9.1
Editor’s Rating:
Best Overall
Katana MRP: Easy and accurate costing
Katana MRP
  • Affordable, transparent pricing
  • Powerful integrations
  • Responsive live support
9.0
Editor’s Rating:
Best for High-Mix Manufacturing
PlanetTogether: Schedule
PlanetTogether
  • Responsive customer support
  • Intuitive scheduling features
  • Highly customizable for small and large businesses
8.8
Editor’s Rating:
Most Versatile
Visual Planning: Visual Planning Detailed Gantt Chart
Visual Planning
  • Extensive customization
  • iOS and Android mobile apps
  • Modern and streamlined UI

The best production scheduling software will streamline inventory management and optimize capacity planning for manufacturers. After examining over 20+ products across 7 metrics based on our review methodology, we’ve ranked our top picks in production scheduling software.

1 Katana Manufacturing ERP - Best Overall

Why We Chose It: Katana Manufacturing ERP is a cloud-based platform designed with small to mid-sized businesses in mind. Flexible and affordable, the platform helps optimize:

  • Sales order management
  • Inventory control
  • Purchase management
  • Supply chain management
  • Shop floor control

Katana supports both made-to-order and made-to-stock workflows simultaneously. We liked that the user-friendly dashboards use color-coded boxes to indicate task progress. Features like placing purchase orders directly from the product planning dashboard elevate the overall user experience.

Best Overall:
Katana Manufacturing ERP
★★★★★
★★★★★
(9)

Katana Manufacturing ERP: Easy and accurate costing
Katana Manufacturing ERP: Unite all your tools
Katana Manufacturing ERP: Real-time inventory control
Katana Manufacturing ERP: Total floor-level control
Katana Manufacturing ERP: Track order fulfillment
Katana Manufacturing ERP: Visual production planning
What We Like
Affordable, transparent pricing
Real-time inventory tracking across locations
Data-driven decision-making support
What We Don’t Like
Only one full-access included in paid plans
Essential plan lacks batch tracking and shop floor operators
Overview
Price Range: $$
Starting Price: $179/month
Client OS: Web
Deployment: Cloud Hosted

2 PlanetTogether - Best for High-Mix Manufacturing

Why We Chose It: We picked PlanetTogether for manufacturers that produce a wide variety of products in batches, often with a high degree of customization. It’s a good choice for food processors and pharmaceutical companies. But it can also handle electronics, automotive, and chemicals, thanks to its strong capacity-constrained scheduling.

PlanetTogether’s constraint management tool offers drag-and-drop functionality. We found it easy to move jobs, tasks, and resources around in the schedule. If a priority order comes in, it’s simple to adjust and prioritize it in the queue. Overall, the APS does a solid job of integrating labor shifts and material supply into your schedule.

While scheduling is intuitive, we’d like to see more streamlined dashboards in PlanetTogether. The interface can feel cluttered at times and lacks modern design elements. However, this is a common issue among APS systems, many of which still rely on legacy designs.

UI aside, we recommend PlanetTogether to any high-mix manufacturer looking for an effective solution for finite capacity scheduling.

Best for High-Mix Manufacturing Environments:
PlanetTogether
★★★★★
★★★★★
(1)

PlanetTogether: Schedule
PlanetTogether: Job Editing
PlanetTogether: Resources Page
PlanetTogether: Setup Table Dialog
PlanetTogether: Production Schedules
PlanetTogether: Jobs
PlanetTogether: Analytics
What We Like
Responsive customer support
Intuitive scheduling features
Highly customizable for small and large businesses
What We Don’t Like
Dashboards could be more streamlined and intuitive
Pricing requires consultation
Overview
Price Range: $$$
Client OS: Windows, Web
Deployment: Cloud Hosted

3 Visual Planning - Most Versatile

Why We Chose It: Visual Planning is a resource scheduling software designed to plan jobs, projects, and tasks. Visual Planning measures current capacity, available time, and associated costs to identify the best course of action for businesses.

We found this software can adapt to various uses, including HR, construction project management, manufacturing, and more. The software helps companies track crews, machines, processes, and supplies effectively. Functionalities include:

  • Work orders
  • Machine scheduling
  • Inventory management
  • Supplier management
  • Delay alerts
Most Versatile:
Visual Planning
★★★★★
★★★★★
(1)

