Features

• Customizable access control: Softr allows businesses to set different access levels for various users, such as administrators and employees. This feature is vital for manufacturing businesses, where access to sensitive data, like inventory levels and supplier details, needs to be carefully controlled. It ensures that employees can access only the information necessary for their roles;
• Direct data management: Users can add new products and manufacturers directly within the app. This direct data management capability is crucial for manufacturing businesses that often need to update their inventory data rapidly;
• Comprehensive manufacturer information management: You can add and manage detailed management of manufacturer information. This is particularly useful for manufacturing businesses that deal with multiple suppliers and need to keep track of various details, such as contact information, product types, and order histories;
• Advanced order management: Softr allows for efficient order management, tracking orders from placement to delivery. This feature helps businesses in forecasting demand, managing stock levels, and ensuring timely fulfillment of orders;
• Search and filtering functionality: Softr includes robust search and filtering capabilities, enabling users to quickly locate specific items within the inventory;
• Responsive design for multi-device access: Recognizing the need for on-the-go access in modern business environments, Softr is designed to be responsive across various devices. This means that users can access the inventory system from smartphones, tablets, or desktop computers.

Ease of Use

Creating an inventory management solution with Softr is user-friendly and straightforward, even for those without technical expertise. The platform's drag-and-drop interface allows for easy customization and layout design: you can effortlessly create custom layouts, incorporate standalone components, and tailor the application to their specific requirements, all without any coding knowledge.

Moreover, Softr's integration with familiar database tools like Google Sheets and Airtable lowers the barrier to entry. Many businesses are already familiar with these platforms, and Softr's seamless integration means that existing data can be easily imported and utilized within the new inventory management system.

For those who need an even quicker turnaround, Softr's pre-designed inventory management template offers a robust starting point. This template includes features essential for manufacturing businesses, such as product and order tracking, manufacturer information management, and customizable access controls.

The platform's emphasis on customization does not compromise its ease of use. Users can personalize every aspect of their inventory management system, ensuring that the end product aligns perfectly with their operational workflow. Moreover, Softr provides extensive support resources, including a knowledge base and a community forum, to make the learning process even easier.

Security

Softr's approach to security is comprehensive and robust, incorporating various practices to ensure data safety and privacy. The platform employs Amazon Web Services (AWS) for data storage and hosting, benefiting from AWS's extensive security protocols and compliance certifications, including SOC 1, SOC 2, and ISO 27001. This choice of data centre, located in Germany, aligns with stringent European data security and privacy standards. In terms of network and system security, Softr safeguards information transmission between user devices and its servers using 256-bit TLS encryption, a high standard for secure internet communication.

Additionally, Softr's platform architecture facilitates the creation of distinct user groups with tailored permissions, a critical feature for managing access in inventory management applications. This is bolstered by server-side evaluations of user group affiliations and block and page visibility rules. Moreover, all communication between Softr's server and data sources occurs via HTTPS, securing data during transfer and preventing unintentional exposure.

Pricing

Softr's pricing structure caters to a diverse range of needs, from small manufacturing businesses to large enterprises, with its tiered plans offering varying levels of features and scalability.

The Basic plan priced at $49 per month offers unlimited app visitors, 10 internal and 1000 external app users, 5 workspace collaborators, and 1 custom domain, the ability to add custom CSS/JS for greater design flexibility, and the option to embed Softr apps. This plan is ideal for small manufacturing businesses.

The Professional plan at $139 per month is designed for medium-sized manufacturing businesses. It builds upon the Basic plan with added features like charts, a calendar, an inbox, and a Kanban board. The user capacity is also expanded to 50 internal and 5000 external app users, and it allows for the removal of the Softr branding, which is essential for a more professional appearance.

For teams requiring more advanced features, the Business plan priced at $269 per month offers everything in the Professional plan, plus organizational chart and timeline functionalities, SMS login, and an increased number of workspace collaborators (15) and users (100 internal and 10000 external). This plan also includes downloadable mobile apps (PWA), catering to businesses that need on-the-go accessibility.

Lastly, the Enterprise plan is tailored for larger companies that require customized solutions from Softr. It includes all features from the Business plan plus Single Sign-On (SSO) options for app users, a security audit, a dedicated success manager, team training, and custom invoicing. The pricing for the Enterprise plan depends on the specific needs of the business.

