Fusion 360 vs Rootstock

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Our analysts compared Fusion 360 vs Rootstock based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Manufacturing Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Fusion 360 Software Tool
Rootstock Software Tool

Product Basics

Fusion 360 is a cloud-based 3D CAD/CAM software that bridges the gap between design and manufacturing. It's well-suited for individuals and small-to-medium businesses seeking a streamlined solution for product development and fabrication. Users praise its intuitive interface, integrated design and manufacturing tools, and cloud collaboration capabilities. Popular features include generative design, simulation tools, and machining capabilities for various manufacturing processes. While some users note performance limitations with complex projects and a reliance on internet connectivity, Fusion 360 stands out for its affordability compared to traditional CAD/CAM software, with subscription plans starting under $500 annually.

Pros
  • Integrated CAD/CAM
  • Cloud collaboration
  • Design for manufacturing
  • Generative design
  • Simulation capabilities
Cons
  • Cloud dependency
  • Performance limitations
  • Limited feature depth
  • Subscription model
  • Learning curve
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Rootstock Manufacturing ERP is a cloud-based platform that combines finances, supply chain, distribution, production and customer relationship management into one centralized platform built on Salesforce. Through this connectivity, it can automate tasks, improve productivity and reduce human error. It’s highly configurable and allows users to gain insights based on unique business requirements.

Notable features include capabilities for engineer-to-order (ETO), configure-to-order (CTO) and project-based manufacturing to manage complex projects and outsourced production. The 360-degree customer data view improves collaboration between sales and operations teams for a smoother quote-to-cash process.

It’s mobile-friendly and available for deployment in the cloud, making it highly accessible to a range of users. It’s suitable for businesses of varying sizes and industries.

To learn more about Rootstock, visit their company profile.

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$425 Annually
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$200/User, Monthly
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Architectural Fabrication
BACA SYSTEMS
DEMOUNTABLECONCEPTS
Fike
GIRTZ
Handsfee Group
PRO-TECH
SPR Therapeutics
Star Milling Co

