Best Production Scheduling Software for Manufacturing Projects in 2024

To ship items to market on time, manufacturing groups have to contemplate the availability chain, stock administration, useful resource planning and manufacturing planning, to call a couple of. Managing this juggling act requires manufacturing scheduling software program that’s versatile and highly effective.

The next is an inventory of the perfect manufacturing scheduling software program in descending order. These 11 manufacturing scheduling software program instruments for manufacturing enable you handle the manufacturing cycle, manufacturing operations, manufacturing capability and way more. When you’re in search of an enterprise useful resource planning (ERP) system that may additionally handle your product scheduling, you’ve come to the appropriate place.

Earlier than we record the perfect manufacturing scheduling software program merchandise, let’s outline the time period so we’re all on the identical web page.

What Is Manufacturing Scheduling Software program?

Manufacturing scheduling software program is a instrument for producers to assist them plan and schedule manufacturing actions. It assists with useful resource utilization, managing the provision of uncooked supplies, avoiding bottlenecks and extra. There are a lot of kinds of manufacturing scheduling software program, from cloud-based to on-premise.

Manufacturing scheduling software program is probably the most generally used time period to explain this kind of software program, however there are different phrases which are used as effectively, resembling manufacturing planning software program, manufacturing scheduling software program or manufacturing planning and scheduling software program.

Whereas spreadsheets have been used prior to now for production scheduling, it’s a manually intensive course of that slows down manufacturing. Manufacturing scheduling software program ensures that delays are minimized by streamlining duties, creating efficient manufacturing workflows and allocating and optimizing assets that result in an environment friendly manufacturing schedule.

Greatest Manufacturing Scheduling Software program Options

The function set might range from one manufacturing scheduling resolution to a different and selecting the best software program for you and your crew is determined by the trade you’re in in addition to the methodologies you utilize to plan, schedule and handle your crew’s work. Having stated that, listed here are some key options you must search for when selecting manufacturing scheduling software program.

• Process & workflow administration: In a nutshell, manufacturing scheduling is the method of making a timeline for the execution of the duties which are wanted to fabricate a product. Instruments like Gantt charts, kanban boards, to-do lists and calendars assist manufacturing managers perceive the order by which manufacturing duties might be accomplished, what their due dates are, their completion standing and who they’re assigned to.
• Useful resource administration: Allocating assets for the completion of manufacturing duties is a vital side of manufacturing scheduling. For that reason, manufacturing scheduling software program ought to embody options to facilitate the planning, scheduling and allocation of assets resembling folks, supplies, gear and equipment. Workload charts are an instance of a function that manufacturing scheduling software program ought to embody, as they assist manufacturing managers break up the quantity of labor to be finished amongst workers.
• Mission administration: The manufacturing course of will be managed as a undertaking as they share frequent parts resembling timelines, assets, prices and stakeholders. Any manufacturing supervisor needs to be conversant in primary undertaking administration rules.
• Value monitoring and budgeting: A manufacturing scheduling software program ought to have options that permit manufacturing managers to maintain monitor of the prices of every activity. Options resembling timesheets and price dashboards permit them to measure their labor prices precisely all through the manufacturing course of.
• Doc administration: There are a number of paperwork which are wanted for managing the manufacturing course of resembling manufacturing orders, bills of materials, buy orders and extra. Select manufacturing scheduling software program with options resembling limitless file storage and file sharing.

11 Greatest Manufacturing Scheduling Software program for Manufacturing

Now that we perceive the that means and scope of manufacturing scheduling software program, let’s have a look at the highest 11 choices.

1. ProjectManager

• Greatest manufacturing scheduling software program for manufacturing initiatives
• Workload charts for correct useful resource utilization
• Actual-time dashboards for value and time monitoring

ProjectManager is award-winning manufacturing scheduling software program. It’s cloud-based, which suggests there’s minimal set up required. The software program is well-designed with highly effective scheduling options that place it on the high of our record for the perfect manufacturing scheduling software program. Producers will recognize the total suite of instruments for production planning and scheduling, managing and monitoring manufacturing in actual time.

