Spreadsheets spreading you too thin and your patience even thinner?

Good ol’ Excel spreadsheets were great in the beginning, offering an inexpensive solution to running every aspect of your business. But, as the number of orders grows, so does the spreadsheet that you have to update manually.

And what was once a nice little fix is becoming a major bottleneck for growth.

At this stage, many manufacturers turn to automated solutions to help them manage their business.

But, with so many options, where do you start? That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the best MRP software for manufacturing businesses. Here you’ll learn all about MRP systems and get to know 10 of them in the hopes of finding the perfect solution for you.

Let’s begin.

What is the best MRP?

The best MRP software for a company will depend on its specific needs and requirements. However, here are some general criteria that may help identify high-quality MRP software:

1. Intuitive interface — Good software is user-friendly, simple, and straightforward. The more logical the platform, the faster your team can learn to use it to its full potential.
2. Features — Ideal MRP software offers a wide range of features for inventory management, production scheduling, and material requirements planning. It also allows you to track data in real time, generate reports, and integrate with other systems.
3. Customization — Choose software that lets you build your own workflows, dashboards, and reports. This allows you to add new features and functionalities based on your specific needs and requirements.
4. Scalability — Great MRP software should adapt to the success of your business by growing with it and remaining flexible as your needs change. Switching service providers is always a nuisance, so find a platform that you can stick with for the long haul.
5. Integration — Look for the ability to integrate with other systems, such as accounting, CRM, and ecommerce platforms. Centralizing all your operations onto one platform gives you a better overview of your business as a whole.
6. Reliability and support — The best MRP software is reliable, with minimal downtime or data loss. It should also have a responsive and knowledgeable support team available to address any issues and answer questions.
7. Cost-effectiveness — Good things come at a price, that’s why it’s important to find software that’s cost-effective and offers a reasonable return on investment (ROI) for your business.

Overall, the best MRP software for manufacturing meets the specific needs and requirements of a company while also offering extra value with its features, user-friendliness, customization, scalability, and top-level support. All this at a reasonable cost.

Now you know what MRP software is and have a basic checklist to follow when selecting one for your business, let’s dive down into the nitty-gritty.

Here are the 10 best MRP software available right now.

1. Katana

Price: Starts at $179.00 per month

Free demo call

Katana is first on the list of the best MRP software for manufacturing, designed for small and medium-sized businesses. The software centralizes production planning, inventory management, and sales order management into a single platform, allowing manufacturers to manage their entire production process from one place.

The software also comes with automatic inventory updates, purchase order management, and integrations. Connecting your existing ecommerce and accounting platforms like QuickBooks Online, Xero, Shopify, and WooCommerce provides a comprehensive business management solution.

However, the benefits and features of Katana don’t stop there. With Katana, you can get:

Multichannel sales

Stay ahead of deadlines and maintain complete visibility of your inventory, operations, and orders across all your sales channels and various locations. This allows you to easily distinguish between your stock when selling both online and offline.

Barcode scanning

Users can set up barcode inventory scanning in Katana to simplify and enhance inventory processes such as receiving, tracking, and shipping stock. Katana allows you to assign barcodes to items, search for products by their barcode, and easily edit goods by simply scanning the code on them.

SKU management

Stock-keeping units (SKUs) make it easier to locate the precise item and product variant in your stock. SKUs can assist with your ecommerce platforms, such as Shopify, and direct clients to other products on your websites.

Batch tracking

Some businesses, especially those dealing with perishable inventories, are legally required to use batch tracking. Additionally, manufacturers of both make-to-stock and make-to-order products can easily use batch tracking to identify and separate their stock.

Multilocation inventory

Katana can help you manage your products from any location if you are a producer with several facilities and warehouses or have items on consignment. Simplify stock transfers between warehouses and keep up with demand if one site has lower stock levels.

Integrations

Integrations are a straightforward and effective way to centralize all your operations into one platform. Access the API, use the codeless templates, or choose from Katana’s native integrations to build custom workflows with your preferred:

• Ecommerce platforms
• Accounting software
• Reporting systems
• CRM solutions
• Other tools

2. Fishbowl

Price: Quotation based

Free demo call

Fishbowl is another popular platform for small and medium-sized manufacturers.

