Managing a metal manufacturing business often comes with challenges such as handling complex production schedules, monitoring raw material usage, and ensuring product quality. These issues can lead to inefficiencies, delays, and higher operational costs without the right system.
Manufacturing ERP software offers a powerful solution by integrating every aspect of operations into one centralized system. From inventory management to production planning, it helps businesses reduce errors, improve efficiency, and boost profitability.
If you’re looking for the right tool to simplify your metal manufacturing processes, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll explore the 15 best metal manufacturing ERP software in Malaysia that can transform how you manage your business.
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Choosing the right ERP depends on your industry needs, scale, and flexibility. Below are standout options and why each is a strong choice:
- HashMicro – AI-driven manufacturing ERP with real-time planning and integrated inventory, procurement, and quality control.
- ECI Ridder iQ – Built for manufacturing with CAD/PDM integration.
- Epicor Kinetic – Advanced planning with IoT-enabled connectivity.
- Fulcrum Manufacturing Cloud – Modern, AI-driven scheduling and job tracking.
- Genius ERP – CAD2BOM integration for custom manufacturers.
- Cetec ERP – Cloud-native, affordable, and fully browser-based.
- Microsoft Business Central – Deep Microsoft ecosystem integration.
Understanding ERP for Metal Manufacturing
ERP for metal manufacturing integrates core business processes such as production planning, inventory control, procurement, and quality management. This ERP software streamlines operations, reduces inefficiencies, and ensures consistent product output.
Metal fabricators, manufacturers, and suppliers use this software to manage complex operations. It empowers teams across production, finance, procurement, and sales to work seamlessly with real-time data.
Core Features of ERP Software for Manufacturers
Manufacturers need industrial metal production processes software with essential features that directly support daily operations and production requirements. Here are the essentials every system must include for smooth integration.
- Bill of Materials (BOM) & routing management: This feature records the detailed list of raw materials, components, and assembly steps required to build a product.
- Material Requirements Planning (MRP) & inventory management: MRP software calculates material needs based on demand forecasts and production schedules while tracking real-time stock movements across warehouses.
- Shop floor control & production tracking: This function monitors machine usage, work orders, and labour assignments on the production floor to align processes with schedules.
- Project management & job scheduling: It allows manufacturers to assign tasks, allocate resources, and set timelines for each job to maintain structured and efficient workflows.
- Quality control & compliance management: This module provides checklists, inspection tools, and audit logs to document product quality and meet industry standards or regulatory requirements.
- Job costing & billing management: It captures all direct and indirect expenses tied to each project, from materials to labour, and generates detailed billing records.
- CAD/CAM integration: This integration connects design files with manufacturing systems, enabling engineers to transfer product specifications seamlessly into production.
Top 15 ERP Software for Metal Manufacturing
Choosing the right ERP software for metal manufacturing can be the difference between struggling with inefficiencies and achieving seamless operations. To help you decide, here are the top 15 ERP software for metal manufacturing businesses.
1. HashMicro ERP for Manufacturing
HashMicro Manufacturing Software is an all-in-one, AI-powered solution designed to optimize metal fabrication processes in Malaysia. Trusted by over 2,000 enterprises across the region, it helps overcome challenges such as resource mismanagement, production delays, and costly operational errors.
HashMicro’s key features include:
- Multi-level Bill of Material (BoM): Lists raw materials, semi-finished parts, and sub-assemblies with clear hierarchy and relationships.
- Production cost tracking: Captures expenses for materials, energy use, labour wages, and subcontractor payments.
- Comprehensive quality checks: Logs inspections with numerical data like thickness and qualitative checks like surface finish.
- Manufacturing subcontractor management: Tracks outsourced tasks with order details, schedules, and vendor performance records.
- Master production schedule: Creates timelines by aligning demand forecasts with raw materials, machine hours, and labour.
- OEE reporting: Compiles machine data on uptime, downtime, and output into detailed utilization reports.
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Are you considering implementing HashMicro Manufacturing Software in your metal fabrication business? Click the banner below to discover the available pricing options.
2. ECI Ridder iQ
ECI Ridder iQ is a metal stamping manufacturing platform tailored for manufacturing, especially in make-to-order, engineer-to-order, and configure-to-order environments. It integrates key operations and real-time analytics into one unified system.