Handle Sources and Prices in Actual Time

ProjectManager has highly effective Gantt charts which are a vital instrument for manufacturing scheduling. It hyperlinks all 4 kinds of activity dependencies to keep away from pricey manufacturing delays and bottlenecks. Each human and nonhuman assets and related prices are captured within the Gantt chart as effectively. When you’ve created a manufacturing schedule, the software program permits you to set a baseline. This implies now you can monitor the deliberate schedule in opposition to your precise schedule in actual time to catch anomalies and reallocate assets to get you again on monitor.

Automate Manufacturing Workflows

One other plus is ProjectManager can create customized workflows that assist transfer one exercise into one other and maintain the manufacturing line shifting. To additional effectivity, there are automated workflows. You possibly can add as many triggers as you wish to mechanically change the standing, assignee and extra.

After all, high quality management is a matter with automated workflows, however ProjectManager has added a activity approval setting in order that a licensed particular person can examine and approve the work earlier than it strikes ahead in manufacturing. You possibly can view the manufacturing workflow on kanban boards. ProjectManager has a number of undertaking views so the schedule made on a Gantt chart displays throughout all different views, such because the kanban, record, calendar, and many others.

Monitor Useful resource Utilization

Managing assets is vital to manufacturing scheduling software program. ProjectManager makes it simple to onboard your staff, record their expertise and availability, resembling PTO, trip and even international holidays for producers with a big footprint throughout time zones. Secure timesheets streamline payroll but in addition seize how full every employee’s duties are in actual time. For a better have a look at assets, toggle over to the color-coded workload chart. It makes it simple to see who’s overallocated and managers can reallocate work proper from the chart to stability workflow and maintain everybody working at capability.

These are the options that make ProjectManager the perfect manufacturing scheduling software program, however we didn’t even contact on the way it excels at activity administration and danger administration, together with its real-time dashboards and reporting options. Check out those and more by getting started with ProjectManager today for free.

ProjectManager Execs & Key Options

• Greatest manufacturing scheduling software program for manufacturing initiatives
• Workload charts for correct useful resource utilization
• Actual-time dashboards and timesheets for value and time monitoring
• Free 30-day trial
• Cellular app for Android and iOS

ProjectManager Cons & Limitations

• Doesn’t have built-in ERP instruments, however integrates with Acumatica
• Lacking some manufacturing-specific options
• Doesn’t have a free plan

ProjectManager Pricing

• Group plan: $13/person/month
• Marketing strategy: $24/person/month
• Enterprise plan: Contact gross sales

ProjectManager Opinions

• G2 evaluate: 4.4/5
• Capterra evaluate: 4.1/5

2. Monday.com

Monday.com guarantees to extend effectivity and accuracy whereas making it simpler to handle inside and exterior orders. They’ve personalized workflows that permit customers so as to add and take away steps and add assignees. Workflows will be tailor-made to satisfy your manufacturing scheduling software program necessities.

It permits customers to handle all manufacturing processes in a single place, including visibility and notifications. There are options to trace manufacturing processes, seize buyer orders and requests, and even reporting instruments and a wide range of templates that can assist you get began.

Monday.com’s value has been rising and it’s attending to the purpose the place it would not be definitely worth the expense. Onboarding and coaching are troublesome and buyer assist is distant. This will get worse the bigger the undertaking. Even the reporting options are restricted. It’s actually a activity administration instrument and its automation, which is important for manufacturing scheduling software program, is complicated.

Monday.com Execs & Key Options

• Greatest manufacturing scheduling software program for collaboration
• Simple-to-use activity administration boards
• Workflow instruments for manufacturing initiatives
• Has a 14-day free trial
• Has a cellular undertaking administration for Android and iOS

Monday.com Cons & Limitations

• Restricted undertaking scheduling options, extra geared in the direction of activity and workflow administration
• Value-tracking options require a manual-intensive setup
• Mission dashboard options are restricted

Monday.com Pricing

• Fundamental: $8/person/month
• Commonplace: $10/person/month
• Professional: $16/person/month

Monday.com Opinions

• G2 evaluate: 4.7/5
• Capterra evaluate: 4.6/5

3. Wrike

• Greatest manufacturing scheduling software program for danger safety
• Displays workflows and actions
• Tracks progress

Wrike isn’t essentially the go-to instrument for producers; it’s extra of a match for entrepreneurs, digital businesses {and professional} providers. Nevertheless, it’s a easy, efficient and collaborative undertaking administration resolution that may assist with sure facets of manufacturing scheduling. Wrike has a undertaking schedule template that may break down the bigger manufacturing course of into small actionable objects. Then you possibly can assign due dates and monitor progress. Moreover, you should use the built-in chat operate, danger safety, and, when it comes to manufacturing scheduling software program, it screens workloads and actions. It’s additionally simple to trace progress, invoice and bill.

