As we head toward the end of 2026, manufacturing is showing encouraging signs of growth. September marked the ninth consecutive month of expansion, according to the Institute for Supply Management, while manufacturer optimism climbed to nearly 79% in the latest National Association of Manufacturers survey. But challenges remain. Rising material and transportation costs, supply chain uncertainty, and ongoing workforce pressures are keeping manufacturers focused on protecting margins and improving efficiency.
Meanwhile, technology continues to reshape the industry. From AI-powered insights and real-time production monitoring to smarter planning and automation, manufacturers are finding new ways to increase productivity and make better decisions with the resources they already have. As 2027 approaches, the focus is shifting from simply adopting new technology to making sure those investments deliver measurable results. The takeaway?
Manufacturers that combine operational visibility, adaptability, and smarter technology investments will be better positioned for whatever comes next.
Release: v9.8.600
M1 v9.8.600 brings Ally, M1’s built-in AI assistant, into the screens you already use. You can now open Ally from the Help menu on Explorer and entry screens, from wizards and tools, from the M1 Help window, or from a dedicated M1 Home tab, and your conversation follows you as you move between them. On-premises customers can also set up Ally themselves with an Activation Code.
This release also includes:
- BOMs from a PDF or Excel file: Drop a drawing or spreadsheet into Ally from a Quote line or Job assembly, review the extracted lines, and add them as materials. The source file is attached automatically.
- Reverse Landed Cost: Reverse posted landed costs for standard parts with a mirror-image entry, with offsetting GL journals created automatically in COGS environments.
- Web links for documents: Link SharePoint and other web documents in Document Manager and Attachments.
- New Public API endpoint: Retrieve NET1 credit card transactions securely, without ever exposing full card numbers.
The release also resolves more than 70 reported issues across financials, inventory, job management, payroll, purchasing, and the M1 platform.
Ally is not available for GovCloud users. On-premises customers whose database is connected to the cloud should follow the steps in “Before Installing this Release” to prevent data loss.
NEW! AI BOM Builder for M1
Once your customer sends an RFQ or a drawing, the clock starts. But before you can quote or schedule, someone has to manually type part lists, materials, and routing steps, one line at a time. It’s slow, it’s repetitive, and it stalls production. The AI BOM Builder in M1 fixes this. Automatically turn drawings and spreadsheets into accurate bills of materials in seconds.
Ambassador Community
Share your manufacturing expertise and help shape what’s next by joining the ECI Ambassador Community. Connect with industry peers, provide feedback that influences future ECI products, and showcase your experience through opportunities like webinars, case studies, and panels—all with flexible participation that fits your schedule.
Ready to share your story and make an impact?
Super Pay Day
In this webinar on-demand, learn about the changes from the ATO regarding Super Pay Day.
This session covers the changes in M1 and highlights those changes that employers will need to review outside of M1.
End of Year Planning
As year-end approaches, a little preparation can go a long way toward a smoother close. Whether you're managing job costs and work orders or batch production and inventory, now is a good time to review your year-end documentation, check reports for discrepancies, and identify any questions before the rush. Our Support team is available to help troubleshoot software issues, answer questions, and connect you with helpful resources. For more in-depth assistance, including reconciliations, transaction reviews, or guided year-end processes, our Consulting team offers personalized support and training. Plan ahead to avoid longer Support wait times and contact your Account Manager if you'd like to explore Consulting assistance.
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