Best Manufacturing CRM Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 17 tools reviewed.
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
Manufacturing CRM software is important for manufacturing companies, helping teams boost production efficiency and strengthen customer experiences. However, choosing the right software can be challenging due to the wide range of available options.
Using my experience with revenue operations software, I tested and compared several of the top manufacturing CRM software available. From there, I compiled my results into detailed reviews to help you find the best software for your needs.
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Best Manufacturing CRM Software Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top manufacturing CRM software selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Pipedrive CRM Pipedrive's drag-and-drop interface lets you manage contacts and move them through various stages in the pipeline. | Best for sales pipeline automation | 14-day free trial | From $14/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
2 | CRM Creatio CRM Creatio lets you manage your manufacturing processes with its no-code platform, including inventory management. | Best for process automation | 14-day free trial | From $25/user/month | Website |
3 | Freshsales Freshsales optimizes sales for small to medium businesses with automation tools. | Best for small to medium businesses | 21-day free trial | From $9/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
4 | Salesmate Salesmate delivers dynamic lead management and communication tools for mobile sales. | Best for mobile accessibility | 15-day free trial + free demo available | From $23/user/month | Website |
5 | LeadSquared LeadSquared simplifies lead management with automation and efficient nurturing tools. | Best for lead management | 15-day free trial | From $400/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
6 | Zendesk Zendesk enhances support team efficiency by streamlining interactions and issue resolution. | Best for customer support teams | 14-day free trial | From $49/user/month | Website |
7 | Pipeline CRM Pipeline CRM provides tools to track and optimize sales processes. | Best for pipeline management | 14-day free trial + free demo available | From $25/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
8 | Infor Infor integrates business processes to enhance operational efficiency for large enterprises. | Best for enterprise-level solutions | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website |
9 | Insightly Insightly focuses on enhancing customer interactions and managing projects efficiently. | Best for user-friendly interface | 14-day free trial | From $29/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
10 | Capsule CRM Capsule CRM offers intuitive contact management and sales tracking for small businesses. | Best for simple CRM needs | 14-day free trial | From $18/user/month | Website |
How to Choose Manufacturing CRM Software
It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:
Factor | What to Consider? |
Scalability | Will the software grow with your business needs? |
Integrations | Does it connect with other tools your team uses daily? |
Customizability | Can you tailor the software to fit your specific processes? |
Ease of Use | Is the interface intuitive for your team members? |
Budget | Does the price fit within your financial constraints? |
Security Safeguards | Are there strong measures to protect your data? |
Support | Is there reliable customer support when issues arise? |
Reporting | Does it provide the insights and analytics that you need? |
Best Manufacturing CRM Software Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best manufacturing CRM software that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.
Pipedrive CRM is a sales-focused customer relationship management software designed to help teams manage leads, track deals, and automate administrative tasks.
Why I picked Pipedrive CRM: Pipedrive is a solid fit for manufacturing companies because of its deal and contact management tools. You can track interactions with suppliers, distributors, and clients all in one place. The product catalog feature allows you to manage your inventory and pricing details directly within the CRM, so your team has quick access to this information while negotiating deals. Additionally, Pipedrive’s customizable and automated pipelines and stages can be set up to match your specific manufacturing workflow, helping you manage production timelines and client orders in sync with your sales process.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include automation capabilities that reduce manual data entry. You can set up custom triggers for tasks like follow-up emails or reminders to reach out to potential leads. Its reporting tools let you generate detailed insights into sales performance, helping you identify bottlenecks in your processes. Pipedrive also has a built-in scheduler, making it easier for you to book meetings with suppliers or clients.
Integrations include Surfe, Apollo.io, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Mailchimp, Google Meet, PandaDoc, DocuSign, QuickBooks, Stripe, Asana, Trello, OneClick, and CloudTalk.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Automation of repetitive tasks
- Customizable sales stages
- Drag-and-drop pipelines
Cons:
- Accessing advanced features may incur additional costs
- Lacks native support for complex manufacturing needs
CRM Creatio is a no-code platform designed for businesses looking to automate and optimize their workflows. It serves teams by facilitating business process automation and customer relationship management.
