The 5 Best CRMs in 2024 for Manufacturing Businesses

The manufacturing industry can accomplish this objective by using CRM software. Suppliers and buyers are able to communicate seamlessly, departmental communication is smoother, and order management is flawless.

These CRM solutions cater to the sector's unique dynamics, optimize operations, and provide sharp, actionable insights. In fact, the manufacturing industry uses 6% of overall CRM. That's a high number.

So, let's explore the best CRM solutions for manufacturers for this year together.

Criteria for Evaluating CRM for Manufacturing

The manufacturing industry requires effective CRM solutions. For its specific needs, there must be specialized functionalities.

So, what key criteria should you look at when picking the best CRM for your business?

1. Possibilities of integrations: The right CRM should seamlessly integrate with your ERP. Or any other third-party tool you already use. So, you can make sales forecasts and other activities in one centralized location.

2. Customizations: Every manufacturer operates differently, depending on the nature of products, market demands, and production capacities. The ability to customize a CRM solution, from dashboards to reporting formats, is absolutely essential here. A car manufacturer needs different CRM functionalities than a producer of textiles.

3. Flexibility: The manufacturing industry is incredibly dynamic. Companies evolve, expand into new markets, diversify product ranges, or adjust to economic shifts. That means your CRM should be scalable. And allow you to grow.

4. Mobile access: CEOs and managers often work in the field. That means they stay in touch only via their smartphones. Keep this in mind when picking CRM for you. And make sure you have the vital data and functionalities always at your fingertips.

5. Security measures: Manufacturers handle a huge amount of sensitive data. From exclusive production processes to client information. The ideal CRM must prioritize security. And offer features like regular backups to protect against data breaches or losses.

6. Cost and return on investment (ROI): It’s essential to weigh the costs against the expected ROI. In any business. The best CRM software for the manufacturing industry balances vital functionalities and cost-effectiveness. So, keep your ROI in mind.

7. Collaborative capabilities: A CRM should foster collaboration across various departments – from sales and marketing to production and logistics. Here, features such as shared calendars, task management, and real-time communication are important. In addition, integrations with conferencing tools such as Microsoft Teams further add to the collaborative benefits.

8. Continuous improvements: The best CRM for not only small manufacturing businesses are those that actively incorporate user feedback. This helps businessmen adjust to the changing demands of their customers.

If manufacturers had a perfect system, it would cover all mentioned above.

This year you can pick from:

1. eWay-CRM

In the manufacturing sector, staying ahead requires a unique blend of organization, efficiency, and timely management of tasks.

eWay-CRM, with its robust integration into Microsoft Outlook, proves to be an essential tool.

eWay-CRM’s Synchronized Approach to Manufacturing

• In Outlook like in the living room:Manufacturing processes require precision and consistency. eWay-CRM, in its look and CRM features, fits into Microsoft Outlook. So, you'll work in the interface you're already familiar with.

• Actionable email strategies:Emails convey crucial information about supplies, clients, or vendor communications. Tag all important customer data for great customer relationship management with your CRM. This data-driven approach will ensure you'll achieve your suppliers' and customers' satisfaction. And boost your sales.

• Unified data for seamless operations:Manufacturing sales teams need updated access to contacts and production schedules. Why? To keep your customers well informed.

eWay-CRM syncs this data and enables your teams to see the sales processes as well as sales pipelines clearly. All in all, your departments will be on the same page with eWay-CRM. And will be able to keep all you cooperate with satisfied in the long term.

How to Meet Your Manufacturing Demands

• Customized modules for manufacturing: You can mold eWay-CRM it to fit your specific needs. Whether it's business processes, inventory management, or complex supply chain communication management. It offers modules and functionalities tailored to the nuances of manufacturing.

• Project Management Module - Optimize your complex processes. And be more productive.
• Sales Module - Predict the demand, manage client data effectively, and reduce the time between order receipt and production process.
• Email Marketing Module - Create well-targeted campaigns and improve your lead generation score.
• Contacts and Companies Module- Centralizes information about customers and suppliers. Which helps your management to keep track of all the relevant information.

