Facing scheduling errors, stock shortages, or production slowdowns? These challenges are common in manufacturing, especially when relying on separated processes. As the industry evolves, more producers are turning to production planning software to .
This is supported by the fact that the manufacturing production planning software market was valued at USD 2.1 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at an 8.5% CAGR until 2030. As this fact suggests, using a digital solution has rapidly become a norm.
However, with so many options available, finding the right fit can be overwhelming. To help, we’ve rounded up the 12 best production planning software for manufacturing in Malaysia, in 2025. Read on to find out more!
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What is Production Planning?
Production planning involves preparing and organizing manufacturing activities. It defines the steps and methods needed to produce goods efficiently, on schedule, and within budget.
Think of it as a strategic roadmap created based on business requirements before production begins. It considers key factors such as supply chain management, raw materials, resources, production facilities, and storage.
What is the main goal of production planning? There are three key objectives for effective production planning:
- Maximizing efficiency in using materials, utilities, and resources.
- Minimizing waste and avoiding excess materials in purchasing.
- Optimizing workforce management, production time, and equipment availability.
Your production plan will depend on your manufacturing setup, but most manufacturers follow one of two planning methods:
- Make-to-order: Production starts only after receiving a customer order, requiring anticipation of demand.
- Make-to-stock: Production is based on expected demand, ensuring inventory is ready within a set timeframe.
What is Manufacturing Production Planning Software?
Production planning software helps manufacturers coordinate production schedules, manage resources, and meet demand efficiently. It automates order scheduling, assigns labor and machinery, and tracks inventory to prevent shortages or excess stock.
For high-volume manufacturers, this software ensures raw materials, workforce, and machines align with production targets. It generates real-time schedules, preventing bottlenecks and reducing idle time. Companies can adjust plans instantly if delays or demand changes occur.
By structuring workflows clearly, manufacturers gain better control over production, which leads to key benefits such as:
- Lower costs: Prevents material waste and optimizes machine usage by adjusting schedules based on actual needs.
- Faster production: Reduces downtime by ensuring machines and labor are available exactly when needed.
- Manufacturers rely on precise scheduling: AI-driven algorithms determine machine capacity, raw material availability, and labor shifts to maintain efficiency.
- Factories track inventory in real time: Automated stock level updates prevent excess inventory and ensure raw materials remain available for production.
- Businesses scale operations smoothly: The system adjusts production timelines instantly when demand increases, preventing machine overload and workforce strain.
- Producers meet deadlines consistently: Production schedules align with order timelines to minimize defects and ensure on-time deliveries.
- Industries comply with strict regulations: Digital records log production data, track material sources, and meet standards such as GMP and ISO.
12 Best Manufacturing Production Planning Software in Malaysia
Here are 12 top production planning software options in Malaysia, built to improve scheduling, resource allocation, and inventory management for manufacturers.
1. HashMicro Production Planning Software
HashMicro Production Planning Software helps manufacturers organize production schedules, manage inventory, and allocate resources efficiently. It automates key processes to ensure a smooth and cost-effective production cycle.
Businesses can request a free product tour and consultation to explore how the software fits their specific needs. This risk-free approach allows them to evaluate its features before making a decision.
Leading companies like Forbes, Danone, and Dilmah trust HashMicro for its scalable and innovative solutions. These partnerships highlight its ability to support manufacturers in improving productivity and meeting industry demands.
Features:
- Manufacturing Production Scheduling: Assigns machines, workers, and materials to each task. Sequences production steps based on deadlines and available capacity.
- Manufacturing Requisition Planning: Calculates raw material needs from production orders. Triggers purchase requests or stock transfers to keep materials ready.
- Demand Forecasting: Analyzes past sales and order trends. Adjusts production schedules based on expected demand shifts.
- Bill of Materials (BoM) Management: Lists required materials, quantities, and assembly steps. Restricts access to proprietary formulas for added security.
- Made-to-Order Completion Forecast: Estimates production timelines based on resource availability. Updates delivery dates dynamically as production progresses.
- Manufacturing Quality Control: Inspects materials and products at key checkpoints. Flags defects and prompts corrective actions before products move forward.
- Finished Goods Production Simulation: Models production flow using real-time data. Identifies bottlenecks and suggests process adjustments before issues arise.
