Production Planning Software - Make Your Manufacturing Smart

Production planning software is a tool that puts every aspect of manufacturing together. It handles everything from buying materials to keeping track of them. All of this happens in one place. This tool is very important for small to medium scale businesses in India. Today, Indian SMEs are not just surviving but also thriving and contributing to the Indian economy. This makes it very important for the SMEs to follow the best practices for their operations.

In this blog post, we will talk about what is production planning software, what it does, and why it’s good for your business. We will also look at the 10 best production planning software to use in 2024.

Evolution of Production Planning Software

The evolution of production planning software happened with the technological advancements and changing industry needs:

• Pre-Digital Era (Before the 1960s): Manual, paper-based methods for basic scheduling and inventory control.
• Computerization (1960s - 1980s): Introduction of computers and Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems.
• Expansion and Integration (1980s - 2000s): Emergence of Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP II) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
• Internet and Mobility Era (2000s - 2010s): Advent of web-based and mobile technologies for real-time data access.
• Smart Manufacturing (2010s - Present): Integration with IoT and AI, and the use of cloud computing.
• Future Trends: Advancements in AI, big data, digital twins, and a focus on sustainability metrics.

Key Feature Of Production Planning Software

Production planning software has many features that can help you with your production process.Following are some notable features that production planning software download can help you in India:

• Production planning and scheduling software provides accurate predictions based on past data to forecast future production demands and optimize your production strategy.
• It allows detailed outlining of your production cycles. It also helps you to determine production quantity, route steps and execute with the lowest overhead costs.
• A production capacity planning software helps manage product variants and materials from a single platform to give you an uninterrupted production cycle.
• Production planning software integrates with other systems like accounting, inventory, and transactions to improve production capacity.

Benefits Of Production Planning Software

There are many advantages of production planning and control software that make your production efficient and cost-effective. Here are some of the most important ones:

• Production planning ERP software helps deliver orders on time, enables timely follow-ups and improves cash flows.
• Manufacturing production planning software offers data-driven planning capabilities that lead to faster and more transparent production planning.
• It helps you maintain your inventory levels in real time and provides accurate future predictions to avoid stockouts.
• Its accurate inventory integration and estimation help reduce production costs and focus on cost optimization.

The 10 Best Production Planning Software to Use in 2024

Production planning software is an automated process planning software for businesses to create efficient production strategies, enabling them to streamline processes and maximize production capacity. Production planning software supports business owners in forecasting production cycle timelines and predicting potential bottlenecks to ensure manufacturing processes can occur in the best possible manner.

Automating and integrating the end-to-end production process using process planning software, helps you see and control your manufacturing in real-time. This means you can achieve better production management, reduce waste, and save money to focus on business growth.

Below is a production planning diagram for better understanding.

For small and medium businesses in India, choosing the right software to plan and manage production is very important in 2024. This section is about the 10 best production planning software that can help your manufacturing business this year. They are easy to use with your current systems and they come with really helpful features.

1. SAP

Overview: SAP is a leading enterprise resource planning (ERP) system known for its adaptability and integration features. It provides a wide range of modules.

Solutions:

• General Ledger
• Sales
• Purchasing
• CRM
• Service Management
• Project Management
• Inventory
• Material Requirements Planning

Pros:

• 👍 Continual development with integration into the SAP ecosystem.
• 👍 Emphasis on adaptability and integration.
• 👍 Quality and flexible software options.
• 👍 Strong application program interfaces (APIs).
• 👍 Various deployment choices: cloud, on-premise, multi-tenant cloud.
• 👍 Supports multiple currencies and localizations.

Cons:

• 🚫 Expensive
• 🚫 Absence of a payroll module, necessitating third-party products.
• 🚫 Limited functionality in the HR module.
• 🚫 Less flexible financial reporting.
• 🚫 Not ideal for nonprofit or government sectors requiring fund accounting.
• 🚫 Challenges in third-party system integration.

Google Rating: 4.3/5

Pricing: SAP's pricing isn't publicly disclosed. For basic needs, prices start around $10,000 for a small system, with costs significantly higher for midsize and large systems. Prices vary based on user number and access type.

Usefulness for Indian SME Manufacturers and Traders: SAP Business One is specifically made for small to medium manufacturing and inventory management needs and supports multiple currencies and various country localizations. This makes it well-suited for global businesses. However, its complexity and cost may be big challenges for smaller enterprises.