Why I picked CRM Creatio: CRM Creatio provides the ability to automate complex manufacturing processes without the need for coding. This feature allows your team to digitize end-to-end CRM processes as well as operational, production, and partner relationship management workflows, enhancing overall productivity. Additionally, CRM Creatio provides industry-specific templates and solutions tailored to manufacturing needs, facilitating faster implementation and time-to-value. Furthermore, the platform offers extensive analytics and reporting capabilities, enabling your team to track performance, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include marketing campaign automation, lead management workflows, sales process automation, customer service workflows, AI/ML-generated insights, 360-degree customer view, omnichannel communication, task management, document management, mobile access, role-based access control, and compliance management.
Integrations include Accelo, Act!, ActiveCampaign, Acumatica, Adobe Analytics, Asana, Microsoft Exchange, Excel, Mailchimp, HubSpot Marketing Hub, Google Calendar, and Tableau.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Extensive customization options
- No-code platform
- Supports scaling businesses
Cons:
- Customization can be time-consuming
- Data migration may be complex
Freshsales is a customer relationship management tool designed for small to medium businesses seeking to optimize their sales processes. It provides key features such as contact management and sales automation to support sales teams in their daily operations.
Why I picked Freshsales: Freshsales provides features that cater to the needs of small to medium businesses, making it accessible and efficient for your team. The software includes a visual sales pipeline that helps you track deals effectively. With its lead scoring feature, you can prioritize prospects based on engagement and likelihood to convert. Freshsales also offers built-in phone and email capabilities, so your team can centralize communications.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a visual sales pipeline that lets you track deals efficiently. The lead scoring system helps you identify and prioritize high-potential leads. Freshsales also integrates phone and email functionalities directly into the platform to streamline communication with clients.
Integrations include Mailchimp, Zapier, QuickBooks, Google Workspace, Slack, HubSpot, Xero, Microsoft Outlook, Dropbox, and Trello.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Visual sales pipeline
- Built-in communication tools
- Effective lead scoring
Cons:
- Basic reporting options
- Limited advanced features
Salesmate is a customer relationship management platform designed for businesses that need to manage their sales processes on the go. It caters primarily to sales teams, providing tools for lead management and communication.
Why I picked Salesmate: Salesmate excels in mobile accessibility, allowing your team to manage sales activities from anywhere. Its mobile app provides features like contact management and deal tracking, ensuring you're always connected. The built-in calling feature lets your team make and track calls directly from the app. Additionally, Salesmate's intuitive interface ensures that accessing sales information on mobile devices is straightforward and efficient.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a mobile app that provides access to contact management and deal tracking on the go. The built-in calling feature enables your team to make and track calls directly within the app. Salesmate's intuitive interface ensures that accessing sales information is easy and efficient.
Integrations include Slack, Google Workspace, Microsoft Outlook, QuickBooks, Zapier, Mailchimp, Shopify, Xero, Trello, and HubSpot.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Easy sales tracking
- Integrated calling feature
- Excellent mobile app
Cons:
- Basic reporting features
- Limited customization options
LeadSquared is a CRM platform focused on helping businesses manage and nurture their leads effectively. It is tailored for sales and marketing teams who want to automate lead capture and streamline their nurturing processes.
Why I picked LeadSquared: LeadSquared excels in lead management, providing tools that automate lead capture and nurturing. It features customizable lead scoring, allowing your team to prioritize high-quality leads. The platform's automation workflows enable efficient follow-ups and engagement. LeadSquared's reporting and analytics offer insights into lead behavior, helping your team optimize their strategies.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include customizable lead scoring that helps your team prioritize potential clients. The automation workflows streamline follow-ups and engagement, saving time and effort. Reporting and analytics provide insights into lead behavior, allowing you to adjust strategies as needed.
