The best management software for production companies

Advanced production companies cannot do without good management software that keeps pace with their needs.

The challenges associated with the strategic planning of these enterprises are manifold and relate in particular to:

• time monitoring
• controlling production costs
• optimisation of resources
• diversified management by departments

In an increasingly competitive and globalised environment, the ability to efficiently coordinate and manage projects is crucial to ensure productivity and long-term success.

To support this process, project management software has become an essential tool for production companies, as it allows them to plan activities, monitor time and costs, and coordinate cross-functional teams.

Today, the digitisation of production processes is a crucial step for any manufacturing company wishing to remain competitive.

Management software not only simplifies project management, but also optimises supply chain management, improves communication between departments and collects useful information for continuous process improvement.

In this article, we will explore some of the best management software for manufacturing companies, highlighting their features, pros and cons.

The needs in business management in a production company

But first, let us briefly look at the main requirements that a good business management software must, in our opinion, meet:

• Streamlining complex projects: one way to make a complex project more manageable is to divide it into project phases and manage each of them individually, also by assigning the direction of the sub-phases to the direct managers.

• Time monitoring: there are tools that can automatically make accurate and reliable time estimates. These software tools can also help recalculate times in case of overruns and leave nothing to chance.
  
• Costs under control: Accurate financial planning is crucial for production companies and if done with integrated project management tools it allows us to achieve reliable cost monitoring.
  
• Coordination and transparency between departments: last but not least, the challenge of coordinating different departments and at the same time adapting to the needs of each is not to be overlooked. A management system that allows for diversification in planning between departments within the same production company is ideal.

We personally know many production companies that have made the transition from handcrafted and improvised management systems to the use of specific management software; all of them report in their experience how the change was a turning point for good project management.

The list of the best management software for production companies

And here is our ranking of the most popular systems for project management in production companies.

We will analyse their characteristics on the basis of the above-mentioned requirements and try to show you which one is right for you.

1. Twproject

Twproject is one of the most widely used project management software for production companies due to its ability to integrate planning, monitoring and resource management into a single management software.

It is particularly suitable for companies requiring advanced project and resource management, with a strong emphasis on team collaboration and precise time and cost control.

With tools such as a highly performing Gantt, unsurpassed cost and resource management, Twproject helps companies centralise project management and consequently plan more rationally, without scattering.

Key features:

• Project and task management: offers advanced planning tools to divide projects into phases and sub-phases, assign responsibilities and tasks and monitor progress.
  
• Time tracking and resource monitoring: record and monitor working hours worked, balance loads as needed and improve time and resource management.
  
• Recording direct and indirect costs: each project phase can receive a budget which will be compared with the estimated and incurred costs (personnel and incidental costs). The system warns with an alert every time the budget is exceeded.
  
• Team collaboration: thanks to integrated collaboration functions, team members can easily communicate, share documents and updates in real time.
  
• Flexibility in working modes: allows customisation of working times and modes across departments and differentiation of work types (routine, spot, project) to better plan loads.
  
• Advanced reporting and analysis: Twproject provides detailed reports on project progress, resources used and costs, useful for making informed decisions.
  
• Customisable role and security management: the management system offers countless customisations in the access to projects by the resources involved and allows the team to be managed in accordance with the company’s organisational structure.
  
  Prices: from €4.89 per user/month.

Pros: Twproject is the management software capable of adapting to different types of company projects, from small tasks to large production operations.

It offers numerous tools for monitoring performance in real time. It is a valuable support for the management of human and material resources.

It manages multiple data in a single environment (costs, activities, resources…), allowing significant time savings in project planning and monitoring.

Cons: No cons according to the opinions of its users.

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Twproject is the most suitable management software for production companies because it combines ease of use with expertise.

2. Wrike

Wrike is a versatile project management software that can also be adapted to the needs of production companies. It offers advanced project, resource and communication management, allowing workflows to be optimised.

It includes a range of tools for planning, tracking and managing projects, with features such as task creation, workflow management, real-time collaboration and file sharing.

It also allows customisation of project views and integration of other business applications. Wrike is suitable for organisations of different sizes, but can be complex to configure for those without experience with advanced management software.

Key features:

• Workflow management: Creates customised workflows and visualises progress via Gantt charts and Kanban boards.
• Collaboration and communication: Facilitates communication between teams with chat tools, comments and file sharing.
• Automations: Allows the automation of repetitive tasks, saving time and improving efficiency.
• Integrations: Easily integrates with other platforms such as Salesforce, Slack and Google Drive.

Prices: from $10 per user/month.

Pros: An intuitive and highly customisable interface. Good tool for team collaboration and with reporting and performance tracking capabilities.

Cons: Basic version with limited functionality. Some users may find the management system too complex for small production companies.

Robust solution for large companies; somewhat less suitable for small teams.

3. Bitrix 24

Bitrix24 is a collaboration and work management platform offering a suite of tools for businesses.

