3 popular MRP software for production planning and management

Manufacturer software include the most essential tools and resources used for business planning in production, operations, and inventory management. An MRP (Manufacturing Resource Planning) software takes care of a project from the initial planning and production phase to the final sales and inventory tally. Small businesses can benefit from these software as they eliminate the need for additional manpower to track the processes and offer automation.

Here are the popular choices for manufacturer software trending in the market today.

MRPeasy
MRPeasy is an affordable option for small business owners. The self-sufficient tool offers excellent management of production, purchasing, finance, stock, customer, and team resources to seamlessly keep track of everything from one place. The key features include production planning and accurate reporting of utilization, real-time inventory analysis, and excellent customer relationship management to improve sales. Their starter bundle with support for ticket system is priced at a measly $49/user/month for the first 10 users. It’s a truly affordable cloud-based MRP software that gives your business a competitive edge.

Katana
Katana definitely goes beyond your average business resource planning. This manufacturer software features an easy-to-use drag and drop interface for production planning with real-time inventory tracking, optimization, and control. You also get dedicated dashboard tools for sales order management, right from tracking the availability of the products to coordinating sales from across different platforms. Dedicated floor-level production employee and production line task lists also keep track of all the current work orders. Additionally, you get finance tools for purchasing and making accurate pricing decisions. Katana can also seamlessly integrate with popular eCommerce and online accounting platforms, including Shopify, QuickBooks, Xero, and WooCommerce. You get a free 14-day trial to test all features and pay only $99/month afterward, with add-ons for essential tools sold separately.

IQMS
Enjoy the best of both worlds with MRP and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) functions embedded in a single software providing all-round solutions at an affordable price. This software can cater to small businesses, medium enterprises, and large-scale organizations alike. IQMS features an array of resources for material requirements planning, labor capacity planning, auxiliary equipment planning, work center capacity planning, and rough cut capacity planning, all of which are essential units of a manufacturing facility. You can get a direct quote from the vendor based on the business size and requirements.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

