8.9
Editor’s Rating:
Best Overall
SYSPRO
  • Cloud, on-premise, or hybrid deployment
  • Accessible from any device
  • Parallel accounting supports both IFRS and global local regulations
8.0
Editor’s Rating:
Also Great
Global Shop Solutions ERP Software
  • Support for 30 industries and more than 25 countries
  • Windows and cloud deployment
  • Designed primarily for manufacturing industry
8.2
Editor’s Rating:
Best Ease of Use
JobBOSS² Shop Management
  • Detailed cost reports with access to historical data
  • Logical database structure
  • User-friendly interface

Job shop software provides a tailored solution for small to medium-sized manufacturers, streamlining production processes and enhancing overall operational efficiency. By managing everything from estimating costs and lead times to inventory control and scheduling, this software offers a comprehensive system to effectively handle a wide array of manufacturing tasks.

We’ve examined 20+ providers across 7 metrics to rank the best job shop software. Our ratings take into account factors such usability, support, scalability, security, value, performance, and the range of features offered. All ratings are determined solely by us, enabling you to make the most informed decisions for your business’s needs.

1 SYSPRO - Best Overall

SYSPRO is a flexible ERP system built for distributors and manufacturers. SYSPRO Delivers advanced tools to help users integrate AI, ML, cloud, IoT, and more into their ERP. Serving a variety of manufacturing industries, SYSPRO addresses discrete as well as mixed-mode operations. For distributors, SYSPRO maximizes profitability with inventory optimization tools.

Best Overall:
SYSPRO
★★★★★
★★★★★
(15)

Sales Order
Employee Performance
Schedule
Customer Query
AR Customer Maintenance
Stock Take
Structures & Routing
SYSPRO Overview
What We Like
Cloud, on-premise, or hybrid deployment
Accessible from any device
Parallel accounting supports both IFRS and global local regulations
What We Don’t Like
3rd party add-ons may be necessary, like EDI and shipping notifications
Difficult to customize
No payroll or HR modules
Overview
Price Range: $$$$
Starting Price: $199/user/month
Client OS: Windows, Web
Deployment: Cloud or On-Premises

2 Global Shop Solutions - Also Great

Global Shop Solutions is an ERP system used to simplify manufacturing processes and ensure parts are delivered on time. Manage your shop, inventory, scheduling, accounting, CRM, quality control, and more, all with this complete system. Whether you choose on-premise or cloud, you can benefit from increased sales, improved delivery times, inventory accuracy, and lower administrative costs.

Also Great:
Global Shop Solutions ERP Software
★★★★★
★★★★★
(4)

Main Menu (Dark)
KPI
Workcenters
Supply and Demand
CRM
What We Like
Support for 30 industries and more than 25 countries
Windows and cloud deployment
Designed primarily for manufacturing industry
What We Don’t Like
Need for extensive training
Occasional system lag
Traditional user interface
Overview
Price Range: $$$$$
Client OS: Windows, iOS, Android, Web
Deployment: Cloud or On-Premises

3 JobBOSS² - Best Ease of Use

JobBOSS² is a cloud-based ERP software designed to help make-to-order manufacturers and job shops maximize profits, increase productivity, and scale effectively. For accurate estimates and quotes, JobBOSS² gives users access to historical data and detailed cost reports. Shop floor tasks can be automated with workflows for inventory tracking, sales reports, managing materials, and more.

Best Ease of Use:
JobBOSS² Shop Management
★★★★★
★★★★★
(15)

Scheduling
Read Only Feature
Ordering
Order Breakdown
Modifiable Dashboard
Dashboard
Adjustable Scheduling Dashboard
What We Like
Detailed cost reports with access to historical data
Logical database structure
User-friendly interface
What We Don’t Like
Confusing visual cues
Limited support availability
Pricing requires consultation call
Overview
Price Range: $$$
Starting Price: $4,995 (perpetual license)
Client OS: Windows, Web
Deployment: Cloud or On-Premises

What is Job Shop Software?

Job shop software facilitates the complex processes of job shops and machine shops with manufacturing functionalities like job costing and estimating, inventory management, order management, scheduling, and material resource planning. While some of this functionality is offered by general manufacturing software, specific solutions are necessary to address the unique needs of job shops.

Job and machine shops are different from other types of manufacturing businesses since they often specialize in make-to-order or engineer-to-order manufacturing. This real-time demand makes it significantly more difficult to plan ahead for materials you’ll need for a project, provide accurate estimates and quotes to clients, determine ROI, and predict labor requirements. Having the right job shop software will ease many of the challenges you face on a daily basis.

