Best Manufacturing BI Software of 2026

Here's what we'll cover:

What you need to know about manufacturing BI software

What is manufacturing BI software?

Common features of manufacturing BI software

What type of buyer are you?

Benefits of using manufacturing BI software

How to choose the best manufacturing BI software for your business

Software related to manufacturing BI

More resources for your manufacturing BI journey

What you need to know about manufacturing BI software 

Manufacturing business intelligence (BI) software is a system designed to provide real-time insights into production performance with detailed reporting dashboards. Analyzing data from various stages of production allows businesses to quickly identify bottlenecks, monitor quality control, and track key metrics. This leads to better decision-making and consistently meeting high consumer demand while maintaining product quality. 

For example, businesses in the food and beverage industry can use manufacturing BI software to optimize efficiency, reduce waste, and ensure compliance with safety standards. It can also track detailed key performance indicators (KPIs) such as ingredient usage and yield. 

Our experienced software advisor, Lindsay Robbins, shares an important note on what exactly BI software does and does not do:

“Some BI software buyers have a misconception that the tool will scrape or otherwise provide the data on its own, but this is not the case. BI software aggregates, analyzes, and graphically displays the data that you provide. So it’s important that manufacturers have good processes in place to capture data before implementing a new BI tool.” 

To give you an idea of the market, we have over 190 different manufacturing BI products on our site, and we’ve published 1,383 reviews for 64 products in the past year alone. The majority of user reviews (57%) come from small to midsize businesses with 1,000 or fewer employees, and 43% of reviewers have over 1,000 employees. The largest industry represented is food and beverage (29%), followed by automotive (14%). [1]

Most BI software systems are priced on a ‘per-month’ basis. [2] Entry-level plans cost an average of $205 per month and offer basic features, such as performance metrics and dashboards for up to 10 users. Mid-tier and high-end plans cost an average of $1,507 - $7,988 per month and may include additional features, like ad-hoc reporting and data connectors to multiple sources. Keep in mind that manufacturing BI software may cost more than general BI software due to specialized features.

If you’re a first-time buyer, consider your budget, number of users, use cases, and necessary integrations. Consult stakeholders to gather questions you should ask vendors during an evaluation. Our software advisor, Isaac Routh, shares the following questions to get you started:

• Is it possible to connect multiple data sources to the tool?

• Does the system track the types of KPIs you require, such as performance and/or quality metrics?

• Does the tool provide the visual analytics and dashboards your team needs?

• Will you need a data scientist or other designated expert to maintain the system?

If you would prefer to speak with one of our experienced purchase order software advisors like Robbins or Routh, schedule a call or start a chat with us.

What is manufacturing BI software?

Manufacturing BI software collects data such as total units manufactured, the number of units sold, total shipments, and buyer demographics from a manufacturer's existing systems as well as from across the supply chain. The software then analyzes this data and provides actionable insights.

Manufacturing BI software allows manufacturers to make informed business decisions related to future sales strategies, materials management, and buyer targeting.

Analyze total sales, units sold, buyer demographics in Sisense BI

Common features of manufacturing BI software

Different vendors offer different features in their manufacturing BI software. Core features, like analytics, are present in every manufacturing BI tool while common features, such as data mining and predictive analytics, may or may not be offered by all vendors. Selecting the best manufacturing BI software for your setup is easier when you know what common features are and what they do.

To learn more about these features and manufacturing BI software vendors, schedule a call or start a chat with one of our experienced purchase order software advisors, like Robbins or Routh. They'll help you narrow down your options by listening to your requirements and recommending the best solutions for your business.

What type of buyer are you?

Before you evaluate manufacturing BI software options, you'll want to know which buyer category you belong to. We believe most buyers will fall into one of the below categories:

• Small manufacturers: These businesses typically transition from pen and paper to more automated systems and only need basic BI functions such as data mining and predictive analytics.

• Multi-location manufacturers: Operating multiple manufacturing units adds a layer of complexity to software requirements. These buyers need to understand customer demographics across locations and deal with large volumes of regional data. They may also require additional features such as data visualization and OLAP to analyze multidimensional data and create different graphical representations.

• Large (enterprise) buyers: These buyers value the seamless integration of data and processes that comes from having a unified platform for all functions. They appreciate a full-featured solution and would do best to seek an integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) suite that includes manufacturing management and BI applications, along with other applications such as inventory management, supply chain management, etc.

Benefits of using manufacturing BI software

While some of the benefits of manufacturing BI software may be clear from our discussion above, we've called out the most notable ones below:

• Provides actionable insights: Manufacturing BI software provides insights related to manufacturing costs, raw materials usage, and shipment costs, using features such as predictive analytics and OLAP. Based on the insights, manufacturers can adjust their production strategy for higher profitability.