Visual Planning: Visual Planning Detailed Gantt Chart
Visual Planning: Visual Planning Mobile Dashboard
Visual Planning: Visual Planning Blueprint View
Visual Planning: Visual Planning Department Schedule
Visual Planning: Visual Planning Dashboard
Visual Planning: Visual Planning Gantt Chart
Visual Planning: Visual Planning Kanban View
Visual Planning: Visual Planning Calendar
Visual Planning: Visual Planning Scheduling
Visual Planning: Visual Planning Staff List
Visual Planning: Visual Planning Map View
Visual Planning: Visual Planning Ticket Status
Visual Planning: Visual Planning Agenda View
Visual Planning: Visual Planning Scheduling
Visual Planning: Visual Planning Mobile Projects
Visual Planning: Visual Planning Reporting Dashboard
Visual Planning: Visual Planning Agenda & Events
What We Like
Flexible and customizable work views
iOS and Android mobile apps
Visual and configurable interface
What We Don’t Like
Implementation costs can raise price
Not suitable for small businesses
Overview
Price Range: $$$
Starting Price: $55/user/month
Client OS: Windows, macOS, Web
Deployment: Cloud or On-Premises

4 Fishbowl Inventory - Best for Inventory Control

Why We Chose It: Fishbowl is often thought of as just an inventory solution but has strong manufacturing and warehousing capabilities. Specifically, Fishbowl has a production scheduling system that can automate the inventory process and lead to overall production forecasting, resource planning, and order fulfillment.

Fishbowl aims to improve your production scheduling process through priority assignment and automated job tracking and production reporting.

Price: Fishbowl starts at $4,395 upfront which gives you permanent access to the software (no ongoing service costs). Annual renewals include continued support and software updates.

Best for Inventory Control:
Fishbowl Inventory
★★★★★
★★★★★
(25)

Fishbowl Inventory: Dashboard
Fishbowl Inventory: Item Status
Fishbowl Inventory: Vendor Information
Fishbowl Inventory: Ledgers
Fishbowl Inventory: Calendar
Fishbowl Inventory: Dashboard
Fishbowl Inventory: Part List
Fishbowl Inventory: Purchase Orders & Sales Orders
What We Like
Competitive pricing; does not require a subscription
Integrates with QuickBooks
Can function as a light MRP system
What We Don’t Like
Somewhat steep learning curve
Transactions do not post to QuickBooks in realtime; manual or scheduled sync only
Customizations can lead to difficult support scenarios
Overview
Price Range: $$$
Starting Price: $4,395 (perpetual license)
Client OS: Windows, macOS
Deployment: Cloud or On-Premises

5 Plex Cloud ERP - Best for Advanced Planning and Scheduling

Why We Chose It: Plex Systems has a robust APS module found within its manufacturing ERP system. The production scheduling module enables production resource planning and extends into finite scheduling and a production dispatch that goes down to your work centers.

The resource planning feature means that Plex can create jobs for forecasts or customer releases. Finite scheduling helps you manage the finite resources of material, equipment capacity, and other resource constraints. The production dispatch feature keeps jobs linked to the control panel for job management.

Price: Plex Cloud ERP starts at $3,000/month and is meant to be used as a complete manufacturing system.

Best for Advanced Planning and Scheduling:
Plex ERP
★★★★★
★★★★★
(1)

Plex ERP: Advanced Planning Chart
Plex ERP: Orders Page
Plex ERP: Food Orders
Plex ERP: Hierarchy Tree Editing
Plex ERP: Advanced Company Planning with Expenses
Plex ERP: Job Manager
Plex ERP: MRP
Plex ERP: Part Information
Plex ERP: Financial Statement
Plex ERP: GL Journal Entry
What We Like
Accounting module has detailed functionality
Tracks employees and manufacturing data in one place
Integrates with Salesforce, DemandCaster, financial systems, eCommerce, and more
What We Don’t Like
Support is avaialble for a separate cost
UI is not intuitive and is difficult to learn
Users mentioned MRP, routers, and BOMs are disconnected
Overview
Price Range: $$$$$
Starting Price: $3,000/month
Client OS: Web
Deployment: Cloud Hosted

6 IQMS - Best for Integrated ERP

Why We Chose It: A subset of EnterpriseIQ, IQMS provides a manufacturing scheduling and production planning tool within their popular manufacturing ERP solution. As the application goes hand in hand with their ERP system, the production scheduling module updates in real time due to events that occur during the supply chain process.

IQMS improves production scheduling by looking at all the resources and costs needed in order to meet the demand levels. It dives into any generated forecasts, current and expected future sales orders, and work orders.