Integrations:

• Crystal Reports
• Microsoft SQL Server
• SAP HANA
• Various e-commerce platforms
• Shipping companies
• EDI services

2. TranZact

Overview: TranZact is the easiest software designed to automate and streamline end-to-end business processes for Indian SME manufacturers and traders. It specializes in simplifying complex business workflows. TranZact is made to meet the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises in India. They offer solutions that are both efficient and affordable. The software focuses on reducing manual effort and error. It improves overall operational efficiency. TranZact helps businesses make informed decisions and improve their productivity with real-time data access, cloud-based storage, and complete reporting tools. The platform's user-friendly interface makes it a top choice for Indian businesses looking to digitize their operations.

Solutions:

• Production
• Planning
• Sales
• Purchase
• Inventory

Pros:

• 👍 Streamlines complex business processes.
• 👍 Easy-to-use interface and customizable features.
• 👍 Real-time data access.
• 👍 Cloud-based storage.
• 👍 Comprehensive reporting tools.
• 👍 Automates production, planning, sales, purchase, and inventory management.
• 👍 Reduces manual effort and error.
• 👍 Specially designed for Indian SMEs, addressing their specific challenges.
• 👍 Offers efficient and affordable solutions, making it accessible to smaller businesses.
• 👍 User-friendly interface
• 👍 Easy to learn
• 👍 Regular updates
• 👍 Continous support
• 👍 Video tutorials are available for better understanding

Cons:

• 🚫Suitable for Indian SME Manufacturers and Traders.
• 🚫Limited international integrations.

Google Rating: 4.6/5

Pricing:

• Micro: Free
• Small: ₹39,999/year
• Medium: ₹99,999/year
• Enterprise: ₹1,99,999/year

Usefulness for Indian SME Manufacturers and Traders: TranZact stands out as the best digital tool for Indian SME manufacturers and traders. Its capabilities in managing production, planning, sales, purchase and inventory management help well with the needs of Indian SMEs. Indian SMEs often face the challenges of manual processing and data management. TranZact’s real-time data access and cloud-based storage are very useful for Indian SMEs for decision-making. Additionally, TranZact's affordability and customization options make it an attractive choice for smaller businesses in India looking to digitize their operations and improve their market presence.

Integrations:

• Tally
• Excel
• Aftership
• Busy ERP
• WhatsApp

3. Oracle NetSuite

Overview: Oracle NetSuite is an ERP software that offers a range of features for business management. It includes standard accounting tools, CRM, payroll, inventory, HR, and supply chain modules. It is known for its good automation capabilities. It includes the use of AI to streamline processes. NetSuite's customizable software allows businesses to add modules as needed. It supports many languages and currencies, making it suitable for global operations.

Solutions:

• Financial Management
• CRM
• E-commerce
• Professional Services Automation
• HR
• Supply Chain Management
• Warehouse and Fulfillment

Pros:

• 👍 Comprehensive financial software.
• 👍 Advanced automation features.
• 👍 Diverse module options.
• 👍 Seamless integrations.
• 👍 Customizable.
• 👍 User-education resources.
• 👍 Global support.

Cons:

• 🚫 Mobile app has poor reviews.
• 🚫 Implementation process can be lengthy and complex.
• 🚫 Mixed customer reviews regarding the software and customer support.
• 🚫 Lack of global payroll options.
• 🚫 Additional fees for customer service.
• 🚫 No free trial or money-back guarantee offered.

Usefulness for Indian SME Manufacturers and Traders: Oracle NetSuite is good for Indian SMEs that have huge operations and require a system to manage many business functions. However, its complexity and cost might be challenging for smaller businesses. For Indian SMEs with extensive operations and the need for advanced ERP functionalities, NetSuite can be a valuable asset. It can offer scalability and a range of features that support business growth and international expansion.

Google Rating: 4.1/5

Pricing: NetSuite does not publicly disclose its subscription costs on its website. Those interested in the software need to schedule a consultation for pricing details. Generally, pricing options start around $1,000 per month, with additional licensing costs depending on module selection, support level, and user requirements.

Integrations:

• Amazon Supply Chain
• ShipStation
• Amazon
• BigCommerce
• eBay
• Shopify
• Shopify POS
• WooCommerce
• Walmart

4. Busy

Overview: BUSY Accounting Software is a business accounting software, mainly designed for small and medium-sized businesses. This software offers a range of features such as financial accounting, inventory management, invoicing, MIS reports, and GST compliance. BUSY is known for its user-friendly interface. It also supports multiple functionalities and proper tax management reports. These are beneficial for accountants and businesses in India.