Features

• Real-time inventory visibility and control: NetSuite allows manufacturing businesses to have real-time access to inventory levels across multiple locations. This feature helps in effectively managing stock levels, reducing the risk of stock-outs or overstocking;
• Demand planning and inventory replenishment: NetSuite's demand planning capabilities enable businesses to forecast inventory needs based on historical data and market trends. This feature assists in maintaining optimal inventory levels by automating replenishment orders when stocks fall below predefined thresholds, allowing for more efficient inventory management and minimizing carrying costs​​
• Multi-location inventory management: For businesses that operate across various locations, NetSuite's multi-location inventory management is an invaluable addition. It tracks inventory in different warehouses, stores, and in-transit, providing a holistic view of inventory across the enterprise. This ensures that inventory is available where and when it's needed;
• Lot and serial number tracking: This feature is particularly relevant for manufacturers needing to track products for quality control, recalls, or warranty purposes. NetSuite enables tracking of individual items through serial numbers or batches using lot numbers, facilitating greater accuracy in inventory management and enhancing traceability throughout the supply chain​​;
• Work orders and assemblies: NetSuite supports complex manufacturing processes with its work orders and assemblies feature. It allows for the creation and management of work orders for the production process, tracking the assembly of finished goods from raw materials. It integrates with inventory and order management, providing real-time visibility into production status and material requirements​​;
• Integrated quality management: This feature enables manufacturers to define inspection plans, perform quality tests, and track results directly within the system. It helps in maintaining high-quality standards, reducing the risk of defective products, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations​​.

Ease of Use

NetSuite's inventory management solution is designed to be flexible and user-friendly, suitable for fast-growing companies looking to transition to cloud-based systems. The elimination of extensive physical infrastructure investments and the seamless integration of software updates and security measures are key factors that contribute to Netsuite's ease of use.

NetSuite’s mobile inventory management solutions, such as RF-SMART, enhance its usability by offering real-time visibility and accuracy through barcode scanning, automating manual processes, and ensuring up-to-date inventory tracking​​​​.

However, it's important to note that user experiences with NetSuite can vary. While some users have reported high satisfaction with the system's functionality and ease of use, others have encountered challenges, particularly regarding customer support and the complexity of the software for those not familiar with enterprise resource planning. Some users have also mentioned difficulties with implementation and a steep learning curve.

Security

NetSuite's inventory management solution is highly secure, incorporating multiple layers of security measures to protect sensitive data and operations. The foundation of its security strategy includes strong encryption protocols for data transmission and storage, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of user credentials and exchanged information. Additionally, NetSuite employs role-based access controls, allowing businesses to define user roles with specific permissions, ensuring that employees access only the data necessary for their jobs.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra security layer, requiring users to provide a verification code along with their username and password. This code can be obtained through an authenticator app or sent to a mobile device, enhancing the security of user accounts. NetSuite's password policies are highly configurable, allowing businesses to set strict rules for password complexity and change frequency, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

To ensure continuous protection, NetSuite utilizes network and server-based Intrusion Detection Systems (IDSs) to monitor and identify potential security threats. The platform's security information and event management (SIEM) system facilitates real-time monitoring and response to security alerts. NetSuite's dedicated global security team enforces security policies and investigates any unusual system behavior, ensuring near-real-time monitoring with 24x7 incident response capabilities.

Finally, NetSuite conducts regular performance audits and complies with several security and privacy certifications, including SOC 1 Type II, SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS, to maintain the highest security standards. All of this makes it a reliable option for enterprises requiring a secure inventory management system​​.

Pricing

The core NetSuite CRM and ERP licensing options cater to different business sizes and requirements. For instance, the NetSuite Limited Edition, also known as "SuiteSuccess Starter," is exclusively designed for companies with fewer than ten users, supporting a single legal entity. On the other hand, the NetSuite Financials Only Mid-Market Edition focuses on businesses with more than ten users and/or multiple legal entities, excluding CRM features. Additionally, the NetSuite Mid-Market Edition, or "SuiteSuccess Standard," provides comprehensive support for businesses managing more than one legal entity, including both CRM and ERP functionalities.

Moreover, NetSuite offers a wide range of add-on modules that cater to specific business needs. These modules can be licensed à la carte or bundled in an Industry Suite, providing a customized solution for your business landscape. Common add-on modules include Advanced Financials, Revenue Management, Manufacturing, Work Orders & Assemblies, Warehouse Management (WMS), and many others. The flexibility to add or remove modules as your business needs change is a significant advantage over traditional on-premise ERP software.