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Product Insights

  • Extensive Library: Fusion 360 offers a complete library of free, open-source and entirely revisable processors for users to upload thorough numerical control (NC) applications so they can rapidly make parts or workpieces.  
  • Intuitive Cloud Interface: Users can log into this solution and access projects from any device with an internet connection. The interface is also adjustable and simple for users to operate. 
  • Fulfill Design Needs: Fusion 360 enables users to design, model, assemble and render projects and workpieces in one centralized system without exporting files to external solutions.  
  • Distraction-Free Rendering: Users can run the rendering process in the background while working on other processes so they can stay on top of their productivity,  
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  • Adjust and Scale: Configure the system as business needs change or grow. Add new modules, alter dashboards to show relevant insights and define elements such as warranties to meet company goals.
  • Connect Business Workflows: Connect various business workflows in a centralized location. Improve forecasting accuracy, order processing and inventory levels across networks with connected workflows and integrated supply chain apps.
  • Access Data From Anywhere: Monitor workflows and dashboards from any location and device with cloud access.
  • Work Smarter and Faster: Use advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to uncover patterns, bottlenecks and business trends. Get best practices and courses of action recommendations.
  • Improve Operational Agility: Streamline workflows and automate management tools to improve operational agility and adapt to dynamic customer needs and business challenges. Uncover new opportunities and markets and deliver products faster.
  • Stay Connected: Strengthen supplier relationships, minimize stockouts and ensure consistent materials flow with access to centralized databases. Enable uninterrupted production by letting users stay connected with people across departments.
  • Gain a 360-Degree View: Gain complete visibility of end-to-end business processes and customer interactions. Empower informed decisions with access to customer, inventory, production and financial data in a single platform. Ensure transparent communication between vendors’ suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and customers. View real-time inventory metrics based on location, serial number and lot number.
  • Focus on Manufacturers: Use features specifically designed for unique manufacturing needs. Simplify complex workflows, from engineer-to-order processes to supply chains and inventory levels.
  • Customize Dashboards: Create personalized dashboards for any role within the organization, from CEO to salesperson. Let users identify trends, opportunities and potential threats at a glance. Drill down and analyze specific KPIs with a single click to make more effective decisions.
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  • Numerous Sketch Tools: Users can implement the 3D modeling module to create products with the ideal form, fit and function. This tool enables users to develop and revise sketches with constraints, dimensions and a robust chain of sketching accessories. Users can also develop parametric models by creating a list of frequently-used features such as extrude, revolve, loft, sweep and more that instantly update with design changes. 
  • Various Modes of Modeling: Fusion 360's 3D modeling component is equipped with a variety of different modeling modes. The direct modeling tool allows users to modify and fix imported shapes from different file formats. Users can draft intricate sub-divisional surfaces that have T-splines and effortlessly edit them with push-pull maneuvers thanks to the freeform modeling extension. The mesh modeling accessory allows editing and repairing of imported scans or mesh models such as STL and OBJ files. Other extensions in the 3D modeling module include sheet metal modeling, parametric modeling, surface modeling, assembly and printed circuit board (PCB) design integration. 
  • Add Electronic Intelligence to Designs: Users can bring 3D designs to life with the electronic intelligence feature. The schematic capture function has several schematic editing tools. Users can construct gerber, drill and assembly files in one click and with the PCB manufacturing (CAM) accessory.  
  • Ensure PCBs Fit Designs: Thanks to the electronics module's MCAD-ECAD unification ability, users can rest assured their PCB fits their designs every time with the unified MCAD and ECAD software. Users can peruse the PCB component library and component wizards for ready-to-use PCB designs and there are adjustable design rules users can set to align with users' manufacturing requirements in the design for manufacturability and design rule checking (DRC) tool. Other extensions in the electronics module include PCB layout, simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis (SPICE) simulation, and electronics cooling. 
  • Real-World Simulations: Fusion 360's simulation allows users to test their designs and models against life-like conditions digitally so they can save money on prototypes. The status stress function oversees parts and workpieces for displacements, stresses and other effects caused by static loads. The thermal and thermal stresses function enables users to comprehend thermal distributions and they connect with physical forces. Users can estimate unexpected failures for parts under compression thanks to the buckling tool. The non-linear stress extension studies permanent deformations and unleveled materials in designs. Other functions within this module include event simulation, shape optimization, modal frequency, comparing results, simplifying, breadth studies and cloud simulation.  
