If you own a small business that manufactures something, you’re going to need specific tools designed for your industry. These software programs will help streamline and automate your processes so you can spend less time on administration and more time growing and managing your business.
Here are the 8 Best Software for SMBs: Manufacturers.
- Shopify Plus
Small businesses with eCommerce sites — especially those who manufacture their own products — should look no further than Shopify Plus as the best all-in-one platform out there right now. In fact, even if you don’t have an online store but manage someone else’s through a third-party marketplace like Etsy or Amazon, it might be worth switching over to this convenient tool. The program provides users with unlimited bandwidth, support for unlimited storage, and they throw in a personal account manager for good measure.
- QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions
For businesses that want all the features of QuickBooks but need to accommodate more than just their own customer base, you can’t beat this manufacturing inventory management software version. The biggest benefit is its ability to scale as your company grows, with no limitations on a number of users or accounts once it’s installed. It also integrates well with third-party sites like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy, so you can see everything in one place without having to visit each marketplace individually. You’ll get 24/7 phone support along with multiple ways to reach out if something goes wrong — email, webchat, and social media included — which makes it easier than ever to access all the information you need in one place.
- Build-A-Bear Workshop – Bear Builder
For a unique approach to managing your inventory and providing customer content, consider this app created specifically for children’s clothing and toy retailer Build-A-Bear Workshop. This software allows users to create their own bear — which they can then dress up and provide with different accessories. Users can use it immediately after signing up. No further download is required, so it would be great for quick tasks on the go or remotely when you don’t have immediate internet access. You also get free setup assistance from either an employee or consultant who ensures everything runs smoothly before going live with the program.
- NURTURE by Netsuite
Suppose you’re looking for a simple, one-click system for managing your company’s expenses and generating reports on your spending habits. In that case, NURTURE is an unbeatable program with its incredibly streamlined interface. You can also share approved requests with others to save time if multiple people need to spend money on separate tasks at once. Plus, there are notations available where users can detail what kind of spending they’re doing or even attach photos if they have receipts that need to be stored. This makes it easy to access all your information without dealing with any complicated search functions down the road.
- Cin7
This eCommerce platform is aimed at businesses who want full control over their storefront, online presence, and customer data. It has all the essentials like one-click shipping, inventory management, and customizable storefronts, but users can also drill down to view information about their specific customers if they choose. For example, you can find out which products are popular with certain clients or where they’re located in the world so you can tailor your store’s offerings accordingly. You also get advanced tracking capabilities for your advertising efforts, so it’s easy to see what brings shoppers in from various places on the web.
- Uprinting
If your product is printed or manufactured by a third party, there’s no better tool than this one to help you manage it from start to finish simply because of how many different steps are involved in the process. When you get started, you’ll receive a phone consultation with Uprinting experts to discover how they can best serve your company and what software is the right fit. You also get customized integrations for all major marketplaces — like eBay and Etsy — so it’s easy to keep track of products sold on each site.
- DRAFT by DealerDASH
For an affordable option that still packs a lot of power, look no further than DRAFT by DealerDASH. This program offers compatibility with more than 100 different apps and eCommerce sites, making it easier than ever to access information from one place without opening multiple tabs or visiting several websites at once. It also provides users with quick access to the tools they need most through an intuitive toolbar at the bottom of the screen.
- SHOPIFY POS
This point-of-sale system was created to help small businesses with retail locations maximize their profits and streamline their operations, which is why it comes with a built-in marketing module that includes a customer loyalty program to increase your store’s visibility online and regular analytics reports so you can easily keep track of your performance without having to rely on third parties. Plus, every business will receive free installation from its own expert technicians who will walk them through all aspects of the software step by step for an easy transition.
- Bill of Materials Software
Inventory management is an industry-wide challenge that requires software that can support your company while being flexible enough to grow with you. Using Bill of Material Software frees up time that would have been spent updating documents manually, allowing you to focus on more important tasks. For example: automating the creation of multiple configuration items from a single BoM source file helps save time during the creation process; making sure everything is properly color-coded allows managers to determine if a part is available in a location quickly.
- SQUARE
Since most small businesses have been moving away from cash registers in favor of payment systems that integrate with their phones and tablets, it’s no surprise that Square tops our list as the best option on the market for just this purpose. Plus, it’s simple enough that anyone can use it without going through a lengthy tutorial first — just plug into the headphone jack of your phone or tablet and then swipe credit cards like you would with a normal card reader. You’ll get your money in one to two business days, and you can also pay it off in installments while enjoying the benefits of a 0 percent APR.
- Hubdoc
If you haven’t been able to find a suitable finance software solution yet, don’t despair — there are plenty of great options out there. This straightforward cloud-based program is easy enough for even small business owners who have no experience working with accounting tools whatsoever because it’s designed to be user-friendly from start to finish without any complicated search functions down the road. Plus, since it integrates seamlessly with other industry leaders like Xero and Quickbooks, you won’t have trouble finding all the information you need in one place when you need it.
- eWAY
One of the most common complaints from small business owners in the UK is that many payment systems have a steep learning curve, especially when you want to use so many other features instead. That’s why we recommend going with an all-inclusive solution like eWAY, which comes with smart integrations for more than six marketplaces and 70+ web apps to help you start accepting payments quickly without any hassle at all. Another benefit of this software is that you’ll get access to free processing fees when your monthly sales exceed £30,000 — talk about a win-win!
- BILLYKNOX
If you’re not sure what type of software best suits your needs, this solution is also available completely free of charge to help you get started with nothing more than an email address. All you have to do is enter your preferred domain name and receive relevant advice about improving your site while keeping costs low both today and in the future without any upsells or complicated pricing structures. Plus, because it’s easy enough for just about anyone to use “out of the box,” no one on your team will waste time trying to figure out how it works before they can get back to doing their job properly.