Nevertheless, Wrike has options, resembling its Gantt chart, that aren’t intuitive. The kanban can solely view duties, not initiatives, and there’s no portfolio-level reporting for producers who’re operating a number of initiatives. It largely leans on its lists, however nonetheless requires a whole lot of time to grasp the right way to use it as a manufacturing scheduling software program. The automation options are poor, there aren’t many integrations and information and duties will be arduous to search out.

Wrike Execs & Key Options

• Greatest manufacturing scheduling software program for danger safety
• Displays workflows and actions
• Helps monitor the progress of your crew
• Free 14-day trial
• Cellular app obtainable for Android and iOS

Wrike Cons & Limitations

• The Gantt chart performance just isn’t ultimate for manufacturing scheduling
• Lack of useful resource administration experiences
• Restricted cost-tracking options

Wrike Pricing

• Group plan: $9.80/person/month (2-user minimal)
• Marketing strategy: $24.80/person/month (5-user minimal)

Wrike Opinions

• G2 evaluate: 4.2/5
• Capterra evaluate: 4.3/5

4. NetSuite

NetSuite is manufacturing scheduling software program with a activity scheduler that has drag-and-drop scheduling capabilities. You possibly can mechanically schedule work orders as they’re created or after they attain a particular standing. A producing workbench is a single place to configure work, resembling organising runs, lag and maintain time batch configuration, and many others.

When you’re a producer who makes merchandise in batches, the instrument has batch scheduling. A store calendar defines when assets can be found, however all this comes at a steep value that’s seemingly exterior of what a producer can afford to spend.

Not solely is the pricing excessive, however it’s topic to vary and that usually occurs simply as you’re about to resume. For such sophisticated software program, there’s little assist. After all, you may get extra assist for an extra value. If you wish to customise experiences, that’s not one thing which you could simply do. It is perhaps all-in-one when it comes to manufacturing scheduling software program, however are you able to afford and even perceive it?

NetSuite Execs & Key Options

• Greatest manufacturing scheduling software program for scheduling duties
• Batch-scheduling options
• Manufacturing workbench configures work
• Provides a free 14-day trial
• Cellular app obtainable for Android and iOS

NetSuite Cons & Limitations

• Designed for big firms with IT groups
• Troublesome to implement, steep studying curve which requires worker coaching
• It’s an costly software program that requires add-ons to satisfy the particular necessities of organizations

NetSuite Pricing

• Contact for quote (common $99/month)

NetSuite Opinions

• G2 evaluate: 4/5
• Capterra evaluate: 4.1/5

5. MRPeasy

MRPeasy is manufacturing scheduling software program with planning and procurement options. It’s constructed for small to mid-sized manufacturing corporations and helps to allocate their assets. The software program helps plan prices and manufacturing, with administration and invoice options. It tracks serial numbers and works effectively with lean manufacturing.

You possibly can maintain monitor of your buyer data, together with historical past and account purchases. It integrates with QuickBooks and Xero, with APIs for third-party functions. There are 4 pricing tiers, however there’s no free and even inexpensive possibility.

The issue is, for those who purchase the most affordable model of the software program, you’ll solely be capable to do easy actions. Even a few of these costlier instruments don’t stay as much as the value tag, resembling restricted customization on its dashboard, reporting and statistics. You possibly can’t even print the statistic graph for those who want it for a presentation.

MRPeasy Execs & Key Options

• Greatest manufacturing scheduling software program for procurement
• Tracks buyer data
• Integrates with QuickBooks and Xero
• Provides a free trial
• Cellular app obtainable for Android and iOS

MRPeasy Cons & Limitations

• Solely gives a calendar view for scheduling manufacturing processes
• Depends on integrations, which suggests extra prices for a totally purposeful model of the software program
• Doesn’t have workload administration instruments

MRPeasy Pricing

• Starter $49/person/month
• Skilled $69/person/month
• Enterprise $99/person/month
• Limitless $149/person/month

MRPeasy Opinions

• G2 evaluate: 4.4/5
• Capterra evaluate: 4.5/5

6. Katana MRP

Katana MRP is manufacturing scheduling software program that focuses on supplies requirement planning for small and medium-sized producers. It additionally has stock administration instruments. It could automate workflows, prioritize orders and supply visibility into the provision of uncooked supplies and completed items.