  • Accurately Determine Outcomes: Users can pinpoint several manufacturing-prepared results for their products or workpieces to meet design specifications while dwindling weight, boosting efficiency and condensing parts. Users can recognize design conditions, restrictions, materials and manufacturing choices to create manufacturing-ready diagrams with the project objective definition function. The editable results element allows users to pick the ideal outcome for their designs so they can promptly begin modeling instead of conducting lengthy importing or exporting procedures. Thanks to aPriori in the cost insights function, users can formulate manufacturing costs for every potential outcome in their designs in reference to production volume requirements. Other extensions in this component include generating and exploring designs and cloud solve. 
  • Efficacious Documentation: Fusion 360's documentation accessory permits users to effectively convey designs with internal or external stakeholders with 2D manufacturing drawings, renderings and animations. The 2D manufacturing drawings function chronicles manufacturing requirements with integrated associative drawings for parts and assemblies. The rendering tool enables users to develop photography-esque images of their models with local or cloud rendering options. Lastly, users can effectively convey designs with 3D-expanded views and animations to showcase design assembly thanks to the animation extension.  
  • Unify Teams: Users can eliminate communication roadblocks with their teammates and external stakeholders with the collaboration tool. The team participant extension authorizes users to add members to their zones for data management and teamwork purposes. Users can share links to model previews in any web browser so third parties can evaluate and interact with the model without access to Fusion 360 with the public and private design sharing function. The commenting and redlining extension allows users to gather and share critiques on the design with comments, markups and redlines on practically any device. Other functions included in this tool include user management, global sharing and unlimited access. 
  • Manufacturing: The manufacturing tool suits practically every manufacturing need and collaborates with various types of machinery such as cutting, milling and turning machines. The 5-axis simultaneous milling extension permits users to mill complex shapes, evade collisions and diminish tool lengths to complete sleek surfaces. Turning toolpaths can be verified with stock simulations to detect errors or collisions in models, stocks, tools and work holdings with the turning function. Users can draft toolpaths from solid model features, such as flattened sheet metal components, to activate water jet, laser and plasma cutters. Other extensions in this accessory include 2.5 and 3-axis milling, 3+2 milling, 4-axis milling, setup probing, mill-turning and a free post processor library.  
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  • Core Financials: Control all financial operations with fully supported out-of-the-box features like bank account reconciliation, general ledger management, invoicing, budget creation, project accounting and financial audit management.
  • Procurement Management: Rely on a vendor master record for quick access to vendor details and track billing with three-way matching. Create and submit purchase requests and RFQs, and track them with filters like user requests, due dates, status and more. View discrepancies and choose to override, write off and process approvals using standard approval flows.
  • Manufacturing: Manage vital functions like creating and revising single and multi-level bills of materials (BOM). Create and route jobs manually or automatically with the required information. Create, store and retrieve dispatch lists detailing each job, priority, location, order number and job status.
  • Inventory Management: Access a master inventory list for all inventory-related settings. Review and adjust transactions to either increase or decrease the existing inventory of an item in a specific stock location ID/number. Manage stock reservation and replenishment with ease. Build and disassemble kits for sale and work orders.
  • Warehouse Management: Enable multi-warehouse, multi-location planning and fulfillment with the distribution requirements planning (DRP) module. Receive advanced shipping notices (ASN) for outbound EDI 856 transactions. Enable labor planning and scheduling based on labor standards, work center resources and calendars. Determine resource availability and identify overload conditions.
  • Order Management: Create purchase orders for dropshipping by including and adjusting the ship-to addresses. Get automatic estimates and convert quotes from Salesforce into the system to create orders for stock items, kits, configured products and non-physical items. Access sales order history and allow users to split order invoices into two batches.
  • Project Management: Define various projects with the project workbench tool. Capture active projects as revenues or costs, and get real-time snapshots of project data. Use project charge codes to label various ad hoc activities and job codes for pre-defined actions.
  • Analytics and Reporting: Leverage the Salesforce Data Loader to export data into CSV files. Create standard reports on account payables and receivables, cycle counts and more with multiple reporting formats. Access dashboards to review financial and operational metrics.
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Product Ranking

