Top 5 Katana Cloud Manufacturing Alternatives
The best Katana Cloud Manufacutring alternatives will provide effective inventory management for your manufacturing or distribution business. We’ve reviewed some of the best MRP software to replace Katana, with a focus onoptions that streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve overall efficiency.
Top 5 Katana Cloud Manufacturing Alternatives
- Best for QuickBooks Integration: Fishbowl
- Best for Midsize Manufacturers and Distributors: Abas ERP
- Best for Product-Centric Enterprises: Infor LN
- Best Cloud ERP Solution: NetSuite
- Best for Advanced Inventory: SYSPRO
1 Fishbowl: Best for QuickBooks Integration
Why We Chose It: Designed for small to medium-sized manufacturers and distributors, Fishbowl offers robust inventory management software. Its standout features include Retail Inventory Management and Material Requirements Planning, which help optimize manufacturing processes.
Fishbowl also integrates seamlessly with popular accounting systems like QuickBooks, making it an ideal choice for businesses already using QuickBooks for their financial management and seeking effective manufacturing management solutions.
Nevertheless, some users on the web reported drawbacks including:
- A steep learning curve for novices in the manufacturing process
- Challenges with software integrations and syncing
- Limited customization options for reports
- Occasional bugs and glitches
These drawbacks may be a concern for some businesses. However, Fishbowl is a comprehensive solution for businesses looking to optimize their inventory management while integrating with their existing accounting software.
Our Rating:
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Integration: 4.5/5
- Features: 4/5
- Customer Support: 4.5/5
Read our full Fishbowl Software review.
2 Abas ERP: Best for Midsize Manufacturers and Distributors
Why We Chose It: Abas is tailored for small to midsize batch industry manufacturers and distributors. With advanced tools to manage sales, operations, and accounting, Abas ERP offers comprehensive visibility into your organization and robust segregation of duties to control employee data access, making it a revolutionary enterprise application assembly.
We feel Abas ERP offers the following benefits over Katana Cloud Manufacturing:
- Significantly reduces time spent on information retrieval or departmental coordination by up to 50%
- Frees up several hours daily for more strategic, growth-promoting tasks
- Provides a cost-effective and convenient solution for midsize manufacturers and distributors
The initial price of Abas ERP starts at $149.00 per month. You can upgrade your plan to gain access to more features. While the focus is on small to midsize manufacturers and distributors, many companies can benefit from the product.
Our Rating:
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Customization: 4.5/5
- Features: 4/5
- Pricing: 4/5
3 Infor LN: Great for Product-Centric Enterprises
Why We Chose It: Designed for product-centric enterprises, Infor LN is a cloud ERP solution that offers advanced features for streamlining production and supply chain operations. These capabilities help businesses optimize their end-to-end processes and gain data-driven insights utilizing cloud-based software.
Some users have reported that the cache system needs improvement, and new users’ learning curve can be steep. Despite these drawbacks, Infor LN remains a powerful inventory management tool tailored for product-centric enterprises, providing the advanced capabilities needed to optimize production and supply chain processes.
Our Rating:
- Ease of Use: 3.5/5
- Features: 4.5/5
- Integration: 4/5
- Stability: 4.5/5
4 NetSuite: Best Cloud ERP
Why We Chose It: NetSuite stands out as the best cloud ERP due to its scalability to add modules on at a later date. Designed with growing companies in mind, its modular approach allows users to begin with core financial functionalities like A/R, A/P, cash management, and project accounting. As businesses evolve, they can seamlessly integrate additional modules such as payroll, HR, CRM, and eCommerce.
This flexibility, combined with the option to host internally or via a Software as a Service (SaaS) framework, ensures that sales teams, field technicians, and production staff can access vital data wherever they are. This not only fosters enhanced communication but also caters to the diverse needs of various sectors and organizational sizes.
Our Rating:
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Features: 4/5
- Visibility: 4.5/5
- Customization: 3.5/5
Read our full NetSuite review.
5 SYSPRO: Best for Advanced Inventory
Designed for businesses in manufacturing, distribution, and retail industries, SYSPRO is a comprehensive and scalable modular ERP system. It offers the following features:
- Exceptional inventory management
- Supply chain management
- Streamlined business functions
- Identification and fixing of inefficiencies
- Maximization of productivity
The system, utilizing cloud technology, serves as a customizable delivery platform to meet specific needs and is available as a cloud-based or on-premises solution.
However, SYSPRO lacks HR-related features and can be pricier than other options, with a starting price of $199 per user, per month. Despite these drawbacks, SYSPRO provides advanced inventory management and material resource planning capabilities–focusing on providing in-depth insights and analytics to help businesses optimize their inventory processes.
Our Rating:
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Industry-Specific Solutions: 4.5/5
- Inventory Management: 4.5/5
- Pricing: 3.5/5
Read our full SYSPRO review.
Choosing the Right Manufacturing Tool
Selecting the right manufacturing tool for your business, including warehouse management, involves consideration of factors like
- Your business size
- Industry
- Specific feature requirements
- Budget
Evaluating the pros and cons of each solution is a crucial step in determining which tool best aligns with your business’s needs and requirements for workflow optimization, ensuring a secure proceeding.
Utilizing a free trial or demo can provide insights into the user-experience of a specific inventory management tool prior to making a purchase commitment. Make sure to also consider factors such as integration with your existing systems, scalability, and the level of customization available to ensure a successful implementation.
Summary
There are various manufacturing systems that can improve your MRP and inventory processes, each with its unique features and benefits. By considering your business needs and requirements, you can choose the right tool to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve overall efficiency. Invest in an inventory management system that supports your business growth and helps you stay ahead of the competition.
Who are the competitors of Katana MRP?
Katana Technologies has competitors in the cloud manufacturing space, such as Unleashed inventory, QuickBooks Enterprise, InventoryCloud, Fishbowl, NetSuite, EZOfficeInventory, Cin7 Omni, Webgility, SAP ECC, Acumatica, Kinetic, QuickBooks Online, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and SAP S/4HANA Cloud.
Is Katana MRP free?
No, Katana MRP is not free, and pricing starts from $99 per user per month, billed annually.
What is the importance of inventory management tools?
Inventory management tools are essential for businesses to optimize their efficiency, streamline operations, and reduce costs by automating processes, tracking inventory, and optimizing manufacturing and distribution workflows.
By using these tools, businesses can save time and money and improve customer service and satisfaction. They can also help reduce errors and improve inventory tracking and forecasting accuracy.
Inventory management tools can be used to track inventory levels and monitor stock movements.
How do I choose the right inventory management tool for my business?
To choose the right inventory management tool for your business, consider its size, industry, features, budget, integration capabilities, scalability, and customization.
What are the main features of inventory management tools?
Inventory management tools offer features like inventory tracking, order management, warehouse management, and reporting, enabling businesses to manage their inventory effectively.
