--- title: "Best Job Shop Software - 2026 Reviews & Pricing" description: "Find the best Job Shop & Machine Shop Software for your organization. Compare top Job Shop & Machine Shop Software systems with customer reviews, pricing, and free demos." source_url: "https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/job-shop-software-comparison/" page_type: "subcategory" language: "en" --- [Home](https://www.softwareadvice.com/) / Job Shop Software Software Advice offers objective insights based on verified user reviews and independent product and market research. When our advisors match you to a software provider, we may earn a referral fee. # Best Job Shop Software of 2026 Updated November 9, 2026 On this page 1. Popular Comparisons 2. Buyers Guide 3. Related Software Filter products 68 results ### Compare Products Showing 1 - 25 of 68 products #### Company Size - Self-Employed - 2-10 - 11-50 - 51-200 - 201-500 - 501-1000 - 1000+ #### Pricing Options - $$$$$ - $$$$$ - $$$$$ - $$$$$ - $$$$$ ### Compare Products Sort by **Recommendations**: Sorts listings by the number of recommendations our advisors have made over the past 30 days. Our advisors assess buyers’ needs for free and only recommend products that meet buyers’ needs. Vendors pay Software Advice for these referrals. **Reviews**: Sorts listings by the number of user reviews we have published, greatest to least. **Average Rating**: Sorts listings by overall star rating based on user reviews, highest to lowest. **Alphabetically (A-Z)**: Sorts listings by product name from A to Z. ### [Total ETO](/manufacturing/total-eto-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.6/5 - Reviews: 28 - Starting price: $9,000.00/year - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview ERP software designed for ETO manufacturers. Total ETO streamlines sales, engineering, procurement, manufacturing, and accounting. Integrators, Panel Shops, and OEMs benefit the [Read more](/manufacturing/total-eto-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - CRM: 5/5 - Time Tracking: 5/5 - Inventory Control: 5/5 - Receiving: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Supply Chain Management: 3.8/5 - Manufacturing Planning: 4/5 - Search/Filter: 4/5 [See all features](/manufacturing/total-eto-profile/#key-features) --- ### [JobBOSS²](/manufacturing/jobboss2-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.2/5 - Reviews: 867 - Best for: Small businesses - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview JobBOSS² is a job shop management software designed for custom manufacturers and machine shops. It supports make-to-order manufacturers in industries such as fabrication, [Read more](/manufacturing/jobboss2-profile/) ##### What users love - Responsive and knowledgeable support team - User-friendly and intuitive interface - Accessible training and onboarding resources ##### To take in mind - Limited and inflexible reporting tools - Challenging document and data handling - Cumbersome and limited navigation options #### Features ##### Best rated features - Multi-level BOM: 5/5 - Document Storage: 5/5 - Document Coding & Control: 5/5 - Item Management: 5/5 [See all features](/manufacturing/jobboss2-profile/#key-features) --- ### [REALTRAC](/manufacturing/realtrac-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.2/5 - Reviews: 75 - Starting price: $189.00/month - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Manufacturing success depends on having accurate information when decisions matter most. Realtrac is a fully integrated ERP solution designed specifically for machine shops, job [Read more](/manufacturing/realtrac-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Budgeting/Forecasting: 5/5 - Invoice Management: 5/5 - Supplier Management: 5/5 - Production Scheduling: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Supply Chain Management: 2.7/5 - Quality Control: 3/5 - Real-Time Data: 3/5 - Project Management: 3.5/5 [See all features](/manufacturing/realtrac-profile/#key-features) --- ### [QT9 ERP](/accounting/qt9erp-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.9/5 - Reviews: 19 - Starting price: $20,000.00 - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Available #### Overview QT9 ERP is a highly-scalable manufacturing platform for connecting and automating business data from multiple systems into one scalable and intuitive solution. QT9 ERP integrates [Read more](/accounting/qt9erp-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Inventory Management: 5/5 - Online Invoicing: 5/5 - Invoice Creation: 5/5 - Manufacturing Planning: 5/5 [See all features](/accounting/qt9erp-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: $20,000.00 [See full pricing details](/accounting/qt9erp-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [AccountMate](/accounting/accountmate-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.3/5 - Reviews: 25 - Starting price: $4,000.00one time - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview AccountMate is a hybrid accounting solution that caters to small