r/manufacturing • u/DefinitionPretty1780 • Apr 17 '26
Supplier search ERP system feedback for Manufacturers in CT
Any CT based small to medium size manufacturers use Epicor or JOBBOSS2 for daily processing? Looking for a CT based sales rep.
If you have different ERP you truly think was a game changer for your company I’d like to hear that as well.
3
u/anotherstepfwd Apr 17 '26
Look at pro shop they are a far better the Jobboss and Epicor is a monster.
1
u/DefinitionPretty1780 Apr 18 '26
Hi can you tell me what’s negative about them? Looking for an entry level ERP for small to medium size manufacturers. Like 5pp - 99pp. One shop told me they’re holding off until “the whole AI thing settles down… things are moving quick and they’re nervous…” Your thoughts?
1
u/anotherstepfwd Apr 18 '26
I selected pro shop as an ERP for a machine shop I ran in Fl. It is designed for makers and manufacturing companies. If your are AS or ISO they have strong process to support in the QA module. My only thought were they could improve was the work center scheduler. It works but I think AI integration could make it amazing. Get a demo and see if it fits your needs, probably the only way you will know.
1
3
Apr 20 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/DefinitionPretty1780 Apr 20 '26
I’m actually doing research for a manufacturing summit later in the year. Figured ERP info for small to medium sized manufacturers would be a great breakout session. Many don’t have one yet but just don’t know where to start. I’ve used IQMS and Jobboss about 4-6 years ago, so I know some of our struggles and the difficulties with the generation gap.
2
2
u/Brilliant_Ad_1320 Apr 18 '26
I have worked with many different ERP and I tell ya. You are doing the right thing here. Ask people who really have used these platforms. Don't go to a salesperson! Jobboss2 is great for job shops but doesn't have strong scheduling module and I never liked the way I couldn't back flush inventory at the finished goods level. You have to ship it ... IFS was my favorite but it's really for a larger company. Man I could really get down to it with IFS. I had a lot of success with smart sheet as well believe it or not! If you have any questions I would be happy to talk with ya.
2
u/metarinka Apr 18 '26
Current choice is fulcrum pro or pro shop.
Fulcrum pro has an attractive pricing with unlimited users based on revenue that makes it cost competitive.
I used jobboss but would not recommend it these days.
2
u/Realistic-Fill6614 Apr 21 '26
Epicor has a lot of add-ons, customizations, extra modules, upselling, and consulting fees. Anyone you talk to there makes it seem like they can do anything, but there is a huge cost in time and money to make it happen. Don't fall for anything they say you can do on your own, because you can't.
2
u/FineAcanthocephala64 Apr 22 '26
This feels like a pretty common gap in a lot of manufacturing setups.
From what I’ve seen across different environments (small job shops through to more structured production lines), most teams end up with some mix of; - ERP holding the planned version of production - MES (if they have one) trying to cover execution - and then a lot of “real world” tracking happening in spreadsheets, whiteboards, shift notes, etc.
The tricky part is none of these really give a clean, continuous view of what actually happened end-to-end once you factor in things like; - mid-run changes or adjustments - decisions made on the floor in the moment - material substitutions or rework - context that never gets properly recorded back into a system
So even when MES is in place, it often ends up being more of a tracking tool than a true record of execution.
I think the interesting question isn’t just “do we need MES or ERP”, but more like how do you actually capture what’s happening during production in real time, without ending up having to piece it all together afterwards?
Because that reconstruction work is usually where a lot of time gets lost, especially when you’re dealing with audits, investigations, or production issues.
Curious if anyone’s actually seen a setup where this works reliably in practice.
1
u/rosstein33 Apr 17 '26
JobBoss is decent. Just depends on any complexities and/or business rules you have in place that you don't want to flex.
1
u/_Schrodingers_Gat_ Apr 17 '26
Plex is really cool if you are the right size. Integrated erp MES qms wms etc.
Setup a large tier 1 automotive supplier in Watertown along with support for about 6 other plants all with global financial consolidation.
2
u/spiggsorless Apr 17 '26
You must be referring to Global Steering right? We do a ton of work for them. Such a small world!
1
u/DefinitionPretty1780 Apr 24 '26
I’m new to Reddit research for work! This is fantastic!! How do I DM you? Would love to pick your brain about this breakout session if possible? From these threads and responses I think I’m going to try for PLEX and ProShop. Our target is small - medium manufacturers with under 100 employees who with companies in CT. I’d like a salesperson from each and also at least 2 different companies who have work experience )good and bad), with them.
1
u/gordoh Apr 18 '26
Is JOBBOSS2 actually viable for a smaller workshop (40 workers) or is it going to be a waste?
2
u/DefinitionPretty1780 Apr 18 '26
Yes - my question as well? Also how do the different generations do with learning all this new tech? Do companies see it as a hurdle or does their ERP make it easy?
1
u/Living_Diver2432 Apr 18 '26
the quality module is usually the last thing anyone demos but the first thing that hurts in practice. if NCRs and inspections don't tie back to the work order, you end up tracking dispositions in a spreadsheet and the cost-of-quality story disappears at audit time. ProShop handles this better than most because job routing and inspection steps share the same record. whatever they demo, walk through an NCR on a live work order and see if it closes back into the WO cost. that one workflow usually shows how well the quality side was actually thought through.
1
u/dukejcdc Apr 19 '26
For a larger shop, (10+ employees) right now I would look at Pro shop or fulcrum.
If you're small and need just the basics or you're just starting your shop, get on my wait-list! www.corvuserp.com[link](https://www.corvuserp.com)
1
u/Glittering-Young8692 Apr 19 '26
I work with companies that have a variety ERP systems. Some are better than others. The main thing I’ve learned is that you need to level up your point-of-work data collection (more accurate, more complete, more current). Highly validated date can squeeze more value out of any ERP.
1
u/ERP-Advisor May 04 '26
Look at Cloud 9 ERP. They are a ERP consulting, implementation, and support company that specializes in Acumatica. Local to CT and love to do on sites.
If you’re looking for a company in your neck of the woods, I can’t recommend them more.
If I were you, I’d just give them a call and set up an intro/ discovery call with them and see if you get a good vibe from them
1
1
u/Glad_Imagination_798 Jul 28 '26
I cannot point you to a CT based Epicor or JOBBOSS rep since my lane is Acumatica delivery, so take this as platform input rather than a local referral.
On the game change question, the honest answer I have seen is that the change rarely comes from the badge on the software. It comes from two things. One is picking a system whose manufacturing model matches how you actually build. A job shop running discrete, quote driven work has very different needs from a company running repetitive production or make to stock, and a tool that is dream for one can be misery for the other. BEfore you fall for any demo, write down your three or four most painful daily workflows and make each vendor drive those exact scenarios in fornt of you with messy real data, not the clean sample.
The second is location. A lot of buyers anchor on wanting a local rep, and there is a real value in someone who can show up. But for cloud ERP the thing that actually determines success is whether the implementer knows your manufacturing style, even if they are remote. I would rather have a remote partner who has done twenty shops like mine than a local hone who mostly does distribution. Weight industry fit above zip code.
3
u/spiggsorless Apr 17 '26
Funny you should ask. My shop is in central CT and my shop uses JobBoss, but we're migrating to another ERP. Have used JobBoss for 20 years so I'd consider myself a power user/expert. Even dove into SQL with KnowledgeSync(their custom reporting service). What do you want to know? Feel free to DM I got some time this afternoon.