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Essential Software Solutions

ERP Software for the Manufacturing Industry

Choosing the right ERP software for the manufacturing industry is one of the most critical decisions your business will make. Whether you operate in discrete manufacturing, process manufacturing, or engineer-to-order (ETO) environments, your ERP system must support accurate MRP, production planning, inventory control, and shop floor visibility. Yet the selection process is often clouded by flashy promises and generalized claims that fail to address the operational realities manufacturers face.


At Essential Software Solutions, we have seen how overwhelming ERP selection can be. That is why we provide clarity, actionable insights, and hands-on expertise to help manufacturers align their ERP investment with real production workflows — from materials planning and scheduling to quality control and traceability.


As outlined in our policy and vision, we are not here simply to sell software. We are here to ensure your ERP strategy supports your long-term manufacturing growth, operational efficiency, and scalability.

All functions are built-in for seamless manufacturing operation

Financial Management

Stop managing your financials in spreadsheets and disconnected systems. With integrated budgeting, multi-entity reporting, intercompany trade automation, tax management, and ESG tracking, you can see exactly where your money is going across plants, divisions, and regions.


You’ll be able to close books faster, reduce compliance risk, compare margins by product line, and make confident investment decisions based on real-time financial visibility.


  • Stronger margins
  • Clear financial control
  • Fewer regulatory surprises
Supply Chain Operations

Gain control over your entire supply chain from procurement to delivery. With built-in demand forecasting, supplier collaboration tools, scheduling, and automated pre-shipping checks, you can prevent bottlenecks before they disrupt production.


You’ll be able to anticipate shortages, negotiate smarter with suppliers, reduce excess inventory, and maintain trade compliance without manual intervention.


  • Fewer disruptions
  • Lower your supply chain costs
  • Predictable material flow
  • Visibility across suppliers
Project Management & Program Delivery

Manufacturing projects involve contracts, deadlines, compliance requirements, and tight margins. With integrated contract management, manufacturing KPIs, and real-time project visibility, you can track costs, milestones, and performance in one place.


You’ll be able to spot overruns early, allocate resources efficiently, cascade compliance requirements to certified suppliers, and deliver complex programs on time and within budget.


  • Controlled project execution
  • Cost tracking
  • Spotting inefficiencies

Inventory & Warehouse Management

Eliminate guesswork in your warehouses. With real-time tracking, multi-warehouse visibility, barcode-enabled workflows, and automated fulfillment processes, you always know what you have and where it is.


You’ll be able to reduce picking errors, minimize stockouts, speed up order fulfillment, and improve inventory accuracy across locations.


  • Faster fulfillment
  • Fewer delays
  • Improved inventory accuracy
Advanced Planning & Scheduling

Align production with actual demand using manufacturing-specific capacity planning and scheduling tools. Whether you operate in ETO, MTO, MTS, or mixed-mode environments, you can balance workloads, avoid overloading machines, and respond quickly to changes.


You’ll be able to simulate production scenarios, optimize capacity, meet delivery promises, and manage high-mix, variable-volume production without chaos.


  • On-time delivery with optimized resource utilization.
Human Capital Management

Manufacturing success depends on skilled people. With integrated workforce planning, recruiting, training, and performance tracking, you can align your team with production goals.


You’ll be able to forecast labor needs, identify skill gaps, track certifications, and ensure the right people are in the right roles at the right time.


  • A prepared workforce that supports production efficiency, growth while being future-proof.

Built-In Quality and Compliance

Protect your reputation and maintain regulatory compliance with built-in inspection management, audit tracking, and corrective action workflows.


You’ll be able to enforce quality standards across production cycles, proactively address issues before they escalate, and maintain documented compliance with industry regulations.


  • Consistent product quality with reduced compliance risk.
Real-Time Analytics & Reporting

Make decisions based on facts — not assumptions. With real-time dashboards, industry KPIs, process mining, and customizable reports, you gain full visibility into operational performance.


You’ll be able to monitor production efficiency, identify cost drivers, analyze trends, and adjust strategies immediately when performance shifts.


  • Faster data-driven decisions
  • Improved operational control

ESS Services for Manufacturers

ERP Evaluation

ESS specializes in objectively identifying the best ERP for manufacturers, given your specific needs and budget! Let us help you take the guesswork out of one of the most important investments a business can make.

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ERP Implementation

Utilizing ESS’ proven ERP implementation methodology honed over half a century, leveraging various educational approaches which align to your unique requirements.  ESS also leverages all-encompassing project management to shepherd change management and ensure constant bidirectional communication.

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Industry 4.0

Adopting Industry 4.0 practices can be a true game changer for manufacturers. Access advanced data insights and measure your performance while stay proactive against potential problems. 

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Top 10 ERP Requirements for Manufacturers

Calculating Lead Time

Do you need your ERP to calculate Available to Promise (ATP) and Capable to Promise (CTP) during estimating—not just during order creation?

Shop Floor Scheduling

Would you prefer your scheduling system could optimize shop throughput without adding overhead, using drag-and-drop tools and “what-if” simulations.

Sub Assemblies

Does your current ERP provide costs visibility and auto-updates the schedule for sub-assemblies throughout the entire build structure?