Features of Job Shop Software

Feature Functionality
Manufacturing Accounting Track your expenses and revenue with accounts receivable, accounts payable, and general ledger modules.
Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP) Calculate and plan material requirements, and coordinate machine workloads and personnel.
Bill of Materials Provides instructions on the materials and assemblies required to create a product.
Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) Includes shop-floor control, scheduling, and corrective action guidance for performance and quality improvement.
Job Costing Assigns costs to materials, labor, and equipment needed to improve cost control and monitor the profitability of a job.
Inventory Management Tracks the materials and parts you have on-hand, so you can order more when needed.
Work Order Management Includes features like scheduling management, change orders, rules-based approval management, and reporting.
Purchase Orders Track important order information including costs, payment terms, type of product, product quantities, delivery timeframes, and vendor info.
Quoting Create an accurate quote based on the cost of materials, equipment, and labor needed to complete the job.
Project Management Coordinate the execution of tasks including planning, scheduling, quality management, document sharing, and time tracking; Common for engineer-to-order jobs.

Benefits of Job Shop Software

  • Accurate estimating and job costing. You know that quoting too low can make you lose money, but quoting too high is also an issue. If your quotes are significantly higher than your competition, you won’t be able to close sales. Finding the right balance is easier with job shop software. You’ll have a record of how much it actually costs to manufacture similar products, as well as have records of the costs of the materials, equipment, and labor you have available at the moment.
  • Put out quotes faster. Providing accurate quotes with a quick turnaround time will help you land more work. Job shop software has all of the records and documentation you need about the cost to complete a project, making quoting easier and faster. You don’t have to spend hours, or even days, finding all the data you need and putting it together into a quote.
  • Complete more jobs on time. Managing production schedules on paper, in a spreadsheet, or on a whiteboard is not an efficient way to manage your jobs. Job shop software keeps track of production deadlines and lets you create reports on current projects to see if any issues might make the job late, allowing you to take corrective action to avoid delay.
  • Accurately determine ROI for your jobs. With job shop software, you can easily keep tabs on how much you’re spending on a project vs. how much you made on a project down to the materials, labor, equipment, and any other expenses used to complete the job. This information provides valuable insight into where you’re gaining and losing money, so you can make adjustments to pricing as needed.
  • More accurate billing. Job shop software tracks labor, equipment, and material costs back to specific production jobs to ensure accurate billing and cost capture.
  • Guidance in business development decision-making efforts. With job shop software, you will be able to project revenues and expenses in order to provide meaningful targets for performance management.
JobBOSS Software
Schedule jobs with JobBOSS shop management software.

Solving Common Pain Points with Software

In addition to the main benefits provide by job shop software, these solutions can solve common pain points:

  • Charging too much or too little for a job. Job shops and machine shops lose money when they make bad estimates. Job shop software identifies the costs of raw materials needed to provide accurate quotes, so you can develop competitive bids and see a better ROI.
  • Bottlenecks from sending scheduling and deadline information through one person. In many job shops, scheduling and deadline information is sent through a single supervisor or manager with an Excel spreadsheet. Too much being given to one person can result in bottlenecks which delay the lead times and slows down the manufacturing process. Job shop scheduling software coordinates amongst the entire team digitally, eliminating the one-person bottleneck.
  • Unexpected schedule changes. If an unforeseen issue arises during production, the entire schedule can be thrown off. Job management software keeps all of your scheduling deadlines well-organized, allowing you to move other projects around as needed to avoid delays.
  • The unpredictability of material and process requirements. Custom made-to-order products make it difficult to predict what materials and equipment you’ll need for any particular project. Inventory management in job shop software lets you see what you have on-hand if any of the required materials are similar to other projects you’ve done.

What Does Your Business Need?

  • Small manufacturers: If you’re a small or medium-sized job shop or machine shop, you’ll want a software solution that keeps you organized to keep schedules on time and ensure you see a good ROI on all of your projects. Look for job shop software that has job costing, order tracking, and scheduling. A module-based software is ideal as it will let you add features as you grow. If you want to continue using QuickBooks or another software system, find a solution that will integrate easily.
  • Large businesses: Large job shops and machine shops should look for a solution that features a manufacturing execution system (MES) and an extensive MRP to improve production planning, workflow management, and quality management, as well as streamline the manufacturing process through production scheduling and purchase planning. Look for a solution that can be customized to the unique needs of your existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) as well.
Shoptech E2 Shop System Software
E2 Shop System gives you a clear overview of your vendors, customers, and shop.
  • Additive manufacturing technologies: According to Modern Machine Shop, 37% of Top Shops surveyed were using additive manufacturing and 3D printing equipment in 2017, up from 19% in 2016. About 74% of those using these technologies also 3D print their own fixturing and tooling. Additive manufacturing will improve the efficiency of your job shop by providing rapid prototype development and making manufacturing completely custom parts easier and at a lower cost.