and midsize businesses and offers them tools and functionalities, which help them to manage their financial [Read more](/accounting/accountmate-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Collaboration Tools: 5/5 - Multiple Projects: 5/5 - Purchase Order Management: 5/5 - Project Planning/Scheduling: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Task Management: 4/5 - Billing & Invoicing: 4/5 [See all features](/accounting/accountmate-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: $4,000.00one time [See full pricing details](/accounting/accountmate-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [MRPeasy](/manufacturing/mrpeasy-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.5/5 - Reviews: 173 - Starting price: $49.00/month - Best for: Value for money - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview MRPeasy is a versatile cloud-based ERP system for small and scaling companies (perfect for up to 200 employees). The software offers a complete ERP solution with robust production [Read more](/manufacturing/mrpeasy-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Alerts/Notifications: 5/5 - Multi-Currency: 5/5 - Parts Management: 5/5 - Kitting: 5/5 [See all features](/manufacturing/mrpeasy-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Starter - Price: $49.00/month - Users beyond 10 - it increases to $79/10 users ##### Professional - Price: $69.00/month - Cloud based plan that includes free updates ##### Enterprise - Price: $99.00/month - Most popular plan [See full pricing details](/manufacturing/mrpeasy-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [PolyPM](/manufacturing/polypm-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.6/5 - Reviews: 37 - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview PolyPM was created by Polygon Software, a provider of technology solutions for apparel manufacturers and textile mills since 2001. PolyPM is a 2-in-1 enterprise resource planning [Read more](/manufacturing/polypm-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Inventory Management: 5/5 - Warehouse Management: 5/5 - Supply Chain Management: 5/5 - Reporting/Analytics: 4/5 ##### Worst rated features - CRM: 3/5 - Reporting/Analytics: 4/5 [See all features](/manufacturing/polypm-profile/#key-features) --- ### [ProShop ERP](/erp/proshop-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.8/5 - Reviews: 113 - Best for: Small businesses - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Available #### Overview ProShop is a machine shop and manufacturing process management solution designed for small and midsize manufacturers. It offers enterprise resource planning (ERP), manufacturing [Read more](/erp/proshop-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Material Requirements Planning: 5/5 - Safety Management: 5/5 - Enterprise Asset Management: 5/5 - Shipping Management: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Production Scheduling: 2/5 - Audit Management: 2.5/5 - Capacity Management: 3/5 - HR Management: 3.8/5 [See all features](/erp/proshop-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: Custom - Pricing available upon request [See full pricing details](/erp/proshop-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [1factory](/manufacturing/1factory-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.9/5 - Reviews: 56 - Starting price: $30.00/month - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview 1factory provides a flexible and comprehensive quality management solution suitable for manufacturing companies of all sizes. Available as both a cloud-based and on-premise [Read more](/manufacturing/1factory-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Document Storage: 5/5 - Audit Trail: 5/5 - Version Control: 5/5 - Task Management: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Customizable Reports: 3/5 [See all features](/manufacturing/1factory-profile/#key-features) --- ### [Fusion Operations](/product/393147-Fusion-Operations/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 86 - Starting price: $2,000.00/year - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Fusion Operations is a manufacturing execution system that provides real-time data for production management. It helps manufacturers and fabricators, from small to large-scale, [Read more](/product/393147-Fusion-Operations/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Inventory Tracking: 5/5 - Performance Metrics: 5/5 - Data Catalog: 5/5 - Production Management: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Customizable Fields: 3/5 - Real-Time Notifications: 3/5 - Third-Party Integrations: 4/5 - Reporting/Analytics: 4/5 [See all features](/product/393147-Fusion-Operations/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: $2,000.00/year [See full pricing details](/product/393147-Fusion-Operations/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Statii](/manufacturing/statii-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.5/5 - Reviews: 221 - Starting price: £130.00/month - Best for: Customer support - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Statii is a comprehensive, cloud-based MRP (Material Resource Planning) solution, specifically crafted for small to medium-sized bespoke manufacturing and engineering businesses. [Read more](/manufacturing/statii-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Capacity Management: 5/5 - Quotes/Estimates: 4.9/5 - Reporting & Statistics: 4.7/5 - Job Tracking: 4.7/5 [See all features](/manufacturing/statii-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: £130.00/month [See full pricing details](/manufacturing/statii-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [shopVOX](/manufacturing/shopvox-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.6/5 - Reviews: 243 - Starting price: $99.00/month - Best for: Ease of use - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview shopVOX is a cloud-based platform for small to large businesses, which helps automate and streamline all processes related to manufacturing of custom products. The centralized [Read more](/manufacturing/shopvox-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Real-Time Data: 5/5 - Activity Tracking: 5/5 - Activity Dashboard: 5/5 - Client Management: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Data Import/Export: 1/5 [See all features](/manufacturing/shopvox-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### shopVOX Express - Price: $99.00/month - $99/month with one user Extra users are $19 per user/month USD 14 day Free Trial of shopVOX ##### shopVOX PRO - Price: $199.00/month - $199/month Base Plan including one user $39 per user/month Add-ons are available to customize [See full pricing details](/manufacturing/shopvox-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [CyberPlan](/manufacturing/cyberplan-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.5/5 - Reviews: 58 - Starting price: $1,500.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Available #### Overview CyberPlan is the software that has enabled manufacturing companies to create optimized production plans for more than 30 years. It does this by anticipating unforeseen events, [Read more](/manufacturing/cyberplan-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Inventory Optimization: 5/5 - Product Introduction Planning: 5/5 - Data Visualization: 5/5 - API: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Historical Reporting: 1.5/5 - Predictive Analytics: 2/5 - Quotes/Estimates: 2.5/5 - Sales Trend Analysis: 3/5 [See all features](/manufacturing/cyberplan-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: $1,500.00/month [See full pricing details](/manufacturing/cyberplan-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Fulcrum](/product/328655-Fulcrum-Pro/) - Overall rating: 4.9/5 - Reviews: 15 - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Fulcrum is a modern, cloud-native Manufacturing Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform that replaces outdated ERP, MRP, and MES systems. Built specifically for small and mid-sized [Read more](/product/328655-Fulcrum-Pro/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Job Tracking: 5/5 - Estimating: 5/5 - Supplier Management: 5/5 - Real-Time Monitoring: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Customizable Reports: 3/5 - Forecasting: 3.8/5 [See all features](/product/328655-Fulcrum-Pro/#key-features) --- ### [Rootstock Manufacturing ERP](/product/8938-Rootstock-Manufacturing-ERP/) - Overall rating: 4.6/5 - Reviews: 16 - Starting price: $100.00/month - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Rootstock Manufacturing ERP is a cloud-based enterprise resource planning software. It is designed to support the needs of manufacturing businesses. The software integrates key [Read more](/product/8938-Rootstock-Manufacturing-ERP/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Inventory Tracking: 5/5 - Real-Time Monitoring: 5/5 - Parts Management: 5/5 - Production Management: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Production Scheduling: 2/5 - Reporting/Analytics: 3/5 - Accounting: 3.8/5 - Bill of Material Analysis: 4/5 [See all features](/product/8938-Rootstock-Manufacturing-ERP/#key-features) --- ### [Tactic](/product/13096-Tactic/) - Overall rating: 4.6/5 - Reviews: 17 - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview TACTIC Advanced Planning and Scheduling is designed for discrete and batch industry manufacturers. Primary features include order management, routing, inventory management, [Read more](/product/13096-Tactic/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Reporting/Analytics: 5/5 - Material Requirements Planning: 5/5 - Forecasting: 5/5 - Capacity Planning: 5/5 [See all features](/product/13096-Tactic/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: Custom - Pricing available upon request [See full pricing details](/product/13096-Tactic/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Opstech](/manufacturing/opstech-profile/) - Overall rating: 5/5 - Reviews: 1 - Starting price: $270.00/month - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Opstech is a customizable MES platform used by production managers to achieve efficient and quality-focused production lines. With its intelligent rule-based system, it ensures [Read more](/manufacturing/opstech-profile/) --- ### [Visual EstiTrack](/manufacturing/visual-estitrack-erp-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.8/5 - Reviews: 11 - Starting price: $3,000.00 - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Henning Software has helped small to midsize manufacturers and job shops for 30 years. Visual EstiTrack ERP has complete material requirements planning, product lifecycle, supply [Read more](/manufacturing/visual-estitrack-erp-profile/) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: $3,000.00 [See full pricing details](/manufacturing/visual-estitrack-erp-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Tangle](/live-chat/tangle-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.8/5 - Reviews: 9 - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Tangle Manufacturing is a company that provides a Smart ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Powered by AI solution specifically designed for the discrete manufacturing industry, [Read more](/live-chat/tangle-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Quotes/Estimates: 5/5 - Job Costing: 5/5 - Shipping Management: 5/5 - Quality Control: 5/5 [See all features](/live-chat/tangle-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: Custom - Pricing available upon request - Starting from a BASIC plan of $100 per User per Month - there are alternative pricing model based on ##### Copy of Basic 1 - Price: Custom - Pricing available upon request - Starting from a BASIC plan of $100 per User per Month - there are alternative pricing model based on [See full pricing details](/live-chat/tangle-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Brahmin Solutions](/inventory-management/brahmin-solutions-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 7 - Starting price: $129.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Brahmin Solutions is a cloud-based Inventory and MRP software for fast-growing SMBs. The product is designed for manufacturers, retailers, and wholesalers to manage all operations [Read more](/inventory-management/brahmin-solutions-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Order Fulfillment: 5/5 - Order Management: 5/5 - Order Tracking: 5/5 - Product Identification: 5/5 [See all features](/inventory-management/brahmin-solutions-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Founder - Price: $129.00/month - 1 User Included, add additional users for $29 / month per user up to 5 users 1 Warehouse, add ##### Growth - Price: $349.00 - 3 Users Included 3 Warehouses 2,000 Sales Orders / Month [See full pricing details](/inventory-management/brahmin-solutions-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Infor VISUAL](/manufacturing/infor-visual-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.4/5 - Reviews: 38 - Starting price: $2,000.00 - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Infor VISUAL is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System with end-to-end functionality built for manufacturing organizations looking for a complete solution that supports the [Read more](/manufacturing/infor-visual-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Quotes/Estimates: 5/5 - Production Management: 5/5 - Quality Management: 5/5 - Bills of Material: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Reporting/Analytics: 1/5 - Capacity Planning: 2/5 - Warehouse Management: 3.5/5 - Forecasting: 4/5 [See all features](/manufacturing/infor-visual-profile/#key-features) --- ### [ShopKeeper Job Control](/manufacturing/insite-shopkeeper-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.6/5 - Reviews: 8 - Starting price: $7,500.00one time - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview ShopKeeper Job Control is the flagship of the application suite that makes up the ShopKeeper ERP shop management solution for small- to mid-sized job shops, process shops and [Read more](/manufacturing/insite-shopkeeper-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Quality Management: 5/5 - Production Scheduling: 5/5 - Traceability: 5/5 - Purchase Order Management: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Warehouse Management: 4/5 [See all features](/manufacturing/insite-shopkeeper-profile/#key-features) --- ### [StartProto](/manufacturing/startproto-profile/) - Overall rating: 5/5 - Reviews: 2 - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview StartProto revolutionizes manufacturing operations by offering a cutting-edge cloud-based solution. Its primary objective is to help businesses elevate their quoting, routing, and [Read more](/manufacturing/startproto-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Production Scheduling: 5/5 - Inventory Management: 5/5 - Bills of Material: 5/5 - Order Management: 4.5/5 [See all