ECI Ridder iQ’s prominent features include:
- Graphical production planning & scheduling
- Multi-level BOM management
- Deep traceability
- Smart document management
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3. Epicor Kinetic
Epicor Kinetic is a metal stamping manufacturing ERP solution for manufacturers operating in discrete, make-to-order, and mixed-mode environments. It unifies production planning, supply chain, financials, and analytics into a single platform.
Epicor Kinetic’s prominent features include:
- Advanced planning & scheduling
- Real-time equipment
- Real-time process monitoring
- IoT-enabled connectivity
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4. Fulcrum Manufacturing Cloud
Fulcrum Manufacturing Cloud is a metal stamping manufacturing platform that unifies ERP, MRP, and MES functionalities into a single, intuitive SaaS solution. It replaces manual workflows with real-time dashboards and AI-powered scheduling to drive operational efficiency and simplicity.
Fulcrum Manufacturing Cloud’s prominent features include:
- Autoschedule
- Live job tracking
- Visual BOM & routing
- Paperless workflow
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5. Genius ERP
Genius ERP is a metal stamping manufacturing ERP solution for small to mid-sized custom manufacturers. It unifies functions like estimating, engineering, inventory, production planning, scheduling, financials, and CRM into one intuitive, all-in-one system.
Genius ERP’s prominent features include:
- CAD2BOM engineering
- Smart scheduling
- Inventory & purchase order management
- Genius analytics
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6. Cetec ERP
Cetec ERP is a sheet metal manufacturing ERP platform for small to mid-sized manufacturing businesses. It consolidates modules such as MRP, CRM, QMS, shop floor control, quality management, accounting, and document management.
Cetec ERP’s prominent features include:
- Mobile warehousing
- Integrated document management
- Alternate parts & part substitutions
- Custom reporting & dashboards
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7. Microsoft Business Central
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a sheet metal manufacturing ERP solution for small and medium-sized businesses. It integrates finance, sales, operations, and services in one unified platform that’s easy to configure and backed by AI capabilities like Copilot.
Business Central’s prominent features include:
- Inventory tracking & costing
- Multi-entity/consolidation
- Custom reporting & dashboards
- Workflow automation & access control
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8. EOXS Metal Manufacturing Software
EOXS ERP is a metal fabrication manufacturing ERP solution for steel and metal businesses like service centers, tube mills, and metal distributors. It integrates key functions, such as inventory, orders, production, finance, and CRM, into a unified platform.
EOXS’s prominent features include:
- Inventory & production management
- CRM & sales pipeline
- Financial & HR modules
- AI-powered dashboards & BI
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9. Odoo
Odoo is a metal fabrication manufacturing ERP platform that provides various business applications, including CRM, e-commerce, accounting, and project management. It is available in Community and Enterprise editions and offers seamless app integration and flexible deployment options.
Odoo’s prominent features include:
- Modular app platform
- Inventory & WMS
- Manufacturing & MRP
- Custom reporting & dashboards
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10. Oracle Cloud ERP
Oracle Cloud ERP is a robust enterprise resource planning suite for metal fabrication manufacturing for large-scale, global organizations. It manages critical functions, including finance, procurement, project management, supply chain management, and manufacturing.
Oracle Cloud ERP’s prominent features include:
- Embedded AI and machine learning
- Enterprise-grade financial & risk management
- Global supply chain & manufacturing modules
- Quarterly updates & OCI integration
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11. Infor M3
Infor M3 is a metal fabrication manufacturing ERP platform designed for medium to large manufacturing, distribution, fashion, chemicals, and food and beverage enterprises. It provides industry-specific capabilities, powerful analytics, and flexible deployment.
Infor M3’s prominent features include:
- Industry-specific CloudSuites
- Multi-site, multi-country support
- Flexible deployment & implementation accelerators
- Real-time analytics & no forced upgrades
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12. MRPeasy
MRPeasy is a custom metal fabrication solutions ERP/MRP system for small to mid-sized manufacturers. It combines production planning, inventory, procurement, sales, CRM, MES, and financials into one affordable, browser-accessible platform.
