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Report Reflects Trends In Small Business Manufacturing Software

This past month, manufacturing technology review firm Software Advice released its 2014 Small Business Manufacturing Software BuyerView report. The report reveals major trends and analyzes buyer motivation. Some of the key findings include: prospective buyers tend...

This past month, manufacturing technology review firm Software Advice released its 2014 Small Business Manufacturing Software BuyerView report. The report reveals major trends and analyzes buyer motivation.

Some of the key findings include: prospective buyers tend to use manual methods over manufacturing software, the majority of those surveyed cited “better planning/management functionality” as the top reason for seeking software, and almost every buyer wanted an integrated suite.

The report also reveals trends in how a prospective buyer would chose to implement new software. Most buyers want to implement within three months, and the vast majority of those surveyed reported a preference for on premise deployment over web-based.

One of the many graphics used in the report reflected the top reasons why a prospective buyer might purchase software:

In addition to raw data, the report also features in-depth analysis. Software Advice included the expert insight of Ian Chizmar, co-founder of I-Track, LLC, and Leah Peene, database, ERP, and IT manager at KLN Manufacturing.

Chizmar weighed in on the popularity of certain types of manufacturing software, and the importance of data visibility to a small manufacturing business. Peene analyzed the reasons for the prospective buyer’s current methods for managing manufacturing operations, why an integrated suite may appeal more to a small business, and the rationality behind the preference for on premise deployment.

The findings suggest a growing frustration with manual methods of manufacturing operation management, and an interest in purchasing and implementing manufacturing software. The conclusions also include a prediction that vendors may want to combine multiple types of functionality to serve a growing need.

To access the raw data, analysis, and graphics, view the full report here.

 

 

 

 

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