Our article explores the types, features, and benefits of modern manufacturing software alongside the key considerations in software development for manufacturing.
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Highlights:
- Custom manufacturing software is essential for manufacturing businesses with unique processes or a higher risk of targeted attacks.
- ERP systems are used by multiple businesses, with manufacturing ones being the primary users.
- IoT fully redefines manufacturing thanks to real-time data exchange among machines, systems, and people.
Manufacturing businesses are under pressure to continuously streamline production lines, maintain top-notch quality, and control complex supply chains. Within this challenging journey, many view manufacturing software development as a solution that can transform each pain point into a newfound strength.
At Mind Studios, we completely agree with this thought. Having an extensive portfolio in creating solutions for various industries and hands-on practice, we have a deep understanding of the unique challenges manufacturing businesses face. Our extensive expertise enables us to build digital solutions that both address these challenges and bring value to business owners.
Here is one of the typical reviews we receive about our work with clients:
Mind Studios has an exceptional ability to understand customer needs and deliver a high-quality product.
Are you looking for ways to fine-tune your operations? Don't hesitate to contact our team for a free consultation, and we will help you find the right solution tailored to your unique business needs.
Types of manufacturing software
Manufacturing software is an umbrella term for a broad range of software solutions. Here, we have created a list of the most common solutions in manufacturing software development:
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software |
Manufacturing ERP software helps gather data from all departments and store it in one database. What is it for? ERP integrates processes like inventory management, accounting, human resources, as well as customer relationship management. Examples: Oracle NetSuite, SAP ERP |
Manufacturing execution systems (MES) |
MES software provides the tools to manage, control, as well as improve the manufacturing process in real time. What is it for? It bridges the gap between planning and production. Plus, it ensures that production processes are executed as designed. Examples: Siemens SIMATIC, Dassault Systèmes Delmia |
Computer-aided design (CAD) software |
CAD software enables engineers and designers to create and modify 3D or 2D models. What is it for? This provides tools to simulate and refine designs before actual production. As a result, users can create, test, and modify digital models before manufacturing. This significantly saves time and resources. Examples: AutoCAD, SolidWorks |
Supply chain management (SCM) software |
SCM software helps manufacturers to coordinate and enhance their supply chain operations effectively. What is it for? It enables better coordination with suppliers, inventory management, as well as demand forecasting. This all ensures that production aligns with market needs. Examples: SAP Ariba, Oracle SCM Cloud |
Product lifecycle management (PLM) software |
PLM software manages a product's entire lifecycle, from engineering design to manufacturing and disposal. What is it for?
It integrates data, processes, business systems, as well as people in an extended enterprise. This way, you facilitate the information flow across the organization. Examples: Siemens Teamcenter, PTC Windchill |
Quality management software (QMS) |
QMS provides tools for documenting quality standards, auditing processes, as well as tracking compliance. What is it for? This allows manufacturers to maintain high-quality standards throughout the production process. It also ensures that the final products meet the required specifications. Examples: MasterControl, SAP Quality Management |
Mind Studios’ insight: It’s no coincidence that we’ve put enterprise resource planning software first in the table above. It is often considered the most versatile type of operations management software. ERP systems are comprehensive and include several features that are essential for manufacturing operations. Some of them are inventory management, supply chain operations, production scheduling, customer relationship management, financial management, and more.
Mind Studios has worked with both ERP systems and IoT integration, and we can confirm that it’s a pretty powerful combo in industries like logistics, construction, and, of course, manufacturing. If you want an expert consultation on how these solutions can benefit your business, don’t hesitate to contact us.
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Must-have features for your manufacturing software
Manufacturing companies can be classified into various categories, with each having its own unique processes and difficulties. That is why the choice of the right software has to align with your operational needs and business objectives.
Speaking about the challenges in the manufacturing industry, I think that modern manufacturing businesses need solutions that go beyond fixing inefficiencies; instead, they require adopting a forward-thinking approach.
The core features, like machinery tracking or workforce monitoring, don't just solve immediate problems; they also lay the foundation for sustainable growth. For example, real-time tracking gives you full visibility across production lines, while predictive maintenance reduces downtime and extends the lifespan of your important equipment.
At Mind Studios, we specialize in building digital solutions that, while solving business' current bottlenecks first and foremost, also easily adapt to evolving market demands, ensuring your business stays competitive.
— explains Dmytro Dobrytskyi, CEO at Mind Studios.
Here, we've selected the core features essential for manufacturing software, the challenges they will help you address, and the types of businesses they will benefit most.
Tracking machinery and assets
If your manufacturing business uses movable machinery — for example, if you’re involved in construction or delivery — a setup of sensors and a connected mobile app can help monitor the exact location of each piece of equipment, whether it’s left the intended site or is still on the territory.
The technology for building a tracking app for a manufacturing business is similar to the tech used when building an app like Uber for trucks. In this kind of app, a device’s location is determined using GPS and transferred to the vehicle owner’s and/or driver’s app to keep them informed as to where the asset is at any given moment.