  • Menards: This is where your home improvement begins
    Think home improvement, think Menards. One of the top chain of home improvement centers in the United States with hundreds of stores in 14 states like Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming and Kentucky, this is the place you must head to for your dream home space. Whether it's a new deck you are putting up, an old bathroom you want to renovate, an office room that needs organised shelving, or you are looking for jackets or umbrellas or maybe groceries or pet supplies, or in short, everything! You don't have to look any further since everything you need for a place called Home, is available in Menards. Exterior projects - roofing or yard makeovers; interior projects - electrical or plumbing; maintenance or additions to your existing home, fencing or landscaping projects, or for people looking to buy property - a one story or two story or split level home, a vacation home/log sided one, step into this super organised store - you will return home with all that you were looking for and more, in terms of savings. Because, Menards is the one place that sells good quality stuff at affordable prices and additionally gives you bargain offers too. With a wide range of services, like Blueprint Uploads, letting you choose and buy online right from your desk and an easy pick up option at the store of your choice, whether it is for commercial contractors or for individual residents, Menards offers extended protection plans and local utility rebates. Also, on their Mobile phone App, you could track your orders or calculate the material requirement for your various projects. You could also refill your propane cylinders for your RVs at this store. Now, how much convenient can it get?! Renting a variety of tools that can help complete your home projects at special rates, a pickup & go vehicle to help bring your purchases home yourself instead of waiting for them to be delivered, are all thoughtful services offered at Menards. If ever you are looking to have a space that is comfortable, or want to add a basement or garage for your increasing needs, or you decide to go green and save energy or you simply want to make your existing place more secure by adding emergency preparedness safety measures such as home fire and burglar alarm systems, fire sprinkler systems, storm cellars or add a simple backup generator, this home improvement store started by John Menard, Jr. in 1960, is where your wishes come true. Instead of having to drive all over town, all you need is to stop at Menards once to meet your needs conveniently, completely, without exception.
  • Here’s how to get free cell phones for seniors
    Not everyone qualifies for a free cell phone for seniors. There are certain income guidelines to procure free or cheap cell phones for seniors, and therefore, it is important to understand the different cell phone deals for seniors as well. There are three companies funding the best cell phones for seniors. They are Assurance Wireless, SafeLink Wireless, and Reachout Wireless. They have individual websites which you can visit and collect information and compare the free cell phones for seniors to understand which is the best option for you. The set-up is almost the same and these are the benefits you will receive on the best phone for seniors.
    • 250 minutes’ free talk time
    • 250 free text messages
    • No contract linked to the cell phone
    • No extra or hidden fees
    • An option of top up for extra talk time and extra messaging services at a minimum cost
    You must be a part of any of the following programs in order to avail of free cell phones for seniors.
    • Participate on Medicaid and receive their benefits
    • Supplemental nutritional plan or food stamps
    • Supplemental security income
    • Temporary assistance for needy families
    • Supplemental rental assistance
    • Federal public housing assistance
    • The National School Lunch program
    • Low income home energy assistance plan
    Once you have decided to opt for a free cell phone for seniors, go to the respective websites and fill out their application forms online with a proof of participation in one of the above mode of application to qualify. After the verification is done, you will receive the free cell phone for seniors easily. This would be one of the easiest process especially dealing with a government funding program. While you plan on getting a cheap cell phone for seniors, remember that these devices are designed keeping in mind the simplicity and ease of use rather than the sophisticated technological smartphones. The senior citizens are looking for emergency situations and not social media obligations. Therefore, these phones have unlimited talk time and texting offers. Moreover, they do not have any social media apps. Having the data services are optional. Try getting a phone with backlight and large buttons so that seniors can see the keys properly. An emergency speed dial like children, family doctor, vet, fire force, ambulance, and police can be fed for every number and taught to the senior person. For additional benefits, you can top up the received 250 minutes talk time for a minimal cost. Voicemails are a must, and caller id and caller waiting facilities must be there.
  • Estate planning pyramid to ensure the best estate plan
    Estate planning is the legal structuring of current and projected assets for future disposition. The process assures estate holders that all their assets and properties would be in safe hands after their demise, only to benefit their families and loved ones. A mulled-over estate plan helps a person to minimize taxes imposed on all the assets after his or her death. Additional advantages brought to the table by an efficient estate plan includes providing benefits for survivors and determining the flow of assets. The estate planning pyramid is to ensure you have an effective estate plan in place. Estate planning pyramid The estate planning pyramid, consisting of six distinct levels, aids in developing a precise estate plan. Each level in the estate planning pyramid addresses a different necessity. Level 1 Aimed at providing basic protections, the first level is ideal for singles with few assets and no successors. A typical level 1 estate planning pyramid includes: Anatomical gift instrument - This allows a hospital, charity or a non-profit organization to use organs and other body parts. Health care proxy, a.k.a. medical directives, or medical powers of attorney - It allows the appointment of people who can make health care decisions when the person is not capable of doing so himself. Living will - This document states whether the holder requires heroic means to prolong life or not. Level 2 In addition to all the norms in Level 1, this level of estate planning pyramid adds a durable power of attorney. The documents grant authority to an appointed individual to manage all financial affairs of the person in his/her absence or if he/she becomes incapacitated. Level 2 is ideal for individuals in committed relationships. Level 3 Level 3 introduces the concept of will and guardian. This level is considered best for those with children. This level includes:
    • Beneficiary designations and ownership
    • Control over assets
    • Fiduciaries
    • Flow of assets
    • Guardian
    • Life insurance which provides death benefits to fill the gap between assets required to maintain the original lifestyle of survivors and the actual assets available.
    • Personal representative or executor
    • Providing for survivors This helps maintain the same standard of living of dependents, including kids and spouse.
    • Trustee
    Level 4 With the introduction of trust, Level 4 of estate planning pyramid addresses the issue of planning the best state taxes plans. This level is ideal for those having a combined estate of $1mn, along with the estate of their spouse and other beneficiaries. Level 5 This level addresses estate taxes in addition to the state taxes. Level 5 allows the unused portion of estate tax credit of a deceased spouse to pass on to the estate of the surviving spouse and also allows the creation of sub-trusts, such as a life insurance trust. Level 6 Rarely used, Level 6 of estate planning pyramid is a complex form of estate planning aimed at minimizing federal, state, and estate taxes through multiple generations. This level includes:
