Advanced manufacturing software to help your business in this day and age of technology is a given. Small business owners know that it is important to utilize online support as well as other resources. There are numerous pieces of software that make sense to use because they are going to help you with things like manufacturing, supply chain management, and inventory management. The internet will provide you all the details you need When looking for manufacturing software tools free or cheap that will work well for your business needs.
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Used by over five million customers, this free and open source production scheduling software was formulated as a production scheduling tool to help companies manage production without the necessity of costly integrations.
Competing on aspects such as Planning, BOM management, maintenance, supply chain, shop floor control, and warehouse management, etc., Online Production Scheduling Software has four important integrations – Purchasing, PLM, Quality Management, and Maintenance.
Trusted and used by companies such as Toyota and Sodexo, the software is easy to configure, learn, and use.
Source – Odoo
Some important features of the free and open source production planning software are as follows –
- Dashboard for reporting and analytics
- Visualized data representation
- Shop Floor Automation
- Use of Bar Code to speed of manufacturing
- Grouping of orders into Work, Manufacturing and Repair Orders
- Managing bill of materials
- Planning and organizing work orders
- Optional routing
- Document Management
- Quality control aspects and tools
- Preventive and Corrective maintenance of goods
- Calendar control
- Notification management
- Worksheet control and recording
- Salesman Kit audits
This free production scheduling software helps users simulate a master schedule first which can then be optimized into a real schedule. The manufacturing scheduling system has two segments viz. Rough-cut capacity planning as well as Linkages.
Both these sections provide much-needed information on Resource Planning and Scheduling.
The Production Scheduling software has been created by System Dynamics Corporation – programmed entirely in Oracle – which has been producing ERP software for over three and a half decades. Dynamic 3i integrates multiple aspects of ERP and consists of over 36 modules after development.
Source – Dynamic 3i
The free production scheduling software has the following features –
- Production forecasting
- Master Schedule simulator to iron out deficiencies before implementing the real model
- Automatic Updates
- Comparison reports between sales and forecasting for better inventory management
- Grouping by product types
- Sales Analysis and order processing toolkit
- Automatic Scheduling
- Monthly to weekly balancing techniques
- Easy updates to the Master Schedule is possible
This free production scheduling software specifically focuses on soothing the manufacturing and planning requirements of small manufacturers. Their motto is to produce Production Scheduling Systems that are not expensive and are easy to use. MRPeasy’s Online Production Scheduling Software makes use of real-time communication systems between departments to facilitate different techniques of scheduling. It also enables effective CRM handling to ensure customers are satisfied with order fulfillment.
The free production scheduling software is in use in over 300 industries ranging from 3D printing to Packaging. The easy to use interface and cloud integration are particularly useful for large order trackers. The production scheduling tool offers a free trial period after which the user has to purchase a paid version.
Source – MRPeasy
Some features of the free production software are as follows –
- Dynamic Rescheduling
- Bills of Materials (BOM) checker and tracker
- Shop Floor Kiosk Reporting
- Materials Reporting
- Data Analytics Dashboard
- Pre-order estimation of cost and lead times
- Workstation capacity management
- Document management
- Notification management system
- Inventory management and alert system
- Subcontractor management
- Routing and Production Calendar
Prodsmart
Prodsmart is a top option for manufacturing execution system software (MES). Its motto is that it connects machines, people and processes. With Prodsmart, you can transition to digital shop floor monitoring with ease. The system is flexible so it can adapt to your operations. In addition, it processes real-time data so you get an analysis straight in your dashboard.
The platform also provides planning and manufacturing resource planning (MRP) tools. These tools are based on robust data collection, which also makes managing stock easier and more effective. Prodsmart also visualizes workflows for better overview and allows for seamless employee scheduling and tracking. You can also conduct quality management from within the tool.
Pricing: Plans start at $199/month per manager for a minimum of three managers. There is a 14-day free trial. Custom enterprise solutions are available, too.
UniPoint
UniPoint is a frontrunner in the field of quality management software (QMS) for manufacturing companies. It offers ERP-integrated QMS that is suitable for a number of industries such as medical, food and beverage, automotive, and chemical, among others. UniPoint’s diverse tools are split in three modules: core, add-on and web, all of which help companies automate their quality control.
