The focus of this category is on the software used in manufacturing, not the manufacture of software. Manufacturing software refers to computer applications designed to improve the process of manufacturing a product.
From engineering and planning, through production and quality control, there are software packages that offer tools that business can use to create the best possible product in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.
Manufacturing software packages are used to streamline product design and configuration, to track and manage product components, automate production scheduling, improve the efficiency of the manufacturing process, and to improve the quality of the finished product.
Manufacturing software can promote tested and proven best practices in production and manufacturing. The applications can make it easier for a manufacturing company to anticipate demand, as well as improving the accuracy of its bill of materials. Through software, companies can better determine the components they will require, and when they will be needed, allowing for a just-in-time manufacturing model that reduces inventory storage and improves cash flow. Manufacturing software can optimize resource utilization, bring about increased throughput, reduce downtime and production delays, decrease overruns, and help to avoid product variations and defects.
There are several types of manufacturing software on the market, most providing a range of integrated features, such as engineering, material requirements, capacity planning, production management, quality control, and cost management.
Also included in this section is computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), also known as computer-aided modeling or computer-aided machining, which refers to the use of software to control the tools used in the manufacturing process. These software resources are included here as a subcategory.
Besides the CAD and CAM software packages, many of the software packages designed to support the manufacturing industries have much in common with the business software used in other industries, and they may range from single-purpose applications to large integrated software suites.
Software designed for manufacturing industries are appropriate for this category, while CAD and CAM applications should be listed in the appropriate subcategory.
Categories
CAD & CAM |
Recommended Resources
Clear Spider is a cloud-based software solution that gives manufacturing clients access to real-time information from any location worldwide, as long as an Internet connection is available. The system includes a powerful back end, and the system can be easily customized to mirror the company’s inventory workflow to improve efficiency. Its functions include barcodes and RFID scanning, serialized inventory, kitting and light manufacturing, return material authorization, reports, and analytics.
https://www.clearspider.com/
Fishbowl Manufacturing provides small manufacturing businesses with the same automation platform that large businesses use, but at an affordable price. Its core features support advanced work orders, manufacture orders, bills of materials, and other tools, as well as inventory management, production stages, part tracking, order management, sales and purchasing, reporting, integration with QuickBooks and Xero, and multiple locations.
https://www.fishbowlinventory.com/products/fishbowl-manufacturing/
Serving all manufacturing industries, MRPeasy offers small manufacturers a sophisticated, yet user-friendly manufacturing resource planning (MRP) software system that covers production planning, stock and inventory management, sales management, purchasing management, accounting, and team tools to allow line workers to view tasks on a PC or mobile device, and others which are listed here. A user manual, tutorials, implementation guidelines, and demo videos are available.
https://www.mrpeasy.com/
Established in 1998, Quantum specializes in software designed to support a company’s IT initiative, such as IT consulting, custom software solutions, project management, process analysis, and ongoing project and product support. Examples of client software include PLC control systems, HMI/SCADA systems, MES solutions, ERP integration, business intelligence reporting, database design, device driver integration, and several manufacturing and HR systems.
http://www.qinfosys.com/
Targeting the automobile repair industry, ShopController is a shop management software solution that includes real-time reporting, process, and workflow organization, recordkeeping, and productivity enhancement, integrating with QuickBooks. Its features are listed and explained in detail, a live demo is available, and client testimonials are published to the site. Using a hosted MySQL database, ShopController allows for 24/7 access from the shop or home.
https://www.shopcontroller.com/
Serving job shops, make-to-order manufacturers, and job-based and mixed-mode manufacturers, ShopTech offers its E2 Shop System, featuring estimating, orders, purchasing, scheduling, data collection, quality control, shipping, and accounting, as well as mobile access with the purchase of the base system. Its E2 MFG System serves manufacturers with estimating, orders, purchasing, scheduling, data collection, quality control, job costing, shipping, and accounting.
https://www.shoptech.com/
In business since 1959, the company is involved in the development of efficient operating systems, software for manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution companies, as well as physical layouts, producing software for materials handling, warehouse design, facilities planning, facility operations audits, feasibility studies, order picking and packing systems, storage systems, productivity improvement, operational descriptions, and inventory management.
http://www.sigmankaiden.com/
Incorporated since 1997, Tec-Ease offers software products and training for the manufacturing environment in the fields of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), blueprint reading, coordinate measuring machines, and mathematics, including statistics, design of experiment, and six sigma, as well as ISO. The company also produces software packages that make using GD&T and other concepts, such as Limits & Fits, such as Standard-Ease, ISO-Ease, and Glossar-Ease.
http://www.tec-ease.com/
Wonderware’s HMI/SCADA (human-machine interface / supervisory control and data acquisition) software enables operational efficiency across all industries, providing deep operational insight as the basis of real-time performance management. Its industrial information management tools help make use of the data generated for improving efficiency, quality, compliance, and profitability, and its manufacturing operations management (MOM) tools help set production policies.
https://www.wonderware.com/