Solutions:

• Financial Accounting
• Inventory Management
• Invoicing
• MIS Reports
• GST Compliance

Pros:

• 👍 User-friendly interface.
• 👍 Variety of functionalities.
• 👍 GST for businesses.
• 👍 Video tutorials.
• 👍 Ideal for small companies and manufacturers.
• 👍 Customization of invoices and reports.
• 👍 Mobile app
• 👍 Multiple payment options
• 👍 POS integration.
• 👍 Regular updates.

Cons:

• 🚫 Requires a hardware key for operation.
• 🚫 Difficulty in operating old data after upgrading to a newer version.
• 🚫 The user interface colour is not customizable, which can cause eye strain during long use.
• 🚫 Importing from Excel is not user-friendly.
• 🚫 Some users reported issues with customer support and a lengthy problem-solving process.
• 🚫 Certain expected features might be missing, like cheque details in vouchers.

Google Rating: 4.5/5

Pricing: The pricing of BUSY Accounting Software starts from around $300 as a one-time payment. It offers a free trial and a free version as well.

Usefulness for Indian SME Manufacturers and Traders: BUSY Accounting Software is particularly useful for small and medium-sized enterprises due to its ease of use, comprehensive features, and GST compliance capabilities. It is especially beneficial for businesses in India, offering features that cater to the specific accounting and financial needs of Indian SMEs.

Integrations: The software does not specify integrations with external platforms in the provided sources.

5. Zoho

Overview: Zoho is a cloud-based software suite offering a wide range of business and productivity tools. It is useful for various aspects of business operations, including sales, marketing, finance, legal, IT, analytics, and human resources. Zoho streamlines complex business processes, improves customer relationships and supports growth for companies of all sizes. The suite includes more than 70 apps, making it a versatile choice for different business needs.

Solutions:

• CRM
• Secure email services
• Financial platform
• HR processes.
• Helpdesk software for customer support
• Projects

Pros:

• 👍 Range of business applications.
• 👍 Cloud-based.
• 👍 Customizable.
• 👍 Automation of workflows.
• 👍 Integrates multiple business functions in one platform.
• 👍 Free versions are available for some apps.
• 👍 Regular updates.

Cons:

• 🚫 Some users may find the interface less modern compared to competitors.
• 🚫 Too many apps
• 🚫 Overwhelming for new users.
• 🚫 Too many features small businesses require.

Google Rating: 4.3/5

Pricing: Zoho offers a range of pricing options, including free versions for some apps.

• CRM Plus: $69/user/month
• Finance Plus: $249/organization/month
• People Plus: $10/user/month
• Workplace: $4/user/month
• Marketing Plus: $30/month for 1 user (additional users $12/user/month)
• Zoho One (all popular bundles): $45/user/month

Usefulness for Indian SME Manufacturers and Traders: Zoho's suite of over 70 business applications is useful for Indian SME manufacturers and traders. The wide range of tools covers various business operations like sales, marketing, finance, HR, and customer support. Its cloud-based nature and scalability make it useful for SMEs in India. It is an affordable and efficient solution for managing their business processes.

Integrations: Zoho offers a lot of integrations across its various applications, improving the platform's functionality and versatility. These integrations help with seamless connections with other software and services, facilitating efficient workflows and data management for users.

6. Tally

Overview: Tally Solutions is a software suite that is highly effective for Indian SME manufacturers and traders. Its broad range of features and functionalities makes it especially useful for this target audience. It offers an integrated business management solution, covering aspects like accounting, finance, inventory management, sales, purchase, point of sales, manufacturing, costing, job costing, payroll, and branch management. Tally Solutions is user-friendly and customizable, making it a good fit for the diverse and dynamic nature of small and medium-sized enterprises in India. Its ability to adapt to the changing tax laws and business requirements in India makes it more appealing to its target audience.

Key Features and Solutions:

• Invoicing & Accounting
• Business Management
• Banking Operations
• GST and Tax Management
• Inventory Management
• Credit and Payroll Management

Pros:

• 👍 Comprehensive Business Suite
• 👍 User-Friendly
• 👍 Automated Systems
• 👍 Multilingual Interface

Cons:

• 🚫 Mainly targets SMEs
• 🚫 Local Indian Market Orientation

Usefulness for Indian SME Manufacturers and Traders: Tally Solutions is useful for Indian SMEs due to its comprehensive approach to business management. It covers accounting, banking, inventory, and payroll. Its focus on the Indian market makes it a good tool for local SMEs who need to follow regional compliance and business practices.

