Manufacturing Software Directory for Small Business

 

Compiled by Mike Hart

I've organized ERP software packages into four logical groupings -- Alternative ERP, Traditinal ERP, Hybrid ERP, and Job-Based ERP.

NOTE: Light manufacturing systems limited to bills of material are not included because they lack essential elements such as work centers and routings and can't be classified as ERP systems.  

ERP Alternative

• Manufacturing system with financial transfer to existing accounting system
• Demand-driven MRP (see my MRP Revolution post)
• Published package price with all core processes included ($)
• Self-implementation with startup wizard (no cost)
• Low annual maintenance and support costs ($) 

       Alternative ERP Software 

• DBA Manufacturing

Traditional ERP 

• Integrated manufacturing and accounting system
• Forecast-driven MRP (see my MRP Catch-22 post)
• Typically priced by module with advanced options ($$-$$$$) (rarely published)
• Consultant-based implementation and custom programming ($$-$$$$)
• High annual maintenance and support costs ($$-$$$)

       Traditional ERP Software 

• Accelerated ERP
• Compiere
• COSS ERP
• Enterprise 21
• Epicor Enterprise
• Epicor Vantage
• Expandable
• Fitrix ERP
• Infor VISUAL
• INMASS (low end)
• Intuitive ERP
• IQMS
• Microsoft Dynamics 365
• Mosaic M21
• MRP Plus (low end)
• One-System ERP
• Plex Manufacturing 
• Readi ERP
• Sage X3
• Sage 100C
• SAP Business One
• Syspro ERP
• Traverse 
• TechnoERP (low end)
• WinMAGI
• WinMan ERP
• xTuple

 Hybrid ERP 

• Co-dependent manufacturing and accounting systems (can be problematic)
• Forecast-driven MRP (see my MRP Catch-22 post)
• Typically a base package price with advanced modules ($-$$$) 
• Consultant-based implementation and custom programming ($$-$$$)
• Low to medium annual maintenance and support costs (S-$$)     

       Hybrid ERP Software

• Catalyst Manufacturing (low end)
• ERPlite (low end)
• MISys Manufacturing
• MRPEasy
• pc/MRP (low end)
• Pedyn P2000 (low end)

 Job-Based ERP 

• Traditional or hybrid system (hybrid can be problematic)
• Job linking and generation from customer orders (limited flexibility)
• Modular or base package pricing with advanced options ($$-$$$)
• Consultant-based implementation  ($$-$$$)
• Low to high annual maintenance and support costs ($-$$$)

       Job-Based ERP Software 

• E2 Shop System
• Epicor Vista
• EstiTrack
• JobBOSS
• JobOps (hybrid)
• Jobscope
• ProfitFab (hybrid)
• Realtrac (hybrid)
• Shop Mate
• Shopkeeper
• Smarter Manager
• Visibility