The software offers various features to help manufacturers manage their production processes, including:

• Inventory management
• Production scheduling
• Material requirements planning

Fishbowl provides real-time information on inventory levels and sales orders, allowing businesses to plan their production effectively and allocate resources efficiently. The software offers barcode scanning, automatic reorder points, and custom reports to help manufacturers streamline their inventory management.

In addition to inventory management, Fishbowl includes production scheduling tools, which allow manufacturers to:

• Create and manage work orders
• Track labor costs
• Monitor production progress
• Build integrations with various accounting and ecommerce platforms

Overall, Fishbowl offers a wide range of features to help manufacturers optimize their production processes and improve their inventory management.

3. Statii

Price: Quotation based

Free 14-day trial

Statii is a cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) software for small and medium-sized manufacturers.

The software offers a range of features to help organizations manage their production process, from quote to invoice, including:

• Inventory management
• Production planning
• Quality management

Statii provides real-time data on various aspects of the production process, including inventory levels, production progress, and delivery schedules, allowing manufacturers to make informed business decisions. The software offers visual dashboards and reports to help businesses track performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

The software includes advanced features such as material requirements planning (MRP), production scheduling, shop floor control, quality management, and traceability, making it suitable for various manufacturing industries, including aerospace, automotive, and medical devices.

Statii is highly customizable and can be tailored to fit the organization’s specific needs. It offers various integrations with third-party systems, including CAD, CAM, and accounting, enabling companies to increase the program’s capability.

Statii is a comprehensive and flexible ERP software that offers a range of features to help manufacturers optimize their production processes and improve their business operations. Small and medium-sized manufacturers can benefit from Statii as it provides an affordable solution with robust features to help them streamline their production process, increase efficiency and productivity, and grow their business.

4. JobBOSS

Price: Quotation based

Free trial: 7 days

Halfway through now, and here’s one of the best MRP software for small businesses, job shops, and contract manufacturers.

JobBOSS offers a range of features to help manufacturers manage their production processes, including:

• Inventory management
• Production planning
• Job scheduling

In addition to manufacturing, JobBOSS also includes features such as quoting and estimating job costing and shipping management. The program is highly adaptable and may be customized to meet the organization’s unique needs.

JobBOSS is an all-inclusive, adaptable MRP solution that provides a number of features to help job shops and contract manufacturers enhance their operational efficiency and production process optimization.

5. MIE Trak Pro

Price: Quotation based

Free trial: Demo

The next best MRP software on this list is MIE Trak Pro, designed for small and medium-sized manufacturers.

The software offers a range of features to help manufacturers manage their production processes, including:

• Inventory management
• Production planning
• Scheduling

In addition to manufacturing, MIE Trak Pro also includes features such as project management, document management, and quality control. The software can be significantly customized to meet the organization’s unique requirements.

Overall, MIE Trak Pro is a thorough and adaptable MRP tool that provides a number of features to assist firms in streamlining their production procedures and enhancing manufacturing operations.

6. NetSuite

Price: Quotation based

Free trial: Free product tour

No best MRP software list would be complete without a nod toward NetSuite, a cloud-based ERP software designed for mostly large enterprise clients across various industries.

The software offers a range of features to help organizations manage their entire business operations, including:

• Financial
• Inventory
• Procurement

NetSuite provides real-time data on various aspects of the business, allowing organizations to make informed decisions and improve their business operations. The software offers visual dashboards and reports to help businesses track performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

Because of its extensive customizability, NetSuite can be configured to meet the unique demands of any enterprise. It offers various integrations with third-party systems, enabling companies to increase the software’s functionality.

NetSuite is a complete and adaptable ERP system that provides several features to assist organizations in streamlining their processes and enhancing overall performance.

7. Plex Manufacturing Cloud

Price: Quotation based

Free trial: Demo

Next on our best MRP software list is Plex Manufacturing Cloud, another cloud-based ERP software designed for manufacturing companies.

