The 10 best manufacturing software suppliers (2026)
How this list came about
For this overview, we reviewed the suppliers' own websites and product information and checked that these are genuine Dutch companies, or companies with a Dutch presence, that demonstrably supply software for the manufacturing industry. We use neutral, descriptive summaries and no invented scores, so you have an honest starting point for your own orientation. We link to each supplier so you can compare for yourself. When reviewing, we looked at:
- Proven experience in the manufacturing industry: whether the supplier actually builds or supplies software for production companies
- Production planning and the shop floor: support for planning, work orders, feedback and shop floor control
- Bills of materials, costing and inventory: control over BOM, costing, purchasing and materials
- Integrations: experience with CAD/CAM, machines and controllers, and existing ERP or accounting software
- Type of solution: industry-specific ERP, a standalone MES or planning package, or custom software, so you can choose the right category
- Management and ongoing development: what happens after implementation and how the software evolves over time
The top 10 manufacturing software suppliers
Appfront (Amsterdam)
Custom software, app and integration agency that builds software around your production process
Appfront is an Amsterdam software agency that builds custom software, web applications, mobile apps and integrations, and put together this overview. For manufacturing companies, Appfront builds software around the way you work: production planning, work orders, bills of materials and shop floor reporting, tailored to your processes and terminology. Where needed, the agency builds integrations with machines and controllers, with your existing ERP or with your accounting software, so data no longer has to be moved back and forth by hand.
Want to know what custom software could mean for your production process? Take a look at our manufacturing software development service or the custom software development page.
Get in touch with Appfront →Custom software for planning, work orders and machine integrations, from design through to maintenance.
Ridder iQ (Harderwijk)
ERP for SME production and manufacturing companies
Ridder iQ is the ERP system from Ridder Data Systems in Harderwijk, part of ECI Software Solutions since 2019. The package is developed for SME production and manufacturing companies and brings together CRM, costing and bills of materials, production preparation, purchasing and inventory, production planning, time registration and financial administration in one system. Suited to SME manufacturers who want to run their entire process on one industry ERP.
View Ridder iQ →Isah (Eindhoven)
ERP built specifically for the manufacturing industry
Isah from Eindhoven develops ERP software built specifically for the manufacturing industry. The package targets machine builders, suppliers, high-tech companies and technical service providers, and offers functions for production planning, inventory, projects and finance, extendable with engineering and service modules. Suited to manufacturers producing to order and to project who are looking for a specialised industry ERP.
View Isah →Bemet, Plan-de-CAMpagne (Veenendaal)
Industry ERP that connects production to CAD/CAM
Bemet International, based in Veenendaal, has supplied software for the manufacturing industry since 1990 and is known for the Plan-de-CAMpagne ERP package. The system brings quotes, orders, stock, purchasing, planning, capacity, production and invoicing together in one environment, and integrates with CAD/CAM and other office software. Suitable for manufacturers where the link between engineering, costing and production matters.
View Bemet →Suppliers #5 – #10
#5 MKG (Hengelo)
Metal ERPMKG, short for Metaal Kennis Groep, has been developing ERP software for metal and manufacturing SMEs from Hengelo since 2000. The software is tailored to the metal sector, from costing and work orders to planning, and offers integrations with external systems through an open API. Suited to metalworking companies looking for an ERP built for their sector.
View MKG →#6 Infor (Barneveld)
Enterprise ERPInfor is an international ERP supplier with a Dutch office in Barneveld, the town where predecessor Baan once started. With Infor LN the company focuses on discrete production and more complex manufacturers, with functions for planning, production, supply chain and finance. Suited to larger or internationally operating production companies.
View Infor →#7 Propos Software (Groningen)
MES and planningPropos Software from Groningen supplies software for real-time production planning and shop floor control, a form of Manufacturing Execution System. The solution is designed for high-mix, low-volume production environments and follows QRM and Lean principles, with integrations to, among others, Microsoft Dynamics and Exact. Suited to manufacturers who want to strengthen their shop floor planning on top of an existing ERP.
View Propos Software →#8 GAC, Production365 (Vianen)
Dynamics production ERPGAC Business Solutions from Vianen implements business software based on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. With the industry solution Production365, GAC focuses on manufacturers who produce to order, such as machine builders and interior fit-out companies, with features for production, quality and capacity insight. Suitable for businesses that want to run their production on the Microsoft platform.
View GAC →#9 Kjerner (Delft)
Custom manufacturing softwareKjerner, based in Delft, builds custom software for manufacturers with complex processes that standard packages don't cover well. The agency develops custom ERP and planning software to replace Excel and outdated systems, among other things, and works with industrial clients over the long term. Suitable for manufacturers whose way of working is too specific for a standard package.
View Kjerner →#10 Cordis Automation (Eindhoven)
Machine controlCordis Automation from Eindhoven develops the Cordis SUITE, a low-code platform for building machine control software. Using a model-driven approach, the platform generates control code for PLCs from manufacturers including Siemens, Bosch Rexroth and Beckhoff, plus data collection and visualisation. Suitable for machine builders in the manufacturing industry who want to develop their control software more quickly.