features](/manufacturing/startproto-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Custom - Price: Custom - Pricing available upon request [See full pricing details](/manufacturing/startproto-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [DBA Manufacturing](/manufacturing/dba-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.4/5 - Reviews: 6 - Starting price: $1,995.00one time - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Available #### Overview DBA is an on-premise manufacturing requirements planning (MRP) solution for small manufacturing organizations. It allows users to create additional bills of material by utilizing [Read more](/manufacturing/dba-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Order Management: 5/5 - Production Scheduling: 4/5 - Bills of Material: 4/5 - Inventory Management: 4/5 ##### Worst rated features - Document Management: 2/5 - Work Order Management: 3/5 - Quotes/Estimates: 3/5 - Supplier Management: 3/5 [See all features](/manufacturing/dba-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: $1,995.00one time [See full pricing details](/manufacturing/dba-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [PropulsionMRP](/manufacturing/propulsionmrp-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.5/5 - Reviews: 1 - Starting price: $12,750.00 - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview PropulsionMRP is a mobile manufacturing resource planning and execution system. The solution provides users visibility into their manufacturing processes and offers tracking and [Read more](/manufacturing/propulsionmrp-profile/) --- 1 [2](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/job-shop-software-comparison/?__ai_markdown=true&page=2)[3](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/job-shop-software-comparison/?__ai_markdown=true&page=3) ## Popular Comparisons [ JobBOSS² vs Fishbowl ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/fishbowl-inventory-manufacturing-profile/vs/jobboss2/)[ MRPeasy vs DELMIAWorks ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/iqms-enterpriseiq-profile/vs/mrpeasy/)[ Statii vs Fusion Operations ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/compare/154813-statii/vs/393147-Fusion-Operations/)[ ProShop ERP vs CyberPlan ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/cyberplan-profile/vs/proshop/)[ REALTRAC vs Infor VISUAL ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/infor-visual-profile/vs/realtrac/)[ shopVOX vs Clarity Software ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/clarity-software-profile/vs/shopvox/) Job shop and machine shop specialties are limited-scale manufacturing, including prototyping and single unit production or “one offs.” Margins can be very thin, so successful firms balance their time spent on manufacturing with time on maintaining inventory and fostering customer relationships. Job shop software is essentially an [enterprise resource planning (ERP) system](https://www.softwareadvice.com/erp/) with a limited scope. In fact, it's is often part of ERP if the shop is a small part of a larger organization. Broadly speaking, the system is used to automate many of the tracking and scheduling duties within the company. A prime requirement for job and machine shops is manufacturing resource planning (MRP), the system that schedules the manufacturing of each customer’s order. Inventory and order entry are important and must be integrated with the [MRP system](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/mrp-software-comparison/), particularly with the pipeline management system. _Screenshot of E2 Shop System scheduling whiteboard_ Contract manufacturing is a relationship-based businesses. As such, owners should use customer relationship management (CRM) to track sales history and to market opportunities targeted at specific customers. Strictly speaking, payroll is standard. However, one of the resources tracked by MRP is worker time spent per work order. This allows owners and managers to measure the profitability of each employee. General ledger, accounts payable and accounts receivable are standard. Most job shop manufacturing systems are installed on premises. The computerization and networking of tools and the associated costs means that most of the infrastructure to support job shop scheduling software is already in place, negating the hardware cost arguments for cloud-based installations. Here's what we'll cover: [What Is Job and Machine Shop Software?](#WhatIsJobandMachineShopSoftware) [Common Features of Job and Machine Shop Software](#CommonFeaturesofJobandMachineShopSoftware) [Market Trends to Understand](#MarketTrendstoUnderstand) ## What Is Job and Machine Shop Software? Job and machine shop software provide necessary, real-time data that is related to manufacturing and other operations, such as job scheduling, finance, estimations, employees, sales, materials, engineering, job accounting and job management. They also provide job data related to competitors, vendors, customers, marketplace and the overall supply chain. A job and machine shop solution