Contract Manufacturing Software
As a contract manufacturer, you need precision, efficiency, and complete control to stay competitive. A dedicated contract manufacturing software solution is a powerful tool for streamlining operations, enhancing business relationships and managing accurate profit margins. Manufacturers face unique challenges balancing customer requirements, compliance, and complex production processes.
An all-in-one solution, like an ERP system built for contract manufacturers, helps manage production, ensure traceability, and maintain quality control. With a centralised platform, contract manufacturers can simplify operations, improve efficiency, and scale business operations with confidence.
Benefits of Contract Manufacturing ERP Software
Contract manufacturing software provides manufacturers with a comprehensive platform for automation and efficiency. By centralising operations, sales, and accounting into one platform, manufacturers can gain complete control of their business. Dedicated tools empower complex production processes processes by reducing manual data entry, wastage and bottlenecks.
Manufacturing companies can maintain checks and balances, enforce process controls, support compliance, and keep informed about their operational performance. This improves communication and decision-making which leads to cost savings, streamlined supply chains and increased win rates with customers. With contract manufacturing software, teams can be more strategic, informed and proactive.
Features of Contract Manufacturing ERP Software
Inventory and Stock Visibility
Effective inventory management supports production scheduling and prevents disruptions by ensuring materials are available, without having to hold excessive "just-in-case" inventory. With visibility into raw material inventory availability, manufacturers can track stock levels in real-time to allocate to jobs. Maintain leaner stock levels while ensuring raw materials are available with automated purchasing.
Production and Job Management
Production and job management tracks job requirements, bill of materials needed and production line progression preventing bottlenecks. Production Management supports different manufacturing models and helps operations with production capacity forecasting to efficiently plan and execute their production scheduling.
Supply Chain Management
Supply chain management is supported through automated purchase orders, supply tracking and integrated accounting to balance spend control with manufacturing operations needs. With visibility across your entire supply chain, manufacturers can remain resilient to market conditions and fluctuations in material costs with diversified supplier relationships.
Quality & Compliance Management
Regulatory compliance is maintained by ensuring that quality control features strict documentation and certificates are readily available to reduce compliance failures. Prevent situations where critical checks are missing by integrating compliance tracking into standard business processes. ERP systems make it simple to manage quality control requirements and regulatory compliance.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Manage detailed customer information by recording interactions, quotes and custom order information. With centralised data you can track sales trends, view your most important customers and view your most profitable jobs. Gain insights into customer relationships and update production information in real time with your CRM connected to your production floor.
Contract Manufacturing Software for Small and Medium Manufacturers
M1: The Scalable ERP for Contract Manufacturers
M1 is a specialised ERP designed specifically for complex contract manufacturers, providing more advanced and scalable features with built in mrp system.
M1 provides visibility through the entire production process, from initial design through to final product. Whether it’s engineer-to-order work, design-to-order products, or manufacturing repeatable items, M1 provides the advanced tracking and management capabilities that modern manufacturers need.
JobBOSS²: The Job Shop Solution for Contract Manufacturers
JobBOSS² is specifically tailored to the unique needs of job shop and machine shop manufacturers.
Designed to help job shops manage their complex, custom manufacturing environment more efficiently, with a focus on automation, utilising materials effectively, and managing unique production requirements.
Manufacturing ERP Systems to Empower Contract Manufacturing Businesses
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Nurture customer relationships to drive repeat business and loyalty. Personalise every interaction and track historical purchases to anticipate needs.
Compliance & Traceability
Ensure full compliance with industry regulations and standards. Track every part and process to provide complete audit trails and accountability.
Material Resource Planning (MRP)
Optimise your inventory and raw materials to avoid shortages. Plan for production needs and reduce waste with accurate forecasting.
Production Scheduling
Streamline your workflow to meet deadlines consistently. Gain real-time visibility and control over all jobs on the shop floor.
Accounting
Manage all your finances in one integrated system. Create accurate quotes and invoices while tracking profit margins.
Inventory & Warehouse Management
Manage and track all materials throughout multiple facilities. Optimise product flow and reduce handling to increase overall efficiency.
Manufacturing Execution System (MES)
Monitor all shop floor operations in real time. Increase efficiency by identifying and resolving production bottlenecks instantly.
Quoting & Estimating
Create professional, accurate quotes quickly to win more business. Instantly convert winning estimates into new jobs to save time.
Job Management
Track the complete lifecycle of every project from start to finish. Centralise all job-related data to ensure smooth, on-time delivery.
Contract Manufacturing for Specialised Industries
Medical Devices
For the medical device sector, contract manufacturing ERP software is crucial for managing strict compliance and traceability. It ensures every component and process is meticulously tracked to meet regulatory standards. With detailed audit trails, quality controls and traceability, businesses can ensure patient safety and avoid costly legal issues.
Electronics
In the electronics industry, handling complex Bills of Materials (BOMs) and managing rapid product development is vital. Software enables efficient revision control and manages intricate supply chains for thousands of small components. With real-time visibility into production schedules and inventory levels, it helps to mitigate supply chain risks and ensures on-time delivery in a highly competitive market.
Automotive
Contract manufacturing software is essential for the automotive sector to maintain lean manufacturing principles and manage just-in-time (JIT) delivery. A core system provides precise production management and inventory control, ensuring parts are available exactly when needed. This helps meet the demands and rigorous quality standards of the automotive industry while reducing holding costs and improving overall operational efficiency.
Metal Fabrication
For metal fabrication, software is important for managing varied and complex job requirements. It handles everything from quoting and estimating to production and inventory. Manufacturers can track job costs, manage different material types and sizes, and optimises production processes for cutting, bending, and welding. This ensures profitability on every job and provides the necessary data to accurately price future contracts and improve overall business performance.
Contract Manufacturing Software FAQ's
Does ECI's software solutions support multi-location production?
M1 ERP enables multi-location management by providing a centralised system that allows manufacturers to track and manage operations across different sites. The system supports multiple warehouse and location tracking, ensuring consistent data management. This approach supports distributed teams and provides a unified view of manufacturing performance.
What KPIs can I track using contract manufacturing software?
For manufacturing companies, the focus should be on identifying areas of waste, understanding production and job costs, and maintaining process control. Real-time reporting allows manufacturing businesses to spot inefficiencies, track downtimes, and compare actual performance against planned predictions.
By using a centralised system to provide visibility into contract manufacturing operations, allows data-driven decisions to gain control and continuously improve performance. By tracking the right metrics, you can understand where your business is succeeding and where it needs improvement.
Can contract manufacturing software help with regulatory audits or certification processes?
Industry-specific contract management software and ERP systems are designed to understand and support the unique compliance needs of different sectors. Your preferred ERP system should make compliance easier by ensuring documentation is readily available and compliance processes tracked. For manufacturing environments where proof of quality or material processing are required, software can support this.