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Features

• Add and track parts: This feature allows the addition and tracking of raw materials, parts for assemblies, and finished products. Users can easily input product details like SKU or price and choose the best tracking method for each part. Fishbowl automates the creation of serial numbers and provides various modules (Inventory, Receiving, New Part) for tracking, with fields for lot numbers and expiration dates. It also enables importing large batches of items from spreadsheets and includes unlimited custom fields for each part or product stocked​​;
• Purchase order automation: The Purchase Order module in Fishbowl streamlines the creation of purchase orders. Users can easily fill in relevant information to generate POs, which then allows the system to recognize demand and make necessary adjustments. For example, if a PO requires parts to be manufactured or assembled, the system can alert the user to these needs​​;
• Advanced reporting options: Fishbowl offers over 200 advanced reporting options covering a wide range of needs, from adjustment reports to work order summaries. These reports can be customized in detail, helping businesses analyze data, like comparing production costs month to month. Reports can be exported in formats like PDF or CSV and shared via email​​​​;
• QuickBooks integration: Fishbowl integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks, facilitating balanced accounting post-sales or inventory audits. It makes Fishbowl more akin to an ERP system. Sales order data can be pushed to QuickBooks either manually or on a set schedule;
• Asset tracking and warehouse solutions: Fishbowl enables real-time asset tracking, including packing and shipping progress. It also provides solutions for streamlining the entire manufacturing system, optimizing inventory levels, setting reorder points, generating accurate work orders, and minimizing data-entry errors​​;
• Management of multiple locations: For businesses with multiple warehouses or locations, Fishbowl's feature for managing multiple locations is crucial. It allows monitoring of inventory levels by location, analysis of sales trends at each location, and facilitates the transfer of stock between locations. This feature is particularly beneficial for growing businesses or those with a multi-site operation​​.

Ease of Use

Fishbowl stands out for its streamlined financial reporting features, especially its integration with QuickBooks. Offering real-time updates between inventory management and financial records makes for an essential tool for maintaining your books as a manufacturing business. However, there are a few challenges to be aware of.

While it remains a relatively user-friendly system that integrates well with accounting programs, Fishbowl does not offer a lot of customization options without significant programming experience, which can be a limitation for businesses that require more tailored solutions. For instance, Fishbowl primarily uses average cost, potentially excluding businesses that operate on "first in, first out" (FIFO) or "last in, first out" (LIFO) systems.

Moreover, there is a learning curve when it comes to navigating Fishbowl's interface and utilizing its full feature set. New users may require training to operate the system efficiently, given its array of detailed features for comprehensive inventory control. The recent updates have improved Fishbowl's dated interface, but not without piling on its own issues with bugs, glitches, and slow performance.

Security

Fishbowl operates as a local software installed on the user's computer, which inherently offers a level of security by limiting external access compared to cloud-based systems. This localized approach ensures that critical inventory data is stored and managed within the company's own IT infrastructure, providing better control over data access and security protocols.

Moreover, Fishbowl's comprehensive inventory and manufacturing control features, including advanced manufacturing resources, bill of materials management, and detailed warehouse functionalities, are designed with security in mind. These features help to protect against unauthorized access and manipulation of sensitive inventory data.

The software also supports secure integrations with various platforms and services, like UPS, FedEx, USPS, Shopify, and Magento, ensuring that external data exchanges are conducted without exposure. Fishbowl does not store confidential information like credit card details or social security numbers. It even provides access control features so that system administrators can regulate access to specific features and areas to further reduce the risk of data leaks.

Pricing

Fishbowl offers two main products for inventory management: Fishbowl Advanced and Fishbowl Drive. Both provide comprehensive inventory, warehousing, and manufacturing capabilities.

Fishbowl Advanced is an on-premises solution that includes real-time inventory management, parts and asset tracking, auto purchasing, vendor management, and detailed manufacturing features like bill of materials and work orders. Pricing starts at $329/month for Warehousing and $429/month for Manufacturing.

Fishbowl Drive, a cloud-based platform, offers similar functionalities with the added benefit of remote access. The pricing for this plan also starts at $329 monthly, with options for additional users at a discounted rate.

Additional services like hosting, business intelligence, and accounting integration are available for an extra fee. The implementation package includes dedicated specialist support and a tailored onboarding plan. For the most accurate pricing information, you can request a customized quote with the company's sales team depending on the features you need.

