Manufacturing resource planning or material resource planning (MRP) involves controlling and planning inventory in the manufacturing business. MRP is primarily concerned with deciding the material needed for manufacturing, the quantity needed, and when it’s needed. MRP tasks can be very tricky, error-prone, and time-consuming when done manually. This resulted in the advent of MRP software which ensures efficiency, accuracy, and improved productivity in the manufacturing industry.
This, therefore, makes MRP software an essential tool for every manufacturing company today. But the right MRP needed varies from organization to organization. MRP software comes in different prices, customization, and capabilities. To assist you in finding the right solution for your company, bring you a list of the 12 best MRP currently in the market.
Top 12 Best MRP Software That You Should Consider
- Netsuite Manufacturing
- Odoo
- Fishbowl
- IQMS
- JobBOSS
- SAP cloud ERP
- InforVISUAL
- E2 Shop System
- Fulcrum
- Katana MRP
- MRP Easy
- Total ETO
#1 Netsuite Manufacturing
Price: $999/month ($99/user)
Netsuite is top among software that offers MRP solutions that feature real-time demand planning, visibility across the product life cycle, and integration with accounting software. The solution provides you unlimited customization options and great planning functionality to grow your manufacturing firm. Netsuite is a forerunner of cloud-deployed software. Though Netsuite is an ERP solution, it offers powerful functions and tools than some standalone MRP software. Its features allow you to manage your manufacturing company effectively.
Pros | Cons |
| Powerful MRP features | Vast yet complex features |
| Simple reporting | Confusing help system |
| Outstanding drill-down capabilities from different system views | |
| Custom process workflow | |
| Easy to use and navigate | |
| Great customer relationship features |
#2 Fishbowl
Price: Available upon request
Fishbowl is originally an inventory management software but offers awesome MRP tools. Fishbowl comes as a viable, affordable alternative to Netsuite. Despite being affordable, it offers unique features like QuickBooks integration, excellent reporting features, and personalized customer support. Fishbowl integration with QuickBooks keeps you update on your account and inventory. Thus, you get a solid MRP offering allowing you to know the material you need, the quantity you need to restock, and when it’s needed.
Pros | Cons |
| Enhances multitasking | Extra cost for some reports |
| Responsive support team | Requires use of server |
| Ability to link customers’ purchase orders to orders within the system | |
| Easy and accurate reports | |
| Ease of use and integration |
#3 IQMS
Price: Available upon request
IQMS is an ERP software that MRP and other vital manufacturing tools. You can integrate your MRP with your Bill of Materials (BOMs) utilizing data entered by factory floor work to raw material count and pace of production. IQMS is ideal for a kind of manufacturing firm, from small to large. IQMS allows you to track your inventory across multiple locations. IQMS feature for handling inventory management is tracking and reorder points. With IQMS, you can create multilevel work orders to get visibility on production stages across the board. The software also supports shipping, part tracking, and sales/buying functionalities. IQMS can also be integrated with two top accounting software – FreshBooks and Xero. This allows you to handle your accounting processes while using your desired accounting app.
Pros | Cons |
| Ability to address specific manufacturing needs | Not easy to implement without support |
| Integration with top accounting software | Less detailed canned report |
| Real-time access to Information | |
| Customizable and scalable | |
| Reliable front-end and solid back-end |
#4 JobBOSS
Price: $95/month
JobBOSS is another manufacturing-specific software with multiple valuable MRP functions. It is designed to improve the efficiency and productivity of small and medium-sized manufacturing firms. JobBOSS can be installed on-premises or in the cloud. Though it needs some level of customization to run properly. So, to access its premium solution, you need to modify it to fit your specific business needs. Some of JobBOSS awesome features include work floor shortcuts, shop alert, inventory management, order processing, cost analysis, and a host of other features. You also have the option of adding some other features to the software to increase its functionality.
Pros | Cons |
| Ability to favorite workflow shortcuts | Can’t edit material type once the material ID is saved |
| Ability to sent customized alerts to customers | No hyperlink to access sales order |
| Allows to create of routines and assemblies | Need for more customization option |
| Allows to create routines and assemblies Timekeeping, clocking in and out | |
| Inventory control |
#5 SAP Integrated Suite
Price: Limited user license $99/month
Starter $110
Professional $132
SAP-integrated suite, formerly known as Cloud ERP, is a cloud-based system that includes MRP tools. It comes with a lot of built-in packages for effective MRP. The software frequently updates to reflect current trends involving manufacturing and business generally. The system is updated every three months. SAP offers new users extension resources to aid understanding of the software usage. SAP also offers users multiple integration options. With SAP, you also get to enjoy unlimited customization and many tools to perfect your business activities. So, SAP may be expensive but offers a great return on investment.
Pros | Cons |
| Multiple resources for data integration | Requires technical expert for set up |
| Seamless integration with non SAP solutions | Too expensive for start-ups and small businesses |
| Unified and customized user experience | |
| Controlled authorization for end-users | |
| Scalable innovation across the organization | |
| Greater efficiency and flexibility |
#6 Odoo
Price: Starting at $20/month
Odoo is an open-source manufacturing and management software that offers many business solutions. From CRM to sales to HR, and also provide top-quality MRP solutions. Odoo allows you to organize workflows with Gantt charts and Kanban boards. The predictive demand keeps you updated about production needs with intelligent forecasts.
