Top MRP Software Features for Growing Manufacturers (2025)

Growing manufacturers need Material Requirements Planning (MRP) software that can scale operations and handle supply chain challenges. The right MRP software not only helps streamline operations but also positions your business to scale efficiently and profitably. As competition increases and supply chains remain unpredictable, investing in MRP software with the right set of features is necessary to stay ahead.

This guide explores the best MRP software features for growing manufacturers. Whether you're looking to compare software options or enhance your current systems, understanding which features drive value will help you make the most informed decision.

Contents

What is MRP software?

Top MRP software features to look for in 2025

Benefits of MRP software for small manufacturers

Choosing the best MRP software for your manufacturing business

Why QT9 MRP is a top choice for growing manufacturers in 2025

Final thoughts

What is MRP software?

Material Requirements Planning software automates the planning, scheduling, purchasing and inventory control processes required for manufacturing to ensure materials are available when needed.

By integrating data across production, procurement, sales and inventory, MRP software ensures you have the right materials at the right time to meet demand without overstocking or under-producing.

For growing manufacturers, the right MRP software eliminates guesswork and reduces manual workloads, so your team can focus on scaling operations efficiently. 

Top MRP software features to look for in 2025

Real-time inventory management

Inventory management is the foundation of any MRP system. A feature-rich MRP platform offers real-time visibility into raw materials, components and finished goods across all warehouses and production lines.

Key capabilities to look for:

• Automatic inventory updates
• Low-stock alerts and reorder points automation
• Lot and serial number tracking for traceability
• Multi-location inventory management
• Integrated barcode scanning support

With accurate, up-to-date inventory data, manufacturers can avoid costly shortages or overstock scenarios while improving order fulfillment rates.

Automated production planning and scheduling

Efficient production planning is essential for minimizing downtime and maximizing throughput. The best MRP software automates scheduling based on real-time data, current inventory levels, labor availability and machine capacity.

Top features include:

• Dashboard reporting with drill-down capabilities
• Real-time view of inventory and materials
• Live updates on job progress
• Priority-based scheduling logic
• Forecasting tools that adjust plans dynamically

Automation enables faster decision making, reduces bottlenecks and helps manufacturers meet customer delivery timelines.

Demand forecasting and sales order integration

Growing manufacturers may be particularly sensitive to fluctuations in customer orders, so effectively balancing supply and demand becomes particularly important. MRP software with integrated forecasting and sales order management helps you plan smarter and respond faster.

Key functions:

• Forecast generation from historical sales data
• Integration with CRM or ERP systems
• Automatic conversion of sales orders to production jobs
• Alerts for order changes or potential shortfalls

Accurate forecasting supports better procurement, fewer production delays and stronger customer satisfaction.

Procurement and supplier management tools

Reliable procurement ensures you can acquire materials when needed without overextending your budget. Leading MRP solutions streamline purchasing workflows with supplier management tools and smart purchasing automation.

Top procurement features:

• Auto-generated purchase orders based on reorder rules
• Approved vendor lists with contact and performance records
• Supplier lead-time tracking
• Purchase order status monitoring
• Documented supplier communications

By integrating procurement with production and inventory, manufacturers can maintain lean operations and reduce manual errors.

Bill of Materials (BOM) management

Accurate BOMs are essential for ensuring consistent product quality and efficient production. Your MRP software should support flexible BOM structures to handle simple and complex assemblies alike.

Look for these features:

• Multi-level BOM support
• Version control and revision tracking
• Drag-and-drop BOM editing
• Integration with engineering change orders (ECOs)
• Cost roll-ups from materials and labor

Well-managed Bills of Materials help eliminate confusion on the shop floor, minimize waste, and support quality control efforts.

Shop floor control and work order tracking

Visibility into work-in-progress is vital for scaling production. MRP software with shop floor control tools lets manufacturers monitor job status, resource usage and production efficiency in real time.

Essential functions include:

• Digital work order creation and assignment
• Time tracking by job, resource or workstation
• Real-time updates from the shop floor
• Work center load and capacity planning
• Labor and machine utilization reporting

These tools reduce downtime, improve accountability and help managers make informed decisions quickly.

Lot traceability and compliance management

Manufacturers in regulated industries, such as medical devices, aerospace, or food and beverage production, must maintain traceability across operations. The best MRP platforms offer lot and serial number tracking from raw materials through finished goods.

Compliance-supporting features include:

• Full traceability by lot or serial number
• Quality check scheduling and inspection recordkeeping
• Document control for compliance certifications
• Audit trail and version history
• Integration with Quality Management System (QMS) software

Traceability not only ensures compliance but also simplifies recalls, audits and corrective actions when needed.