Features

• Demand forecasting: This advanced feature enables businesses to forecast demand and consumer trends, which is essential for efficient inventory management and revenue optimization. With demand forecasting, companies can utilize past data and current trends to adjust their inventory levels, avoiding overstocking or stock shortages;
• Inventory tracking: This feature enables businesses to track their inventory using an automatically generated tracking interface. This can include methods like serial numbers, RFID, or barcode systems, offering a detailed view of inventory usage, lifecycle, and status​​;
• Effective transfer management: Managing inventory across multiple locations is streamlined with effective transfer management. This function helps reduce confusion and enhances the productivity and efficiency of material usage by packaging resources appropriately for different processes​​;
• Purchasing functions: Katana allows the automation of purchasing orders and their subsequent tracking. This feature helps businesses be aware of their inventory needs, manage supplier relationships, and make informed purchasing decisions​​;
• Logistics functions: The platform also aids in the shipping process, offering functionalities like easy tracking of order fulfilment from placement to delivery. It supports shipping label printing and integrates well with carrier APIs;
• Data packaging and insights: Katana enables businesses to leverage their increasing datasets from inventory processes. This feature helps in packaging these datasets to provide insights into business operations, establish key performance indicators (KPIs), and optimize performance based on these insights​​.

Ease of Use

Katana's inventory management solution is easy to use, making it a favorable choice for manufacturing businesses. It has an intuitive interface integrated with helpful guidance. Access to an efficient support team further enhances the user experience​​.

The ease of training users on this system is a key advantage that encourages adoption​​. The software's setup process is simple and self-explanatory, with no need for expensive external technical consultants. That makes adaptability particularly smooth for companies operating in different geographic locations​​.

The ease of integration with other platforms, such as QuickBooks, is another strong advantage, simplifying deployment and operational processes​​. Katana has been instrumental in transitioning businesses away from spreadsheet-based tracking, professionalizing and streamlining their manufacturing operations​​.

Security

Katana follows the industry standards to protect information during transmission and once received. This includes the use of firewalls, password protection, and SSL to encrypt data during transmission through the public internet. Katana also employs application-layer security features to further anonymize personal data.

Another key feature of Katana's security strategy is its user permission feature. The system allows for different user types, each with specific access levels, including owners, users, and operators. Owners have full access to all permissions and features, while users have full visibility but limited administrative control. Operators, typically those on the shop floor, have access only to relevant applications. Katana provides options for both default and custom permission sets, enabling businesses to tailor access to sensitive data according to their specific needs.

Pricing

Katana's inventory management solution offers a variety of pricing plans, each designed to cater to the specific needs of businesses at different growth stages.

The Essential Plan is designed for small manufacturing businesses seeking a straightforward and scalable solution for inventory management. Priced at $99 per month when billed annually, it includes up to 500 shipped sales order lines per month, one full-access user, three warehouses, and access to native integrations with platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Xero, and QuickBooks Online. Additional users can be added for $29 per month.

For growing manufacturing businesses with more complex inventory management needs, the Advanced plan is offered at $299 per month (annual billing). It supports up to 5,000 shipped sales order lines per month and includes one full-access user, three shop floor operators, unlimited warehouses, and additional features like batch and expiry date tracking, serial number tracking, barcode scanning, and multi-currency support. A guided onboarding package is required for this plan, with a one-time fee of $600. Additional users and shop floor operators can be added for $39 and $9 per month, respectively.

The Professional plan is tailored for large-scale businesses requiring a robust solution with comprehensive support. Priced at $799 per month (annual billing), this plan includes up to 25,000 shipped sales order lines per month, one full-access user, three shop floor operators, unlimited warehouses, and all features of the Advanced Plan. Additional users and shop floor operators can be added for $79 and $19 per month, respectively. This plan also features priority support, a dedicated Customer Success Manager, and the same guided onboarding package as the Advanced Plan.

Finally, for businesses needing even more tailored solutions, the Enterprise plan offers custom pricing based on individual needs. This plan includes all features of the Professional Plan, with unlimited shipped sales order lines per month, dedicated support, and advanced onboarding packages​​​​.

Each plan offers flexibility, allowing businesses to upgrade or downgrade as needed, ensuring that companies of all sizes and stages can find a suitable option for their inventory management requirements.

