw materials, finished goods, and inventory levels in real time

2. Production scheduling and forecasting — helps companies plan and schedule their production processes and forecast future product demand

3. Quality control and traceability — enables companies to monitor and control the quality of their products and track the movement of materials and products throughout the manufacturing process

4. Financial management — provides companies with real-time financial information and analytics, including cost accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting

5. Supply chain management — allows companies to manage and optimize their supply chain, including tracking suppliers, managing purchase orders and deliveries, and monitoring logistics and transportation

6. Maintenance management — allows companies to schedule and track maintenance of production equipment and facilities to minimize downtime and maintain optimal production efficiency

7. Human resources management — allows companies to manage employee data, payroll, and benefits and track employee attendance, performance, and training

8. Reporting & Analytics — allows companies to access real-time data and analytics to monitor production, inventory, sales, and other key business metrics and generate reports that are important in helping manufacturers make informed decisions

Now you know what to keep your eyes open for when looking for software. The next step is to dive in and get testing. So, Without further ado, here are the top ERP systems for manufacturing your business can implement.

3. Unleashed Software

Price: Starts at $279 per month

Free trial: 14 days

The next manufacturing software solution is Unleashed — a cloud-based app that supports manufacturers who make, manage, and transport products.

Unleashed ERP gives users powerful inventory management features to get an overview of their suppliers, production, warehouses, and sales. All this helps them easily and accurately track stock movements in real time. Unleashed manufacturing software allows manufacturers to gather data by creating graphs and reports to understand their inventory movements better.

Unleashed is good manufacturing management software if you’re looking for inventory management with:

• E-commerce features
• Integrations with other tools
• API access
• Warehouse management

5. Megaventory

Price: Starts at $135 per month

Free trial: 15 days

Another web-based one in this best ERP system for manufacturing — Megaventory.

Megaventory is an order and inventory management solution for medium-sized manufacturers.

Megaventory manufacturing ERP software helps users manage different inventory types at multiple locations to get a complete overview of stock levels in real time, allowing them to check supplier availability and easily manage returns. The manufacturing ERP software allows business owners to define users’ permission to keep information confidential and avoid other employees making mistakes. Megaventory manufacturing ERP comes with order fulfillment features to help users easily manage sales orders and purchase orders.

Manufacturing ERP like Megaventory is great for business owners looking for:

• Handling multiple currencies
• Manufacturing reports
• Integrations with other tools
• API access

What is the best software for manufacturing?

The best software for manufacturing depends on the specific needs and requirements of the manufacturing company.

ERP is the best all-around software for manufacturers, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best for your business. As mentioned at the beginning of the article, there are a ton more software options for manufacturers who need something other than an ERP solution.

Some popular options include:

• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software — this software is used to design and create 3D models of products, allowing for virtual prototyping and testing
• Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software — this software is used to translate the designs created in CAD software into instructions for CNC machines and other manufacturing equipment
• Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) — MES software is used to track and control manufacturing processes, typically in real time
• Product lifecycle management (PLM) software — this software is used to manage a product’s entire lifecycle, from design and development to retirement, including managing and tracking changes to the product design and its associated data.

It’s important to note that many software providers offer integrated solutions that combine multiple of the above functionalities. It’s also important to thoroughly evaluate the different options and determine which best fits the manufacturing company’s specific needs.

But, back to the topic at hand.

ERP software is great for manufacturing because it integrates and automates various business processes, such as supply chain management, financials, and human resources.

This can help manufacturers streamline their operations, improve efficiency, and better use data to inform decision-making. An ERP system can provide real-time visibility into the entire manufacturing process, from raw materials to finished goods, enabling manufacturers to identify and address any issues that may arise quickly. Overall, an ERP system can help manufacturers to increase productivity, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction.

Best of all, as you have already seen from the list, many offer free trials so you can find the best ERP for manufacturing without having to drop a single penny.

Try Katana manufacturing ERP software, designed to help manufacturers manage their operations and automate processes. It can be used to handle tasks such as inventory management, production scheduling, and financial reporting. Katana helps manufacturers streamline manufacturing processes and help businesses become more efficient and profitable.

Try it for free. Sign up for Katana’s 14-day free trial and experience firsthand how manufacturing software solutions can take your business to the next level.