Pros | Cons |
| Highly flexible modular design | Has a steep learning curve |
| Easy to extend and develop | Hard to maintain because it requires IT knowledge |
| Has broad features that can be customized | Complicated pricing |
| Less expensive and has a free version | |
| Fully cloud-based |
#7 InforVISUAL
Price: Available on request
This is an order-driven manufacturing and management software that has excellent MRP features. The feature enhances you to handle inventory management, raw material flow, safety reports, quality management, and bills of material, among other necessary tasks. The software allows you to deliver quality products on time which gives you a competitive edge. InforVISUAL requires the service of a software consultant to implement effectively. Also, you don’t have customization options like some solutions mentioned earlier, but it offers manufacturers valuable solutions.
Pros | Cons |
| Easy to use once set up | Lacks decent search bar |
| Reliable and proven | Schedule often need rerun |
| Provides deep manufacturing capabilities | Material dependencies are not viewable from scheduling window |
| Has all records and data available for Payroll/HR in one system |
#8 E2 Shop System
Price: Available on request
E2 Shop System is manufacturing software that provides incredible MRP solutions. It can help you handle scheduling, purchasing, shipping, accounting, and customer management. E2 shop system’s specialty includes job shops, contracts, and various make-to-order manufacturers. With the software, you can create quickie quotes and complex estimates on material, labor, overhead, and more.
Pros | Cons |
| Efficient user interface | Can edit time until the clock in |
| Easy to customize report | Runs slowly without optimal internet connection |
| Easy to maintain requires no IT expert | |
| Can be integrated with QuickBooks | |
| Can use inexpensive workstation | |
| Easy sync with Apple and Android devices |
#9 Fulcrum
Price: $22/$28 per month
Fulcrum is a cloud-based no-code SaaS solution designed with small businesses in mind. With Fulcrum, you can eliminate duplicate data entry through automation. It makes it easy for you to automate mobile data collection and form easy. Fulcrum also made it easy for you to create a custom mobile app without code. It provides you a centralized repository for better control of your business. Fulcrum enables you to collect accurate and efficient data needed for a better manufacturing process and customer satisfaction.
Pros | Cons |
| Extremely customizable requires no code | Difficult to link with ARC GIS |
| Simple and easy data collection | Can’t adjust or edit data form in the field |
| Intuitive and user-friendly interface | |
| Allows real-time monitoring | |
| Allows end-user to configure the system according to use case | |
| Allows multiple users to record quick and accurate field note |
#10 Katana MRP
Price: $99 per feature/month
Kanata manufacturing is powerful MRP solution that allows live management of your business. Some of the offers you get from Katana include live inventory and manufacturing management, floor level control, batch tracking for end-to-end trackability, open API, and more. It allows live monitoring of the manufacturing process. You get to see who is working on what step of the manufacturing process and the allocated time they have for the task. Katana also supports integration with accounting, ecommerce, CRM, and reporting services. Katana MRP unifies various aspects of business like order entry, inventory, bill of materials, purchasing, production, and more. Though it’s a new product, it has great potential.
Pros | Cons |
| Very easy to use and implement | Can’t count inventory with barcode scanner |
| Responsive customer support | Can’t track shipping supplies |
| Easy to track material on hand and reorder | |
| Great at tracking cost | |
| Allows multiple work order | |
| Intuitive interface |
#11 MRPeasy
Price: $49 per feature/per month
MRPeasy is a self-service ERP/MRP system designed to cater for small manufacturers and distributors. It offers excellent MRP solutions to manufacturers at affordable rates. MRPeasy offers you efficient management of production, stock, finance, customer purchase, and employees. Software effectively handles your manufacturing firm’s inventory management, purchase management, scheduling, and reporting in real time. MRPeasy also provides multiple integration options for many systems. The procurement module allows you to streamline your purchasing process by organizing each purchase cycle and purchase orders. MRPeasy is ideal for all manufacturing companies irrespective of size and what they produce.
Pros | Cons |
| Very easy to implement | Not easy to correct an error in counting without the development team |
| Streamlines production and procurement | Limited and non-printable report/statistics |
| Great customer service | |
| Seamless tracking of manufacturing cost | |
| Outstanding stock, BOM, and inventory management | |
| Small learning curve |
#12 Total ETO
Price: $85 per user/month
Total ETO is an ERP solution designed specifically for Engineer To Order (ETO) manufacturers and custom design machine builders. Total ETO provides you a nested dynamic BOM by a project that can be integrated with any CAD system. It submits material requests to purchasing without double entry, viewing, tracking, and managing your inventory, including work in progress. The purchasing screen summarizes all required materials. It also supports integration with Sage, QuickBooks, or another financial system.
| Pros | Cons |
| Highly customizable solution | Can’t create a simple part quote |
| Simple interface, easy to learn | Lacks the ability to link quotes to PO’s |
| Easy to track project status | Detailed report |
| Excellent for job costing, quoting, and expediting | |
| Fantastic support team |
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Difference Between ERP Systems and an MRP?
Enterprise resource planning systems (ERP) are large suites of tools used to plan and account for an entire organization’s resources. The MRP, on the otherhand, is a narrow specific set of tools designed specifically for manufacturing purposes.
So, ERP is broader than MRP and could incorporate MRP tools, as evident in some of the MRP software, earlier discussion. MRP can be fully integrated into the organization’s data operations. Therefore ERP system involves an organization’s data management, like customer CRM tools, supply chain management tools, and accounting tools. Large businesses often deploy it.
What are Common MRP Functionalities?
Common MRP functionalities include master production scheduling, purchasing planning, demand forecasting, shop floor control, equipment maintenance scheduling, and production cost reporting.
Are There Any Free MRP Options?
No top MRP software option unlimited free solution. They only offer 30 days free trial to get acquainted with their software and decide if it is right for you. However, if you are interested in a genuine free MRP solution for small businesses, you may want to check out open-source ERP software. This software offers some important MRP features for free; an example is Odoo.