Google Rating: 4.⅘

Pricing:

• TallyPrime Silver Plan (Single User): ₹18,000 + 18% GST (Goods and Services Tax)
• TallyPrime Gold Plan (Multiple Users): ₹54,000 + 18% GST
• TallyPrime Subscription-Based Plans
• Options for 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months:
• Silver: $81 for 3 months, $153 for 6 months, $306 for 12 months
• Gold: $243 for 3 months, $459 for 6 months, $918 for 12 months

Integrations: TallyPrime can be customized with various integrations and extensions to meet specific business requirements. These integrations help improve financial management and reporting procedures, made for industry and operational needs.

7. ERP Next

Overview: ERPNext is an open-source enterprise resource planning (ERP) software designed for small and medium-sized businesses. It covers a broad range of functionalities including accounting, inventory, manufacturing, customer relationship management (CRM), sales, purchase, human resources, and project management. ERPNext is known for its flexibility and ease of customization, allowing it to be customised to the specific needs of various industries. It works on reducing dependency on manual processes, increasing efficiency, and providing real-time insights to aid decision-making. With its modular structure, businesses can choose which components they need, making sure a cost-effective and scalable solution. ERPNext's cloud-based and on-premise deployment options cater to diverse business requirements.

Solutions:

• Accounting
• Inventory Management
• Manufacturing
• CRM
• Sales and Purchase Management
• Human Resources
• Project Management

Pros:

• 👍 Comprehensive ERP.
• 👍 Flexible and customizable.
• 👍 Cloud-based and on-premise deployment options.
• 👍 Real-time data.
• 👍 Cost-effective and scalable.
• 👍 User-friendly interface.
• 👍 Regular updates.
• 👍 Open-source nature allows for extensive personalization and integration.
• 👍 Suitable for a global audience with multi-currency and multi-language support.

Cons:

• 🚫 May require technical expertise for initial setup and customization.
• 🚫 Some users may find advanced features complex to implement.
• 🚫 Limited brand recognition compared to major ERP vendors.

Google Rating: 4.6/5

Pricing:

• Small Business: ₹4100 /month
• Enterprise: Custom

Usefulness for Indian SME Manufacturers and Traders: ERPNext is useful for SMEs due to its flexibility and scalability. Its suite of tools supports various business functions, making it an all-in-one solution for growing businesses. The platform's focus on automation and real-time insights helps SMEs streamline operations and make informed decisions. The open-source nature and community support make ERPNext a dynamic and evolving solution. It is good for businesses looking for a cost-effective ERP system.

Integrations:

• Popular accounting software like QuickBooks, Xero
• E-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce
• CRM systems
• Various payment gateways
• Custom integrations via API

8. Biziverse

Overview: Biziverse is a digital platform designed to serve a wide range of industries. It provides solutions that improve efficiency, productivity, and innovation. The platform helps with various business needs, including marketing, sales, finance, human resources, and project management. Biziverse is adaptable, catering to both small startups and large corporations. The platform offers good tools and features, integrating the latest technology. The easy-to-use interface and good support system make it an attractive choice for businesses looking for a reliable and scalable digital solution.

Solutions:

• Marketing
• Sales
• Finance
• Human Resources
• Project Management

Pros:

• 👍 Wide range of business solutions.
• 👍 User -friendly interface.
• 👍 Suitable for businesses of all sizes.
• 👍 Scalable.
• 👍 Data analytics and reports.
• 👍 Customer support and community.
• 👍 Regular updates.

Cons:

• 🚫 May require a learning curve for new users.
• 🚫 Pricing might be a concern for small businesses.

Google Rating: 4.7/5

Pricing:

• ERP Basics: ₹ 1,800 / year
• ERP+CRM Gold: ₹ 4,800 / year
• CRM Gold: ₹ 6,000 / year

Usefulness for Indian SME Manufacturers and Traders: Biziverse is useful for Indian SME manufacturers and traders due to its features and integrations. It supports important business functions like lead management, invoicing, order processing, and inventory management. The platform's website creation tool helps with online presence. Its manufacturing module addresses the specific needs of production-based businesses. Its India-specific integrations help with compliance and relevance in the local market, making it an efficient and effective solution for these businesses.

Integrations: Information not provided by the vendor.

9. Good Books ERP

Overview: GoodBooks ERP is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software that streamlines various aspects of the business, from inventory management to sales tracking, distribution, and customer relations. The software is built to help businesses optimize their operations, and improve efficiency, and customer satisfaction. It's an ideal tool for both small and large companies.

Solutions:

• Inventory Management
• Sales Tracking
• Distribution Management
• Customer Relationship Management

Pros:

• 👍 Streamlines sales and distribution.
• 👍 Customer relationship management.
• 👍 User-friendly interface.
• 👍 Suitable for both small and large companies.
• 👍 Integrates with various sales channels.
• 👍 Provides valuable insights through reporting tools.

