Understanding Manufacturing Software
Manufacturing software is designed to support a manufacturing company’s operations and processes. Software solutions have been built to help manage every part of the manufacturing business operations, from supply chain management to production planning.
Definition and Uses of Manufacturing Software
While the function of a manufacturing software solution will depend on what workflow it supports, the goal for most solutions is to streamline workflows, reduce errors, automate processes, and analyze data. With the data collected and analyzed through these software solutions, manufacturers can compare current and historical data, easily identifying trends and areas for improvement. Access to this data also makes it easier for management to measure growth efforts and key performance indicators.
As technology advances, the capabilities of manufacturing software are growing. For example, the Internet of Things (IoT) technology has already been incorporated into manufacturing software solutions for processes like asset management and preventive maintenance.
Custom Software vs Off-the-Shelf: Key Differences
Off-the-shelf software solutions are pre-existing systems that can be implemented for different clients. Off-the-shelf solutions are not designed for the specific needs of manufacturers, instead offering a number of generic features that will be the most widely used. Since these software solutions are already built and only require the work to implement them, off-the-shelf software will typically have lower up-front costs, opting for a monthly subscription model.
Custom software solutions are designed around a company’s unique needs and workflows. There are countless reasons why manufacturing companies would opt for a custom software solution, a common one being a company is using multiple off-the-shelf software solutions that still require outside workarounds. Once using off-the-shelf solutions becomes a burden for a company, they will start to look for an alternative that covers all of their business processes in a single solution.
Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Custom Manufacturing Software
Custom software solutions are a great tool for manufacturing companies looking to streamline business operations and gain a competitive advantage in the market. However, custom solutions are not for every manufacturer. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits a company can experience when using a custom-built software solution.
Benefits of Custom Manufacturing Software
The operations and workflows of a manufacturing company can depend on the market and products being produced. For example, an engineered-to-order manufacturer will need different features than a materials manufacturer that rarely has to make changes to the production plan. With a custom solution, manufacturing companies can build workflows based on their unique business requirements that off-the-shelf solutions cannot accommodate.
Another significant benefit of building a solution is the ability to work with a custom software development company to ensure the solution is fully scalable. When a solution is scalable, it can grow alongside a manufacturer, adding or changing processes based on the company’s growth. This is a great way to ensure a company can use the customized software solution for a long time, helping justify the significant upfront investment.
Advantages of Off-the-Shelf Manufacturing Software
While the benefits of custom software solutions are sizable, that doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for every manufacturer. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages of off-the-shelf solutions in comparison to custom software development.
Cost-Effective
Off-the-shelf software solutions are typically the more cost-effective option, as most of the expenses a manufacturer will have are subscription costs. Since there are fewer upfront costs for a manufacturer, this can typically be more cost-effective for smaller companies. Off-the-shelf solutions can also be better suited for companies that do not have unique workflows that require custom features typically not found in commercial software.
Quicker Implementation Timelines
Another advantage of off-the-shelf software is the quick implementation timeline compared to custom software. Since custom software solutions will have to be fully developed before they can be implemented, off-the-shelf solutions are an ideal choice for manufacturers looking to get a solution in place quickly. While the timelines will depend on the software company, the process is relatively quick, as the main tasks are configuring the software to the manufacturer’s processes and training users.
Disadvantages of Off-the-Shelf Manufacturing Software
While off-the-shelf software has its advantages, there are also some downsides that a manufacturing company can experience over time. Let’s take a look at some of the disadvantages of off-the-shelf software a manufacturing company can experience while using the solution.
Limited Customization
As indicated by its name, off-the-shelf software solutions are limited in the amount of customization available to manufacturing companies. Off-the-shelf solutions are designed to support the largest number of manufacturers, which means more custom or unique processes and workflows might not be supported by the solution.
This limited customization can become a problem for manufacturers over time, as they end up having to perform workarounds to make the software solution work for them, which defeats the overall purpose of using software in the first place.
May Not Meet Unique Business Needs
Similar to the limited customization, off-the-shelf solutions may not meet a manufacturer’s unique business needs. This can cause the manufacturer to either perform workarounds outside of the software solution or use another off-the-shelf software solution in tandem.
Depending on the number of unique business processes a manufacturer has, this can result in the company using multiple software solutions that don’t communicate at the same time, creating confusing workflows and unreliable data.
Dependency on the Software Vendor
With an off-the-shelf solution, manufacturers are depending on the software vendor for support. This can be a general support line or a designated support manager, but the manufacturer does not have control over situations.
For example, if there is a feature a manufacturing company is using, but it isn’t worth the cost for the software vendor to maintain it, it could easily be removed from the software solution. Since the manufacturing company is not the owner of the software, there is little they can do in this type of situation.
Criteria to Consider When Making Your Choice
Choosing between an off-the-shelf and custom software solution can be daunting. Let’s review a few criteria to consider that can help make the decision easier.
Cost and Value
While the upfront cost of custom software is significant, it can have a higher long-term value than off-the-shelf software. With a custom solution, manufacturers can ensure all of the associated costs are going to a product that will improve their business. Since every part of the custom software will be used by the manufacturer, they can guarantee the long-term value of the solution and ROI.
Business Specific Needs
It’s important to consider the number of unique business needs a manufacturing company has. If there are processes not commonly found in off-the-shelf solutions, then a custom software solution could be the right fit.
Manufacturing software is intended to streamline business processes, and if an off-the-shelf solution cannot manage unique business processes, then it won’t benefit the manufacturer the same way a custom solution would.
Scalability and Adaptability
As mentioned earlier, considering the scalability of a software solution is crucial to long-term use. Custom software development companies will typically build scalable solutions that can easily be adapted to growing and changing processes. With the ongoing support of a custom development team, a manufacturer’s software can grow as the business does.
How Geneca Can Help
Geneca has over 25 years of experience creating and maintaining high-quality, reliable custom software solutions. Our partners choose us because we:
Understand software and business, including industry processes and regulations
Use cutting-edge technology paired with trusted, evergreen tools
Communicate changes, progress, and expectations through every step of the development process
Honor your budget and timeline from the start
If you’re ready to learn more about how custom manufacturing software can put you a step ahead of your competition, contact us today.
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