Features

• Production planning: MRPEasy provides a dynamic and accurate production planning system. It allows for automatic scheduling and rescheduling of manufacturing orders and operations, which can be easily adjusted through a drag-and-drop interface in a calendar or Gantt chart;
• Stock management: The platform excels in inventory management, including stock movements as well as batch and serial number tracking. It enables businesses to set and optimize stock levels, avoiding stock-outs. MRPEasy also maintains a clear history of stock operations, which is crucial for tracking and auditing purposes;
• Sales management: MRPEasy integrates CRM functionalities, streamlining the sales process from quotation to delivery. It allows for quick calculation of product costs and delivery times, sending quotations and invoices, and preparing shipments. The platform also tracks the sales process end-to-end, offering a simple pipeline view for better management;
• Team management: The software provides a simple environment for line workers to follow tasks on desktop or mobile devices. It offers real-time shop floor reporting and an overview of human resource needs and availability;
• Purchasing management: MRPEasy helps manage purchases and raise pre-filled purchase orders with a single click. It includes details about vendors, prices, and lead times, and uses accurate statistics to forecast procurement needs. This is essential for maintaining an efficient supply chain and ensuring timely availability of materials;
• Accounting integration: The platform offers clear visibility into business performance, including real-time tracking of cash flow, balance sheet, and profit/loss. Understanding the profitability and financial health of the business is made easier, which is crucial for strategic decision-making.

Ease of Use

MRPEasy’s interface is quite intuitive, allowing you to navigate and manage various inventory-related tasks without extensive training. The drag-and-drop functionality in the production planning module, for instance, simplifies the process of scheduling and rescheduling manufacturing orders and operations, making it a straightforward task even for those who are not tech-savvy.

Designed with a focus on user-friendliness, the software enables users to track stock movements, manage batch and serial numbers, and set and optimize stock levels efficiently. This is complemented by a clear history of stock operations, which aids in auditing and tracking inventory over time.

MRPEasy also integrates seamlessly with other business functions like CRM, purchasing, and accounting, providing a unified platform for managing various aspects of the business. This integration reduces the need to switch between different systems, streamlining operations and saving time.

There’s even real-time shop floor reporting with an overview of resource needs and availability, which is a welcome addition to effective inventory management. These features provide businesses with up-to-date information, enabling them to make informed decisions quickly.

Security

MRPEasy places a high priority on security, implementing a comprehensive set of organizational and technical measures to protect user data. The company's approach to security is multifaceted, with regular auditing, network encryption, and periodic backups to protect data privacy and integrity.

For example, the software and databases are located on dedicated physical servers, not shared virtual servers, reducing the risk of unauthorized access. Access to these servers is strictly limited to a small number of authorized personnel, and customers can only access the servers via the application interface.

MRPEasy also emphasizes the importance of regular security auditing. The service undergoes routine audits by a third-party cybersecurity firm, ensuring that security measures are up-to-date and effective against evolving cyber threats. Additionally, the company has implemented measures to mitigate cyberattacks, including DDoS. This is achieved through sophisticated hardware and a three-layer system that distinguishes between valid traffic and malicious attacks, ensuring resilience against all manners of cyber threats.

In terms of data recovery, MRPEasy has a robust backup and disaster recovery process. Data backups are continually made and encrypted, and in the event of a disaster, such as a fire at the primary data center, user data will not be lost. The system also includes comprehensive 24/7 automatic monitoring to detect risks of malfunction early, and secondary servers are kept as hot spares for immediate failover if the primary server fails.

Pricing

MRPEasy offers a transparent and tiered pricing structure designed to cater to a range of business sizes and needs. The pricing model is user-based, meaning that the cost scales with the number of users, making it a flexible option for both small and large manufacturing companies.

The pricing tiers begin with the Starter plan for $49/user/month, which is the most basic option. This plan is suitable for smaller businesses or those just beginning to integrate a more structured inventory management system. Following the Starter plan, MRPEasy offers the Professional plan for $69/user/month, which includes more advanced features and is geared towards businesses with more complex inventory management needs.

For larger enterprises with extensive inventory management requirements, MRPEasy provides the Enterprise plan for $99/user/month. This plan includes a comprehensive set of features designed for complex manufacturing operations and larger teams. It offers more in-depth functionalities and customization options to cater to the diverse needs of large-scale manufacturing businesses.

At the top of the pricing structure is the Unlimited plan for $149/user/month. This plan is tailored for very large businesses that require the full spectrum of features and capabilities offered by MRPEasy. It includes all the functionalities of the lower tiers but with the capacity to support a significantly larger number of users and more complex operational structures.

Each of these plans includes essential features such as production planning, stock management, customer management, and team management — with more advanced features becoming available in the higher-tier plans. The pricing model's flexibility allows businesses to choose a plan that best fits their size and operational complexity, ensuring that they are not paying for functionalities they do not need.

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