    • Other entities
    • 529 Plans
  • Men too can suffer from breast cancer
    Anyone who has a breast tissue can develop breast cancer. However, not many even know that male breast cancer exists. Male breast cancer is a rare disease as women suffer from breast cancer the most, but it does occur in men too. Older men are more prone to male breast cancer but it can occur at any age. Just like most types of cancers, male breast cancer too can be cured if diagnosed at an early stage. But since it's a rare disease, many people don't take the symptoms seriously to get themselves checked. According to some statistics based on a study on cancer, nearly 2,470 cases of breast cancer in men are likely to get diagnosed by the end of 2017. This type of cancer carries a chance of one in one thousand among men in America. Similar to any other cancers, male breast cancer too has four stages where its curable up till the second stage and involves brain, lungs, liver, and bone by the fourth stage making the illness fatal. Breast size in men is smaller as compared to women and that makes it easy to diagnose cancer or tumor in male breasts, but the tumor can be confused with general stiffness of the chest. Men under 35 rarely suffer from breast cancer. It usually affects older men, but not always. There are certain risk factors of cancer in male breasts that include breast cancer in a close female relative, consuming estrogen, exposure to radiation in the chest area, liver disease (if severe can cause breast cancer), and testicle disease(s). The seriousness of breast cancer in men was thought to be higher as compared to breast cancer in women; however, it turned out to be the same in both cases. The only reason some considered it more fatal was because the symptoms of men breast cancer is not known or recognized easily. The hardness of the chest/breast in men makes it hard to recognize any dissimilar stiffness in case of tumor leading to ignorance towards the symptoms and reaching the later stage of male breast cancer. Mammogram; breast ultrasound; MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the breast; nipple discharge exam; biopsy: fine needle aspiration biopsy, core needle biopsy, surgical biopsy, lymph node biopsy, lymph node dissection, and sentinel lymph node biopsy are some of the exams done to examines and evaluate breast cancer or disease related to the breast.
  • Tips to maintain a washing machine
    Did you buy your machine from one of the ongoing washing machine deals and are now tired of calling the service center, every time your washing machine breaks down? Most customers share the same grievance. However, regardless of the age of your machine, some simple maintenance tricks can ensure its smooth operation so that your washing machine lasts longer. Choose your detergent wisely Picking the best machine from a washer sale does not end your responsibility. To ensure that your machine works adequately, do not use excess detergent as it creates lots of suds, which is difficult to rinse out. If you have soft water, make sure you reduce the amount further. For front load washing machines, you need to buy detergents made for High-efficiency (HE) machines. Rub the dispenser with a kitchen cloth and hot water, in case you are using liquid softeners. Dilute the softener with water when you are using it in an agitator. Remove finished loads To prevent musty smells and mildew, remove damp clothes from the washer immediately. Also, keep the door of your washing machine open after the laundry to allow air circulation. This holds good not only for older machines, but also the ones which you may have bought recently through a washing machine deals. Clean the interiors periodically Cleaning the machine at least once a month is essential. Here are a few steps that you can follow: Pour some white vinegar into the dispenser and one cup of baking soda into the drum. In extreme cases, you can also add bleaching powder. Run the machine on the hottest cycle, plus an extra rinse. If you picked up your new washer recently during one of the washing machine deals, you might have to put in a relatively lesser effort. You can clean the door’s rubber seal with a solution of water and vinegar. If you notice that there are problems with water drainage, there is excessive vibration, and the clothes are taking longer to dry, then it indicates probable issues with your drain pump filter. Do not forget to clean your drain pump filter at least once a week. For people who are planning to buy a washing machine, there are multiple washing machine deals that you can find in the market and on online stores.
  • Things to know about different types of diabetes
    A fairly significant portion of modern populace is affected by diabetes a chronic medical condition that can even prove to be fatal in some scenarios. During diabetes, the insulin level of a human body is affected. Insulin, produced by beta cells in the pancreas, is required to break down the sugar stored in a human body into usable energy. However, sugar starts to build up in the blood during the absence or dearth of insulin. Increased blood sugar level because of diabetes can cause several complications, including chronic kidney disease and increased risk of heart attack. Diabetes, being incurable, requires regular blood sugar level monitoring and medication. Physical exercise and controlled diet can help in keeping the blood sugar level in control. Diabetes is of two types Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. However, a third rare diabetic condition by the name gestational diabetes also exists. Type 1 diabetes In most cases, type 1 diabetes starts developing during adolescence or childhood. But it can also develop during adulthood. Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults a.k.a. LADA falls into the type 1 diabetes category. A person affected with LADA suffers from immune-mediated loss of pancreatic beta cells. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks and kills beta cells present in the pancreas. As a result, very little or sometimes no insulin is released in the body. Instead of being used as energy, the sugar starts to build up in the blood. Roughly, every 1 in 10 diabetic patients suffer from type 1 diabetes. Meal planning helps in keeping the sugar level under control. Type 1 diabetes is treated with insulin. Type 2 diabetes Insulin insensitivity is the condition when human body isn't able to properly use the insulin produced by the pancreas. It is one of the two preconditions that accounts for type 2 diabetes, the other being the body not producing adequate amount of insulin. As a result of this condition, sugar starts to build up in the blood. Though type 2 diabetes often develops during adulthood; children are also prone to this medical condition. Genetics can be a factor for this disease. About 9 out of 10 diabetic patients suffer from type 2 diabetes. Treatment includes regular medication and insulin intakes. Type 2 diabetes can be managed via planned physical activity and diet control. Gestational diabetes A very rare condition occurring during pregnancy, gestational diabetes is a temporary form of diabetes. For this reason, it is also known as diabetes during pregnancy. Though it affects a mere 2% to 4% of all pregnancies, the medical condition involves a bigger risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the mother and/or the child. Blood sugar tests during pregnancy are used for diagnosing the medical condition. Treatment for gestational diabetes includes healthy diet, exercise and regular monitoring of the baby. Medication might be required in cases of very high blood sugar level. Curing diabetes is one of the greatest medical challenges faced by the modern world. Researchers are still mulling over developing a permanent cure for this disease. Until a cure for diabetes is found, people suffering from it must focus on having a healthy diet and exercising regularly.