Engineering Change Control

Would you like your ERP to control engineering authorizations, revisions and workflows?

Actual Job Costing

Can you track Actual Costs and variances real time for more accurate quoting and estimating?

Material Planning

Have you considered actual demand material planning, or is MRP (material planning to a forecast) good enough?

Quality Management

Is integration between QA systems and your ERP important? Features such as Vendor Performance Tracking, Non-Conformance, and Corrective Actions.

Technology Footprint

Does your ERP provide you the intuitive reporting tools that do not need expensive programmers or custom coding? How would you like an ERP that offers easier-to-use tools for custom reports, dashboards, and queries. Or does your ERP require extensive IT staff and expensive infrastructure?

Download Your Guide

It's not about buying ERP software - it's about choosing the right ERP solution and right ERP implementation partner. Download our ERP selection guide, we've listed 10 critical requirements for all kind of manufacturers.

Meet Infor ERP Solutions for
Industrial Manufacturing

Infor CloudSuite Industrial and VISUAL ERP are both robust ERP systems for manufacturers. They are designed to streamline mixed-mode, engineer-to-order (ETO), make-to-order (MTO), assemble-to-order (ATO), custom and configure to order manufacturers utilizing manufacturing best practices refined over decades. 


What makes Infor stand out from its competitors?


  • Built for manufacturers by manufacturers
  • Manage planning and scheduling with mixed mode support for ETO, MTO, MTS, repetitive, and process manufacturing (without necessity of 3rd party applications)
  • Infor prioritizes user experience with intuitive, easy-to-navigate interfaces. The system is designed to reduce the complexity that typically comes with ERP systems.
  • Infor ERP systems integrate well with other software tools and technologies, including IoT, AI, and analytics. 
  • Infor embeds advanced analytics and artificial intelligence directly into its ERP systems, offering predictive capabilities, smarter decision-making tools, and more accurate forecasts that help companies stay competitive.
  • Businesses can deploy Infor’s ERP solutions on-premise, in the cloud, or in hybrid environments, offering greater flexibility in meeting their unique operational requirements.

Infor ERP Products for Manufacturers

Infor CloudSuite/Syteline

Cloud-based ERP designed for industry-specific needs, enhancing scalability and flexibility.

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Infor VISUAL

ERP solution for manufacturers, offering real-time insights and streamlined operations.

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Infor CPQ

Configure, price, and quote solution that streamlines the sales process with accuracy.

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Infor Generative AI

AI-powered solution that creates data-driven insights and automates decision-making processes. Now integrated to Infor CloudSuite.

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Infor Machine Learning

Leverages AI and machine learning to enhance predictions, automation, and business decisions. 


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Infor Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Automates repetitive tasks with intelligent robots, improving efficiency and reducing errors.

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Flexibility and Control of Complex Supply Chain Processes

Applying the best strategy for unique situations allows manufacturers to be proactive to ever changing requirements, even if Clients are expanding operations to new countries, and to take on new customers with seamless confidence.

Every business operation within every manufacturing model, continuously improving processes to run with less costs and waste.

“Out-of-the-box” capabilities provide global supply chain planning and transparency across your extended supply chain. Infor cloud based ERP systems for manufacturing and assembly supports multiple manufacturing strategies (ETO, CTO, BTO, MTS, etc.) to ensure maximum process efficiencies.

Tools for Your Businesses

Execute Mixed Manufacturing models; 

  • Assembly to Order (ATO) for sequenced based components,
  • Make to Order (MTO) for components to be assembled in just in time (JIT/Lean),
  • Make to Stock (MTS) for components to be produced in lots,
  • Engineering to Order (ETO) to coordinate the tasks and components throughout the project structure
  • Repetitive for high volume/low mix production parts.

New Product Design, Innovation & Production

Speed is always a competitive advantage. Manufacturers that introduce new products to market quicker will gain market share. In today's economy Manufacturers need to quickly create quotes, accurately submit bids, and launch new products just for survival let alone thrive. With Infor ERP, time to submit initial quotes are compressed, production volumes are increased, resulting in on time deliveries in the 95+ percentile.

Asset Performance and Regulatory Compliance

Syteline provides a powerful solution for keeping your equipment, facilities, and vehicle assets in tip-top shape. You will reduce purchasing costs, inventory levels, and inventory carrying costs, while empowering increased productivity from your staff.

What is your industry?


Aerospace & Defense

A&D is one of the highly complex and regulated industry, which it needs a robust ERP software

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Medical Device Manufacturing

Regulatory compliance, traceability, efficiency, cost control, and quality assurance demands

Read More

Windows and Doors Manufacturing

Streamlines operations, inventory management, scheduling, cost control, and customer service

Read More

High Tech & Electronic Manufacturing

Enhances supply chain visibility, production efficiency, inventory accuracy, and cost management

Read More

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Talk with an ERP advisor

Do you have questions about ERP selection, ERP implementation, ERP trainings or any other issues with digital transformation? Talk with one of our advisor, we'd be glad to help you.


Don't hesitate to contact. Our client policy is 'no string attached'.