Understanding Custom Manufacturing Software
Software development can be intimidating if you don’t know where to start. When looking for manufacturing software solutions, there will be two main options – custom software and off-the-shelf or packaged software.
Defining Custom Manufacturing Software
Off-the-shelf software solutions are pre-built and typically require a shorter implementation period, which can make them a desirable option for some companies. However, off-the-shelf software solutions are not built to a manufacturing company’s unique requirements and workflows, leading the manufacturer to use complicated and time-consuming workarounds.
Custom manufacturing software is designed for the manufacturer’s workflows and processes, ensuring the solution will be effectively used by the employees while optimizing operations. Custom software solutions are a great option for manufacturers who have tried off-the-shelf solutions but haven’t found one that meets all of their needs.
The Role of Custom Manufacturing Software in Industries
The manufacturing industry includes a wide variety of markets that require different processes or regulations, making it difficult to make a standardized product that works for all manufacturers. This is where custom software comes into play. With a custom software solution, manufacturers can build features that manage unique workflows and track data points they find beneficial.
Advantages of Custom Manufacturing Software
Building a custom manufacturing software solution is a big lift, but the advantages a company experiences often make it worth it. When working with a custom software development company, they will help you identify your business needs and how a software solution can support your long-term goals.
Essential Components of Custom Manufacturing Software
Custom manufacturing software can include a variety of features based on a manufacturing company’s unique requirements. However, there are four components to manufacturing software that will be essential across the board.
Production Management
Production management is designed to be a centralized hub for production processes that allow manufacturers to streamline operations. Production management can give manufacturers real-time data insights into production processes, from ordering raw materials to delivering the final product. With real-time data, product management can identify bottlenecks and provide insights to drive operational efficiency. Production management can also automate routine tasks and optimize resource allocation, enabling employees to spend their time meaningfully.
Quality Assurance
To gain a competitive advantage in today’s manufacturing industry, manufacturers must deliver high-quality products across the board. With the internet, customers have access to a large number of reviews and images of the products, which makes it easier to identify the product’s quality. Quality control technology allows companies to:
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Review operations data analytics
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Perform routine quality checks
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Automate processes and reduce the risk of human error
Access to these features gives manufacturers the power to standardize manufacturing processes, increasing product quality and consistency.
Supply Chain Management
In the manufacturing industry, having effective supply chain management software is essential to manufacturing and business operations. These features will track items through the supply chain, from ordering raw materials to delivering the final product to the customer. With this level of visibility into the supply chain, manufacturers can respond to disruptions quickly, reducing the risk of downtime and delays.
By collecting data throughout the supply chain, manufacturers can also provide customers with more accurate timelines, increasing customer satisfaction. Supply chain data analytics can also provide manufacturers with valuable insights into potential automation or streamlining opportunities to improve the overall process.
Inventory Control
Inventory management is an important part of manufacturing operations, as production depends on the correct stock levels. Inventory management systems provide manufacturing companies with real-time data on current stock levels, allowing manufacturers to track inventory throughout the warehouse.
Inventory management systems can also notify users when stock levels reach a defined threshold, alerting inventory managers to put in an order. Having effective inventory management increases operational efficiency and reduces downtime for the production line.
Approaching Custom Manufacturing Software Development
When meeting with software development companies, it’s important to be prepared. A few things that need to be considered when meeting with companies are the manufacturing business needs, how to identify qualified development teams, and ensuring the software solution is scalable.
Evaluating Business Needs
The first step to finding a software development company is to evaluate the business needs that off-the-shelf software cannot meet. Identifying business needs and ranking them by importance level can make it easier to approach specialized software development companies. These business needs and features can also help funnel out companies that do not have experience in specific types of manufacturing software.
Selecting Qualified Software Developers
When meeting with software development teams, it’s important to thoroughly evaluate the company and its experience in the manufacturing industry. Software development companies will typically have case studies on previous work completed in various industries that can be sent to prospective clients.
Throughout the meetings with the software development company, it’s important to bring up concerns and potential pitfalls of the project. How the software development company addresses these concerns will provide insight into if they are the right fit for the project.
Ensuring Future-Proof Solutions through Scalable Software
Manufacturing companies are constantly growing and evolving based on industry needs and advancing technology. When building a custom manufacturing software solution, it’s important to ensure it’s scalable to grow alongside the company. Scalable software solutions can be grown to include new processes or workflows, ensuring long-term use.
Selecting the Right Partner for Custom Manufacturing Software Development
When choosing a custom software development company to partner with, it’s important to consider industry experience, maintenance support, and how a custom solution can result in long-term cost savings.
Choosing Developers with Industry Experience
As mentioned earlier, selecting a software development company with experience in the manufacturing industry can make a significant difference. Software development companies with experience in developing custom manufacturing software will already be aware of the various workflows, compliance regulations, and valuable data analytics that a manufacturer will either want or require in their custom solution.
Ensuring Comprehensive Post-Development Support
Some companies will end their manufacturing software development services once the software has been pushed into a live environment. Other companies, like Geneca, will offer maintenance and support after the software solution has been pushed live. This will cover work such as bug fixes and user training support.
At Geneca, we believe in the power of long-term partnerships and scaling software solutions to support manufacturing business needs as they change.
Weighing Cost Versus Value in Custom Software Development
Custom software solutions do require a larger up-front cost than off-the-shelf solutions. However, it’s up to the manufacturing company to determine if a custom solution is a better use of their money over time. Suppose a manufacturer has multiple off-the-shelf solutions and is still using various workarounds to make them effective. In that case, a custom software solution can streamline their operations and have a larger ROI in the long run.
Work With Geneca Today
Geneca has over 25 years of experience creating and maintaining high-quality, reliable custom solutions. Our partners choose us because we:
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Understand software and business, including industry processes and regulations
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Use cutting-edge technology paired with trusted, evergreen tools
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Communicate changes, progress, and expectations through every step of the development process
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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.