5 Top Software Solutions for Optimizing Production Processes

Let’s take a look at five of the best software solutions for optimizing the production process.

The modern production process is a complicated and multifaceted juggling act of potential pitfalls and opportunities. The trick – of course – is to minimize the pitfalls and maximize the opportunities. Naturally, when production processes don’t go as well as planned, we are prone to complaining. But as Henry Ford said – “Don’t find fault, find a remedy: anyone can complain,” – and he knew a thing or two about optimizing production! Software that optimizes and smooths the production process is a modern-day remedy that can cut costs, improve product quality, and increase customer satisfaction.

Fishbowl Inventory

There are many ways to boost productivity at work, but few methods can beat an entire integrated system that looks after everything from Amazon sales to manufacturing. That’s what Fishbowl Inventory offers.

This is a single platform that is designed to efficiently manage warehousing, inventory, and manufacturing. The software comes in several versions, which makes it a highly-customizable option:

• Fishbowl Advanced: This is the most fully-featured version. Fishbowl Advanced is an on-premise solution that can handle inventory management, manufacturing, and warehousing.
• Fishbowl Drive: This is a cloud-based solution that boasts similar features to Fishbowl Advanced.
• Fishbowl Go: A pared-down version of Fishbowl Drive, Go offers an affordable cloud-based inventory management solution.

Fishbowl also integrates easily with popular business tools like Quickbooks and a wide selection of manufacturing system plugins thus one of the top most software solutions for optimizing the production process.

Also read: How to Boost Productivity at Work? | Proven ways to increase productivity

Katana Cloud Manufacturing

It is impossible to draw up a list of production planning software without mentioning Katana Cloud Manufacturing. This is the go-to manufacturing solution for thousands of manufacturers the world over.

Katana’s software is the perfect solution for manufacturers looking to streamline their production planning and scheduling. Among the features that help to achieve this are:

• Live inventory management: Complete real-time inventory control for raw materials and finished products.
• Custom workflows via API: Integrating custom workflows and apps into Katana is simple thanks to its open API and no-code solution.
• Purchase order management: Keep the production line flowing with smart order management and tracking.
• Production planning: Easily manage every stage of the production process with Katana’s comprehensive production planning module.

Katana’s fully featured package remains simple to use despite being feature-rich. The product is also scalable and customizable, so it can be tailored to meet the specific needs of any size of operation.

NetSuite

Oracle NetSuite is another cloud-based system that can act as an entire business management software suite. This is a single integrated suite of apps that can be customized to suit the needs of the business.

NetSuite is available through an annual subscription with the final cost based on the cost of the core platform, the number of users, and any selected optional modules. Among the main features of NetSuite are:

•       Accounting: NetSuite has full accounting functionality and easily integrates with existing accounting packages.
•       Production and supply chain: Easily plan and schedule production processes and streamline the supply chain.
•       Inventory management: NetSuite features a comprehensive inventory management system.
•       Warehouse operations: NetSuite simplifies the management of warehouse operations with its comprehensive warehouse management module.

NetSuite, like so many of the listed tools, is an all-in-one cloud-based business management suite that is suitable for enterprises of all sizes. The use of a cloud-based model makes this easily scalable to address the changing needs of a business.

Striven

The pattern of cloud-based solutions continues with Striven. This is another complete business management system that can streamline all aspects of business operations.

For manufacturers, Striven boasts the usual features that all good manufacturing apps include. Among the main functions that the all-in-one tool offers are:

• Production reports: All the analytics and reports you need to keep on top of production are at your fingertips.
• Inventory control: Every aspect of inventory control and monitoring is catered for.
• Operations dashboard: All the information and controls you need to optimize manufacturing are available in one intuitive dashboard.
• Integrated accounting: Striven offers detailed financial insights and comprehensive sales analysis thanks to its integrated accounting.
• Productivity: Everything from team efficiency to goal tracking can be monitored with Striven’s productivity tools.

Striven is available in a range of subscription options. The two most popular are the standard and enterprise editions that are charged per user.

Deskera MRP

Deskera MRP follows the trend of offering an all-in-one software suite that can streamline and manage the entire production process. This product is suitable for businesses of all sizes with price packages based on the number of users. The entry-level subscription is aimed at small businesses with less than five employees, with tiered packages available for larger enterprises.

This is another cloud-based package that can control and streamline every stage of the production process, including:

• Production planning: Manage the entire production process including assigning resources, scheduling, and production cost tracking.
• Machine management: Deskera MRP allows you to optimize the performance of machinery.
• Demand forecasting: This feature allows manufacturers to optimize inventory levels by accurately forecasting customer demand.
• Contract manufacturing: Deskera can also monitor and streamline outsourced manufacturing, giving a comprehensive overview of the entire process.
• By-product and scrap management: Deskera allows you to track the costs and profits of by-products and scrap produced during the manufacturing process.

This is another product that uses cloud computing technology to ensure easy deployment and scalability. The software is available in two “flavors” ERP and MRP. The Cloud MRP version is more suited to manufacturers and can be heavily customized depending on the type of industry.

Also read: Blockchain Applications in Fleet Management

Optimizing the Production Process with Smart Software

The trend towards cloud-based solutions with integrated AI is apparent in our selection of software packages. This makes them easily scalable as demand changes and also allows for easy updating in what is a rapidly evolving sector.

AI and SaaS solutions are being increasingly used to enhance and optimize many business processes, including manufacturing and fleet management to name a couple of examples.

For manufacturers, the use of software to optimize processes like manufacturing can greatly reduce costs, improve productivity, optimize inventory and material management, and improve product quality.

In an ultra-competitive marketplace, a comprehensive software suite like Katana Cloud or Deskera MRP  can help gain and retain that vital competitive edge.                                                                                                                                                                                            

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