Best for Integrated ERP:
DELMIAWorks
★★★★★
★★★★★
(1)

DELMIAWorks: Overall Equipment Efficiency Dashboard
DELMIAWorks: Real-time Plant Floor Dashboard
DELMIAWorks: VIN Generator
DELMIAWorks: Manufacturing Scheduling and Production Planning
DELMIAWorks: Customizable BI Dashboard
DELMIAWorks: Open Order Report
What We Like
Streamlines manufacturing operations
Real-time visibility into the manufacturing process
Integration with other systems for improved efficiency and productivity
What We Don’t Like
Not all modules are accessible via mobile app
Pricing details are unavailable from the developer
No web interface
Overview
Client OS: Windows
Deployment: Cloud or On-Premises

7 MRPeasy - Best for MRP

Why We Chose It: MRPeasy is a single, comprehensive suite of features that cover all aspects of production planning, inventory management, and shop-floor tracking on one user-friendly platform. This mix of functionalities simplifies operations, reduces data fragmentation, and streamlines decision-making processes.

MRPeasy can easily create, reschedule, and track manufacturing orders and operations with a simple drag-and-drop interface, adding flexibility to changing production demands. Additionally, monitoring capabilities keeps users informed about materials availability, order status, and potential issues in real-time.

MRPeasy
★★★★★
★★★★★
(9)

MRPeasy: MRPeasy
MRPeasy: MRPeasy Dashboard
MRPeasy: MRPeasy CRM
MRPeasy: MRPeasy Order Management
MRPeasy: MRP Easy Bill of Materials BOM
MRPeasy: MRPeasy Stock Inventory
MRPeasy: MRPeasy Production Plan
MRPeasy: MRPeasy Gantt Chart
MRPeasy: MRPeasy Master Production Schedule
MRPeasy: MRPeasy Invoices
What We Like
Affordable pricing
User-friendly interface
Integrates with Xero and Shopify
What We Don’t Like
Limited technical support
Cumbersome CSV export
Overview
Price Range: $$
Starting Price: $49/user/month
Client OS: Web
Deployment: Cloud Hosted

8 Wrike - Best for Gantt Charts

Why We Chose It: Wrike uses Gantt chart functionality to help businesses effectively plan and visualize project schedules. Each chart shows task assignment, and can be customized with adjusting deadlines or task dependencies. The result is a clear and visual representation of the production schedule.

Wrike’s use of AI-driven project risk prediction can help businesses proactively identify potential scheduling conflicts and bottlenecks, allowing for more efficient production planning and management. Additionally, the ability to collaborate seamlessly within the platform, manage tasks, and track project progress in real-time enhances productivity and transparency in production scheduling.

Wrike
★★★★★
★★★★★
(4)

Wrike: Creating a New Workspace
Wrike: Creating a New Project
Wrike: Dashboard
Wrike: Create Gantt Charts
Wrike: Team Dashboard
Wrike: New Project Details
Wrike: Marketing Tools
Wrike: Generate Milestones
Wrike: Create Project Widgets
Wrike: Project Planning
Wrike: Project Dashboard
What We Like
Integrates with 400+ apps, including Miro, Jotform, Teams, Google Drive, and SAML
Offers a free option to individuals and small teams
Provides various dashboard views like Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and calendars
What We Don’t Like
Advanced features mainly in the Enterprise plan
Can be expensive in comparison to other project management tools like Trello and Monday.com
Offers so many tools that it can appear a bit chaotic
Overview
Price Range: $$
Starting Price: Free
Client OS: Web
Deployment: Cloud Hosted

9 QT9 ERP - Best for ERP

Why We Chose It: QT9 ERP is an ERP with production scheduling capabilities. A wide range of modules, available both for the on-premise and cloud version, includes manufacturing operations and inventory control, which are essential for efficient production scheduling. The integration of various business functions, from accounting to quality management, into a single platform ensures seamless data flow and coordination, streamlining the scheduling process.

One highlight of QT9 ERP is its scalability and cost-effective pricing structure, which allows businesses to accommodate unlimited users without per-user seat licenses. The feature-rich and cost-effective approach makes it an attractive choice for businesses seeking effective production scheduling software that can grow with their needs.

QT9 ERP
★★★★★
★★★★★
(1)

QT9 ERP: MRP
QT9 ERP: Job Manager
QT9 ERP: Invoices
QT9 ERP: Inventory
QT9 ERP: Accounting Credit Memo
What We Like

“Hot Links” for quick navigation

History tracking of products sold
Integration with QT9 QMS
What We Don’t Like
Confusing inventory and job scheduling integration
Difficult to customize reports
Pricing requires a custom quotation
Overview
Price Range: $$$
Client OS: Windows, Web
Deployment: Cloud or On-Premises

10 Odoo - Best for Customization

Why We Chose It: Odoo is a modular and highly customizable ERP, allowing companies to gradually expand their production capabilities as needed. This scalability is particularly advantageous for businesses with varying production needs, enabling them to seamlessly integrate production scheduling features when required without the need for a full-scale ERP overhaul.

