The Complete Guide to Software for The Manufacturing Industry

Manufacturing can be a complicated business. With many moving parts, having the right manufacturing software tech stack is key to its success.

Today, we’re discussing the different types of manufacturing software, their benefits, the best tools available, and the key features you should look for in software for manufacturing companies.

Key Takeaways

Manufacturing companies rely on a variety of software solutions to manage their complex operations, from the production floor to customer interactions. Key among these are Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, which handle core business processes like inventory and supply chain management, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, which streamlines sales and service. By integrating these tools, manufacturers can improve efficiency, gain better visibility across their entire organization, and make more informed, data-driven decisions.

Table of Contents

• • What is manufacturing software?
  • Advantages of manufacturing software
  • What are the types of manufacturing software?
  • 11 of the best manufacturing software for companies
    
  • Key features to look for in manufacturing software
  • What to consider when choosing manufacturing software
  • Frequently asked questions about manufacturing software

What is manufacturing software?

Manufacturing software includes all digital tools that help manufacturing companies manage operations and manufacturing processes. This includes inventory, project, sales, and sales floor management, as well as production planning and resource allocation.

Software for manufacturing companies helps automate and streamline processes that businesses would otherwise complete manually, saving time, effort, and money.

Advantages of manufacturing software

The best manufacturing software for companies can lead to significant benefits. Some of the critical advantages of manufacturing software are as follows:

• Expedited production: Helps companies operate with the least costs but without being compromised on the project.
• Lower downtime: Incorporates manufacturing software into the workflow, which minimizes downtime and maximizes efficiency.
• Improved product quality: Increases customer satisfaction through real-time monitoring tools that guarantee high-quality outputs.
• Production monitoring: Enables real-time data collection and analysis to track performance metrics and improve efficiency.
• Reduced waste: Streamlines the inventory management with attributes such as purchase orders, batch tracking, and minimizing resource waste.

These benefits clarify the means by which production software could improve operational efficiency and drive business success.

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Types of software for manufacturing

There are many different types of manufacturing software available. Here are a few commonly used softwares for manufacturing companies:

• Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software
• Customer relationship management (CRM) software
• Manufacturing execution systems (MES) software
• Quality management systems (QMS) software
• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software

The manufacturing software businesses use depends on needs, goals, and operations flow.

11 of the best manufacturing software for companies

Keep reading to learn about some of the best manufacturing software platforms available today, from ERP to CAD.

The top manufacturing platforms available today

• ERP software
• CRM software
• MES software
• QMS software
• CAD software

ERP software

ERP, or enterprise resource planning software, is a type of software that companies use to manage day-to-day business tasks and operations. This includes accounting, supply chain management, workflow management, and more.

NetSuite

Pricing: Quote available upon request

Netsuite is a top ERP system helping companies streamline their business processes and gain visibility into their operations and performance. You can manage inventory, operations, distribution, and more from one application.

SYSPRO

Pricing: Quote available upon request

With SYSPRO ERP, you can comprehensively view of your business activities, from supply chain to financial management. SYSPRO helps you manage data and gain insights into your business that can help you grow.

SAP Business One

Pricing: Quote available upon request

A top ERP for small businesses, SAP Business One is an affordable ERP solution that can help you manage your entire business from one platform. Through SAP Business One, you can use integrated business intelligence to collect real-time data and make the right growth decisions for your small business.

CRM software

Customer relationship management (CRM) software is a digital platform businesses use to better manage customer and business data. With a CRM, businesses can build better relationships with customers, clients, and leads.

Nutshell

Pricing: Starting at $16 per user per month

Nutshell is a top CRM solution provider for manufacturing companies because of its user-friendly interface, integration options, and in-depth reporting and analytics.

We understand that manufacturing businesses thrive on a steady client base, so we’re focused on providing companies like yours with the best CRM software for manufacturers to build strong, long-lasting relationships with customers.

With reporting and analytics tools fueled by real-time data, your team can stay on top of who and what is driving revenue for your business. Integration opportunities allow you to connect Nutshell with business software you’re already using so you can funnel all your data to a single platform.

Odoo

Pricing: Free version available

Odoo provides open-source CRM software for manufacturers to expertly track leads and close sales opportunities. With actionable data at your fingertips, your team can make accurate sales forecasts and gain a complete understanding of your business and customers.

MES software

An MES, or manufacturing execution system, helps businesses optimize their manufacturing process by monitoring and documenting the production lifecycle. With an MES system, manufacturing companies can improve quality control and reduce inventory and costs.

MasterControl

Pricing: Quote available upon request

MasterControl is a modern MES system that’s cloud-based, easy to use, and fast to implement. With analytics and dashboards fueled by real-time data, your team can have end-to-end visibility into all of your business operations.

Katana

Pricing: Starting at $199 per month

Another cloud-based MES solution, Katana takes in real-time data so you’re always on top of production operations. With robust reporting and analytics tools, your manufacturing team can manage multichannel orders from one platform and spend less time transferring data between systems. 

QMS software

QMS software, or a quality management system, helps businesses streamline their manufacturing and ERP operations by providing the necessary procedures, resources, and processes. With the help of QMS software, manufacturing businesses can effectively measure and improve the quality of their products.

Qualio

Pricing: Quote available upon request

Qualio is an easy-to-implement QMS system that’s designed to grow with your business through its scalable platform. With dozens of integrations available, your team can continue using critical business applications while managing everything from a reliable platform.

Greenlight Guru

Pricing: Custom quote available upon request

Greenlight Guru is more than just a generic QMS. Through its purpose-built platform, you can easily track quality and risk management. This way, you can focus on the work that matters most to your business.