View Cordis →All 10 suppliers at a glance
A direct comparison of the key features. Use this table to quickly see which type of provider best suits your question about manufacturing industry software.
| # | Supplier | Location | Focus | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Appfront | Amsterdam | Custom manufacturing software and integrations | Businesses with a non-standard process and machine or system integrations |
| 2 | Ridder iQ | Harderwijk | Industry ERP for production, SMEs | SME manufacturers who want their entire process in one ERP |
| 3 | Isah | Eindhoven | ERP specifically for the manufacturing industry | Machine builders and suppliers who produce to order |
| 4 | Bemet (Plan-de-CAMpagne) | Veenendaal | Industry ERP with CAD/CAM integration | Manufacturers where engineering and production are closely linked |
| 5 | MKG | Hengelo | ERP tailored to the metal sector | SME metalworking companies |
| 6 | Infor | Barneveld | Enterprise ERP for discrete manufacturing | Larger or international manufacturing companies |
| 7 | Propos Software | Groningen | MES and real-time production planning | Manufacturers who want to strengthen their shop floor planning |
| 8 | GAC (Production365) | Vianen | Production ERP on Microsoft Dynamics 365 | Order-driven manufacturers on the Microsoft platform |
| 9 | Kjerner | Delft | Custom software for manufacturing | Production companies with processes that packages don't cover |
| 10 | Cordis Automation | Eindhoven | Low-code machine control software | Machine builders who build control software |
Industry-specific ERP, MES package or custom software: how do you choose?
The most important choice to make upfront is which type of solution suits you. Broadly, there are three routes: an industry-specific ERP for manufacturing, a standalone MES or planning package on top of your existing systems, or custom software built around your process. The suppliers in this overview are divided across these categories.
Choose an industry ERP if…
An industry ERP for production often makes sense if your processes are close to the industry standard and you want one system for your whole business, from costing to invoicing.
- Your process is close to the industry standard
- You want costing, planning and administration in one package
- You benefit from ready-made production functionality
Choose a MES or planning package if…
A standalone MES or planning package makes sense when your administrative ERP is in order, but planning and control on the shop floor fall short.
- Your ERP is in place, but shop floor planning isn't working
- You need real-time visibility and feedback
- You want shop floor control on top of your existing system
Choose custom development if…
Custom software pays off when your way of working differs from what packages offer, when you need specific machine integrations or planning logic, or when existing software no longer keeps pace. A combination is also possible: a package as the foundation with custom software built around it.
- Your way of working deviates from what packages offer
- You need your own machine integrations or planning logic
- You want to extend a package with custom development around it
What should you look for when choosing manufacturing software?
Whether you opt for a package, a MES or custom development, these signals will help you assess a supplier, without passing judgement on any particular company.
Red flags
- No demonstrable experience with production companies or the manufacturing sector
- No support for production planning, work orders or bills of materials
- No experience with integrations to machines, CAD/CAM or existing ERP
- No agreements on maintenance and further development after implementation
- Unclear how you would get your data out of the system should you ever want to switch
Warning signs
- The system cannot grow with your production or product range
- You are pushed into a standard that doesn't fit your process
- Feedback from the shop floor is cumbersome or missing altogether
- No Dutch-speaking contact person or no fixed point of contact
- Only delivers software, without thinking along about your production process
Green flags
- Starts by mapping out your production process, planning and work orders
- Shows examples from comparable manufacturing businesses
- Has a clear implementation or development process
- Builds integrations with machines and systems as a standard part of the work
- Makes clear agreements on maintenance and further development
Looking for something else?
None of these suppliers quite match your question, or is your need broader? Then take a look at our other, independent overviews:
- The best ERP builders in the Netherlands, for company-wide custom ERP covering stock, planning and administration, not specifically for manufacturing.
- The best order management software agencies, for those who mainly want to digitise the order and quote process.
- The best custom software agencies in the Netherlands, for custom software more broadly, outside of production.
Conclusion
Software for the manufacturing sector broadly comes in three flavours: an industry-specific ERP covering your entire business, a MES or planning package for the shop floor, and custom development built around your process. The ten parties in this overview are genuine suppliers to the Dutch manufacturing sector, spread across these categories. Use the comparison table and the criteria as a starting point, and speak with a few parties before you choose.
Ready to build software for your production process?
Appfront is an Amsterdam software agency that builds custom software, web applications and integrations, including for manufacturing companies around planning, work orders and machine integrations. If you have an idea or a specific challenge, we are happy to think it through with you. Take a look at our custom software development page or get in touch for a no-obligation conversation.
Frequently asked questions about manufacturing software
What this article is and isn't. This overview was compiled by Appfront and lists Dutch suppliers of software for the manufacturing industry: think production planning, MES, bills of materials (BOM), work orders, machine integration and OEE, and quality. We deliberately include a mix of industry-specific ERP for production, standalone planning or MES packages, and providers who build custom software, each with its own focus. If you'd rather have software developed to suit your production process, see our page on building manufacturing software.
Why Appfront for manufacturing software
Most firms supply a package for you to configure. Appfront builds software developed specifically around your production process, from design through to maintenance, in clear sprints. Here is what that difference means in practice for a manufacturing business.
Software built around your production process
We first map out your planning, work orders, bills of materials and shop-floor reporting, then build the system around them. Screens, statuses and reports take on your own terminology, and features you don't use are left out.
Building manufacturing softwareIntegrations with machines and systems
Production software rarely stands alone. As a fixed part of the project, we build integrations with, for example, your machines and controllers, your existing ERP or your accounts, so production data no longer has to be moved back and forth by hand.
Building softwareFrom design to management, from Amsterdam
Appfront builds custom software, web apps and integrations from Amsterdam. We work in design and development sprints and stay involved after handover: management, security and ongoing development are all part of the service.
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