• Improves forecasting and planning: Predictive analytics aids in anticipating future trends and demands, ensuring better resource allocation. For example, by analyzing historical sales data, manufacturers can predict peak seasons and adjust inventory levels accordingly to meet customer demand efficiently.

• Increases operational efficiency: By analyzing production data, manufacturing BI software helps identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement in manufacturing processes. For instance, it can highlight machinery that frequently breaks down, prompting timely maintenance and reducing downtime.

• Improves overall sales: Such software helps manufacturing units identify untouched markets, sales trends, and product improvements. These insights help teams improve their negotiation strategies with customers, suppliers, and vendors to improve total sales.

How to choose the best manufacturing BI software for your business 

Step 1: Define your requirements

Before selecting a manufacturing BI software system, start by identifying your specific needs, such as the type of data you need to analyze, the scale of your operations, and the reporting capabilities required. These requirements will guide you toward a system that aligns with your current manufacturing processes and supports your long-term goals.

Consider factors like software functionality, budget, training assistance, data migration, and necessary integrations. Data migration from existing systems, such as ERP or supply chain management tools, can be a significant cost, so discuss these needs with vendors to ensure a smooth transition.

What is the cost of manufacturing BI software?

The price of manufacturing BI software varies depending on factors like the number of users, required features, and the complexity of data integration. However, many businesses budget for a subscription model priced on a ‘per-month’ basis. [2] 

Entry-level plans cost an average of $205 per month and offer basic features, such as performance metrics and dashboards for up to 10 users. Mid-tier and high-end plans cost an average of $1,507 - $7,988 per month and may include additional features, like ad-hoc reporting and data connectors to multiple sources.

Integration considerations for manufacturing BI software

Integrations are crucial for ensuring that BI software can connect with your existing systems, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) or customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, to centralize data. For example, integrating BI software with an ERP system can provide real-time insights into inventory levels and production schedules, helping manufacturers optimize resource allocation.

Be aware of potential drawbacks

While manufacturing BI software offers numerous benefits, there are potential challenges to be aware of:

• Complexity: Some BI systems may have a steep learning curve, especially for users unfamiliar with data analytics. This can lead to underutilizing features and slow adoption, so comprehensive training and support are essential.

• Data overload: With access to vast amounts of data, focusing on irrelevant metrics is risky. To avoid analysis paralysis, define key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with business objectives and assess them regularly.

• Integration challenges: Not all BI software will integrate with existing systems, which can lead to data silos. It's important to make sure that the chosen tool can effectively consolidate data from various sources for comprehensive analysis.

Step 2: Make a shortlist of manufacturing BI software

With so many options available, creating a shortlist of BI software that meets your needs is essential. Consult with key stakeholders to develop a list of technical and business requirements. Then, compare vendors on our site, read user reviews, and connect with an advisor like Robbins or Routh to help narrow down a final three to move forward with a detailed evaluation.

For more help creating a shortlist and a free, downloadable comparison chart, check out The Ultimate Software Vendor Evaluation Guide. This resource and the comparison chart will help you evaluate each vendor by assessing functionalities, training and support services, costs, and deployment options.

Step 3: Pick your best option

After narrowing down your options, schedule demos with vendors to explore features and ask questions. These sessions are crucial for understanding how the software can meet your specific needs.

How to prepare for vendor demos

Prepare a list of questions to ask during demos, such as:

• How customizable is the software to fit our manufacturing processes?

• What integrations does the software support with our existing systems?

• How is ongoing support and training provided?

Analyst tip: Before the demo, provide the vendor with a sample of your manufacturing data and ask them to demonstrate how their software can analyze and report on it.

Step 4: Successful implementation of the new manufacturing BI software

Once you've selected and signed a contract for your new manufacturing BI software, it’s time to focus on a successful implementation strategy. The key elements are establishing clear communication plans, providing comprehensive training, and starting with a pilot project to test the software's capabilities.

• Establish clear change management communication: Create a communication plan outlining the implementation process, benefits, and workflow changes. Ensuring all team members are informed and prepared for the transition will help make the adoption smoother.

• Provide training and change support: Schedule training sessions to familiarize users with the manufacturing BI software's basic and advanced features. Ongoing support, including Q&A sessions, can help address concerns and ensure effective use of the new tool.

• Start with a pilot project: Implement the new software on a smaller scale to test its performance and gather feedback. Use this phase to make necessary adjustments and demonstrate the software's value, encouraging broader adoption across the business.

