Best Production Scheduling Software for Manufacturing In 2023

Small Manufacturing Considerations

This software is also ideal for small manufacturing facilities. However, not every solution on the market will be a perfect match for smaller organizations. Before reviewing our solution list, there are some considerations for you to mull over.

Do You Plan on Growing Your Facility?

Do you want to grow your manufacturing business into a mid-sized or enterprise-level warehouse? This question is crucial because some manufacturing ERPs may evolve with your company and some may not. If you just want to remain a small-scale facility, it’s best to only browse for small manufacturing solutions. On the other hand, if you’re looking to grow your organization, ask vendors if their software is scalable.

Which Deployment is Right for You?

Choosing the best deployment is also a worthy question to ask yourself. There are two well-known deployments: on-premise and cloud. On-premise enables you to keep your software, data and other information on company computers and servers — usually operating at one specific worksite. Conversely, cloud software allows you to access your software and data from any location and mobile device with strong internet connections. If you travel often for your facility, cloud deployment may be your best option.

How Much Can You Spend?

Some manufacturing programs are expensive. So it’s vital to establish a detailed budget for yourself and the maximum price you want to spend. This budget and a wishlist of desirable features can help you find a suitable ERP for your organization without spending an arm or leg.

Relevant Trends

When shopping for a new software solution, it’s important to remember that technology advances quickly. To get the best solution for your business, it’s a good idea to be aware of what changes might be coming down the pipeline that could make your new solution obsolete within a few years. With that in mind, there are some manufacturing trends worth looking into as you browse for new programs. These trends include:

  • Data Visualization: Effectively gather and analyze KPIs with data visualization. It provides real-time snapshots of your productivity so you may make the right business decisions.
  • Internet of Things (IoT): Gain insightful details on machinery and whole areas of the shop floor with IoT. IoT leverages internet-connected sensors to embed anywhere and receive real-time data on the progress of a specific machine. These sensors permit you to verify if a particular machine requires maintenance.
  • Robotics: Enable robots to perform repetitive or dangerous tasks while your human employees can take over valuable jobs such as data analyzing, engineering, programming and the like.