Manufacturing scheduling is undoubtedly challenging, but it doesn’t have to be a process blocker. With the right tools at your disposal, you can transform your production process and drive unmatched productivity. That’s why we’ve meticulously curated the 10 best manufacturing scheduling software for 2024, both free and paid, to help you take control of your manufacturing operations.
From seamless resource allocation to real-time updates, these powerful solutions are designed to optimize your production operations. Get started with the free ClickUp Manufacturing Project Plan Template to organize your entire manufacturing process!
Best 10 Manufacturing Scheduling Software in 2024 (Free & Paid)
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat Should You Look for in Manufacturing Scheduling Software?
When searching for the right solution to maximize production schedules, several key factors must be considered.
- Flexibility and customization: Prioritize scheduling software that offers flexibility and customization options to tailor it to your specific production processes and requirements
- Real-time updates and visibility: Look for solutions that allow you to monitor the progress of your manufacturing process as it happens and make necessary adjustments on the fly to optimize efficiency and meet deadlines
- Seamless integration with existing systems: Ensure that the scheduling software seamlessly integrates with your existing systems, such as ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and MRP (Material Requirements Planning) tools. This integration ensures smooth data flow and accurate planning, preventing data discrepancies and improving overall coordination
- Robust reporting and analytics: Choose scheduling software that offers robust reporting and analytics functionalities. This enables you to gather valuable insights into production performance, identify bottlenecks, and discover areas for improvement
- User-friendly interface and intuitive navigation: User-friendliness is vital in scheduling software to ensure easy adoption by your team. A user-friendly interface and intuitive navigation minimize the learning curve and increase productivity, allowing your team to focus on their tasks rather than struggling with complex software
- Reliable customer support and regular updates: Opt for scheduling software that comes with reliable customer support and regular updates. Manufacturing needs can change rapidly, and having access to helpful support and updates ensures that your software remains up-to-date and capable of handling evolving requirements
By considering these factors, you can find the ideal scheduling software for your manufacturing process. Flexible and customizable software with real-time updates, seamless integration, powerful reporting, user-friendly interfaces, and continuous support will optimize your production flow!
Summarize this article for me pleaseThe 10 Best Production Scheduling Software to Use
1. ClickUp
At the top of our list is ClickUp, an all-in-one productivity platform with tools for teams to automate any production process, including manufacturing scheduling. It offers critical features like ClickUp Calendar view that helps to organize and keep your work scheduled and ClickUp Gantt chart view for visualizing and managing critical tasks.
Beyond being a fantastic manufacturing scheduling software, ClickUp integrates seamlessly with other essential tools like Salesforce and Hubspot, enabling real-time communication and collaboration between members.
ClickUp best features
- 15+ customizable views, including Calendar: With ClickUp’s Calendar view and Gantt Chart software manufacturing teams are able to organize and update tasks for advanced planning on a joint flexible calendar
- Integrations with 1,000+ tools: ClickUp seamlessly integrates with existing CRMs, ERPs, and other work apps under one platform
- Project management templates: ClickUp has several templates to ensure increased productivity and workflow. Customizable templates, such as procurement and vendor agreement templates
- Custom Fields: Calculate simple to advanced formulas, and track everything for efficient production management
- Customizable Dashboard: With ClickUp, you are able to customize your project dashboard in your preferred format for easy reporting, analysis, and ongoing planning
ClickUp limitations
- Not all views are available on the mobile app
- So many powerful collaboration tools can pose a learning curve for some users
ClickUp pricing
- Free Forever
- Unlimited: $7/month per user
- Business: $12/month per user
- Enterprise: Custom pricing available
- ClickUp AI is available on all paid plans for $5 per Workspace member per month
ClickUp customer ratings
- G2: 4.7/5 (6,700+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (3,600+ reviews)
2. Fishbowl
Fishbowl is an inventory management tool that helps mid to large businesses track inventory and automate manufacturing processes. Founded in 2016, the production scheduling software provides warehouse visibility, maintains accurate inventory numbers, and enables material requirement planning (MRP).