#39

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Manufacturing Software

#42

among all
Manufacturing Software

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User Sentiment Summary

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Great User Sentiment 63 reviews
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81%
of users recommend this product

Rootstock has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 81% when considering 63 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

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3.8 (43)
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4.6 (11)
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4.6 (9)

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Integrated CAD/CAM: Streamlines design-to-manufacturing workflow by unifying design, simulation, and toolpath generation within a single platform.
Cloud Collaboration: Facilitates seamless teamwork and real-time project visibility for enhanced communication and faster decision-making.
Design for Manufacturing (DFM): Guides designers to create manufacturable parts from the outset, reducing production costs and delays.
Generative Design: Explores multiple design options tailored for specific manufacturing processes, accelerating innovation and optimizing material usage.
Simulation Capabilities: Validates designs for structural integrity, thermal performance, and motion behavior, minimizing physical prototyping and testing costs.
Intuitive Interface: Simplifies the learning curve with user-friendly tools and a modern, streamlined interface.
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Adaptable to Specific Needs: Rootstock Manufacturing ERP provides a high degree of configurability, allowing users to tailor the system to their specific manufacturing processes and requirements. This adaptability ensures a close fit with existing workflows and reduces the need for extensive customizations.
Real-Time Visibility: Rootstock Manufacturing ERP offers real-time visibility into inventory levels, production schedules and shop floor activities. This real-time data empowers informed decision-making, optimized production processes and quick responses to changing conditions.
Salesforce Integration: Rootstock's seamless Salesforce integration provides a unified platform for managing front and back-office operations. This integration streamlines data flow, enhances department collaboration, and provides a comprehensive view of customer interactions and manufacturing processes.
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Cloud Dependency: Requires a stable internet connection for most features, potentially hindering productivity in areas with limited connectivity.
Performance Limitations: Can experience slowdowns or crashes when working with large, complex assemblies or simulations, especially on less powerful hardware.
Feature Depth: While comprehensive, certain specialized manufacturing features might not be as robust as in dedicated CAD/CAM software for specific industries.
Subscription Model: Restricts access to software and data if the subscription lapses or encounters billing issues, potentially disrupting workflows.
Learning Curve: While intuitive, mastering advanced features and workflows can require a steeper learning curve, especially for those transitioning from traditional CAD/CAM systems.
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Limited Functionality: Rootstock's capabilities may not be sufficient for complex manufacturing processes, especially those involving engineer-to-order or configure-to-order scenarios. The platform may require additional customization or integration with other software to meet specific needs.
Usability Challenges: The user interface can be complex and difficult to navigate, particularly for users unfamiliar with Salesforce or ERP systems. This can lead to a steep learning curve and require additional training for effective use.
Implementation Complexity: Implementing Rootstock can be a time-consuming and resource-intensive process, often requiring significant IT support and expertise. The complexity of integration with existing systems and data migration can further extend implementation timelines.
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For hobbyists and professionals alike, Fusion 360 resonates with its cloud-powered accessibility and integrated workflow. "It's like SolidWorks and SketchUp had a baby," one user raves, praising its intuitiveness compared to heavier CAD software. This ease of use shines in rapid prototyping workflows, with another reviewer calling it "a dream come true for quick design iterations." However, Fusion 360's cloud reliance can be a double-edged sword. While it liberates users from hefty installations, internet hiccups can cripple productivity. "Offline functionality, even basic rendering, would be a game-changer," pleads one reviewer. This sentiment echoes for complex projects, where users yearn for the raw processing power of desktop-only alternatives. "Fusion 360 choked on my intricate assembly," admits another, highlighting limitations compared to software like CATIA. Despite these quirks, Fusion 360's unique blend of affordability, user-friendliness, and integrated features like simulation and CAM tools keeps users hooked. "The value proposition is unbeatable," one designer declares, while another appreciates the "constant stream of updates and new features." For those seeking a versatile and accessible entry into the world of 3D design and manufacturing, Fusion 360 remains a compelling choice, even with its occasional hiccups.

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Rootstock Manufacturing ERP garnered a mixed bag of user reviews over the past year. Its strengths lie in its robust functionality and seamless integration with Salesforce, making it a top choice for existing Salesforce users.Users particularly appreciate the platform's flexibility and customizability, allowing them to tailor the software to their needs and workflows. However, Rootstock's complexity can also be a double-edged sword, as some users find the interface overwhelming and the learning curve steep. Additionally, implementation can be time-consuming and require significant resources, especially for larger organizations with complex processes.Compared to similar ERP solutions like SAP and Oracle NetSuite, Rootstock Manufacturing ERP stands out with its native Salesforce integration and industry-specific focus on manufacturing. This tight integration streamlines data flow, improves visibility and eliminates the need for costly and complex middleware. While SAP and Oracle NetSuite offer broader functions, Rootstock's manufacturing-specific features are ideal for businesses in this sector.In conclusion, Rootstock Manufacturing ERP is suitable for mid-sized to large manufacturing companies already in the Salesforce ecosystem. However, businesses must prepare to invest time and resources into implementation and training to make the best of this robust platform. Smaller companies or those without Salesforce may find other ERP systems easier to use and implement.

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