Smart Factory vs. Visual Factories Comparison Chart

The AI-powered MRP software for growing manufacturers. Ideal for companies with 10 - 200 employees MRPeasy helps small manufacturers grow with easy-to-use tools that cover all the essentials they need to manage their production. Having built the first cloud-based MRP platform in 2014, we offer user-friendly software-as-a-service that covers everything from production planning to CRM, skipping all the features that are too complex or irrelevant for small manufacturers. This means smaller manufacturers get access to powerful production planning tools, levelling the playing field with larger competitors. With MRPeasy, you know exactly how much your products cost and when they’re ready, helping you to steer your business effectively. MRPeasy integrates with leading accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero and e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce, providing a comprehensive, fully integrated business management solution.

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.

Shoplogix is a smart, scalable platform trusted by manufacturers worldwide for over 20 years. It transforms real-time machine and production data into actionable insights, helping teams uncover hidden losses and drive rapid ROI. Features include intuitive visual dashboards, integrated analytics, and real-time alerts for fast, informed decisions. Shoplogix connects to any machine type, tracking downtime, scrap, throughput, and setup stages. Operators and managers can quickly spot issues, launch action plans, and improve efficiency on the fly. With built-in continuous improvement tools and seamless scaling from one line to multi-plant operations, Shoplogix empowers your team to eliminate bottlenecks, boost OEE, and achieve lasting operational excellence.

We simplify your manufacturing.™ Global Shop Solutions AI-integrated ERP software provides the applications needed to deliver a quality part on time, every time from quote to cash and everything in between, including shop management, scheduling, inventory, accounting, quality control, CRM and 25 more. Built with AI in mind, our software helps manufacturers make smarter, data-driven decisions that improve efficiency and visibility. Available in the cloud or on premise, our manufacturing customers benefit from real-time inventory accuracy, improved on-time delivery, lower administrative costs, increased sales and improved customer service. Headquarters in The Woodlands, Texas includes a state-of-the-art R&D facility and Global Shop Solutions training center. Through its offices in the U.S., Mexico, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, the company supports thousands of manufacturing facilities in over 25 countries and more than 30 industries.

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.

Epicor Connected Process Control (CPC) is a flexible no-code/low-code MES and manufacturing operations platform that helps manufacturers improve quality, consistency, and visibility across production and assembly operations. Create digital work instructions with multimedia content, guide operators through critical tasks, connect equipment and devices across the shop floor, and capture production and quality data without extensive programming. CPC provides product traceability with a complete historical record of each product's build and inspection history. Real-time insights into quality, performance, defects, rework, and production trends help teams identify issues faster, reduce waste, and support continuous improvement. Manufacturers use CPC to standardize production and assembly processes, improve operator consistency, and support assembly verification, error proofing, quality inspections, and production monitoring across the shop floor. Whether deployed in a single work cell, across multiple production lines, or enterprise-wide, CPC scales to support manufacturers of all sizes. Available on-premises or in the cloud, it adapts to your operational requirements and manufacturing processes.

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.

Trusted by manufacturers worldwide, Evocon is a simple and easy-to-use OEE software that helps manufacturing companies improve their production efficiency and reduce waste. The system enables automated data collection, real-time data visualization, downtime tracking, bottleneck identification, and performance monitoring. With Evocon, you get all the tools you need to improve OEE and understand what is actually going on in your production processes.

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.

Flowlens - built by a small business, designed for small businesses. Flowlens is end-to-end business management software designed specifically for growing SME manufacturers around the world. Whether you’re scaling production, managing complex supply chains, or improving customer service, Flowlens brings your people, processes, and data together in one connected platform. With Flowlens, you can: • Centralize your business information in one secure, cloud-based system • Manage customers, suppliers, and inventory with complete visibility • Streamline production and capacity planning • Automatically identify stock shortages and create purchase orders • Handle multi-level BOMs and production routings with ease • Manage unlimited SKUs across your product lines • Maintain traceability and quality compliance • Control multi-site and multi-level stock operations • Deliver exceptional after-sales service with full product history • Integrate seamlessly with Xero, QuickBooks and Sage.