Fishbowl best features
- Active stand-by support team
- Access available to employees across all store locations
- Real-time status tracking
- Barcode scanning for ease of tracking inventory
- Order fulfillment tools for efficient inventory management
Fishbowl limitations
- Difficulty in navigating some of the features
- Several hidden costs
- The pricing point is hefty for small businesses
Fishbowl pricing
- Fishbowl drive
- Warehousing: $349/two users/month
- Manufacturing: Coming soon
- Fishbowl advanced
- Warehousing: $399/two users/month
- Manufacturing: $499/two users/month
Fishbowl customer ratings
- G2: 4.0/5 (180+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.2/5 (800+ reviews)
3. MRPeasy
MRPeasy is an AI-powered MRP platform that generates manufacturing scheduling reports and expedites purchase planning. The software provides relevant production and distribution management tools, like inventory management solutions, production planning features, manufacturing CRM, and more.
MRPeasy best features
- Accurate production planning, scheduling, and reporting solutions
- Free software maintenance
- Production and workstation calendars
- Expiry date management
- Work order approval
- Balance sheet and general ledger functionality
MRPeasy limitations
- Steep pricing for smaller companies or teams
- Complicated navigation screens
- Limited dashboard customization
- Inability to change past activities on the platform
MRPeasy pricing
- Starter: $49/month per user
- Professional: $69/month per user
- Enterprise: $99/month per user
- Unlimited: $149/month per user
MRPeasy customer ratings
- G2: 4.2/5 (15+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (70+ reviews)
4. PlanningPME
PlanningPME is a resource planning tool that helps small to large businesses efficiently manage employees’ schedules and assign tasks and responsibilities in real time. It also has powerful integrations with Excel and Google Calendar, which take planning and scheduling a notch higher.
With PlanningPME, you’ll gain access to multiple templates, collaborative scheduling apps, HR management solutions, and more.
PlanningPME best features
- Flexible setup
- Personalized schedules
- Access control
- Mobile app version available
- Absence management and leave tracking
- Event scheduling
- Excel reports and statistics
PlanningPME limitations
- Slow functioning at times
- Complex user interface
- No free plan is available; only a free trial
PlanningPME pricing
- Web standard: €43/month
- Web premium: €54/month
- Web enterprise: €65/month
- Software version: €490/month (first license, one-time payment)
PlanningPME customer ratings
- G2: 4.0/5 (2 reviews)
- Capterra: 3.0/5 (2+ reviews)
5. NetSuite
NetSuite is a cloud-based solution for manufacturing scheduling. With NetSuite, companies get customization tools and connectivity to third-party partners to help automate and streamline business operations.
Asides from being a viable scheduling software, NetSuite also serves as a business management software, functioning as an ERP for some companies, while others tap into its CRM and e-commerce features.
NetSuite best features
- Real-time analytics and reporting
- Accounting software
- Personalized dashboard
- Human capital management solutions
- Order, inventory, and warehouse management features
- Procurement and supply chain management tools
NetSuite limitations
- Requires specific technical skills
- Pricing plans aren’t readily available on NetSuite’s website
- No free trial
- Requires in-depth training to fully understand
- Tends to have multiple (unexpected) errors
NetSuite pricing
- Contact NetSuite for pricing
NetSuite customer ratings
- G2: 4.0/5 (2600+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.1/5 (1300+ reviews)
6. Plex System
Recently acquired by Rockwell Automation, Plex System is a smart manufacturing platform that aids the connection of systems and people to supply chains. From automation to tracking and analysis, Plex Systems significantly simplifies business operations and processes.
The software provides clear visibility into your organization’s people and processes and automates manual processes, limiting the room for errors. Plex System also provides relevant manufacturing scheduling insights, enabling seamless order management and an efficient production process.