• Boost your operation efficiency: Time is of the essence in production cycles. With eWay-CRM, you can automate routine tasks. Like vendor communication follow-ups. This will help you to optimize production timelines, including work with raw materials, and others.

Tailored for Manufacturing Budgets

• Flexible plans for each of you: Whether you're a boutique or a large-scale industrial unit, eWay-CRM is here for you. Start with its robust free plan, and as production scales or complexities grow, upgrade to fit the exact needs.

• Transparent pricing: Paid plans start at $20/month/user for the Basic plan. And continues with plans that will allow you to always achieve high ROI.

Accessible On and Off the Factory Floor

As a manufacturing professional, you are always on the move.

Be it on the factory floor or in off-site meetings. eWay-CRM is available on both iOS and Android devices, so it won't stop you ever. You can also use the Web version for easy access from anywhere.

The Manufacturing Essence and Promise

eWay-CRM is more than a CRM; it's a dedicated ally for all manufacturers.

Integrate it with Word and Excel documents, MS Teams, or Quickbook. And keep your manufacturing agenda organized and timely.

2. Keap CRM

Solution originally designed for small businesses. Keap CRM offers a unique blend of user-friendliness with robust functionalities tailored to manufacturing needs.

 Features:

• Automation and workflows:Keap offers advanced automation tools for streamlining processes.
• E-commerce capabilities: Manage orders, invoices, and payments easily.
• Tailorable dashboard: You can tailor your dashboard to see essential metrics - from production rates to order fulfillment.

Considerations:

• Learning curve: Keap's distinct interface might shift from conventional manufacturing software.
• Integrations: Integration with Keap might not be as smooth as with other CRMs.
• Flexibility:Keap can cause some flexibility challenges. Why? Because it is suitable for small to medium businesses primarily.

3. Thryv

Thryv's focus is on communication and collaboration.

Features:

• Client communication tools: Efficient communication tools cover everything from initial client orders to final delivery confirmations.
• Online scheduling and booking:An intuitive system will help you coordinate with stakeholders like suppliers and vendors.
• Document storage and sharing:Thryv offers quite good access to vital manufacturing documents. Such as blueprints and client orders.

Considerations: 

• Mobile limitations: Some of Thryv’s functions are restricted to desktops. Which might be an issue for some of you.
• Barriers: Thryv is limited to niche manufacturing requirements.
• Specialized tool integration: Potential challenges might arise when integrating with specific manufacturing software.

4. Hubspot

Hubspot is often rated as the best CRM on Reddit. It seamlessly unifies different business functions. That's where its popularity might come from.

Features: 

• Sales and marketing integration: A single platform created for those manufacturers trying to sell in different markets.
• In-depth analytics: Hubspot provides in-depth insights into manufacturing processes, client interactions, and sales projections.
• Lead management:Effective tracking mechanisms ensure no potential client of yours will slip through.

Considerations:

• Complexity: Hubspot’s extensive feature set can be daunting. Especially for CRM newcomers.
• Third-party integration:Not all manufacturing-focused tools might be compatible with third-party tools.
• Pricing dynamics:If your manufacturing needs escalate, you can experience high costs.

5. Zendesk Suite

Zendesk Suite offers a rich set of functionalities that, when tailored correctly, can suit the needs of manufacturers.

Features:

• Multi-channel support: Offers efficient communication across multiple platforms.
• Advanced ticketing system: Handles customer feedback, inquiries, and product-related concerns with finesse.
• Knowledge base:A reservoir for storing and sharing crucial information (from manufacturing guidelines to customer FAQs).

Considerations:

• Customer service focus:Zendesk leans heavily towards customer care. Which doesn't have to align with holistic manufacturing needs.
• Integration facets: Integrating with specialized manufacturing tools might necessitate additional plugins or third-party solutions.

Finding the Best Manufacturing CRM

CRM software for manufacturers becomes the compass guiding through the intricacies of operations.

While Keap CRM, Thryv, Hubspot, and Zendesk Suite are helpful, eWay-CRM emerges here. The reason here is obvious - it's the only CRM on the market that can offer Outlook users everything they might need.

Think of eWay-CRM as the bridge between tradition and innovation. The system perfectly blends familiarity with innovation. And brings a symphony of efficiency, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness to the manufacturing floor.