Manufacturing Operations Software is a free, online manufacturing software system that helps small business owners in the planning and execution of their manufacturing operations.
Are you looking for the best manufacturing software for small businesses? Manufacturing Operations Software.com offers a complete solution that is simple to use, yet powerful enough to meet the needs of any industry.
Types of Manufacturing Software (+ Who Benefits from Each)
1. On-premise manufacturing software
On-premise software is licensed and loaded on to servers owned and operated by the user. Everything necessary to operate the company’s IT infrastructure must be provided internally. This used to be the standard software delivery model.
Advantages: The business has control over the software and their IT security. The company can customise its software extensively and does not rely on an internet connection to operate.
Disadvantages: The business must make a significant up-front investment to set up the IT system and servers. The owner is responsible for ongoing operational and maintenance costs, including regular system and security upgrades. Where there is hardware failure, an on-premise system may take days to get back online. Overall, operating an on-premise software system can be time-consuming and costly.
Businesses using on-premise software must own and operate their own servers
2. Cloud manufacturing software
Businesses access cloud-based manufacturing software on a pay-as-you-go basis over the internet. A company does not have to invest in and maintain its own IT infrastructure and hardware to run this software, other than providing personal devices to use it on, such as laptops, phones or tablets, plus an internet connection.
Software as a service (SaaS) is the largest market segment of cloud-based software and is expected to continue to grow in 2021 and beyond.
Advantages: Manufacturers save on infrastructure costs: the company avoids the cost of purchasing, managing and periodically upgrading expensive software. The company can scale up and down according to its needs without further capital investment. Because the software is backed up offsite, data is safe in the case of events like flooding, fire and theft.
The service provider is responsible for updates to software and data security. This means that manufacturers do not have to pay skilled staff to deal with IT issues.
Cloud-based SaaS software allows for better remote accessibility – information is stored in the cloud, and can be accessed on a range of mobile devices. This facilitates collaboration between staff by making data-sharing easier. Critically, companies are better able to operate through lockdowns when accessing critical software through the cloud.
Disadvantages: An internet connection is needed to access cloud-based manufacturing software. Businesses are unable to use the software if their internet coverage is unreliable or the connection fails.
Manufacturing software
Each type of manufacturing software has different characteristics and functionalities that are suited to some types of business and some industries more than others.
How a large manufacturing business might structure its IT system. Not all businesses will need such a complex setup, and there are now many software products on the market for manufacturers to choose from. Source: g2.com
1. ERP manufacturing software
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software has functions that help manufacturers manage business operations. These include inventory management, supply chain operations, procurement, project management, financial management, risk management and compliance.
Advantages: ERP centralises information and improves overall operational efficiency. It optimises inventory management, and gives real-time visibility and inventory accuracy. Diverse business units within a company can operate off the same data set, and manage finances and operations globally.
Disadvantages: ERP software systems are complex tools, which means they are expensive and complicated to set up. This means they are suited to larger corporates, and are an unnecessary investment for SMEs.
Who is ERP best for? Larger, more complex operations in the construction, manufacturing, education, healthcare, hospitality, retail, and waste management sectors.
2. 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
3. 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.
4. 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.
Manufacturers use CAD and CAM software to create technical designs and automate the manufacturing process
5. 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.
6. ETO manufacturing software
Engineer to order (ETO) software allows manufacturers to create accurate quotes for custom goods that meet the exact specifications of their client. From a customer order the software is then able to produce a bill of materials.
ETO software manages inventory data, takes care of scheduling and monitors production. It uses current and historic information to estimate costs and lead times. It can assist with important processes like make-or-buy decisions by providing information on whether it is cheaper (or quicker) to produce components than to buy them.
Advantages: ETO allows for greater accuracy in a range of tasks – for instance providing quotes and scheduling production. It also frees up staff time by automating processes like planning, and purchasing materials.
Disadvantages: ETO systems rely on current data – including inventory levels, costs and lead times –so this must be recorded accurately. Most ETO software is on-premise, meaning an up-front IT investment, ongoing management, regular upgrades and the possibility of hardware failure. Some cloud-based ETO systems are available.
Who is ETO best for? Companies that manufacture specialist products such as industrial cranes, commercial HVAC equipment and fire engines.
How to find the right manufacturing software
There is no secret recipe for choosing manufacturing software. The way companies need to approach software selection depends on many factors, such as:
- The company’s IT environment, especially the software it already uses for manufacturing and the technology used to support it
- The planned future development of the company, which may include activity diversification, upsizing or downsizing
- The company’s budget for software acquisition and maintenance, especially considering that cloud computing requires a lower initial investment than installed software
- The level of complexity of the manufacturer’s business processes, which may require specialized software
- The need for change management or business process reengineering, which tends to be overlooked during implementation
Based on all these challenges, companies can take different approaches when it comes to selecting manufacturing software. Let’s take a look at some of the most important.
Software versus services
More and more vendors provide services that can replace software either partially or entirely. One example is supply chain network services, which allow manufacturers to find and manage suppliers using an online portal. This solution is much easier and less expensive to maintain than traditional supply chain software. Another example is CAD (computer-aided design) libraries, which provide manufacturers with CAD models for thousands of parts, thus allowing them to reduce or eliminate the need to design products in-house.
There are also companies that focus on services that companies can use to outsource operations. Product design and development is one example of a service that can replace expensive software like CAD or PLM (product lifecycle management). Logistics services such as warehousing, transportation, or customs brokerage are other examples that can prove very beneficial for companies that cannot afford to invest in their own fleet or in software for transportation management.
Also, new technologies like 3D printing allow manufacturers to either purchase their own printers or work with companies specializing in additive manufacturing. One of the challenges of 3D printing is to convert CAD designs into models that are compatible with the printers. There are hundreds of 3D printing services providers that specialize in different types of materials such as ceramics, composite, glass, metal and more.
Finally, outsourced manufacturing is still prevalent, despite a trend to bring manufacturing back in regions like North America and Europe. Contrary to common beliefs, manufacturing operations aren’t always outsourced overseas: there are many U.S. and European companies that offer this type of service.
These services aren’t always cheaper than investing in software and qualified personnel for product development or production. It may be quite challenging to control the quality of the outsourced work, and collaboration between various partners isn’t always easy.
Conclusion
Get free manufacturing software for small business. Small business manufacturing software helps you to run your manufacturing operations with ease. Small business manufacturing software can be easily used by both novices and professionals of industry.