Its dashboard offers a real-time image of manufacturing. It has a store flooring management operate that lets customers see the manufacturing order and ingredient record for duties. There’s a visible planning instrument that permits you to view provider costs.

However surprisingly, it doesn’t assist you to monitor delivery provides. It’s additionally not the best software program to discover ways to use, plus it’s important to create substances for every product, which is time-consuming. There are a whole lot of options, however you’ll be paying high greenback for them. Person permissions additionally want enchancment.

Katana Execs & Key Options

• Greatest manufacturing scheduling software program for supplies requirement planning
• Automated workflows
• Visibility into the provision of uncooked supplies
• Provides a free 14-day trial

Katana Cons & Limitations

• Restricted manufacturing planning and scheduling options
• No workload administration options
• No undertaking standing, value or well being experiences
• No cellular app

Katana Pricing

• Important $99/person/month
• Superior $299/person/month
• Skilled $599/person/month
• Enterprise, contact gross sales

Fast Details

• G2 evaluate: 4.4/5
• Capterra evaluate: 4.7/5

7. Visible Planning

Visual Planning is manufacturing scheduling software program for enterprise useful resource planning. It’s relevant to companies of all sizes. Included are options for HR, stock administration, provide chain administration, manufacturing and extra.

It has been utilized by protection and aerospace industries and has capabilities that embody exercise administration, doc administration, collaboration, subject monitoring, useful resource administration and budgeting. The software program is pretty simple to make use of however costly.

It takes a very long time to arrange and isn’t viable for smaller manufacturing companies. Customers have complained about its look, which is old style and it doesn’t combine with many third-party apps. There’s additionally a steep studying curve to get the total influence of the software program.

Visible Planning Execs & Key Options

• Greatest manufacturing scheduling software program for enterprise useful resource planning
• Versatile, customizable and straightforward to make use of
• Drag-and-drop options
• Has a cellular app obtainable for Android and iOS

Visible Planning Cons & Limitations

• Gantt charts and undertaking calendars lack essential options for each undertaking administration and manufacturing scheduling
• Restricted function set in comparison with different software program on this record
• Doesn’t supply a free trial

Visible Planning Pricing

• VP Go $15/person/month
• VP Portal $35/person/month
• VP Desk $55/person/month

Visible Planning Opinions

• G2 evaluate: 3.8/5
• Capterra evaluate: 4.7/5

8. Fishbowl Stock

Fishbowl Inventory is versatile ERP software program that gives customers with visibility into warehouse and manufacturing workflows. It integrates with Xero, QuickBooks and Reckon Accounts. The software program is actually made up of two plans, one being Fishbowl Manufacturing, which is used for meeting, disassembly, restore, alternative and different jobs.

Fishbowl Warehouse works to trace stock. It provides inventory alerts, reordering, receiving and delivery items information. This wide selection of options may be very pricey. You need to purchase each plans, which prices 1000’s of {dollars}.

The excessive up-front value is painful sufficient, then there’s the restricted customization. Even the touted delivery options aren’t all they need to be. You’d assume buyer assist would fill in these holes, however it’s unreliable. Plus, product prices are averaged from previous purchases so there’s no first in, first out (FIFO) or final in, final out (LIFO) assist.

Fishbowl Stock Execs & Key Options

• Greatest manufacturing scheduling software program for warehouse and manufacturing workflows
• Tracks stock and provides inventory alerts
• Has upkeep capabilities
• Provides a 14-day free trial
• Cellular app obtainable for Android and iOS

Fishbowl Stock Cons & Limitations

• Non-friendly person interface
• Few manufacturing scheduling options
• Not ultimate for managing manufacturing initiatives

Fishbowl Stock Pricing

• Contact for quote (beginning at $4,395)

Fishbowl Stock Opinions

• G2 evaluate: 4/5
• Capterra evaluate: 4.1/5

9. InkSoft

InkSoft is a bit off the manufacturing scheduling software program goal of this record, however it’s included as a result of the software program payments itself as an all-in-one e-commerce platform for branded merchandise. Due to this fact, it is perhaps a part of the manufacturing schedule when it comes to ordering and supply of your product.

