7 Top Manufacturing Management Software Options in 2024

Manufacturing in the U.S. is holding strong. Businesses are using manufacturing management software to stay competitive in this changing market.

The industry is embracing change on many levels — among the notable trends, companies are shifting to a B2B2C model to better understand and serve their customers. But most importantly, advanced technology is fundamentally reshaping manufacturing.

Automated tech and IT-powered solutions fuel what some call Industry 4.0. From big data to virtual reality, manufacturing is experiencing a technical transformation that is improving productivity and safety.

To make the most of this powerful trend, businesses are moving towards using robust manufacturing management software. Tech solutions can help in numerous areas of the production cycle, from shop floor scheduling and time tracking to inventory, accounting, and overall enterprise resource planning (ERP).

To help you reap the benefits of tech advancements, we’ve prepared a list of the best manufacturing software with six tools that can assist your business in transitioning to the new industrial era.

1. Hubstaff

Manufacturing time tracking is essential for improving production.

For top-of-the-line tech that automatically clocks your team in and out when they get to work, try Hubstaff. Hubstaff is a trusted workforce management partner that can boost your assembly line performance. Its real-time monitoring tools fuel better planning, team scheduling, and workforce management. 

With the Locations add-on, you can conduct unobtrusive employee monitoring and GPS tracking. Data is automatically collected in online timesheets and fed into analytical reports. It’s easy to clock in and out from any device — through Hubstaff apps — ensuring time cards are accurate and straightforward for your whole team to use.

Hubstaff also provides manufacturing businesses with easy online invoicing and payroll functionalities. This means you can handle timesheets and payments within the same dashboard. Based on the rich data collected, the platform also helps you handle better project budgeting. 

Pricing: Hubstaff starts at only $7/month per user. The Locations add-on starts at $4 per user/month. There is a 14-day free trial.

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2. NetSuite Manufacturing

Oracle’s NetSuite platform has a manufacturing solution, and it is one of the best manufacturing ERP software options on the market. It’s cloud-based and provides tools to handle all manufacturing processes, from the shop floor to the top floor. The most notable capabilities include customer relationship management (CRM), centralized product data, and efficient order handling.

NetSuite also empowers better production planning by balancing supply and demand, procurement processing, and supply chain control. NetSuite caters to various manufacturing businesses, from consumer goods to medical devices.

Pricing: Depends on company size, but NetSuite’s base license costs $999 per month with access costs of $99 per user.

3. Global Shop Solutions

Global Shop Solutions is another ERP option offering a different set of features compared to NetSuite. It is targeted at heavier industries, such as machine building, aerospace, plastics, rubber, wood manufacturing, and similar fields. The production management software boasts several tools you can match and mix to your company’s needs.

The most powerful features of Global Shop Solutions include CAD interface, inventory, job costing, product configurator, shop floor management, and quality control. In addition, the platform also provides manufacturers with CRM, company messaging, and advertising, among many other extra features.

Pricing: Available upon request.

4. Fishbowl Manufacturing

Fishbowl Manufacturing is an ERP solution targeted at small and medium-sized businesses with suitable functionalities and pricing. The suite offers work and manufacturing orders and advanced handling of the bill of material costs. With Fishbowl, manufacturers can track their inventory across multiple locations. Inventory management is handled with valuable features such as monitoring and reorder points.

The platform allows you to create multilevel work orders to get visibility on production stages. Fishbowl also supports part tracking, shipping, and sales and purchasing functionalities. Notably, it integrates with two popular work tools for SMBs: FreshBooks and Xero. In this way, you can handle your accounting processes from the ERP while using your preferred accounting app.

Pricing: Available upon request. There is a 14-day free trial.

5. Prodsmart

Prodsmart is a top option for manufacturing execution system software (MES). Its motto is that it connects machines, people, and processes. With Prodsmart, you can transition to digital shop floor monitoring with ease. The system is flexible so that it can adapt to your operations. In addition, it processes real-time data so you get an analysis straight in your dashboard.

The platform also provides planning and manufacturing resource planning (MRP) tools. These tools are based on robust data collection, making managing stock easier and more effective. Prodsmart also visualizes workflows for a better overview and allows for seamless employee scheduling and tracking. You can also conduct quality management from within the tool.

Pricing: There is a 14-day free trial. Custom enterprise solutions are available, too.

6. UniPoint

UniPoint is a frontrunner in manufacturing companies’ quality management software (QMS). It offers ERP-integrated QMS suitable for many industries such as medical, food and beverage, automotive, and chemical, among others. UniPoint’s diverse tools are split into three modules: core, add-on, and web, all of which help companies automate their quality control.

You can benefit from features like non-conformance, corrective and preventive action, and document control within the core modules. The add-on modules will also provide inspection, auditing, health and safety, and validation. You can move to mobile QMS with mobile inspection and web requests with the web modules.

Pricing: Available upon request

7. JobBOSS

JobBOSS has several features that make it a valuable tool for manufacturing teams of all sizes. Like most powerful ERP platforms, its capabilities are built around making the manufacturing process more efficient and saving you valuable time.

At a glance, JobBOSS’ toolkit covers all the essential aspects of manufacturing management. Its features include order processing, inventory management, cost analysis, and several optional add-ons like quality control and accounting. JobBOSS also integrates with QuickBooks and Sage 50.

Pricing: JobBOSS has three pricing plans: Core, Premium, and Enterprise. For more information, get in touch with their sales team.

Improve your productivity with good production software

Advanced technology is already revolutionizing manufacturing in the U.S. and will help the manufacturing industry grow its production in 2024 and beyond with innovative methodologies and tools.

Manufacturing operations and project management no longer have to be done manually. Using project management tools, warehouse management software, and inventory management software owners can take their manufacturing business to the next level. 

From shop floor management and scheduling to time tracking and financial management, manufacturing software solutions hold great potential for your company. If you’re looking for ways to boost your business operations, the tools listed here are your first step to the digital transformation of your supply chain management.

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