In the food manufacturing industry, efficient operations are key to maintaining quality, meeting safety standards, and satisfying customers. Food manufacturing software simplifies the entire process, from sourcing ingredients and controlling inventory to scheduling production and ensuring quality.
Food manufacturing software is a type of Enterprise Resource Planning system designed for food and beverage manufacturers. It helps manage operations like production planning, ingredient tracking, inventory, and quality control. The software ensures compliance with food safety regulations and integrates departments such as procurement, production, and distribution for smooth coordination and transparency throughout the process.
This article explores the top 20 best food manufacturing software options, let’s dive into them.
1. DELIMIAWorks
Food manufacturers rely on DELMIAWorks for its traceability and compliance capabilities, which cover both raw materials and finished products, and its adherence to global food safety standards distinguishes it from other ERP solutions.
Key Features:
- Batch processing
- Multi-plant seasonal demand forecasting
- Scheduling capabilities
- Support for multiple units of measure
- Private labeling functionality
2. BatchMaster
BatchMaster provides a comprehensive ERP solution designed for batch production and quality control. It specializes in managing batch processes, ensuring compliance, and optimizing inventory management.BatchMaster is particularly suited for food manufacturers who require precise, compliant, and reliable operations.
Key Features
- Formula management
- Extensive quality control
- Ingredients traceability
- Advanced production planning tools
- Efficient inventory management.
3. Deacom
Deacom by ECI Software Solutions is an ERP platform designed for distribution and process manufacturing companies experiencing growth. It caters specifically to batch process manufacturers in the food and beverage sector, including industries like consumer packaged goods, dairy, beer, wine, meat, and snacks.
Features
- Custom nutrition label creation
- Quality assurance
- Customer shipment tracking
- Integrated point-of-sale functionality
- Intercompany inventory transfers
- Support for direct store deliveries.
4. Infor
Infor ERP software utilizes advanced automation and AI. It harnesses real-time data and machine learning to streamline operations, boost traceability, and minimize waste.
Key features
- Real-time data analytics
- Machine learning capabilities
- IoT-powered Manufacturing Execution System (MES)
- Integrated quality management
- Comprehensive supply chain visibility.
5. ERPNext
ERPNext offers an open-source ERP solution designed for businesses in sectors such as education, healthcare, manufacturing, nonprofits, agriculture, services, and distribution.
Key Features
- Real-time inventory management
- Production analytics
- Item management
- Bill of Materials (BOM),
- Quality inspection templates
- Material resource planning (MRP)
- Subcontracting, and shop management capabilities.
6. QAD
QAD delivers ERP solutions designed for adaptive manufacturing and seamless supply chain integration. Its solutions are flexible and integrated, adjusting to changing business models and supply chain disruptions.
QAD aligns every facet of the supply chain, enhancing agility and responsiveness to market shifts. Its manufacturing and supply chain management features ensure efficiency and adherence to standards.
Key features
- Integrated supply chain management
- Serialization and traceability
- Cloud-based delivery stack
7. Genius EPR
With Genius ERP, businesses can connect all their operations through a user-friendly centralized system, allowing for efficient information sharing across the company. The platform offers a range of features for the food and bakery equipment manufacturing industry.
Key features
- Project planning
- Lean inventory management
- Reporting and employee performance tracking
- Billing management
- Labor cost monitoring
- Material management and bills of materials.
8. SYSPRO
SYSPRO is an ERP software crafted to optimize and oversee essential business functions in the manufacturing and distribution sectors. It offers industry-specific solutions for data management and boosts operational efficiency.
Key Features
- Data management
- Data Analytics
- Inventory Management
9. JustFood
JustFood is a cloud-based ERP software designed to enhance operational efficiency, support business growth, and bolster food safety for food manufacturers and distributors. Operating on the Microsoft Cloud platform, it equips users in the officeor on the move with essential tools to advance their business.
Key Features
- Traceability tools
- Quality control
- Inventory tracking
- Production scheduling
- Batch management
- Forecasting
- Product development
10. NetSuite
NetSuite is an all-in-one solution specifically designed for the food and beverage sector that helps companies of all sizes manage their supply chains, optimize sales processes, and more.