CAD software

Computer-aided design, or CAD, refers to the use of computers to help manufacturers create two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) renderings of their designs. Through CAD software, manufacturers can better visualize their designs and improve, modify, and optimize them.

Solid Edge

Pricing: Starting at $261 per month

From 2D to 3D drafting, Solid Edge is a portfolio of product development tools meant to help you manage every aspect of your manufacturing process. With solutions for engineers, designers, startups, and more, Solid Edge allows for flexibility when it comes to the drafting and design process.

Autodesk Fusion 360

Pricing: Starting at $70 per month

Autodesk Fusion 360 is an integrated cloud CAD platform that helps businesses streamline their production process with automated workflows that save time and costs. With your team unified on one platform, you can continue creating and innovating through a data-driven CAD solution.

Key features to look for in manufacturing software

Before comparing the best software for manufacturing companies, you should know what features to look for to help improve your manufacturing operations. Read on for some key features of manufacturing software you should consider when browsing manufacturing software.

Automation

Automation is a powerful tool found in software specifically designed for the manufacturing industry (and others!) that helps businesses streamline operations to save time, money, and effort.

Often found in manufacturing software like CRM and ERP systems, automation eliminates certain manual processes to reduce data entry errors and increase productivity.

Production and reporting analytics

Look for manufacturing software that has production and reporting analytics features, so you can track production and always know what’s happening within your company through reporting tools.

Production and reporting analytics help you better oversee manufacturing operations, track production schedules, make better time estimates, and ensure smooth production.

Inventory and product management

Ensuring the quality of your products and managing your inventory is an integral part of your manufacturing business that you must oversee every day. With manufacturing software that includes inventory and product management features, you can improve the quality of what you’re manufacturing and better detect any product defects or issues.

Cost tracking

Just as important as managing your inventory is tracking your production and manufacturing costs. Look for manufacturing software with cost-tracking tools, so you can stay on top of what you’re spending to create the products that will bring revenue back in for your business.

What to consider when choosing manufacturing software

Now that you’ve seen some of the most popular manufacturing software types and what’s available today, you must wonder how to choose a good one that fits your business. When selecting manufacturing software, consider the following factors to ensure you make the best choice:

1. Functionality of the software

Assess what the manufacturing software can do about your most pressing needs. Consider the daily struggles and tasks that manufacturers face. Select software that strengthens these processes and addresses operational headaches.

2. Reputable provider

The software provider’s reputation and history are important factors in your choice. Research what customers have to say to determine their product’s quality and status in the manufacturing industry. Find a partner with experience and a commitment to innovation.

3. Subscription model

Consider whether the manufacture software offers a subscription model, which can be highly beneficial. SaaS has the option for you to pay a monthly fee for online access to the software, protecting your cash flow by spreading costs over time. This model also means no costly installations on particular machines.

4. Updates included

Ensure that software updates and access to customer support are included in your monthly subscription fee. With such inclusions, you might avoid some unexpected costs later. Regular updates help maintain compliance with industry standards and ensure you are using the latest features.

5. Existing budget and current IT environment

Evaluate your company’s current IT setup and future growth plans. Consider the complexity of your existing processes and identify your internal priorities for improvement. If your systems work well but lack certain features, look for software that integrates seamlessly with your existing tools.

6. Scalability

Choose software that can grow with your business. As your manufacturing operations expand, your software should be able to handle increased volume and complexity without a hitch. Scalable solutions will save you time and money in the long run, allowing you to adapt to changing market demands.

By carefully considering these factors, you can select the best software for manufacturing companies that meets your needs and supports your success goals.

Choose a CRM that knows manufacturing

Did you know over 1,000 manufacturing companies use Nutshell CRM to build better relationships with their customers? Nutshell is a user-friendly platform that takes the headache out of CRM implementation so you can continue doing what you do best—growing your business.

See why we’re a leading CRM solution for manufacturing companies by starting a free trial of Nutshell today or attending a live demo.

Frequently asked questions about manufacturing software

• How does a CRM fit into a manufacturing company’s tech stack?

  A CRM anchors your customer-facing operations while ERP, MES, and other tools handle backend processes. Your CRM manages leads, sales, and customer relationships; your ERP tracks inventory and finances; your MES monitors production. When integrated, they create a unified view—sales teams see production capacity, operations see customer orders, and everyone accesses real-time data. This eliminates silos and keeps teams aligned.

• What’s the difference between a general CRM and a manufacturing-specific CRM?

  General CRMs are flexible, affordable, and easier to customize to your unique sales process. Manufacturing-specific CRMs offer pre-built features for the industry but often cost more and have less integration flexibility. For most manufacturers, a general CRM works just as well—you get better pricing, simpler implementation, and more integration options without sacrificing functionality.

• How can a CRM help with inventory visibility and supply chain coordination?

  A CRM integrated with your ERP gives sales teams instant access to inventory levels, production schedules, and delivery timelines. When a customer asks about availability, your rep can see real-time stock and promise accurate delivery dates. This reduces miscommunication between sales and operations, prevents overselling, and improves on-time delivery rates.

• Can a CRM help with customer service and warranty management?

  Absolutely. A CRM centralizes all customer interactions—service requests, warranty claims, and support tickets—in one place. Your service team has complete customer history, past issues, and warranty details at their fingertips. This speeds up resolution times, improves customer satisfaction, and helps you identify product issues early through warranty data patterns.

• What’s the best approach to migrating data from legacy systems to a new CRM?

  Start by auditing your legacy data—clean it up and remove outdated records before migration. Create a “legacy ID” field to track original records for troubleshooting. Test with a small data subset first, then gradually migrate larger batches. Avoid migrating incomplete or inaccurate data; it’s better to start fresh with clean data than carry forward old problems into your new system.

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