Additionally, Odoo’s extensive integration capabilities make it a versatile choice for production scheduling. It easily connects with third-party apps and Odoo’s own suite of applications, from point-of-sale to warehouse management. This flexibility means companies can tailor their ERP solution based on their specific production workflows and requirements.

Odoo
★★★★★
★★★★★
(21)

Odoo: CRM Sales Pipeline
Odoo: BOM Overview
Odoo: Lot and Serial Numbers
Odoo: General Ledger
Odoo: Draft Customer Invoice
What We Like
Community version is free
Heavy customization options
Double entry inventory system
What We Don’t Like
May have to build specific modules yourself
No centralized support
Upgrades not free
Overview
Price Range: $$$
Starting Price: Free
Client OS: Web
Deployment: Cloud or On-Premises

Our Methodology for Selecting Production Scheduling Software

At Software Connect, we personally review software to help you find the best software on the market. Here is our review methodology for production scheduling:

1 Features

We tested features such as real-time progress tracking and automated production planning to better determine the top options on the market today. The top commonalities we found amongst the best products included capacity planning, and the ability to prioritize different jobs. In particular, Gantt charts are very popular for easily visualizing different tasks.

2 Price

Second on our list was pricing options for this type of software. During our review, we found prices range from $50 per user per month up to $5,000 per month. There are also forever-free options to consider.

3 Performance

Last, we tested out the software ourselves to judge performance first-hand. We tried our best to see how intuitive the user interface was, how easy it was to reach support, and the ideal conditions for operating the software.

What Is Production Scheduling Software?

Production scheduling software helps plan production on your shop floor by determining the need for materials and capacity in order to complete a manufacturing production order. Production scheduling software enables manufacturers to create a highly detailed master production schedule that accounts for resource, staffing, and inventory needs in order to complete and optimize production.

Production scheduling software helps you convert customer orders into manufacturing orders. It will look at the bill of materials, purchase orders, and current stock, to ensure you have the proper items reserved or the purchase order generated to complete the order.

Also known as advanced planning and scheduling software (APS), production scheduling software for job shops is used in situations where traditional methods of demand forecasting and production planning (such as MRP software) have fallen short.

Production Schedule Software MRPEasy
A production schedule in MRPeasy shows upcoming operations.

Features of Production Scheduling Software

  • Gantt charts: Create bar charts that show a project schedule illustrating the dependency relations between pending jobs, ongoing jobs, and the employees scheduled to work during those times.
  • "What-if" analysis: Test out various production schedules by moving orders to different time slots via drag-and-drop functionality. Find the best production window for your business by syncing resource availability and any constraints.
  • Drag-and-drop capabilities: instantly move orders to different time slots throughout your schedule to see if your production team can fit the manufacturing job at that time or what possible effects it may have on your bottom line.
  • Capacity planning: Determine the production capacity needed to meet the demand for your products. Adjust schedules in real-time when unexpected bottlenecks occur.
  • Priority scheduling: Calculate the profitability of each manufacturing job in order to establish priority levels and work on the most important jobs first.
Gantt chart PlanetTogether Production Scheduling Software
A Gantt chart in PlanetTogether.

Benefits of Production Scheduling Software

  • On-time delivery: Ensure customers receive products when promised by optimizing your production so there are no interruptions and that new orders don’t bottleneck your production line.
  • Optimized use of resources: Check the availability of workstations, monitor what materials are available, and let the software do the scheduling for you. Prioritize using machinery that has a lower cost to operate to increase profitability over the long-term.
  • Reduced cycle times: Lower the time it takes to perform manufacturing processes and push out more manufacturing orders.

Cost of Production Scheduling Software

Production scheduling software pricing ranges from $50 per user per month up to $5,000 per month, depending on the scale and features required. For smaller operations, you’ll likely pay between $50 and $99 per user per month. Mid-range options usually cost $175 to $410 per user per month. If you’re running a large or complex operation, high-end solutions can cost up to $5,000 per month.

Katana MRP Operations Screen Production Scheduling Software
The operations screen in Katana MRP shows pending (gray), in progress (yellow), and completed (green) orders.

Is Free Production Scheduling Software Available?

Free production scheduling software can be hard to find, since so few truly free software options out there. Many vendors offer a free trial of their solution to get started, but only for a 7-day or 30-day trial. While free trials are great to test the ins and outs of a program before making the commitment, many businesses still want free software when moving away from their reliance on spreadsheets.

DYNAMIC 3i Production Planning

DYNAMIC 3i from System Dynamics Corporation is a free ERP/MRP software that provides master scheduling, rough-cut capacity planning, and links with other functionalities your business may be using such as inventory, MRP, and order processing. The solution can help you forecast sales and production levels while making updates to your master schedule whenever necessary. The free version of DYNAMIC 3i provides access for up to 2 users.

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