Key features
- Planning and scheduling tools
- Product data management
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
- Production control
- Quality management
- Order management
- Supply chain management
11. Sage
Sage provides cloud-based business management solutions for small and medium-sized businesses across various sectors, including professional services, wholesale distribution, construction, manufacturing, nonprofit, and food and beverage.
Features
- Recipe management
- Quality control
- Inventory management
- Lot tracking
- Regulatory compliance
12. Datacor
Datacor ERP software helps manufacturers and distributors enhance operations and adhere to regulatory standards. It excels in lot tracking, essential for maintaining quality and meeting compliance requirements in the food and beverage industry. Datacor ensures complete traceability from raw materials to finished products.
Features
- Quality control and assurance
- Warehouse management
- Compliance with FDA, EPA, and OSHA regulations
13. ProcessPro
ProcessPro ERP integrates manufacturing, financials, sales, inventory, and reporting functions into a single system designed for food and beverage manufacturers.
Features of ProcessPro’s Food ERP solution:
- Lot tracking
- Batch sizing
- Research and development (R&D) functionalities
- Quality control
- Real-time inventory management
- Recipe management system
- Financial management
- Compliance tools
14. Plex Systems
Plex Systems has a smart manufacturing platform used to help manufacturers connect, track, analyze, and automate their entire operations, driving business transformation. Food and beverage manufacturers can use Plex’s cloud-based manufacturing execution system (MES) and ERP solutions to gain full control over their processes.
Key features
- Document management
- Plant performance monitoring
- Supply chain planning
- Quality management
- Real-time electronic data interchange (EDI)
- Traceability
- Overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)
- Inventory management
- Compliance management tools
15. Katana
Katana’s manufacturing ERP platform is straightforward to implement and provides a wide range of integrations. It includes features designed for manufacturers and can be customized for food and beverage companies.
Key Features
- Real-time master planning
- Total shop floor control
- Live inventory management
- End-to-end traceability
- Production planning
- Omnichannel order management
- Custom workflows via API
16. Aptean
Aptean range of food manufacturing ERP solutions cater to various industry verticals, including bakeries, beverages, fresh produce, frozen foods, pre-packaged food, spices, poultry, seafood, and more. Aptean’s food manufacturing product suite encompasses:
Features of Aptean’s food manufacturing suite:
- ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)
- Business Intelligence
- TMS (Transportation Management System)
- CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
17. WhereFour
WhereFour is a food manufacturing software that provides a traceability and compliance-focused ERP solution for food manufacturers. It offers tools to ensure product traceability, quality control, and adherence to industry regulations.
Features
- Product traceability
- Compliance management
- Quality control
- Inventory management
- Supplier management
18. Acumatica
Acumatica is a cloud-based ERP solution that supports scalable operations and flexible deployment options for businesses. It provides comprehensive tools for managing financials, distribution, and other core business functions from a unified platform.
Features
- Cloud-based deployment
- Financial management
- Distribution and supply chain management
- Project accounting
- Customer management
19. MRPeasy
MRPeasy is a cloud-based software for small and medium-sized manufacturers, with a focus on cost control and inventory management. It helps simplify production processes and improve operational efficiency.
Features
- Cost control and budgeting
- Inventory management
- Production planning and scheduling
- Order management
- Supply chain management
20. Deskera
Deskera is a comprehensive cloud-based solution for food manufacturing businesses used to enhance real-time reporting and analytics. It provides integrated tools for managing various business processes, ensuring data accuracy and timely insights.
Features
- Real-time reporting and analytics
- Inventory and order management
- Financial management
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
- Supply chain management
In the food manufacturing industry, the efficiency of operations directly impacts product quality, safety, and customer satisfaction. Using specialized food manufacturing software is important for easing the processes, from ingredient sourcing and inventory control to production scheduling and quality assurance. These ERP systems help ensure compliance with stringent food safety regulations while fostering coordination among procurement, production, and distribution departments.