Plex System best features
- Manufacturing execution system (MES)
- Quality management system (QMS)
- Product monitoring
- Supply chain planning (SCP)
- Mobile version available
- All-in-one ERP system
- Custom reporting tools
Plex System limitations
- No pricing plans available
- Poor customer support
- Reporting server is not intuitive
- Too much dependence on third-party software to function optimally as an all-in-one business solution
Plex System pricing
- Contact the Plex System team or schedule a demo to get a quote
Plex System customer ratings
- G2: 3.9/5 (50+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.2/5 (10+ reviews)
7. Katana MRP
Katana MRP is a production planning software that streamlines inventory processes for organizations. With Katana, you get more than an AI manufacturing tool—you get access to expert partners to help navigate inventory, production, accounting, and more.
Katana MRP best features
- Access to a wide range of partners with manufacturing expertise
- Flexible pricing points for small to large businesses
- Automatic stock refactoring
- Live inventory management
- Native and third-party integration with Xero, Zapier, and more
- 14-day free trial available
Katana MRP limitations
- Inability to undo errors
- Steep learning curve
Katana MRP pricing
- Essential: $99/month
- Advanced: $299/month
- Professional: $599/month
- Enterprise: Contact Katana MRP for pricing
Katana MRP customer ratings
- G2: 4.4/5 (30+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (140+ reviews)
8. NDS ERP Solutions
NDS ERP focuses on creating strategies to help organizations automate business processes—including resource planning and management, inventory tracking, and logistics. Since 1985, NDS has been standardizing enterprise resource planning (ERP) for fulfillment, manufacturing, and distribution processes.
NDS ERP Solutions best features
- Fulfillment billing calculator
- Email and fax features
- Supports “sell-source-ship” and “buy-hold-sell” business processes
- Order processing functionalities
- Commission tracking and sales analysis tools
NDS ERP Solutions limitations
- No pricing plans are listed on the NDS website
NDS ERP Solutions pricing
- Visit the NDS website to get a phone number or fill out their contact form to get a demo or quote
NDS ERP Solutions customer ratings
- G2: No review available
- Capterra: No review available
9. Optessa
Optessa is an intuitive software for planning and scheduling production cycles. It was known as NEPTAS until 2006 and has been at the front line leading intelligent planning, sequencing, and scheduling for manufacturers for over 20 years.
Optessa best features
- Intuitive layout
- Master production scheduling and capacity planning features
- Supply network planning and demand capacity matching
- Intelligent analytics to measure performance
- Interactive charts and graphics for in-depth reporting
Optessa limitations
- Prices aren’t publicly available
- No free trial or version
Optessa pricing
- Contact the Optessa team directly for custom pricing
Optessa customer ratings
- G2: 3.5/5 (1+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (3+ reviews)
10. TACTIC
TACTIC is a well-rounded production scheduling software that can be customized to integrate seamlessly with your already existing ERP/MRP system. The scheduling tool is owned by Waterloo Manufacturing software and is very effective for keeping production processes on time, on track, and in line with pre-established quality standards.
TACTIC best features
- Production and resource constraints planning
- Operation sequencing features
- Production activity control capabilities
- Telephone support and product training available
TACTIC limitations
- Prices aren’t publicly available
- No free trial or version
TACTIC pricing
- Desk booking: $2.25/desk/month
- Room reservation: $5/meeting room/month
- Visitor management: $99/office location/month
TACTIC customer ratings
- G2: No review available
- Capterra: 5/5 (11 reviews)
Summarize this article for me pleaseBuild a Production Scheduling Machine With ClickUp
ClickUp emerges as the top choice among several production planning and scheduling software solutions. Its user-friendly interface allows efficient planning and real-time monitoring, hence streamlining workflow and maximizing productivity.
Alongside seamless integrations, ClickUp allows manufacturers to customize their dashboard to fit specifically to their organization’s needs. Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate and automate your manufacturing operation. Start a free Workspace today!
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