Integrations include Salesforce, Google Analytics, Mailchimp, Microsoft Dynamics, Zapier, Outlook, Facebook, LinkedIn, QuickBooks, and Shopify.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Detailed analytics
- Strong automation workflows
- Effective lead scoring
Cons:
- Limited offline features
- Complex setup process
Zendesk is a customer service platform designed to improve support teams' efficiency by streamlining customer interactions and resolving issues. It is ideal for businesses seeking to enhance their customer support and engagement processes.
Why I picked Zendesk: As a specialized tool for customer support, Zendesk offers features tailored to improve team efficiency and customer interaction. Its ticketing system helps your team organize and prioritize customer requests efficiently. The software provides strong reporting tools, allowing you to track and analyze performance metrics. Additionally, Zendesk's scalability makes it suitable for both small teams and large enterprises, aligning with its USP of being best for customer support teams.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a centralized ticketing system that helps manage customer inquiries efficiently. It offers customizable dashboards that allow you to track key performance metrics. Zendesk also provides a knowledge base feature, enabling your team to create and manage self-service resources for customers.
Integrations include Slack, Salesforce, Google Analytics, Shopify, HubSpot, Mailchimp, WordPress, Jira, Trello, and Microsoft Teams.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable ticketing options
- Scalable for all team sizes
- Extensive reporting tools
Cons:
- Limited offline access
- Complex initial setup
Pipeline CRM is a customer relationship management tool designed for businesses focused on managing their sales pipeline effectively. It primarily serves sales teams by providing tools to track and optimize sales processes.
Why I picked Pipeline CRM: Pipeline CRM excels in pipeline management, making it a reliable choice for teams looking to enhance their sales tracking capabilities. It offers a customizable sales pipeline, allowing your team to tailor stages to fit your sales processes. The reporting features provide insights into sales performance, helping you make data-driven decisions. Additionally, the task management system ensures that your team can stay organized and on top of their sales activities.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a customizable sales pipeline that lets you adapt to your team's sales processes. The reporting tools offer insights into your sales performance, helping you make informed decisions. Task management features keep your team organized and focused on their sales activities.
Integrations include Mailchimp, Google Workspace, QuickBooks, Slack, Zapier, Dropbox, Outlook, Xero, HubSpot, and Trello.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Efficient task management
- Detailed sales reporting
- Flexible pipeline customization
Cons:
- Basic mobile app functionality
- Limited advanced customization
Infor is an enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management system tailored for large organizations seeking comprehensive management of operations. It serves manufacturers and large enterprises by integrating business processes and enhancing efficiency.
Why I picked Infor: Infor provides enterprise-level solutions that cater to the complex needs of large organizations. Its advanced analytics offer insights into operations, helping your team make informed decisions. The platform's supply chain management features enable efficient resource allocation and planning. Plus, Infor's scalability ensures that it can grow with your organization's needs, aligning with its USP for enterprise-level solutions.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include advanced analytics that provide insights into your operations. Supply chain management features help your team allocate resources efficiently. Infor's scalability ensures that it can adapt to your growing organizational needs.
Integrations include Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics 365, SAP, Oracle, AWS, IBM, Google Cloud, Slack, Azure, and Dropbox.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Efficient supply chain management
- Advanced analytics capabilities
- Comprehensive enterprise solutions
Cons:
- Requires technical expertise
- Complex implementation process
Insightly is a customer relationship management tool designed for small to medium-sized businesses. It focuses on enhancing customer interactions and managing projects efficiently.
Why I picked Insightly: Insightly's user-friendly interface makes it accessible for your team, regardless of their tech savviness. Its project management capabilities allow you to track tasks and milestones with ease. With contact management, you can organize and maintain customer information effectively. The built-in email tracking helps you monitor communications directly from the platform.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include project management tools that help you track tasks and deadlines efficiently. Contact management lets you organize and maintain customer records with ease. Email tracking is integrated, allowing you to monitor communications directly from the platform.
Integrations include Google Workspace, Microsoft Outlook, Slack, QuickBooks, Xero, Mailchimp, Dropbox, Evernote, Box, and Zapier.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Versatile project tracking
- Effective contact management
- Intuitive interface
Cons:
- Occasional performance lags
- Limited advanced features
Capsule CRM is a CRM solution aimed at small businesses seeking straightforward solutions for managing contacts and sales. It focuses on contact management and sales tracking to help teams organize their customer data and improve sales processes.