It includes functionalities for project management, internal communication (such as chat and video conferencing), human resources management, CRM and process automation. It also supports document management and task planning.

This management software can be useful for production companies that need a wide range of tools, but its interface and configuration can be a bit complex for new users.

Key features:

• Project and task management: Organises tasks in lists, calendars and Gantt charts, with the ability to monitor progress.
• Automations and workflows: Allows the automation of processes and tasks, improving efficiency.
• Collaboration: Offers chat, video conferencing and document sharing to facilitate communication between teams.
• Resource management: Keeps track of available resources, both human and material.

Prices: from 49 € per month for 5 users

Pros: Wide range of functionalities, including CRM and internal communication. Integrates chat, video conferencing and file sharing capabilities, facilitating communication and collaboration between team members.

Cons: For new users, the interface may seem a bit cluttered and difficult to navigate, with many features taking time to learn. Long learning curve.

A versatile solution, but one that may require an initial commitment to exploit its full potential.

4. Procore

Procore is a project management software that specialises in the construction sector, but is also very well suited to production companies managing complex projects.

It is particularly useful for companies that operate in industrial production environments and require detailed project management. It offers a range of tools designed to improve resource management, communication between teams and the planning of complex projects.

Key functionalities include document management, scheduling, expense tracking, subcontractor management and supervision of on-site activities. Procore integrates with other business software and is accessible from both desktop and mobile applications.

Key features:

• Resource management: Allows monitoring of resource utilisation, ensuring that resources are used optimally.
• Document management: it facilitates the management of project documents, from technical specifications to permits.
• Integration with other tools: Supports integration with a wide range of external software.
• Real-time reporting: Provides detailed reporting on project progress.

Prices: customised quotation.

Pros: Suitable for large, complex projects with a strong focus on resource and document management. Good reporting capabilities.

Cons: While it is a comprehensive solution, its specificity for the construction sector may make it less useful for companies in other sectors, and the learning curve may be an obstacle for those not used to similar tools.

Project management platform for the construction sector, with tools for resource planning and monitoring.

5. Scoro

Scoro is a business management software that integrates project management, CRM, accounting and reporting into a single management system. It is particularly suitable for production companies that need a complete overview of company operations, not just projects.

It offers tools to monitor team performance, manage workflow and get an overview of company progress.

Scoro is primarily aimed at medium-sized teams, allowing advanced customisation of dashboards and integration with other business applications. However, it can be somewhat complex to set up and use for those looking for a simple solution.

Key features:

• Project and workflow management: Provides tools for planning and monitoring projects, tasks and deadlines, with the ability to assign resources and monitor progress.
• Accounting integration: Allows the management of project costs and invoicing directly from the platform, facilitating the management of finances.
• Integrated CRM: Helps manage customer relationships and sales.
• Advanced reporting: Scoro provides detailed reports to monitor the progress of projects, resources and revenue.

Prices: from $26 per user/month.

Pros: Advanced and customisable reporting. Suitable for companies seeking complete control of business operations.

Cons: Initial set-up may take some time. Expensive for small companies.

Quite comprehensive business management platform, but complex for some users.

6. Tempo

Tempo is a project management software that stands out for its ability to forecast and plan complex projects. It is therefore useful for production companies that need precise time and resource management.

This management system uses data-driven forecasting to plan and monitor work and offers tools for resource management, task planning and completion time forecasting.

It is suitable for complex and dynamic projects, but may not be ideal for companies with simpler needs or those looking for an immediate and user-friendly solution. The learning curve may be an obstacle for new users.

Key features:

• Dynamic forecasting: Uses algorithms to predict project completion schedules, taking into account available resources and risks.
• Task prioritisation: Allows tasks to be prioritised dynamically, adapting to changes in the project.
• Resource monitoring: Provides tools to allocate and monitor resources, ensuring that projects do not exceed their allocated budgets.
• Risk management: Allows risks to be identified, managed and reduced during the project lifecycle.

Prices: from $15 per user/month.

Pros: Ability to manage complex and evolving projects through data-driven forecasting, enabling teams to adapt to changes, optimising planning and resource allocation.

Cons: The platform may not be flexible enough for some specific customisation needs, limiting the options for those who want total control over every aspect of the workflow.

Advanced management, but whose complexity and cost may make it unsuitable for those seeking simpler solutions.

Closing remarks: the final choice

Choosing the right management software for production companies is crucial for optimising processes, improving collaboration and achieving concrete results.

Each software has specific features and advantages, so the choice will depend on the individual needs of the company and the complexity of the projects to be managed.

If you want to know what production companies that have chosen Twproject to manage their corporate projects think, you can read some stories here.

As you can see, those who were looking for a versatile and feature-rich software found the ideal solution in Twproject.

So, what are you waiting for for your 15-day free trial? Find out how many operations Twproject helps simplify and streamline for your business. Start now!