Small Business Manufacturing Software

As operations become more complex or orders start to increase, there will come a time when spreadsheets will hinder you from scaling your business any further.

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Live material tracking
Full end-to-end traceability
Live planning and scheduling
Flexible BOM control
Automated purchase orders
Accurate demand insights

Live material tracking

Maintain control of every order and material movement with real-time data that keeps teams aligned and jobs on schedule.

Up-to-date views of materials and orders
Auto-scheduling based on supply times and demand
Alerts when inventory reaches low stock thresholds
Connected data for purchasing and production
Real-time stock tracking dashboard

Full end-to-end traceability

Follow every part, pallet, and product with clear details on levels, costs, and locations. Digit provides real-time inventory control from receiving through delivery.

Track serial numbers and batches
Manage inventory across multiple locations
Support for FIFO or LIFO inventory methods
Automatic unit conversions
Purchase order management dashboard

Live planning and scheduling

Keep production on track and running smoothly with real-time data to keep everyone focused on the right work and meet deadlines.

Live production plans tied to demand
Clear view of in-stock and out-of-stock materials
Automatic job ranking and task order
Instant insight into delays or constraints
Multi-channel inventory dashboard

Flexible BOM control

Ensure consistent quality across builds with multi-level bills of materials and routes. Digit helps you create and track order progress in real time.

Support for simple, multi-level, and alternate BOMs
Live BOM changes with version tracking
Built-in approvals and activity logs
Linked routing steps and cost details
Multi-channel inventory dashboard

Automated purchase orders

Digit centralizes all purchasing data in one place, so you know exactly what's in transit and if you need to order more materials and supplies.

One-click PO creation and supplier management
Receive full or partial deliveries
Auto-created purchase history and supplier insights
Custom vendor details with auto unit conversion
Multi-channel inventory dashboard

Accurate demand insights

Digit helps you ensure production keeps moving with accurate forecasts that show what's needed, so you avoid overspending or running out of stock.

Forecasts using live sales and inventory data
Minimum stock tracking to prevent shortages
Automated material and production planning
Unified visibility across all SKUs and locations
Connected accounting integration dashboard
integrations

A single source of truth for your business

Bring every sales channel and accounting tool together in one system with seamless syncing and flexible API access.

See all integrations
Ebay
Quickbooks
Shopify
Woocommerce
Amazon
USER REVIEWS

Real operators. Real results.

100+ manufacturers and distributors have replaced spreadsheets and legacy ERPs with Digit.

See all case studies
FAQs

Questions? Answers.

Your most frequently asked questions, all in one place. If you don’t see what you need, reach out to us.

Do I need manufacturing software if I use QuickBooks?
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It depends. 

Some versions of QuickBooks Desktop come with manufacturing modules. However, Intuit is putting more focus and resources into QuickBooks Online, so if you’re using QBO and are contemplating using it for your bookkeeping, you will likely need to find a small business manufacturing software that can integrate with QBO.

How do I know when my small business needs manufacturing software?
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Ultimately, you’ll know it’s time to upgrade once your processes or operations have reached a point where manually updating spreadsheets or offline documents is: 

  • Taking up too much time 
  • Regularly turning up errors 
  • Not able to keep up with the demands of your business 
How long does it take to implement manufacturing software?
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The average time to implement ERP software is around 12 weeks, often a lot longer. However, with Digit you can launch in 30 days or less.

Is cloud-based or on-premises manufacturing software better for small businesses?
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Overall, when it comes to accessibility, affordability, and updates, cloud-based is better. But on-premises manufacturing software still has its place, and it largely depends on the industry. For example, if you’re a company that manages highly sensitive data, or has contracts or regulations that demand high levels of security (such as the military-industrial complex), then having software accessible only at your manufacturing plant is likely to provide the best protection for that information. 

What features should small manufacturers look for in software?
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Small manufacturers should look for software that helps them plan work, track materials, and stay on schedule without adding complexity, while being easy to use, flexible, and built to scale with their business and operations.

At its core, manufacturing software for small businesses should at the very least include bill of materials (BOM) management, inventory control, and production planning. These basics help teams determine what to make, which materials are needed, and when work should be done. 

Beyond the basics, here’s a list of other features a manufacturer should keep an eye out for when looking to upgrade their system:

  • Real-time inventory tracking — Inventory updates automatically as items are received, moved, or used, keeping stock levels accurate across all locations and preventing shortages or overstocking. 
  • Production planning and shop floor control — Manufacturers need to be able to schedule jobs, set priorities, and track work orders from start to finish, with live updates that help teams spot delays early and keep production moving. 
  • Material and product traceability — Manufacturing ERP for small businesses tracks materials and finished goods from purchase to shipment, improving quality control, supporting recalls, and helping meet compliance requirements. 
  • Demand forecasting and planning — Using sales history and current orders, small business manufacturing software should help predict what materials and products will be needed next, ensuring there is enough inventory on hand without tying up cash. 
  • Multi-level BOM management — Manufacturers should be able to manage both complex and straightforward products using single- or multi-level BOMs with version control to help teams stay aligned when something changes. 
  • Material availability and lead-time planning — Before starting a job, the best manufacturing software for a small business should verify that all materials are available and that lead times are met. By factoring in supplier lead times, teams can plan work without unexpected stops. 
  • Barcode scanning — Barcode scanning helps improve accuracy when receiving, picking, and packing items. 
  • Integrated cost tracking — This feature will help with tracking material, labor, and overhead costs in real time, helping you understand the true job costs, improve pricing, and protect profit margins.
  • Integrations and data connections — The best systems connect inventory, purchasing, sales, and production in one place. Open APIs or built-in integrations help reduce data entry errors and ensure data accuracy.
What's the difference between MRP and ERP for small manufacturers?
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MRP stands for Material Requirements Planning. 

MRPs help manufacturers plan what materials they need, how much to order, and when to order them. An MRP will use demand, inventory levels, and production schedules to make sure you have all the things that you need to start manufacturing.

ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning. 

ERPs help businesses run all their core operations in one place. They connect all departments within a company (such as manufacturing, inventory, purchasing, sales, finance, and sometimes HR), ensuring everyone works from the same data. 

To break it down, if you just want to improve your production and inventory management, go with an MRP. If you want to manage your entire business, go with an ERP.