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Monitoring asset conditions
Software development for the manufacturing industry might also involve creating a system that links with a machine’s onboard computer and passes data to an employee’s phone. This way, an employee can know the level of fuel in the machine, how much time the engine has been on or its idle time, and the distance the machine has traveled. This information can be helpful for planning operations and preventing damage due to neglected maintenance.
For fixed assets such as factories, sensors can monitor equipment calibration and usage. This will not only help you keep up with maintenance, but might come in handy for ensuring the quality of the end product: usually, faulty equipment calibration will result in a faulty product.
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Predictive maintenance
This functionality is crucial in industrial software development if you want to save costs. By combining data from sensors with data about previous malfunctions and maintenance from an ERP system and applying artificial intelligence, a business owner, manager, or maintenance specialist can predict possible future malfunctions. This data can help business owners conduct preventive maintenance, thus saving money and avoiding downtime that would be spent on repairs.
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Ensuring delivery conditions
When delivering fragile or perishable items, it’s important to maintain specific conditions in the truck. For example, meat and fish should be delivered in refrigerators at a certain temperature to preserve quality. By setting up modern thermometers in trucks and using connected software, a driver can be alerted if the temperature is beyond the set threshold.
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Monitoring inventory
Such a system allows an employee to go over everything you have in a warehouse, scanning bar codes, QR codes, or some type of tracking chip. Data can then be sent either to a local server or a cloud and can be accessed from a connected app.
This greatly facilitates the whole tracking process, lessening the workload on employees (who no longer need to type information manually), reducing the number of possible mistakes (the human factor), and speeding up the overall process.
Furthermore, modern tracking chips can transmit their location on their own, without the need for an employee with a scanner.
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Workforce monitoring
The simplest example is employees using key cards to enter the premises. Key cards are programmed individually to let the system know which employee each card belongs to, what permissions the employee has, and when the employee has entered and exited the premises.
However, there’s another way to use software solutions for workforce tracking, and that is to improve workplace safety. We have a number of trackers in our smartphones: pedometers, GPS receivers, gyroscopes, and altimeters. Moreover, many of us use fitness trackers — wearable devices that measure our pulse at rest, during daily activities, and during workouts. Similar devices can be used in manufacturing plants to monitor employees’ health in order to avoid injuries connected to work-related health hazards like falling, overheating or freezing, toxicant inhalation, and overexertion.
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Looking for the right features to add to your manufacturing software? Contact the Mind Studios team for a free consultation on which functionality will add value to your business.
Custom manufacturing software: Cost, ROI, and how to choose the right model
When investing in custom software development for manufacturing, it is important to understand the relationship between initial investment and ROI. Here is what to expect in terms of initial costs and ROI for custom and ready-made solutions:
| Aspect | Initial investment | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Custom development | High upfront investment. Suits better medium to large manufacturers. | Long-term savings thanks to tailored efficiency. |
| SaaS software | Lower initial subscription costs and faster to deploy. Suits better startups/small manufacturers. | May lead to higher costs later on for scaling and/or customization. |
Here are our recommendations on how to choose your model:
Start with assessing your needs
You begin by analyzing your current pain points, workflow inefficiencies, and desired outcomes. Answering the following questions would be very helpful:
- What features are important to your daily operations?
- Do you require advanced functionality like real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, or something else?
- Are there any compliance requirements or some industry-specific regulations you have to address?
Mind Studios’ tip: To make this process even more helpful, you can document all your priorities and involve all the stakeholders to ensure the developed solutions align with the whole team’s expectations.
Consider your budget
Budget plays a great role in deciding which development model to choose. While SaaS typically is less expensive in the beginning, custom software has better ROI in the long term as it doesn’t require recurring subscription fees. The questions to ask yourself at this stage:
- Do you have a budget for a higher initial investment, or is a subscription-based model more feasible for you?
- Would the cost of scaling a SaaS solution in the future outweigh the benefits over time?
- Is customization crucial for you?
Mind Studios’ tip: You should plan for both initial and long-term investments, including licensing fees and potential future upgrades.
Decide on data sensitivity
Data security is a top priority for many manufacturing companies, especially those working with sensitive intellectual property or customer information. So, ask yourself:
- Is your business subjected to any data protection regulations (like GDPR)?
- Do you need full control over your data?
- Would cloud-based or hybrid digital solutions provide enough security measures for you?
Mind Studios’ tip: If your business works with sensitive data, you should consider custom solutions, especially on-premise ones, as they can be better fortified against potential threats.
Choose the operational flexibility
The selected model should fully align with your team’s working style and production cycles. Plus, flexibility in both deployment and functionality ensures that you can enhance efficiency without disrupting current processes. Consider these factors:
- What is the level of adaptability you need for your manufacturing software?
