MRP Software for Smarter Manufacturing Planning
What is Material Requirements Planning Software?
MRP is a common term in manufacturing. So what is MRP? At its heart, it answers what you need to make the product and when the product needs to be made by. MRP software calculates material needs, aligns them with production schedules, and ensures inventory levels stay lean—not too little, not too much.
Benefits of Using MRP Software
Reduce Stockouts & Excess Inventory
Stockouts stall production, and excess inventory ties up cash and clutters your floor. MRP software helps track demand against inventory levels in real time. Generate purchase orders automatically based on reorder points. Meet lead times with the right amount of stock on hand to achieve delivery promises.
Improve Production Efficiency & Forecast Accuracy
Unreliable forecasts and inefficient scheduling cost time, money, and customer trust. MRP software helps aligns material availability with machine capacity and labour rosters. Use historical sales data, seasonality, and even AI to forecast demand. Even plan production around known constraints—like long weekends, supplier holidays, or site-specific capacity limits.
Centralise Inventory & Scheduling
When inventory and scheduling are managed apart, information lives in silos, miscommunication happens and mistakes run rife. With a single source of truth everyone is working off the same data. Automated supplier reorders speed up purchasing to meet demand. Materials are aligned with scheduled jobs and errors are reduced.
Increase On-Time Deliveries & Customer Satisfaction
In the competitive markets, reliable delivery is a major competitive edge. Meet expectations by aligning production schedules with realistic material availability. Minimise delays caused by human error or poor coordination. Provide accurate lead times to sales teams, so customers get achievable delivery promises.
Gain Real-Time Visibility Across Operations
If you can’t see what’s happening in your business, you’re flying blind. Dashboards show what’s in stock, what’s in production, what’s delayed, and what’s overdue. Integrate IoT data and get alerts on machine downtime or bottlenecks. Real-time visibility means you can implement continuous improvement with data-driven decisions, not gut feel.
Why Manufacturing ERP Software Is Better Than MRP Software
Cloud-based MRP systems offer manufacturers real-time access, simplified updates, and remote flexibility. They're scalable, secure, and ideal for businesses managing production across multiple sales channels. However their functionality is limited to production planning and execution.
An industry-specific ERP system does the MRP work and much more. With accounting, sales, and operations all in one system you can surface complete visability, insights and efficiency across your entire business.
How Manufacturing Software Supports Your Entire Business
Customer Relationship Management
Connect your sales pipeline directly to your manufacturing software. With CRM functionality, sales orders feed into your MRP system, helping plan production and enhance customer satisfaction.
Accounting & Financial Oversight
MRP software with accounting systems oversee production costs, track invoices, and align your financials. This is often called enterprise resource planning (ERP) software that service specific industries.
Real-Time Inventory Levels
Synchronise stock levels across departments with live inventory updates. Everyone from back office to production floor gets access to the same real time data, helping manage materials more effectively.
Shop Floor Visibility
Gain visibility into every job from receipt to delivery. Track your master production schedule and shop floor progress, ensuring production planning aligns with deadlines and finished product specifications.
Supplier Management
Control costs by diversifying your raw material procurement to meet manufacturing needs. Manage supplier relationships, generate RFQ's for materials and track purchase orders in real time.
Production Capacity
Ensure your business has the critical tools to drive efficiency in your manufacturing processes to meet demand. Move quotes to work orders and through the production process automatically to maximise capacity.
Manufacturing Resource Planning for Small to Medium Manufacturers
M1 ERP: The Manufacturing ERP
M1 is ideal for manufacturers looking to manage their material resource planning needs. MRP functionality includes generating BOM's, tracking raw materials and estimating material costs for producing goods. With a comprehensive suite of industry specific features, M1 can support your entire manufacturing business.
JobBOSS²: Job Shop Management Software
JobBOSS² suits job shops and machine shops handling custom and short-run jobs. Its MRP tools are simple yet effective, letting you quickly build BOM's, manage costs and track materials. With everything from Quote to Cash you can manage your shop floor to the back office.
Manufacturing ERP Software for Maximum Efficiency
Material Requirements Planning (MRP)
Automatically calculate what materials are needed, how much to order, and when to order them—keeping your production running smoothly without overstocking or stock outs. Manage materials, generate bill of materials and maintain optimal inventory levels to meet demand.
Work Order & Job Tracking
Stay in control of every production operation from start to finish. Monitor progress, associated costs, labour, and material usage in real-time to improve accountability and production efficiency.
Production Scheduling
Optimise your production planning and scheduling based on real-time capacity, material lead times, and available resources. This enhances planning and scheduling accuracy while boosting productivity.
Supply Chain Management
Simplify procurement with integrated purchasing tools. Track purchase orders, supplier performance, and manage lead times—supporting efficient inventory management and manufacturing operations.
Inventory & Stock Control
Gain real-time insights into raw materials, WIP, and finished goods. This inventory management system helps reduce costs, minimise waste, and maintain maximum efficiency.
Reports & Costing Tools
Access detailed production reports and costing tools to monitor actual vs planned performance. These support better planning, improve manufacturing management, and guide smarter decision-making.
MRP Software FAQs
What is the difference between MRP software and a MRP system?
The terms are often used interchangeably. Both describe material requirements planning software designed to streamline production processes, manage resources, and support efficient planning.
How is MRP different from ERP?
MRP focuses on production planning, inventory management, and material control. ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) includes MRP and adds finance, HR, CRM, and more.
What features are included with MRP software?
MRP software includes planning software tools for scheduling, BOMs, purchasing, inventory control, job tracking, and cost reporting—making it essential for any manufacturing software suite.
How do I get started with MRP software?
Start by reviewing your production operations and identifying bottlenecks. Then, explore MRP solutions that integrate with your ERP and schedule a demo.
Is MRP software suitable for small manufacturers?
MRP isn't just for large enterprises—small businesses benefit greatly from streamlined production scheduling, reduced stock outs, and improved customer satisfaction.