An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Manufacturing Software Development

Quick Read-Up: Undoubtedly, the manufacturing industry is experiencing a significant transformation influenced by technological advancements. However, operating a such a business is getting more challenging. This is the reason manufacturers all around the world are opting for digital solutions. This blog will help you guide through different aspects to consider when building manufacturing software.

Most businesses face the challenge of increasing productivity and efficiency while reducing costs. In the manufacturing industry, this obstacle is even more pressing. According to a PwC survey, over 42% of respondents find supply chain disruption is a severe risk, causing production bottlenecks and impacting output.

Luckily, with technological advancements on the rise, manufacturing software systems can help businesses accomplish their specific goals. Manufacturers nowadays are using software solutions customized to their unique needs and business objectives.

As a result, SMEs and huge enterprises are now actively choosing to build software for manufacturing purposes. Developing such systems requires user-centric design, commitment to security, compliance, a robust tech stack, and a deep understanding of industry trends.

So, if you're considering building software for your manufacturing operations, you are at the right spot. Here, you'll learn the essential aspects of this type of software, including benefits, features, and more.

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What is Manufacturing Software?

Manufacturing software is designed and developed to help organizations manage and enhance their manufacturing operations from top to bottom. It helps automate and optimize processes with advanced features like data analysis, production scheduling, inventory management, and quality control.

The software is proficient in addressing manufacturing industry challenges, supervising business operations, and enabling smooth delivery and growth. Moreover, these software systems act as a bridge between business and the 4.0 industry.

Hence, organizations can easily automate time-consuming tasks, rectify any flaws in the business process, obtain efficient solutions, maximize workflow, and increase output.

How Manufacturing Software Solutions Can Help Businesses?

Manufacturing software systems are revolutionizing how businesses operate today by offering them many benefits and assisting organizations to grow and scale. Let’s take a closer why companies should build a software product of this kind:

Enhance Product Quality

Using software for manufacturing operations helps businesses enhance their product quality. It automates processes and ensures products of the highest standards are manufactured continuously. In addition to streamlining operations, software quality engineering services play a crucial role in maintaining precision by embedding quality checks throughout the production lifecycle. These services also supervise the quality of raw materials and other components, ensuring optimal use in production and minimizing defects.

Accelerate the Production Process

Accelerating the production process is significant for many manufacturing businesses. The software helps simplify processes like inventory management, quality control, and scheduling. With features like real-time data and insights, you can quickly identify any loopholes and optimize workflows.

Minimize Unplanned Downtime

Unplanned downtime can get expensive, considering both time and money. It can occur due to various factors, like lack of visibility into the production process, lack of personnel, and equipment failure. So, deploying a software solution helps you recognize and rectify any issues before they become blunders. This minimizes the probability of unexpected downtime.

Improve Inventory Management

The most significant part of manufacturing processes is inventory management, which helps record the raw materials and products utilized in the production process. These software systems can easily track inventory levels and ensure they always have the correct materials.

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Popular Types of Manufacturing Software Solutions and Their Costs

There are multiple types of manufacturing software available today, each designed and developed to accomplish specific goals and has different characteristics and functionalities suited for various businesses. Some of the most popular types are:

1. CMMS Software

Businesses use CMMS, aka computerized maintenance management system, to perform maintenance work efficiently. It automates various tasks, simplifies processes, and centralizes maintenance information.

Use Cases - Maintenance teams, asset planners, and maintenance managers.

2. ERP Software

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software is designed to assist in multiple business operations by centralizing process management in a single system. When using ERP for the manufacturing industry, you can experience seamless supply chain operations, inventory management, financial management, risk management, and compliance.

Use Cases - Complex operations in the retail, hospitality, healthcare, education, waste management, and construction sectors.

3. CAD Software

Computer-aided design (CAD) software builds 2D and 3D technical designs, increasing design efficiency by improving quality, establishing a database, and providing comprehensive documentation.

Use Cases - Medical devices, consumer products, civil and structural manufacturing, and aerospace and aviation industries.

4. CAM Software

Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software uses computer-controlled machinery like milling machines and 3D printers to automate processes.

Use Cases - Air-conditioning, aerospace engineering, mechanical, and electrical manufacturers.

5. Accounting Software

Utilizing this software in manufacturing helps businesses handle their financial transactions and operations. This software eases payroll, general ledger, accounts receivable, and payable accounting processes.

Use Cases - Big manufacturers with in-house accounting teams, bookkeepers, and professional accountants.

6. Inventory Management Software

Using efficient inventory management software for manufacturing contributes to the success of any business, as it uses barcodes, eCommerce integrations, and warehouse tracking to optimize inventory control.

Use Cases - Any manufacturing organization wants to improve efficiency by minimizing stock carrying costs, waste, and stockouts.

7. ETO Software

Engineer-to-order (ETO) software helps manufacturers generate accurate quotes for custom goods, meeting their customers' specifications.

Use Cases - Organizations manufacturing goods such as fire engines, commercial HVAC equipment, and industrial cranes.

8. EHS Software

Environment, health, and safety (EHS) software provides extensive functionalities, helping businesses adhere to EHS regulations. This type of manufacturing software also tracks and examines safety-related tasks and regulates safety procedures.

Use Cases - Businesses track and report on environmental, health, and safety parameters to comply with EHS protocols.

9. Food and Beverage Software

This software helps food and beverage manufacturers track perishable stock, expiry dates, production batches, and raw materials.

Use Cases - FMCG manufacturers, hospitality firms, and food and beverage manufacturers.

10. Time Study Software

This software utilizes motion and time analysis to minimize labor and production costs.

Use Cases - Manufacturers that create goods in bulk, particularly the ones using the lean manufacturing model, e.g., automotive and electronic industries.

