As a business owner, your ultimate goal is to keep making profits sustainably while it continuously grows. Whether you work for yourself of you employ a team of staff, an automation will be inevitable. You need efficient and effective systems to manage your inventory, production, and resources. MRP (Manufacturing Resource Planning) software is a tool that can help you do just that. But easier said than done. Finding the right MRP software for your business can be as challenging as starting up anything else. How do you know what you need? What kind of factors is there to consider? What do you really need to look for in the software? And will the answers to these questions help make the decision easier?
What Are MRP Tools?
MRP tools can be used to manage and keep track of production and schedule orders and deliveries. It can also be used for resource planning, management, and inventory control. MRP tools benefit businesses that need to manage extensive inventories or produce products regularly.
Factors To Consider When Choosing An MRP Software
When choosing the best MRP software for your business, there are a few factors you need to consider. These include:
The size of your business and inventory
Whether a start-up or an established business, the size of your company and inventory will play a role in determining which MRP software is best for you.
Although the majority of the time, an on-premise MRP system is a better solution for small businesses. This is because it can be tailored to the specific needs of your business and doesn’t require as much maintenance as a cloud-based system.
The type of products you produce or sell
Different businesses have different needs when managing their production and inventory. You need to ensure that the manufacture resource planning software you choose can accommodate the specific needs of your business.
For instance, if you sell perishable goods, you need a system that can keep track of expiration dates and help you manage your inventory accordingly. On the other hand, if you produce customized products, you need a system that can accommodate changes and last-minute modifications.
Your budget
Budget plays a big role in determining which MRP software you choose for your business. There are several free and open source MRP systems available. However, these may not have all the necessary features and functionality.
On the other hand, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems can be quite costly. But if your business is on the larger side, an ERP system may be a better investment as it can provide you with the scalability and flexibility you need.
The features you need
You may have guessed it already since I mentioned "inventory". If you are running a service business, inventory is not applicable. So when it comes to MRP software, one size does not fit all. The software's features and functionality will vary not just depending on your business type but also depending on what you or your team needs.
There is no doubt the best way is to make a list of the features you need first, and then go through the pros and cons of each system to decide which one is the most suitable one for to help your business successful.
Some of the features you may wish to consider include:
- The ability to track and manage inventory (if you run an e-commerce business)
- The ability to generate reports
- The ability to schedule production
- The ability to integrate with other essential systems that you may already have, or third-party apps to make automation smoothly.
- Ease of use and implementation
You also need to consider how easy the MRP system is to use and implement. The last thing you want is a system that’s difficult to use or takes a long time to implement.
Look for a user-friendly MRP system that can be quickly implemented into your existing system. This will help minimize disruptions and ensure that your team can use the procedure quickly and efficiently.
Top-Rated MRP Software To Consider
Once you determine what you need, how much you’re willing to spend, and the features you want, it’s time to start looking at some of the best MRP software for your business. Here are the top-rated MRP tools to check:
1. Netsuite
Netsuite is an excellent choice for businesses with high inventories. It’s a cloud-based system that offers a wide range of features, including the ability to track and manage inventory, generate reports, and schedule production.
2. Infor Cloudsuite Industrial
This is an ERP system that’s designed specifically for manufacturing businesses. It offers comprehensive features, including inventory management, production scheduling, and quality control.
3. IQMS
This ERP system offers a wide range of features, including tracking inventory, managing production, and creating custom reports. It also provides a mobile app to access your data on the go.
4. Odoo
Odoo is an open-source MRP system that offers many features, including inventory management, production scheduling, and reporting. It’s also easy to use and implement, making it a good choice for businesses of all sizes.
5. Fishbowl
When it comes to supply chain and inventory management, Fishbowl is a top choice. It offers features such as barcoding, asset tracking, and inventory management. It’s also one of the few MRP systems that provide a free trial, so you can try it before you buy it.
6. JobBOSS
For small or start-up businesses looking for a simple but effective MRP system, JobBOSS is a good option. It offers material requirement planning, job scheduling, and shop floor data collection.
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7. InforVISUAL
InforVISUAL is a cloud-based MRP system that offers inventory management, job scheduling, and reporting features. It’s easy to use and can be quickly implemented into your existing system.
8. Acumatica
If you are looking for an MRP system that is scalable and flexible, then Acumatica is a good choice. It offers features such as inventory management, production scheduling, and reporting. It can also be customized to meet the specific needs of your business.
9. Katana MRP
Intelligent features, ease of use, and affordability make Katana MRP an indispensable choice for businesses of all sizes. It offers inventory management, order management, and production scheduling.
10. Genius ERP
Whether small or medium-sized businesses, Genius ERP is a good choice for companies that want an MRP system with a user-friendly interface. It offers inventory management, purchase order management, and production scheduling.
11. ERPAG
Integration with Xero, Quickbooks, Shopify, and other software makes ERPAG a good choice for businesses that want an MRP system that integrates with their existing systems. It offers inventory management, order management, and production scheduling.
MRP Software For Lovers and Fools
Though different in their pursuits, lovers and fools find MRP software quite useful in their own ways.
For lovers, who often get lost in the details of their passion projects, MRP software helps keep them grounded. Imagine a couple running a small artisanal candle-making business. They’re deeply involved in the creative process, but staying on top of raw materials and production timelines might slip their minds. MRP software helps them track inventory, schedule production runs, and ensure that they have enough supplies on hand to meet customer orders, all while freeing up more time to focus on the art of their craft.
On the other hand, fools, who might dive into business ventures without much planning, find MRP software to be their safety net. Suppose someone impulsively decides to start a small furniture-making business without fully considering the logistics. MRP software helps by automating many of the decisions they might overlook, like managing supply levels or scheduling production tasks. This way, they’re less likely to run out of materials or overcommit to orders they can’t fulfill.
In both cases, MRP software acts as a steady guide, helping lovers and fools alike to manage the practical side of their ventures, keeping things running smoothly even when emotions or lack of foresight might otherwise cause chaos.
Final Words
These are some of the best MRP software systems on the market. When choosing an MRP system for your business, consider your specific needs and budget. And be sure to try out a few different methods before making a final decision.
The right MRP system can help improve your inventory management, production scheduling, and overall efficiency. So take the time to find the best system for your business.