helps manufacturing units reduce waste, enhance productivity and improve the bottom line. The solution helps users meet the specific requirements of job shops that cannot always be achieved using traditional manufacturing solutions. ## Common Features of Job and Machine Shop Software In addition to core business functions, it's important to evaluate the following functions to meet the company's unique requirements: | Feature | Description | | --- | --- | | Pipeline management | Balances jobs against the available resources, checks inventory and prepares orders for materials. Advanced systems also factor in cost and price, prioritizing the most profitable production. | | Customer sales monitoring | Compares each customer’s historic sales to recent sales to gauge trends. Also, enables supports customer sales incentives. | | Job estimating | Evaluates required time, materials, machines and personnel to perform a job. Calculates costs and profit. Advance systems can substitute resources and optimize for time or profit. | | Make/buy reporting | Applies estimating to subassemblies to evaluate whether it’s more profitable to make or buy components. Advanced systems will factor in time to build or buy as well as cost. | | Process planning reporting | Helps plan and document each step in fabrication for accurate estimating and job tracking. The process planning reports track the development of the process plan for each contract. | | Material supplier planning | Assists in the make/buy process by helping material suppliers assign a bill of materials to each subassembly. Allows make/buy decisions to be based on current market prices for material and labor for each estimate. | | Fabrication scheduling | Supports dynamic scheduling fabrication process, changing as different jobs finish late or early and as materials arrive in inventory. Also allows schedules to be reprioritized. | | Customer delivery scheduling | Helps streamline flows of shipping/delivery/pick up for efficient fabrication process. Includes transit time and adjustable slack time. | | Slipped/late jobs reporting | Tracks and reports job status through the entire process from estimation to delivery. Advanced systems will have a dashboard that signals management as soon as a job slips past a defined threshold. | | Work load planning | Helps managers adjust the work load to leverage the most expensive equipment to depreciate or minimize usage of the most expensive to run. Also helps manage employee work loads, taking into account workers’ preferences. | | Scrap reporting | Provides efficient tracking to minimize the amount of scrap by planning production to make the most efficient use of material. Also helps tracks recyclable scrap through to resale to the scrap yard. | | Engineering change management | Tracks engineering changes and their impact on delivery date and profit on the project. It should also be easy to enter the changes into the system so that the changes can flow to other projects and the overall schedule. | --- ## Market Trends to Understand In the past several years, many major trends have influenced the manner in which job shops operate in the manufacturing sector, and will continue to impact in the future. New technologies, such as advanced robotics, data analytics and mobile devices will enable small job shops to compete with larger enterprises that have state-of-the-art infrastructure. To keep up with the latest developments, job shops must be aware of the key trends: **Fully digital supply chain.** The digitization of operations in a supply chain is about to become obligatory, leaving no scope for paper-based work. In this situation, paperwork is unacceptable in even the smallest of job shops. An all-digital supply chain increases productivity and efficiency and minimizes the chance of errors. **Artificial intelligence and predictive analytics.** The back office requires a finer and better grasp of the big picture for uninterrupted operation. Many low-cost analytics platforms in the market quickly gather data in the warehouse, on the shop floor and through customer communications. This information is then assessed through predictive analytics to shape various supply orders for the upcoming months. It also helps predict which machine is likely to fail soon and which customers to pursue in the immediate term. **Augmented reality.** A few years ago, the concept of augmented reality services, such as Google Glass, was in hype but it vanished quickly due to the high price of these services and devices. However, the concept has great potential. In the coming years, the cost of wearable hardware linked to such concepts is expected to reach a more realistic level. It will create plenty of opportunities in inventory management and enable quicker response to overall processes and operations on the job shop floor. ### Related Job Shop Software - [MRP Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/mrp-software-comparison/) - [Manufacturing Execution Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/execution-systems-comparison/)