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2. NetSuite
NetSuite provides ERP manufacturing software that helps manufacturers organize schedules and allocate resources efficiently. It automates planning, synchronizes tasks across departments, and keeps production on track.
Best for: This software is ideal for manufacturers operating in industries such as consumer goods, electronics, automotive, and industrial products.
Features:
- Demand forecasting
- Production scheduling
- Multi-location inventory control
- Work order management
- Reporting and analytics
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3. Odoo Production Scheduling Software
Odoo provides manufacturing process optimization tools designed for manufacturers to organize and control their production processes. It assigns tasks, schedules machines, and calculates material needs while updating production status in real time.
Best for: It is ideal for small to medium-sized manufacturers working on consumer goods, electronics, automotive, and industrial products.
Features:
- Master schedule for production
- Real-time simulation of processes
- Inventory tracking and control
- Bill of Materials (BoM) organization
- Reports on production performance
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4. Sage 100
Sage 100 is production planning software built for manufacturers to improve efficiency by organizing production and managing resources. It schedules tasks automatically, maximizes material usage, and keeps product deliveries on track.
Best for: Sage 100’s production planning software is tailored for discrete, make-to-stock manufacturers and fabricators, particularly those in industries like machinery, equipment, and metal fabrication.
Features:
- Inventory tracking and management
- Bill of Materials (BoM) organization
- Work order tracking
- Monitoring of material usage
- Predictive data analysis
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5. ClickUp Production Planning Software
ClickUp’s production planning software is best for small to mid-sized manufacturers looking to organize tasks, track resources, and manage production timelines in one place.
It offers customizable workflows, Gantt charts for scheduling, and integrations with tools like Slack and Google Drive. Users can assign tasks to machines or workers, set deadlines, and monitor progress in real time.
Best for: ClickUp’s production planning software is ideal for small to medium-sized manufacturing businesses.
Features:
- Production timeline management
- Inventory tracking
- Quality inspection monitoring
- Task assignment and tracking
- Data reporting and analysis
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6. Connecteam
Connecteam is a production planning and scheduling software that includes time tracking, shift scheduling, and task assignments, helping managers match workers with the right jobs based on availability and skills.
The software also offers real-time chat and GPS tracking, so supervisors can monitor job progress and ensure tasks are completed at the correct locations.
Best for: Connecteam is suitable for manufacturers specializing in food and beverage, electronics, automotive, and industrial products.
Features:
- Work hour tracking
- Employee shift scheduling
- Task assignment and monitoring
- Attendance reporting
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7. Fishbowl Manufacturing Production Planning Software
Fishbowl Manufacturing is built for small to mid-sized manufacturers looking to streamline production. It offers work order management, BoM tracking, barcode scanning, and real-time inventory updates.
The software integrates with QuickBooks to sync inventory and accounting, automates order processing, and manages production schedules efficiently. Hence, it can also function as manufacturing accounting software.
Best for: Fishbowl is suitable for small to mid-sized manufacturing companies, retail, life sciences, oil, gas, chemicals, and consumer packaged goods.
Features:
- Real-time inventory monitoring
- Production floor management
- Barcode-based tracking
- Warehouse organization tools
- Data reporting and insights
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8. Katana
Katana’s manufacturing production planning software provides real-time inventory tracking, visual production planning, and integrates with Shopify and QuickBooks Online. Users can manage stock, production schedules, and sales orders in one system.
It also includes a Shop Floor App for tracking tasks and batch tracking for traceability.
Best for: Katana is designed for small to mid-sized manufacturers in industries like electronics, apparel, food and beverage, and furniture.
Features:
- Real-time inventory tracking
- Supplier order management
- Production scheduling tools
- Shop floor management app
- Bill of Materials (BoM) tracking
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9. Wrike Production Planning and Scheduling Software
Wrike is built for manufacturers needing better production scheduling and team coordination. It offers real-time collaboration, task management, and progress tracking to keep production on schedule.
Key features include customizable workflows, Gantt charts, and resource allocation. It also integrates with manufacturing and accounting tools for a unified system.
Best for: It suits industries such as electronics, automotive, and consumer goods, where complex project management and cross-departmental collaboration are important.
Features:
- Visual tools like Kanban boards, Gantt charts, and project timelines
- Supply chain tracking and coordination
- Resource allocation and management
- Ready-made templates for manufacturing processes
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10. Epicor
Epicor Kinetic is built for manufacturers needing real-time production control. It uses live data to adjust schedules, allocate resources, and optimize workflows. Key features include job management and lean manufacturing tools to help businesses adapt quickly to demand changes.