The software offers a range of features to help organizations manage their entire production process, from the shop floor to the top floor, including:

• Inventory management
• Production planning
• Scheduling

Plex Manufacturing Cloud offers visual dashboards and reports to help businesses track performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

Plex Manufacturing Cloud is very adaptable and can be customized to meet the enterprise’s circumstances. It offers various integrations with third-party systems, including CAD, CAM, and accounting, enabling organizations to expand the software’s capabilities.

Overall, Plex Manufacturing Cloud is a complete and adaptable ERP system that provides a number of features to assist manufacturers in streamlining their business operations and optimizing their production processes.

8. Prodsmart

Price: $9,925 a year

Free trial: 14 days or a product demo

Adding a little spice to this best MRP system list, Prodsmart is a cloud-based Manufacturing Execution System (MES) designed for small and medium-sized manufacturers.

The software offers a range of features to help manufacturers manage their production processes, including:

• Inventory management
• Production planning
• Scheduling

The software offers visual dashboards and reports to help businesses track performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

Prodsmart is very adaptable and may be customized to meet the organization’s unique requirements. It offers various integrations with third-party systems, including accounting and CRM, enabling organizations to increase the program’s capabilities.

Prodsmart is an all-inclusive and adaptable MES software that provides a variety of capabilities to assist manufacturers in streamlining their production procedures and enhancing business operations.

9. WorkClout

Price: Starts at $25 per month

Free trial: Request a free trial and demo

Next in this best MRP software article is WorkClout, another cloud-based MES designed for small and medium-sized manufacturers. The software offers a range of features to help organizations manage their manufacturing processes, including:

• Inventory management
• Production planning
• Scheduling

WorkClout is adaptable and may be customized to meet the business’s requirements. It offers various integrations with third-party systems, including accounting and ERP, enabling companies to increase the software’s functionality.

Overall, WorkClout is a thorough and adaptable MES software that provides a number of functions to assist businesses in streamlining their company operations and optimizing their production processes.

10. MRPeasy

Price: Starts at $49.00 per month

Free trial: 15 days

And finally, MRPeasy is the last cloud-based entry on this best MRP software, designed for small and medium-sized manufacturers.

The software offers a range of features to help manufacturers manage their production processes, including:

• Inventory management
• Production planning
• Purchasing

It uses visual dashboards and reports to help manufacturers track performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

In addition, MRPeasy offers mobile apps for Android and iOS devices, allowing manufacturers to access the software from anywhere. The software also offers multi-language and multicurrency support, making it a good fit for companies with an international presence.

MRPeasy is an affordable and user-friendly solution for manufacturers looking to streamline their production processes and improve their inventory management.

What is manufacturing resource planning?

Manufacturing resource planning (MRP) is a computer-based inventory management system that helps manufacturers plan and control their production processes.

It uses software to manage production schedules, track inventory levels, and plan material requirements. MRP helps manufacturers optimize their production processes by ensuring they have the necessary materials, labor, and equipment to meet production demands while minimizing carrying costs and other associated costs.

MRP vs. ERP

MRP and ERP are both computer-based inventory management systems, but they have different scopes and functions.

MRP is a planning and scheduling system used primarily by manufacturing companies to plan their production processes. MRP software focuses on managing the materials, labor, and equipment required for production. It helps manufacturers determine what materials they need when they need them and how much is required to fulfill orders.

On the other hand, ERP is a broader business management system that integrates various departments and functions of a business, including manufacturing, accounting, sales, and human resources. It provides a centralized system for managing different areas of a business and allows for streamlined communication and data sharing between departments. ERP software includes:

• Financial management
• Inventory management
• Procurement
• Production planning
• And more modules

Basically, MRP is a subset of ERP that specifically focuses on manufacturing operations, while ERP is a broader system that encompasses various departments and functions of a business.

And that’s it! We hope that this article has been helpful and a good starting point for finding a system that best suits the needs of your business. And, until next time, happy manufacturing.