  • Automation is becoming more accessible: Industry Today’s article “Trends for Custom Manufacturers in 2018” noted that automation options are becoming a more affordable way to improve efficiency for job shop manufacturers. More businesses are incorporating things like work-holding devices, SMT (surface mount technology) systems (also referred to as pick-and-place machines), and automatic tool changers into their manufacturing operations.

Can QuickBooks be Used as Job Shop Software?

QuickBooks Enterprise is branded as a manufacturing accounting software and is popular with smaller job shops for managing accounts payable, accounts receivable, basic inventory, purchasing, and sales orders.

Medium to large businesses find QuickBooks lacks important core functionalities of job shop software, like material requirements planning, equipment maintenance, engineering, and production management. In fact, many manufacturing companies eventually replace QuickBooks with another solution like a true ERP system.

Manufacturer QuickBooks Replacement Choices
Many manufacturers replace QuickBooks.

All Products

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INDUSTRIOS ERP Screenshot
INDUSTRIOS ERP is a robust, proven and complete set of manufacturing operations software applications, integrated with Sage 300cloud and QuickBooks Enterprise for treasury functions. INDUSTRIOS ERP helps discrete manufacturers better manage and control inventory; lower costs through elimination of redundant tasks; increase profitability through quoting based on accurate job costing; increase plant throughput using production planning and control tools; and ultimately increase customer
Price Range
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Starting Price
$177.95/user/month
Client OS
Windows
Deployment
On-Premises
Fishbowl Inventory Screenshot

Fishbowl Inventory

★★★★★
★★★★★
(21)
Fishbowl Inventory is an out-of-the-box software which caters to a lot of different industries in need of inventory management tools.
Price Range
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   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$4,395 (perpetual license)
Client OS
Windows, macOS
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
Genius ERP Screenshot

Genius ERP

★★★★★
★★★★★
(15)
Genius Solutions delivers a complete enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution, including software, implementation services, and field expertise for small to mid-sized custom manufacturers across the US and Canada.
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$1,500/user/year
Client OS
Windows
JobBOSS² Shop Management Screenshot

JobBOSS² Shop Management

★★★★★
★★★★★
(15)
JobBOSS² Shop Management is an affordable manufacturing ERP software with accounting, CRM, scheduling, inventory management, quality control, and job costing modules. This cloud-based platform is accessible through your browser and comes with six mobile apps for both iOS and Android.
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$4,995 (perpetual license)
Client OS
Windows, Web
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
Katana Manufacturing ERP Screenshot

Katana Manufacturing ERP

★★★★★
★★★★★
(7)
Katana is a manufacturing ERP to help get inventory control over materials and products in real time. Features allow you to manage orders, raw materials, finished products, production recipes, manufacturing, sales, and stock.
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$99/month
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
QT9 ERP Screenshot
QT9 ERP is a complete ERP software that helps businesses integrate data from multiple systems into one flexible and user-friendly platform. QT9 ERP includes modules to help a wide variety of professionals manage business operations on-time and within budget.
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$2,050/user/year
Client OS
Windows, Web
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
Total ETO Screenshot

Total ETO

★★★★★
★★★★★
(7)
Total ETO, formerly known as Questica ETO, is an ERP and MRP solution designed exclusively for Engineer To Order (ETO) and Custom Design Manufacturers.
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$85/user/month
Client OS
Windows
Deployment
On-Premises
Aptean Industrial Manufacturing ERP Screenshot
Aptean Industrial Manufacturing ERP solutions meet your specific industry needs, as well as maintain profitability, streamline the supply chain and de-risk business operations. Their solutions deliver complete visibility into your shop floor, leading to increased collaboration, transparency and control across the entire business. @youtube Flexibility and efficiency are critical to your operations and the solution goes beyond one-size-fits-all systems in offering tailored functionality that
Client OS
Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
Plex Cloud ERP Screenshot
Plex Cloud ERP is a cloud manufacturing ERP software that helps lower costs while scaling seamlessly with your business. In a time when manufacturers are beset by an uncertain economy rising steel prices, and global competition, Plexus Online is a critical tool for growth, profitability and continuous improvement. Plexus Online boosts productivity, improves quality, streamlines operations and reduces costs by providing manufacturers with the crucial information and control mechanisms they need
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$3,000/month
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
Seradex ERP Software Screenshot
In 1992, Seradex became the first company to release a 100% Microsoft based ERP software package. Seradex software is designed from the ground up to use industry standard development tools and to integrate with industry standard applications. Seradex ERP completely integrates their manufacturing solution with major Accounting Software product such as MBS Dynamics GP and Sage ACCPAC. Seradex works well in both make-to-order and make-to-stock operations but is best suited for companies requiring a
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Client OS
Windows
ManuDyn Cloud 9 Screenshot