- Do you need multilingual support, mobile access, or any extra features?
- Do you want to adjust your software as your business grows?
Mind Studios’ tip: Modular manufacturing software would be an ideal choice if you are looking for the ability to modify the features as your business evolves.
Do you want to make an informed decision for your manufacturing software or get an exact estimation for building manufacturing software tailored to your needs? Contact us to take a first step toward transforming your operations.
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Core considerations for software development in manufacturing
When developing software for the manufacturing industry, we at Mind Studios always address key factors to ensure it is scalable, efficient, and aligned with the client's unique business needs.
Our tech team focuses on a structured approach to development to deliver digital solutions that drive results. Here are our core considerations and recommendations for developing such software:
Plan for growth
Any manufacturing business should consider possible future growth when investing in any digital solution. Scalable and flexible solutions can easily adapt to any changes you may face: changes in production capacity, supply chain, or market expansion.
Mind Studios’ recommendation
- Always opt for modular architecture that allows for easy integration of additional features when you need them.
- Choose cloud-based solutions, as they can better handle fluctuating data volumes without compromising performance.
- Ensure the APIs you use support seamless integration with existing ERP or MES.
Protect critical data
Security is paramount in software development for manufacturing, as such systems often handle sensitive data (like intellectual property, supply chain details, or production processes.)
Mind Studios’ recommendation
- Implement multi-layered security protocols like data encryption, two-factor authentication, and regular audits.
- Consider developing software with role-based access control to make sure only authorized personnel gets access to specific data.
Choose custom solutions
The manufacturing process differs across industries, so choosing software solutions that are tailored to your specific challenges and workflows is a rational choice.
Mind Studios’ recommendation
- To identify your unique requirements, you should involve stakeholders early in the development process.
- Always prioritize core features and customize all workflows so that they better align with your operational goals.
- Opt for agile development practices to iterate quickly and refine your features based on the feedback.
Consider the Internet of Things (IoT)
IoT connects machines, workpieces, systems, and people to the internet, enabling collection and exchange of data in real time. Here’s how it works:
- Connecting everything. Machines, workpieces, systems, and people are linked to the internet, facilitating real-time data exchange;
- Sensor integration. Industrial IoT systems attach sensors to assets, such as machinery or transport vehicles, to collect data on various parameters such as temperature, pressure, humidity, speed, efficiency, and location;
- Cloud storage. Collected data is securely stored in the cloud, ensuring it's always accessible for analysis and decision-making;
- Integration with other systems. IoT in the manufacturing industry integrates with systems like ERP, MES, and SCM for seamless information flow, while also allowing workers and managers to engage with the IoT system via dashboards and apps for operational oversight;
- Data processing. Data from various sources within the factory is aggregated in a centralized system;
- Actionable insights. The system analyzes data, often using advanced analytics, AI, and ML, to provide actionable insights and recommendations, enabling informed decision-making and the automatic adjustment of processes in real time;
- Feedback loop. IoT devices collect and analyze data to continually refine algorithms, predict maintenance, and optimize production processes, making possible ongoing improvement.
The benefits of such systems for manufacturing businesses are pretty remarkable:
- Employing sensors helps lower or even eliminate human errors, since a well-made sensor is capable of assessing most situations with more precision than humans and won’t forget to log results.
- With data being transmitted continuously, business owners or anyone in charge can monitor relevant operations in real time. This enhances visibility and grants an opportunity to react swiftly to any changes or errors.
- Automation allows employees to direct their time and attention to more important duties that can’t be completed by a machine, improving workers’ performance. Consequently, freeing workers’ time allows business owners to save money on labor.
- Without relying on human employees, an automated or semi-automated production line manufactures items faster, shortening time-to-market and increasing output.
- For work that poses danger to employees, wearable sensors connected to software via cloud services can help avoid injuries by monitoring vitals.
If you are looking for manufacturing software developers to consult you on which tech solutions suit your business, contact our team.
Final thoughts
Industrial businesses can profit a lot from software development for manufacturing. A major part of that profit will result from cutting costs by preventing losses and minimizing spending. Solutions, especially custom-tailored ones designed exclusively for your business, can help you better organize your workforce, free employees’ time to tackle more important tasks, and prevent work-related illnesses and injuries.
Well-built customized industrial software solutions can also bring profit more directly, by assisting in product quality assurance, speeding up production, and enhancing manufacturing productivity on all fronts. All this combined provides your business with a strong competitive advantage.
How much does custom software cost, then? Everything depends on the complexity of your project. The average cost for some basic systems will be about $30,000-$40,000, while investment in more advanced tech may reach $100,000 and more.
At Mind Studios, we offer custom development, software reengineering, and consulting services, including in the industrial software development sector. If you have any questions on this topic, are looking for a software development partner, or would like to get an estimate of the cost to design and build software for your manufacturing business, we’ll be happy to help. Fill in a short contact form, and our team will get back to you.