In that regard, it provides customers instruments to promote customer-branded merchandise and is marketed to print retailers, attire decorators and promotional product distributors. It’s desktop-only software program, however it does have variations for Mac and Home windows.

The software program is absolutely solely viable for U.S. markets because it doesn’t assist Canadian taxation guidelines and sure different international locations’ laws. It’s additionally troublesome to make use of and customers have complained that some options will be glitchy.

InkSoft Execs & Key Options

• Greatest manufacturing scheduling software program for e-commerce
• Manufacturers merchandise
• Has desktop variations for Mac and Home windows

InkSoft Cons & Limitations

• No manufacturing scheduling options for manufacturing initiatives
• No workload administration instruments
• Preferrred for attire producers, however not for different segments inside the trade
• No free trial
• No cellular app

InkSoft Pricing

• Contact for quote (begins at $299/month)

InkSoft Opinions

• G2 evaluate: Not sufficient evaluations, fewer than 50
• Capterra evaluate: Not sufficient evaluations, fewer than 50

10. QT9 ERP

QT9 ERP is an automating enterprise primarily for aerospace, meals, manufacturing, medical units, prescribed drugs and plastics. It helps combine information from a number of methods, areas, departments and workers. When it comes to manufacturing scheduling software program, you possibly can automate your manufacturing, invoice of supplies and store flooring administration.

Stock management helps you optimize your stock. Buying administration helps with planning, inspections, MRP and provider administration. This will result in confusion for customers and that’s comprehensible. That is sophisticated and overwhelming software program.

That steep studying curve with an opaque pricing construction will alienate a whole lot of potential patrons. Then after they discover out the value it’s not going to assist sweeten the deal. Add to the issue of configuring customized reporting and plenty of will move.

QT9 ERP Execs & Key Options

• Greatest manufacturing scheduling software program for automating
• Integrates information from a number of sources
• Has store flooring administration
• Free 30-day trial

QT9 ERP Cons & Limitations

• Steep studying curve
• Complicated pricing construction
• Customized reporting is troublesome to configure
• No cellular app

QT9 ERP Pricing

• Contact for quote (begins at $299/month)

QT9 ERP Opinions

• G2 evaluate: Unavailable
• Capterra evaluate: Unavailable

11. M1 ERP

M1 ERP is software program for producers that helps them join enterprise operations in a single centralized system. You possibly can share information from gross sales, stock, scheduling, manufacturing, delivery and extra. It’s used primarily at job retailers, fabricators and producers who do made-to-order and discrete work.

For individuals who have to take care of regulatory compliance, the software program is compliant with the worldwide visitors in arms laws (ITAR). That stated, prospects have complained about poor assist.

It’s not user-friendly, with information buried and a whole lot of clicks and screens to get to it. There’s a quoting module, however it makes use of estimates, and you’ll solely reconcile accounts on a month-to-month foundation. It’s additionally troublesome to search out and proper any errors. There’s no customization so this won’t be match for everybody.

M1 ERP Execs & Key Options

• Greatest manufacturing scheduling software program for connecting enterprise operations
• Shares information with gross sales, stock, delivery and extra
• Has regulatory compliance
• Provides a free trial

M1 ERP Cons & Limitations

• Outdated person interface
• The software program is tough to navigate
• Restricted manufacturing scheduling options
• No cellular app

M1 ERP Pricing

M1 ERP Opinions

• G2 evaluate: 4.3/5
• Capterra evaluate: 3.8/5

What’s the Greatest Manufacturing Scheduling Software program?

We’ve researched 11 of the preferred production scheduling software program merchandise in the marketplace, and the clear winner is ProjectManager. It has a value level that doesn’t break the financial institution, automation, visibility, safe timesheets, a number of undertaking views and way more. Producers are one of many high customers of this app and you’ll see why.

ProjectManager is on-line manufacturing scheduling software program that empowers everybody to plan, handle and monitor their manufacturing run in actual time. It provides producers automated and customized workload, activity approval, filtered experiences and way more. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.