Integrated invoicing and shipping

Managing invoices and shipments within your MRP system creates seamless coordination between back-end and front-end operations. Look for MRP software that eliminates the need to re-enter order or shipment data manually.

Helpful feature integrations include:

• Sales order-to-invoice automation
• Packing slip and shipping label generation
• Real-time shipment tracking
• Payment status and collections tracking

With integrated shipping and invoicing, manufacturers can shorten cash cycles, reduce order errors, and enhance customer communication.

Configurable dashboards and reporting

Access to meaningful data empowers growing manufacturers to make smarter decisions. Leading MRP solutions provide customizable dashboards and detailed reports for operations, finance, inventory and more.

Top reporting capabilities:

• Real-time KPIs and performance metrics
• Job cost reporting (materials, labor, overhead)
• Inventory valuation and turnover rates
• On-time delivery rates
• Forecast vs. actual production comparison

Dashboards enable team members to easily monitor key operations, while real-time data support continuous improvement and promotes quick resolution of any problems.

Cloud-based access and mobile compatibility

Modern MRP software should support remote access and cloud hosting to enable greater flexibility and scalability. Cloud-based systems provide real-time data updates across departments, locations and even continents.

Key advantages of cloud MRP:

• Access from any device with an internet connection
• Automatic software updates and backups
• Lower upfront costs vs. on-premise solutions
• Scalable architecture for multi-site operations
• Mobile-friendly interfaces for shop floor and field use

Cloud access also supports hybrid work environments and remote teams, which may be important as workforces preferences evolve.

Benefits of MRP software for small manufacturers

Like so much in the realm of business planning, there is a lot to consider for effective material requirements planning, especially at higher production volumes or for products that are more complex. MRP software seamlessly and systematically evaluates material requirements, production schedules, sales forecasts, customer orders and inventory to calculate the optimal supply of product inputs. This leads to:

Improved production efficiency

Using a centralized database and integrations between production functions, such as purchasing and shop floor management, MRP software is able to simplify the process of ensuring that materials are where they need to be at the optimal time, so that production can proceed on time, in the correct sequence, with minimal interruptions.

Reduced costs

MRP software reduces the cost of purchases by determining the most cost-effective materials and components. It can also reduce inventory carrying costs and waste through better alignment of production and demand, and help manufacturers avoid employee overtime through more efficient scheduling and fewer bottlenecks.

Optimized inventory

MRP software’s helps companies reach optimal inventory levels by using real-time and historical data to accurately forecast material needs. The software gives immediate insight into inventory locations and quantities, so you always know what’s on hand and what needs to be ordered or reordered. Inventory capabilities enable the software to automatically update inventory data when shipments arrive or leave the warehouse.

Reduced lead times

With the more accurate forecasting capabilities of MRP software, it becomes easier for manufacturers to schedule production for optimal efficiency, which keeps order-to-delivery times low and makes customers happy.

Traceability and compliance

Many manufacturers must keep detailed records of product materials. Some MRP systems enable easy traceability using barcoding for lot or serial number traceability, satisfying regulatory mandates and making it easier to track products in the event of a recall.

Improved customer satisfaction

Greater production efficiency means manufacturers are able to get their products to market more quickly, improving customer satisfaction and market position. 

Choosing the best MRP software for your manufacturing business

Selecting an MRP solution is a long-term investment. When evaluating platforms, consider these factors:

• Scalability: Can the system grow with your company as you expand operations, add locations, or introduce new product lines?

• Ease of use: Does the software have an intuitive interface that requires minimal training?

• Integration capabilities: Can the MRP platform connect with your existing ERP, QMS, CRM, or accounting systems?

• Support and training: Does the provider offer onboarding assistance, documentation, and ongoing customer support?

• Customization options: Can you tailor the software to match your unique workflows and reporting needs?

Demo the system with real data and scenarios to ensure it fits your operations before committing.

Why QT9 MRP is a top choice for growing manufacturers in 2025

QT9 MRP offers all the features growing manufacturers need—without the complexity that slows down implementation. It’s a fully integrated, cloud-based solution built for manufacturers who want to scale smarter.

With QT9 MRP, you get:

• Real-time production scheduling
• Automated purchasing and inventory management
• Integrated shipping and invoicing
• Supplier and customer relationship tools
• Quality and compliance support
• Easy-to-use dashboards and mobile access

Whether you're a small manufacturer preparing for growth or a mid-sized company ready to digitize operations, QT9 MRP delivers the visibility and control you need—without requiring a full IT department.

Final thoughts

As the manufacturing landscape becomes more dynamic, the right MRP software features can give your business a major advantage. Look for systems that offer automation, real-time visibility, and built-in flexibility. With a future-ready MRP platform, your team will be equipped to handle growing production demands, improve efficiency, and deliver exceptional customer outcomes.