Some CRM systems offer specialized features for industries such as manufacturing. If you’re in the market for a new customer relationship management solution, check out our list of the best CRM systems for the manufacturing industry.

Selecting the Best CRM Software for Manufacturing

Despite manufacturing needs being so niche, many CRM solutions offer channel sales management, reliable forecasts, and 360-view features. It can be challenging to sort through all of the options available, so it’s essential to break down your best-fit CRM based on your business priorities. You’ll want to consider the following questions as you begin your research:

1. Business Size: How many and what type of users will connect with the solution? How many of those users will be internal? External?
2. Budget: How much are you able and willing to spend on a CRM solution?
3. Processes: What type of manufacturing does your company do? Will you need deep functionality in areas like quoting?
4. Software Environment: How do you want data from CRM to integrate into other systems such as ERP, QMS, and customer service solutions?

While there are hundreds of CRM options on the market, manufacturers will get the best value from a solution that works alongside an existing ERP. It’s helpful to start your search with solutions that already integrate with the ERP system you use or plan on using. These three CRM solutions come from developers with popular ERP software used in the manufacturing industry today.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM for Manufacturing Companies

• Global (360) view of customers
• Easy connectivity with other applications that help with the manufacturing lifecycle
• Enhanced and unified analytics through Power BI

The Dynamics 365 suite of CRM products includes sales, marketing, customer service, and field service. These cloud solutions allow fast-paced businesses in unique industries such as manufacturing to manage and exceed customer expectations. 

Businesses can use the five Dynamics 365 CRM modules individually or together. Because they are Microsoft solutions, they pair seamlessly with other popular Microsoft business solutions, including the Microsoft 365 productivity suite, the Dynamics suite of business applications, and the Power Platform.

The software’s flexibility and the connectivity with other Microsoft solutions make Dynamics 365 CRM a reliable solution for many types of manufacturing businesses. Mid-sized manufacturers seeking out-of-the-box functionality for a reasonable price will be hard-pressed to find a better fit, especially if those companies already use other Microsoft products. 

Salesforce CRM for Manufacturing Organizations

• Flexible software that allows for custom add-ons and features
• Broad CRM capabilities at an affordable price
• Built to scale with your business

Salesforce CRM offers a slew of products for businesses of all sizes. Salesforce Sales Cloud is one of the most popular, providing features such as process automation, pipeline and forecast management, and mobile solutions alongside a customization-friendly interface.

For large manufacturing complexes with deep functionality requirements, Salesforce Manufacturing Cloud is an option. This solution prioritizes collaboration and future planning through real-time visibility and robust forecasting capabilities. However, the manufacturing-specific solution will go over budget for small and mid-sized companies.

Salesforce’s CRM platform is renowned for its exceptional flexibility. Savvy developers have made the most of Salesforce’s open API to create custom add-ons for the software, available on Salesforce AppExchange. If a specific feature for manufacturing isn’t available on AppExchange, manufacturers can hire developers or use experienced in-house IT team members to build it. This flexibility makes Salesforce Sales Cloud a great fit for many companies.

NetSuite CRM for Manufacturing Businesses

• Pairs well with a popular ERP product for manufacturers
• Includes essential features for growing manufacturing businesses
• Ready to use out of the box

Oracle NetSuite offers a popular ERP product for manufacturers, so if your manufacturing company uses this software, investing in NetSuite CRM is a reasonable choice. 

NetSuite CRM is a cloud-based solution that integrates well with other NetSuite solutions and add-ons. With automation and customer and partner management tools, NetSuite CRM offers a variety of essential features for small and growing manufacturers. 

NetSuite software does allow some customization, but its broad features appeal to companies that want out-of-the-box solutions. NetSuite solutions are reasonably priced for organizations with limited budgets, which makes it a great choice for small and mid-sized manufacturers.

Other Manufacturing CRM Software

There are plenty of CRM solutions for manufacturing on the market. If you’d like to explore solutions besides the three mentioned in this article, resources like Software Advice and G2 offer reviews from thousands of manufacturing CRM users. It’s best to narrow down your search based on business size, budget, processes, and software environment before going all-in on a solution.