11. Cost-Estimating Software

Cost estimating software assists managers in estimating the costs of manufacturing processes. This manufacturing software system simplifies the estimating process to allow for accurate pricing.

Use Cases - Mining, engineering, civil construction, aerospace, and original equipment manufacturers.

12. Project Management Software

Project management software helps manufacturers organize documentation, facilitate collaboration, track processes, assign resources, and plan projects.

Use Cases - Energy, defense, automotive, architectural, and aerospace industries.

13. WMS Software

WMS, aka warehouse management system, allows businesses to seamlessly manage their warehouse operations, including shipping, order fulfillment, and inventory tracking.

Use Cases - Third-party logistics (3PL) providers, e-commerce fulfillment centers, and more prominent distributors.

14. Process Management Software

This software is designed to automate manufacturing processes, from allocating resources to delegating tasks, inventory tracking, stock availability, and production planning.

Use Cases - Manufacturers produce standardized items in bulk, such as in the healthcare and construction industries.

15. Preventive Maintenance Software

This type of manufacturing software is a critical element of CMMS that handles preventive maintenance rather than focusing on future or remedial maintenance.

Use Cases - IT companies, food and beverage, energy, and oil and gas manufacturing use this software.

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Essential Features of Manufacturing Software

Choosing the ideal manufacturing software for your needs can be tricky. With so many vendors and types, many businesses struggle for confidence when they’re planning to build such digital solutions.

That’s why we’ve combined this list of the most significant manufacturing software features – so you understand what to integrate for the best outcome.

Production Planning and Scheduling

• Lead time calculation
• ⁠Gantt charts and visual scheduling
• ⁠Work order generation and tracking
• ⁠Production order management

Inventory Management

• Barcode and RFID integration
• ⁠Lot and serial number tracking
• ⁠⁠Real-time stock visibility
• ⁠Inventory tracking and control

Supply Chain Management

• Supplier collaboration and communication
• ⁠Demand forecasting and planning
• ⁠Material requirements planning (MRP)
• ⁠Purchase order management

Quality Management

• ⁠Statistical process control (SPC)
• ⁠Corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)
• ⁠Non-conformance management
• ⁠Quality control inspections and testing

Reporting and Analytics

• ⁠Customizable dashboards and reports
• ⁠Cost analysis and profitability tracking
• ⁠OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)
• ⁠Production performance metrics

Equipment Maintenance

• Spare parts management
• ⁠Downtime tracking and assessment
• ⁠Maintenance work orders
• ⁠Equipment tracking and history

Mobile Access and Remote Monitoring

• Notifications and alerts on mobile devices
• ⁠Mobile barcode scanning and data capture
• ⁠Remote monitoring of production operations
• Mobile apps for real-time access

Document Management

• Compliance documentation
• Work instructions and visual aids
• ⁠Standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• ⁠Document storage and version control

Step-By-Step Process of Manufacturing Software Development

Once you know which features to integrate into your manufacturing software, it is time for development. But before moving ahead with the development process, it's essential to understand consumer needs, consider the market demands, choose the ideal development approach, etc.

That's why you should follow a step-by-step process for manufacturing software development.

Define Your Vision

Before you start building a manufacturing software system, the foremost step is to define your vision and understand the kind of software your business needs, the features to integrate, and multiple aspects. Once you thoroughly examine your plan and needs, it becomes smooth to move ahead.

Create a Layout

The blueprint you create should include the look and feel of the software, how data will be stored and structured, and how your software’s different modules will interact.

Select the Right Tech Stack

Choosing the technology that best fits your project is imperative. The next step goes smoothly if you decide on the ideal tech stack for your manufacturing software.

Hire Experts

Now, it is time to look for experienced experts with good know-how in software development. Thus, you must hire expert software developers who can enthusiastically work on your project, providing top-notch solutions.

Build Software

The most crucial step is building manufacturing software systems integrated with rich features, current development trends, and a modern tech stack. The experts you hire will help you do this job more efficiently and conveniently.

Test and Launch Software

Kudos, you've reached the final step! Once your development is done, you must test it. You're ready to launch if your software is bug-free and functioning as expected.

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What is the Cost of Developing Manufacturing Software?

The cost of developing software for manufacturing operations can vary based on the application complexity and the specific project requirements. Creating simple manufacturing software would range from $30,000 to $60,000, while mid-level projects may cost between $80,000 and $150,000+.

Developing more complex software with advanced features and functionalities can exceed $200,000 and potentially reach more.

It is also significant to remember that these cost estimates are just general ideas, and actual expenses might differ based on factors such as tech stack, customization needs, and project scope.

How to Select the Right Manufacturing Software Development Company?

Choosing the ideal manufacturing software development company is crucial to impact your business's success significantly. With multiple options available, it’s vital that you carefully assess the potential partners and ensure they can accomplish specific business needs and deliver high-quality software.

1. Industry Experience - Look for service providers with good experience building software solutions, mainly for manufacturing.
2. Customization and Scalability – Go for a company that offers custom development services to help accomplish your unique business requirements.
3. Technical Expertise - Any reliable company should acquire a proficient team of software developers skilled in the latest frameworks and technologies applicable to your project.

Craft Top-Notch Manufacturing Software with Radixweb!In today’s fast-tech time, software makes every task more accessible and seamless. Consequently, the manufacturing industry also relies on software to do the work more securely. And this is why many businesses are deciding to build software solutions. However, you must consider several things like programming languages, technologies, frameworks, and many more when developing this software.And if you're planning to develop business software but don't know where to start, Radixweb is your cue. Our experts will help you build high-quality manufacturing software, considering your unique business requirements and market demands. With years of experience and a track record of successful projects, we understand the unique needs and challenges of this industry and deliver cutting-edge software solutions.Contact us to find out more about our manufacturing software development services.