Why I picked Capsule CRM: Capsule CRM is designed for simplicity, making it ideal for teams with basic CRM needs. Its contact management feature allows you to store and categorize customer information easily, while the sales pipeline functionality helps your team track opportunities and close deals efficiently. Capsule CRM's task management feature ensures that your team stays on top of their activities and deadlines.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include contact management that helps you organize customer information efficiently. The sales pipeline feature lets your team track opportunities and close deals. Task management ensures you stay on top of activities and deadlines.
Integrations include G Suite, Mailchimp, Xero, Zendesk, QuickBooks, FreshBooks, Wufoo, Microsoft Outlook, Dropbox, and Zapier.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Quick setup process
- Suitable for small teams
- Simple contact management
Cons:
- Requires manual data entry
- Basic reporting capabilities
Other Manufacturing CRM Software
Here are some additional manufacturing CRM software options that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
- Spotler CRM
For email marketing integration
- ClickUp
For project management integration
- SugarCRM
For scalable solutions
- Zoho CRM
For customizable workflows
- MRPeasy
For small manufacturers
- monday CRM
For visual project tracking
- Nutshell
For team collaboration
Manufacturing CRM Software Selection Criteria
When selecting the best manufacturing CRM software to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like production processes and inventory management. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Manage customer relationships
- Track sales pipelines
- Automate marketing tasks
- Provide reporting and analytics
- Support inventory management
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- Advanced production scheduling
- Real-time supply chain visibility
- Customizable dashboards
- Integration with IoT devices
- Predictive maintenance alerts
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive interface design
- Easy navigation and workflow
- Customization options
- Speed and responsiveness
- Mobile accessibility
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Interactive product tours
- Onboarding templates
- Access to webinars and workshops
- Support from chatbots during setup
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- Availability of 24/7 support
- Accessibility of live chat support
- Quality of knowledge base resources
- Responsiveness to inquiries
- Assistance with technical issues
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Competitive pricing structure
- Features offered at each price tier
- Flexibility of payment plans
- Hidden costs or fees
- Discounts for annual billing
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Feedback on reliability and uptime
- User satisfaction with features
- Comments on customer support experience
- Ease of integration with other systems
- Overall return on investment
Trends In Manufacturing CRM Software
In my research, I sourced countless product updates, press releases, and release logs from different manufacturing CRM software vendors. Here are some of the emerging trends I’m keeping an eye on:
- AI-Powered Insights: AI is being used to provide deeper insights into customer data, helping businesses predict trends and improve decision-making. Some vendors are incorporating AI to deliver predictive analytics and personalized recommendations.
- Cloud-Based Solutions: More vendors are moving their CRM systems to the cloud, allowing for greater flexibility and access to real-time data from anywhere. This trend is essential for businesses looking to reduce IT infrastructure costs while ensuring scalability.
- Enhanced Data Security: With increasing concerns about data breaches, CRM providers are focusing on improving data security measures. Features like encryption, two-factor authentication, and regular security updates are becoming standard.
- Sustainability Features: As environmental concerns grow, some CRM tools are adding features that help businesses track and report on sustainability metrics. This trend is particularly relevant for manufacturers looking to improve their eco-friendly practices.
- Industry-Specific Customization: Vendors are offering more tailored solutions that cater to specific manufacturing sectors. Custom modules and features designed for particular industries help businesses manage unique processes and requirements more effectively.
What Is Manufacturing CRM Software?
Manufacturing CRM software helps manufacturers manage customer relationships and sales cycles efficiently. It’s commonly used by sales managers, production planners, and customer service representatives to improve communication, streamline operations, and enhance customer satisfaction.
Features such as production scheduling, inventory management, and order management support better organization and faster responses to customer needs. These tools add value by optimizing processes and strengthening customer relationships.