ManuDyn Cloud 9

ManuDyn Cloud9 Is a Web-Based, MRP2 Solution Specifically Designed for Job Shop Manufacturers. From its beginnings in 1987, the ManuDyn family of manufacturing solutions has encompassed all of the necessary management, administrative & process tools needed to maximize profitability in an intuitive and easy-to-use package that has an immediate impact on reducing overhead and production costs. It provides full visibility of the manufacturing business process: from Quoting & Ordering to Production
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
E2 Shop System Screenshot

E2 Shop System

★★★★★
★★★★★
(16)
The E2 Shop System enables shop owners to effectively control all aspects of shop activity, while simultaneously and effectively managing profitability. Whether it’s your front office or shop floor that you’re concerned about, the fully integrated E2 Shop System takes the uncertainty out of shop management. Development of the E2 Shop System dates back to 1984. Our shop specific software was developed from an actual shop experience, real-life shop situations, shop know how and shop needs. Both
Price Range
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   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$4,995 (perpetual license)
Client OS
Windows, macOS, Web
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
SecturaFAB Screenshot
SecturaFAB integrated with your ERP creates a streamlined process for quote, work order and invoice creation. A one-way sync allows for organizational data to be push from your ERP to SecturaFAB. Within SecturaFAB, specialized quoting for the metal fabrication market allows for quick and accurate pricing to then be pushed back to your ERP. Once the quote is marked as won within SecturaFAB, an invoice is automatically created inside your ERP to keep your accounting clear and organized. @youtube
Price Range
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Starting Price
$3,995/user/year
Client OS
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
WinMan Screenshot

WinMan

★★★★★
★★★★★
(2)
A highly capable solution, WinMan ERP software supports your business processes. WinMan provides visibility of data across the business empowering people to make informed, timely decisions. WinMan increases productivity, profitability and efficiency whilst reducing waste and duplicated tasks. WinMan provides a framework that allows you to adapt while you grow. WinMan supports companies that have both complex manufacturing & distribution requirements. Also with eCommerce, Multi-Channel and epos.
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Client OS
Windows
Global Shop Solutions ERP Software Screenshot

Global Shop Solutions ERP Software

★★★★★
★★★★★
(4)
Global Shop Solutions is a manufacturing ERP software with modules for workflow planning, inventory control, CRM, and SPC. It provides options for both cloud-based and on-premise deployment with SaaS licensing.
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Client OS
Windows, iOS, Android, Web
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
Qview Screenshot

Qview

A Solution for High Mix Multi Station Shops. QView is an easy to use solution that allows your company to create orders that flow from Sales into Production and thru to order completion. The solution is designed with flexibility in mind as no two manufacturers operate the same. Qview isnt an ERP, Inventory or Accounting system, but is a Workflow system for custom manufactures. Qview is easy to use and easy to implement and is the perfect first step to get off off the Paper and Spreadsheets.
Price Range
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Starting Price
$150/month
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
Prodsmart Screenshot

Prodsmart

★★★★★
★★★★★
(4)
Prodsmart is the SMB manufacturers gateway to digitization. Its a complete, modular solution that gets any production environment ready for the future of manufacturing. Prodsmart empowers SMBs with data. By gathering insight on their entire production, Prodsmart helps them fully understand their environment, optimize their operations and respond to change quickly. This gives SMBs the confidence to make decisions based on data, negotiate from a position of strength, and fuel business growth.
Price Range
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Starting Price
$600/month
Client OS
iOS, Android, Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
MIE Trak Pro Screenshot
MIE Trak Pro lets you run your manufacturing business through a modern workflow, robust capabilities, a connected supply chain, and enhanced teamwork. The solution is used by job shops, metal fabricators, and others in similar industries to improve their production processes. Video Overview ; Features Quoting Estimating ;; Sales Order ;; Work Order ;; Scheduling ;; Purchase Order ;; Inventory ;; Quality ;; Data Collection ;; Kiosk ;; and Invoicing and Accounting ;. ; Industries Served ; and
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Starting Price
$5,000/user (perpetual license)
Client OS
Windows
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
Fulcrum Screenshot

Fulcrum

★★★★★
★★★★★
(4)
Fulcrum is a cloud-based ERP, MRP, and MES solution developed by Atlas Solutions for small to mid-sized manufacturers. This solution improves efficiency through automated data collection and workflow optimization. The manufacturing industry is full of out-dated, non-customizable systems. Fulcrum is an innovative platform that brings a breath of fresh air to the industry. Don’t settle for software that won’t fit your processes and will require you to enter data manually in spreadsheets outside
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Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
TRIMIT Furniture Screenshot
Customers—whether it is in the B2B or B2C market—often demand customized solutions that exactly match their needs. As a Kitchen or other Furniture manufacturer or dealer, you strive to meet their needs by offering kitchens and furniture in a variety of models and variants. It offers great challenges down the value chain - from quotation / order for delivery and service. There are many ways to solve the challenges, you can use a number of different systems, tools and worksheets, but often the
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted

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