Best for: Epicor Kinetic is particularly suited for mid-sized to large manufacturers, such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, and industrial machinery.
Features:
- Advanced planning and scheduling (APS)
- Quality assurance
- Job management
- Lean manufacturing
- Batching technology
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11. Infor
Infor LN is built for manufacturers needing advanced production scheduling and resource management. It uses planning algorithms to optimize workflows, minimize downtime, and improve efficiency.
While user-friendly and highly integrative, setup can be complex, and customization requires technical expertise.
Best for: Infor LN is ideal for manufacturers in high-tech, aerospace, heavy manufacturing, automotive, and industrial equipment sectors that require advanced production.
Features:
- Manufacturing Execution System (MES)
- Product lifecycle tracking and management
- Project coordination tools
- Bill of Materials (BoM) handling
- Capacity planning for resource allocation
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12. MasterControl PPIC Software
MasterControl’s production planning software helps manufacturers automate scheduling, allocate resources, and manage workflows efficiently. It integrates with existing systems to coordinate tasks, track inventory, and ensure on-time product delivery.
Best for: MasterControl is suitable for manufacturers in highly regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and biotechnology.
Features:
- Bill of Materials (BoM) tracking
- Production timeline scheduling
- Production record management
- Quality control oversight
- Data reporting and analysis
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Key Features of Manufacturing Production Planning Software
Manufacturing production planning software helps businesses manage schedules, resources, and demand fluctuations efficiently. Below are key features that improve production processes and keep everything on track.
- Automated scheduling: Uses rule-based algorithms to create production schedules based on demand and resource availability.
- Capacity planning: Evaluates production capacity to handle demand fluctuations.
- Material requirement planning (MRP): Analyzes material availability and forecasts future material needs for order completion.
- “What-if” analysis: Assesses different production schedules and alternative plans to address potential disruptions.
- Change management: Evaluates how demand changes affect production cycles and facilitates necessary adjustments.
- Scheduling: Assigns work schedules to employees and monitors actual production progress.
How to Choose the Ideal Production Scheduling Software
Choosing the right manufacturing production planning software directly impacts efficiency and business success. Here are key factors to consider:
- User-friendliness: Look for intuitive navigation, customizable dashboards, and easy data entry. Involving end-users helps assess usability.
- Essential features: Ensure the software includes advanced scheduling tools and strong inventory management for better stock control.
- Flexibility and customization: Choose a system that adapts to your specific production workflows and industry needs.
- Seamless integration: Verify compatibility with inventory, procurement, and finance systems to create a connected workflow.
- Support and training: Check if the vendor provides 24/7 support and training resources to help users maximize the software.
- Real-world feedback: Read reviews and seek recommendations from industry peers to understand actual user experiences.
Making an informed choice now will improve efficiency, increase productivity, and support long-term business growth.
Conclusion
Picking the right production planning software can make all the difference in keeping manufacturing running smoothly. The right tool helps manage scheduling, track inventory, and boost overall efficiency.
HashMicro Manufacturing Software tackles these challenges with powerful features like advanced scheduling, demand forecasting, and quality control, all in a user-friendly platform. Moreover, this software can also integrate with many systems and offers unlimited users.
Try HashMicro’s free demo and see it in action! Get a firsthand look at how it simplifies production and optimizes every step of the process.
Frequently Asked Questions on Production Planning and Scheduling Software
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What is Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software?
APS software helps manufacturers plan production efficiently by identifying delays, optimizing machine usage, and balancing workloads. It allows businesses to adjust production schedules based on demand and resource availability.
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How does production scheduling software integrate with other systems?
Production scheduling software connects with ERP, MES, and CRM systems to sync inventory, track work progress, and automate data flow. This integration helps manufacturers manage supply chains, production timelines, and customer orders more effectively.
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Why is user-friendliness important in production planning software?
A simple interface allows workers to input data, track schedules, and make adjustments without confusion. Clear navigation and customizable dashboards help teams work faster and reduce mistakes.
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What are the key features to look for in production scheduling software?
Look for automated scheduling, capacity planning, material tracking, and “what-if” analysis to handle demand changes. These features help manufacturers allocate resources, reduce waste, and keep production on track.
