Materials Zone vs. SmartForm Comparison Chart

Efficiently executing the complex processes of enterprise manufacturers and distributors. Infor M3 is a cloud-based, manufacturing and distribution ERP system that leverages the latest technologies to provide an exceptional user experience and powerful analytics in a multicompany, multicountry, and multisite platform. Infor M3 and related CloudSuite™ industry solutions include industry-leading functionality for the chemical, distribution, equipment, fashion, food and beverage, and industrial manufacturing industries. Staying ahead of the competition means staying agile. Our new capabilities bring improved data-driven insights and streamlined workflows to help you make informed decisions and take quick action.

14,000 laboratories. 125 countries. 98% customer satisfaction! Improve your lab's productivity, throughput, efficiency, data integrity, and compliance with LabWare's suite of laboratory automation solutions. LabWare offers flexible deployment options. Laboratories who are eager to deploy within 30 days can choose the cost-optimized + fully validated SaaS LIMS that contains best practice workflows. Laboratories that need a fully customizable enterprise-level LIMS/ELN can choose between flexible cloud or self-hosted deployment options. LabWare users enjoy world class features such as: lot management, sample management, stability management, environmental monitoring, instrument interfacing, workflows and dashboards, inventory management, COAs, barcoding, and much more!

QBench is a cloud-based Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) designed to help laboratories manage samples, workflows, data, inventory, reporting, quality processes, and client interactions in one platform. Labs use QBench to manage laboratory operations from order placement and sample processing through results and automated reporting. The platform is highly configurable, allowing laboratories to build workflows, define custom data fields, and automate processes around the way their lab already operates. QBench also helps laboratories reduce manual work by connecting instruments, software, and other systems through file parsers and a robust API. These integrations can automate data transfer between systems, reducing repetitive data entry and the risk of transcription errors. Labs can connect QBench to business intelligence tools, including Tableau, Power BI, Domo, and Looker, via REST API. Key QBench capabilities include: Sample and workflow management Configurable laboratory workflows and custom data fields Workflow automation Instrument and system integrations File parsing and API connectivity Inventory management Client portal access Automated reporting Analytics and operational insights Business intelligence integrations with Tableau, Power BI, Domo, and Looker via REST API Integrated Quality Management System (QMS) capabilities Unlike LIMS platforms that require extensive custom development to accommodate laboratory processes, QBench is designed to be configurable and adaptable as workflows change. Laboratories can modify processes, fields, and automations without relying heavily on custom code. QBench is cloud-based, giving laboratory teams secure access to their LIMS while bringing laboratory data, workflows, automation, quality management, and reporting together within a centralized platform. QBench also supports customers with a team that includes former bench scientists who understand laboratory workflows and can provide guidance throughout implementation and ongoing use.

In business for more than 55 years, Jesta I.S. is a global developer and provider of enterprise software solutions for retailers, e-tailers, wholesalers, and brand manufacturers specializing in apparel, footwear and hard goods. Jesta’s retail and supply chain suites are anchored by our master data foundation, which collects, manages and organizes your business data in a central repository to instantly unify your business and kickstart its digital transformation. The Vision Suite is a leading, organically engineered, cloud-based, end-to-end solution that unifies and optimizes back/front-end and supply chain operations from trade/product/demand management to merchandising ERP, Point of Sale and Order Management /Omnichannel. It eliminates the inefficiencies of disjointed applications, and provides real-time visibility of enterprise inventory, cross-channel orders, and AI-driven CRM data. It accommodates various brands, currencies, and languages.

Propel is a cloud-native platform that unifies PLM, QMS, and PIM in one connected system, giving manufacturers complete visibility and control across the entire product lifecycle. It provides a single source of truth for product data, streamlines change management, strengthens quality and compliance, and accelerates time-to-market by eliminating silos. With real-world AI use cases and enterprise-grade security, Propel helps organizations reduce errors and improve cross-functional alignment. Agentic AI accelerates change reviews, surfaces BOM and quality risks, enriches product information, and guides decisions—while role-based permissions and audit trails protect IP. From design through manufacturing and commercialization, Propel empowers companies to deliver innovative, high-quality products faster with greater confidence. Each module deploys independently with no required dependencies.

Epicor Kinetic is a cloud-first, AI-powered ERP platform for manufacturing organizations. It includes modules for financial management, supply chain, production management, inventory, quality, service, analytics, project management, CRM, and compliance. Built for discrete, make-to-order, engineer-to-order, and mixed-mode manufacturers, Kinetic supports planning and scheduling, materials management, shop floor coordination, and multi-site operations in one system. The platform provides browser-based access, role-based workflows, integration and extensibility tools, IIoT-related capabilities, and support for cloud, on-premises, and hybrid deployment. Epicor Prism extends the platform with AI-supported automation and decision support for selected ERP tasks.

AlisQI is a modular, cloud-based Quality Management platform for process and batch manufacturers who want to reduce firefighting, improve predictability, and stay compliant by default. Unlike traditional EQMS platforms that were built around documents and later adapted for analytics, AlisQI was designed from the start as a data-first system. Quality, lab, and production data are structured and connected in one operational backbone. That foundation now enables practical AI capabilities inside daily workflows. Manufacturers can automatically extract data from diverse supplier COAs without predefined templates, generate structured digital forms from existing files or plain language, query their QMS conversationally, and detect recurring incident patterns across sites. Core modules include Document Control, Training, Deviations, CAPA, Audits, Risk Management, Supplier Quality, SPC, and EHS, supported by targeted out-of-the-box Solvers that address specific operational problems.

Epicor Advanced MES is a manufacturing execution system that is suited to plastic molders, repetitive manufacturers and those with an assembly process involving multiple machines. It is designed to help floor operators to monitor and optimize their plant operations. Advanced MES helps manufacturers monitor and control production with real-time plant and machinery information. The system enables users to identify inefficient resource allocations to find new capacity within the business. It also helps track machine downtime and record scrap and material waste throughout the production process. The software provides real-time production visibility, scheduling, process monitoring, and performance reporting. Users can access production details and operational metrics to support informed decision-making. Maintenance teams can also access machine condition information to help plan preventive maintenance activities. Advanced MES offers integration capabilities that connect production information with ERP, accounting, manufacturing estimating, and other business systems.

Anaconda is an AI-native development platform that helps teams move from experimentation to production with trusted open-source packages, governed environments, and production-grade orchestration. The platform provides a secure foundation for Python, data science, machine learning, and AI development across the full model lifecycle. Anaconda Core helps teams manage complex Python dependencies with validated packages, automated security scanning, and intelligent conflict resolution. The Anaconda Platform supports governed AI development so organizations can reduce broken environments, stalled deployments, and unmanaged open-source risk. Its trusted distribution is used by millions of users, developers, contributors, organizations, and Fortune 500 companies. Built for enterprise AI teams, Anaconda helps organizations accelerate open-source AI innovation while maintaining control, security, and governance.

Fishbowl is the #1 selling manufacturing and warehouse management software for QuickBooks. Designed for small and medium-sized businesses, including manufacturers, distributors, and service providers, Fishbowl gives businesses the flexibility to stay within the QuickBooks platform for accounting while seamlessly integrating advanced inventory features with it. It also offers multi-location tracking, work orders, bills of materials, barcoding, shipping, auto reorder points, and integrations with EDI, shopping carts, merchant services, and other business solutions. If you are looking for an affordable inventory management solution that can help your business take advantage of the latest technology to streamline operations and save time and money, Fishbowl is a great option.