Features of Manufacturing CRM Software
When selecting manufacturing CRM software, keep an eye out for the following key features:
- Production Scheduling: Helps manage and optimize production timelines to ensure efficient workflow and resource allocation.
- Inventory Management: Tracks stock levels and movements, aiding in maintaining optimal inventory and preventing shortages or overstock.
- Order Tracking: Provides real-time updates on order status, enabling better customer communication and satisfaction.
- Customizable Dashboards: Allows users to tailor the display of key metrics and reports to match their specific business needs.
- Lead Management: Organizes and prioritizes potential sales opportunities to enhance follow-up and conversion rates.
- Analytics and Reporting: Offers insights into sales and operational data, supporting informed decision-making.
- Supply Chain Management: Integrates supply chain processes to improve coordination and visibility across different stages.
- Automated Workflows: Streamlines repetitive tasks to save time and reduce the chance of human error in operations.
- Data Security: Ensures that customer and business data is protected through encryption and other security measures.
- Mobile Access: Provides the ability to manage sales and customer data from mobile devices, enhancing flexibility and accessibility.
Benefits of Manufacturing CRM Software
Implementing manufacturing CRM software provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Improved Efficiency: Automated workflows reduce manual tasks, allowing your team to focus on high-priority activities.
- Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: Order tracking and lead management features ensure timely communication and better service delivery.
- Better Decision-Making: Analytics and reporting offer insights into business performance, helping you make informed choices.
- Optimized Inventory Levels: Inventory management keeps track of stock, preventing shortages and excesses that can affect operations.
- Increased Sales Opportunities: Lead management helps identify and prioritize potential customers, boosting sales conversions.
- Greater Flexibility: Mobile access lets your team manage tasks and data from anywhere, ensuring work continues smoothly.
- Secure Data Handling: Data security features protect sensitive information, providing peace of mind for your business and customers.
Costs & Pricing of Manufacturing CRM Software
Selecting manufacturing CRM software requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in manufacturing CRM software solutions:
Plan Comparison Table for Manufacturing CRM Software
Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
Free Plan | $0/user/month | Basic contact management, limited reporting, and email support |
Personal Plan | $5-$25/user/month | Enhanced contact management, basic analytics, and mobile access |
Business Plan | $30-$60/user/month | Advanced analytics, custom dashboards, and automated workflows |
Enterprise Plan | $70-$150/user/month | Full customization, priority support, and advanced security features |
Manufacturing CRM Software FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about manufacturing CRM software:
What is the main drawback of implementing a CRM system?
One of the main drawbacks is a lack of commitment or resistance to change from within the company. If your team isn’t fully committed to using the CRM system, customer relationships can suffer, potentially leading to a loss in revenue. It’s essential to have everyone on board and view operations from the customer’s perspective to truly benefit from CRM implementation.
What are the issues and problems in implementing CRM?
Common issues include poor user adoption and integration challenges. Your CRM won’t be effective if your team doesn’t use it or if it doesn’t integrate well with existing systems. Outdated data, lack of user-friendliness, and limited customization can also pose problems. Address these issues early on to ensure a successful implementation.
How can CRM improve manufacturing processes?
CRM can improve manufacturing processes by providing a centralized platform for managing customer data and interactions. It helps your team forecast demand more accurately, improving inventory management and production scheduling. With better insights into customer needs, you can enhance production efficiency and customer satisfaction.
How does manufacturing CRM software help manage customer orders?
Manufacturing CRM software tracks customer orders throughout the production process, providing real-time updates to your team. It integrates order management with production schedules, ensuring timely deliveries and accurate communication with customers about their order status
What role does CRM software play in forecasting for manufacturing companies?
Manufacturing CRMs often include forecasting tools that analyze historical sales data and customer trends. This helps your team predict demand and adjust production schedules accordingly, ensuring you’re not overproducing or underproducing.
How can manufacturing CRM software help with after-sales service?
Manufacturing CRMs often include tools for managing customer service requests, warranty claims, and maintenance schedules. This ensures that your team can track and resolve after-sales issues efficiently, improving customer satisfaction and loyalty.
What’s Next?
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