Within the core modules, you can benefit from features like non-conformance, corrective and preventive action, and document control. The add-on modules will also provide you with inspection, auditing, health and safety, and validation, among others. With the web modules, you can move to mobile QMS with mobile inspection and web requests.
Pricing: Available upon request
JobBOSS
JobBOSS comes with several features that make it a useful tool for manufacturing teams of all sizes. Like most powerful ERP platforms, its capabilities are built around making the manufacturing process more efficient, and saving you valuable time.
At a glance, JobBOSS’ toolkit covers all the essential aspects of manufacturing management. Its features include order processing, inventory management, cost analysis, plus a number of optional add-ons like quality control and accounting. JobBOSS also integrates with QuickBooks and Sage 50.
Pricing: JobBOSS has three pricing plans: Core, Premium, and Enterprise. For more information, get in touch with their sales team.
CMMS software for manufacturing
A computerised maintenance management system (CMMS) is used to ensure that maintenance work is carried out efficiently. This software centralises maintenance information, simplifies processes and automates some jobs.
A CMMS provides technicians with access to the information they need to carry out preventive maintenance. This includes step-by-step procedures and itemised lists of spare parts and tools needed.
Advantages: CMMS software ensures that physical assets like machinery, vehicles and plant infrastructure are utilised and available as much as possible. This improves productivity and reduces costs.
Disadvantages: An on-premise CMMS system can be costly and time-consuming to set up and maintain. On the other hand, some cloud-based CMMS systems are costly to customise and might not integrate well with other platforms.
Who is CMMS best for? Businesses in almost any industry that have physical assets to maintain. Facility and maintenance managers, asset planners and maintenance teams use CMMS.
ERP software is a sophisticated tool that centralises data that various business units can work from
Computer aided manufacturing software
Computer aided manufacturing (CAM) uses software and computer-controlled machinery (3D printers, laser cutters, milling machines) to automate the manufacturing process. CAM is a way for manufacturers to create goods directly from a computer design, rather than having to set up their equipment and operate it manually.
CAM requires three elements to function:
- Software that generates toolpaths for machines from your designs and data
- Post-processing software that translates your toolpaths so that your machines can understand these
- Machinery capable of turning raw material into a finished product
Advantages: CAM can run constantly on repetitive tasks for fast and accurate production.
Disadvantages: CAM is expensive to set up and requires a skilled workforce of engineers.
Who is CAM best for? Electrical, mechanical, and aerospace engineering and refrigeration and air-conditioning manufacturers all benefit from CAM software.
Computer aided design software for manufacturing
Computer aided design (CAD) software is used to create 2D and 3D technical designs for products. CAD software increases design productivity by:
- Improving the quality of design
- Providing comprehensive documentation
- Establishing a database for manufacturing design operations
Advantages: CAD software supports rapid innovation by allowing concepts to be quickly and accurately brought to life. CAD systems also improve communication and streamline processes. Engineers can use CAD to analyse the manufacturing process and provide better designs.
Disadvantages: CAD systems can be costly to purchase. Staff training in a CAD system can take time and be costly. Design is vulnerable to hacking risks and computer viruses.
Who is CAD best for? The aerospace and aviation, civil and structural manufacturing, consumer products, medical devices and oil & gas industries.
EHS software for manufacturing
Environment, health, and safety (EHS) software offers a comprehensive range of functionality to help companies comply with EHS regulations. This software enables manufacturers to track and analyse safety-related activities and standardise their safety procedures. An EHS system allows companies to better manage and report on environmental performance benchmarks, and any operational risks associated with their business.
Advantages: EHS software enables organisations to make environmental- or safety-related decisions based on real data. This improves the company’s health and safety culture.
Disadvantages: EHS software does not include the social interaction and interpersonal engagement necessary to build trust. It does not provide for hands-on learning opportunities.
Who is EHS best for? Any business that tracks and reports on environmental, health and safety matters to comply with EHS regulations. Safety can be an especially important issue for manufacturers.
Conclusion
Do you prefer small or large scale manufacturing or would you like to reap the benefits of both then this is the right place for you. This article will help you in finding out the right tool that would help your business grow.