MRPeasy’s prominent features include:
- Multi-level BOM & production planning
- Real-time inventory & traceability
- Integrated procurement & sales management
- Power BI & reporting integration
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13. RealSTEEL Metal Manufacturing Software
RealSTEEL is a custom metal fabrication solutions ERP built on Microsoft Dynamics 365, designed for the steel and metals industry. It streamlines sales, purchasing, production, inventory, and costing with real-time visibility and multi-attribute tracking.
RealSTEEL’s prominent features include:
- Multi-attribute inventory tracking
- Shipping dispatch board
- Real-time accurate costing
- Nested shop floor workstations & integrations
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14. MKG 5
Proalpha MKG5 is an ERP system built for custom metal fabrication solutions companies, combining logistics, finance, production planning, and CAD integration in one platform with on-premise or cloud deployment options.
MKG 5’s prominent features include:
- ERP-wide integration
- Product configurator & CAD integration
- Shop floor data capture (time tracking, dashboards)
- Flexible deployment options (on-premise or cloud)
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15. Acumatica Cloud ERP
Acumatica Cloud ERP is a flexible, cloud-native business management suite for small to midsize businesses. It offers industry-specific editions, like manufacturing, distribution, and retail, and delivers real-time data and seamless integrations.
Acumatica Cloud ERP’s prominent features include:
- No per-user fees
- Industry-specific editions
- Real-time reporting & dashboards
- Flexible deployment & customization
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Benefits of Implementing Metal Manufacturing
Implementing ERP in metal manufacturing brings advantages that go beyond basic process automation. Below are the key benefits that help businesses improve efficiency, control, and growth.
- Improved production management: Increases output without requiring additional staff.
- Better resource utilization: Ensures efficient use of materials, labour, and equipment.
- Enhanced inventory control: Provides accurate forecasting for finished products.
- Streamlined production planning: Simplifies scheduling and coordination of operations.
- Greater operational oversight: Custom metal fabrication solutions offer a comprehensive view and control of business processes.
How to Choose the Right Metal Manufacturing Software for Your Business
Selecting the right industrial metal production processes system for your business requires careful consideration of cost, usability, and industry fit. Below are the key factors that will guide you in making the best choice for your metal manufacturing needs.
- Pricing and flexibility: Ensure costs align with your budget, and the system can adapt to evolving business needs.
- Ease of use: Choose intuitive manufacturing software that minimizes learning curves to avoid operational bottlenecks.
- Data flow & collaboration: Select an ERP with seamless data integration across departments to prevent silos.
- Deployment options: Evaluate On-premise, Hybrid, or Native Cloud based on your factory size, performance, and integration needs.
- Integrations: Check for CAD, CAM, and MES compatibility, API support, and app exchanges for easier connectivity.
- Local & regional support: Confirm compliance with standards like ISO 9001 and data protection regulations like GDPR.
- Vendor support services: Ensure 24/7 availability of vendor assistance or partner networks for smooth operations.
- Industry-specific design: Look for industrial metal production processes and systems built for or tested in metal fabrication to reduce costly customization.
Conclusion
Metal manufacturing software is crucial in helping businesses manage production, inventory, and quality control more efficiently. Automating key processes minimizes errors and ensures smoother operations across the supply chain.
HashMicro Manufacturing Software stands out with its comprehensive features tailored for the metal industry. It streamlines scheduling, optimizes resource allocation, and provides real-time insights to support better decision-making.
Explore these solutions firsthand to see their real impact on your business. Try a free demo today and experience how HashMicro can simplify your metal manufacturing operations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Metal Manufacturing
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What is the best ERP System for manufacturing?
The best ERP for manufacturing combines production planning, inventory, procurement, quality, and financials in one platform. HashMicro stands out by automating workflows, offering real-time data, and helping manufacturers boost efficiency and cut costs.
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What is ERP in the manufacturing industry?
ERP in manufacturing is a centralized software that links key processes like procurement, production, inventory, sales, and finance. It helps manufacturers streamline operations, cut manual work, and improve insights for planning and decision-making.
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What is the ERP System in material management?
An ERP system in material management optimizes the flow of raw materials, components, and finished goods throughout the supply chain. It automates purchasing, inventory, demand forecasting, and warehouse management, ensuring manufacturers have the right materials at the right time for smooth production.