Software related to manufacturing BI

Depending on which manufacturing BI tool you choose, you may need to supplement some features with related software systems to gather and analyze all business data. Some types of software that are closely related to manufacturing BI but may or may not be included in all systems include:

• Business intelligence: A technology-driven tool that helps businesses collect, analyze, and visualize data to facilitate informed decision-making and strategic planning.

• Dashboard software: Used to aggregate and visually display key performance indicators (KPIs) and data metrics in an interactive, easy-to-understand format, enabling users to monitor and analyze business performance at a glance.

• Embedded analytics software: Integrates analytical capabilities directly into business applications, allowing users to access, analyze, and visualize data insights within their existing workflows without switching between separate platforms.

• Heatmap software: Visually represents data using color gradients to highlight patterns, trends, and intensity levels, often used to analyze user interactions on websites or applications to improve user experience and design.

• Risk management software: Designed to identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks within an organization, helping businesses to proactively manage uncertainties and minimize their impact on operations and objectives.

More resources for your manufacturing BI journey

• A Guide to Business Intelligence Software Pricing Models

• 3 Tips for an Effective Data and Analytics Approach

• 5 Top-Rated Manufacturing Software for Small Business

• 5 Key Quality Management Software Features and Top Products That Offer Them

About our contributors

Author

Olivia Montgomery is an associate principal analyst at Software Advice, covering program and project management with a focus on the strategic alignment of IT and operations to optimize digital transformation. Drawing from her experience as a former IT PMO leader and her background in humanities studies, Olivia delivers data-driven insights that empower business leaders to drive business growth through projects.

Olivia’s research and analysis is informed by nearly 200,000 authentic user reviews on Software Advice and over 10,000 interactions between Software Advice software advisors and project management software buyers. Olivia also regularly analyzes market sentiment by conducting surveys of project managers and PMO leaders so she can provide the most up-to-date and helpful information to small and midsize businesses purchasing software or services.

Her expertise is featured in Forbes, Bloomberg, CIO Dive, and TechRepublic, as well as in podcasts, such as The Digital Project Manager. Recently, she presented her research on emotional intelligence (EQ) and decision-making at PMI's Global Summit conference, shedding light on the crucial role of EQ in driving project success. When she's not analyzing tech trends, you can find Olivia horseback riding or re-watching Jurassic Park.

Editor

Mehar Luthra is a team lead at Software Advice and specializes in editing reports that cover the latest trends affecting small businesses. With nearly a decade of experience, she has edited a multitude of research articles, top-rated software reports, and thought leadership articles for diverse markets such as Brazil, Japan, Canada, France, Australia, and India. She finds it particularly rewarding to produce content that provides small-business owners with practical tips and helpful advice on topics such as the digitalization of small businesses, eCommerce trends, and HR developments.

Armed with a double bachelor’s in law (LL.B.) and business economics from Delhi University, she won a full scholarship to study for a master’s in creative writing at the National University of Ireland, Galway. In addition, she has written blog articles spanning a variety of topics such as fiction and non-fiction books, mental health and anxiety, the latest restaurants, and more. Her articles have been featured in Ireland’s national magazine The Village, among other publications. A die-hard journaling fan, she enjoys watching psychological thrillers, reading fiction books, and drinking iced coffee (even in the winter).

Advisors

Lindsay Robbins is a senior advisor. She joined Software Advice in 2023, and she is based in Austin, TX.

Lindsay works directly with small business leaders to connect them with best fit software providers. She assesses the technology needs of small businesses seeking manufacturing, business intelligence, inventory management, and ERP software through one-to-one conversations and provides a short list of potential matches. 

Lindsay’s favorite part of being a software advisor is helping a wide range of buyers find the right software based on their unique needs.

Isaac Routh is an advisor manager. He joined Software Advice in 2020 as a software advisor, and now he manages a team of seven software advisors. He is based in Austin, TX.

Isaac and his team help small businesses find the right ERP, legal, business intelligence, and accounting software for their needs each year. They’re able to do this through one-to-one conversations designed to narrow down the list of potential tools to only those that are the best fit. 

His favorite part of being a Software Advice advisor team manager is educating buyers and supporting small business owners.

Sources

1. Software Advice advisor call notes: Findings are based on data from telephonic conversations that Software Advice’s advisor team had with businesses seeking BI tools. For this report, we analyzed phone interactions from December 12, 2023, to December 12, 2024. Read the complete methodology.

2. Software Advice software pricing data: Only products with publicly available pricing information and qualified software products within the category, as of January 2024, are included in the pricing analysis. Read the complete methodology.