Cons:

• 🚫 May require training for staff not familiar with ERP systems.

Google Rating: 4.5/5

Pricing: Not provided by the vendor.

Usefulness for Indian SME Manufacturers and Traders: GoodBooks ERP includes modules for manufacturing, finance, sales, inventory, and CRM. These address key business functions like production planning, financial management, sales order processing, and customer relationship management. It provides analytics for data-driven decision-making and a robust HRMS for employee management. GoodBooks ERP's customizable features make it an efficient tool for SMEs looking to streamline operations and improve productivity​

Integrations: Not provided by the vendor.

10. Odoo

Overview: Odoo is a suite of open-source enterprise management applications. It's known for its modularity, allowing businesses to start with a basic set of apps and add more as their needs grow. Odoo, an open source production planning scheduling software, covers a range of business operations, like CRM, e-commerce, accounting, inventory, project management, and more. Its flexibility makes it suitable for businesses of all sizes and types. It is designed to streamline and automate business processes, improving efficiency and productivity. With a user-friendly interface and a strong community of developers, Odoo is a versatile and customizable ERP solution.

Solutions:

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
• E-Commerce
• Accounting and Finance
• Inventory Management
• Project Management
• Human Resources
• Manufacturing
• Marketing

Pros:

• 👍 Modular and scalable.
• 👍 Range of business functions.
• 👍 User-friendly interface.
• 👍 Customization capabilities.
• 👍 Open-source with a large community of developers.
• 👍 Suitable for businesses of all sizes.
• 👍 Regular updates.
• 👍 Real-time data and analytics.
• 👍 Both cloud and on-premises deployment options.

Cons:

• 🚫 Can be complex to set up and customize.
• 🚫 The open-source model may require technical expertise for implementation and maintenance.

Google Rating: 4.2/5

Pricing:

• One App Free: Rs 0
• Standard: Rs 580/user/month
• Custom: Rs 890/user/month

Usefulness for Indian SME Manufacturers and Traders: Odoo ERP is good for Indian SMEs in manufacturing and trading because of the various business functions like sales, CRM, accounting, and HR into one platform. It is a cost-effective solution and offers a free Community version and a scalable Enterprise edition. It has a user-friendly interface, customization flexibility, and cloud-based service.

Integrations: It includes many business apps:

• CRM
• e-Commerce
• Accounting
• Inventory
• PoS
• Project management
• MRP

TranZact - Best Production Planning Software

With TranZact, you can easily create production processes individually and in bulk, with the help of a multilevel bill of material functionalities. TranZact’s production planning module is also closely integrated with its inventory and sales modules for enhanced convenience, transparency and efficiency.

An expert cross-functional integration supports staff members to quickly determine which orders need to be taken forward for production. You can also manage various stages of production across planned, pending, work in progress, while also defining routing requirements.

By production planning software download, businesses can also conduct accurate testing procedures with clear identification of how many goods have been tested, and how many have passed. This enables businesses to improve the quality of their orders and keep customers happy always.

Maximize Production Capacity With The Best Cloud-based Tool

An SME manufacturing business can gain significant value from production cycles that are automated, transparent and cost-effective. The best ERP software for production planning can enable these benefits and more for your business, on a centralized platform, with ease.

TranZact is a free production planning and scheduling software, because it offers a free sign-up for its users, with all its base features for free, for an unlimited time. Businesses can explore the tool using TranZact’s free forever plan and shift to the advanced features only when they are fully convinced of TranZact’s business value!

In addition to production planning, TranZact offers end-to-end business automation for all core processes across sales, purchase, inventory and production, empowering businesses to maximize their ROI year on year.

FAQs

1. What is the best manufacturing scheduling software?

The best manufacturing scheduling software offers advanced features like forecasting, process planning, and inventory integration, all in a cost-effective plan. TranZact is one such software that helps you in scaling your manufacturing process.

2. How does production planning software work?

Production planning software automates your entire production cycle and makes sure that the necessary resources are available. It integrates with sales and inventory for improved production transparency.

3. What are production planning techniques?

Production strategy, planning, routing, production scheduling and dispatching are the important production planning techniques that businesses should be aware of.

4. Are there any limitations of production planning and control?

Legacy production planning systems lack flexibility and are time-consuming. Modern cloud-based solutions overcome these and provide streamlined production planning.

5. What are the types of production planning?

There are primarily three types of production planning: batch planning, job planning, and flow and continuous planning.

6. Which is the best ERP software for manufacturers?

TranZact can be a good end-to-end business automation software. It provides SMEs with advanced production planning and customizable solutions across various verticals to help companies scale faster.