Global Shop Solutions vs ECi M1

Last Updated:

Our analysts compared Global Shop Solutions vs ECi M1 based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Manufacturing Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Global Shop Solutions Software Tool
ECi M1 Software Tool

Product Basics

Global Shop Solutions integrates processes such as financial management, manufacturing management and customer relationship management into one centralized location. It leverages shared data to automate workflows and increase employee productivity. Insights are easily visualized through customizable dashboards and reports that are accessible based on user-defined permissions.

Compliance management is another key element and enables users to maintain historical records of quality checks for internal and external audits. Users can track the customer lifecycle as well to ensure that leads are cultivated and sales pitches are tailored.
read more...
ECI M1 is a solution that obtains real-time process transparency for small and mid-sized companies. It cuts costs to save money and boosts productivity. Its top features include production management, inventory supervision, scheduling, shipping and a resource planner.

It reviews everything from order entries to shipping in real time. Gain in-depth insights on equipment downtime, capacity and inventory. Link orders and invoices to existing materials for full transparency.
read more...
$18,000 Monthly
Free Trial is unavailable →
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
$5,000 Monthly
Free Trial is unavailable →
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Revenue Generation: Support revenue generation through its management of inventory, shop floor and manufacturing processes. The program can help users visualize bottlenecks that are slowing down production. By identifying these workflow issues, users can determine actions to improve operations, leading to an increase in profits. 
  • Compliance: Ensure items are made appropriately and per regulatory standards with the quality control tools. The solution can also keep track of item quality history to assist with potential audits. 
  • Increased Productivity: Increase employee and operational productivity through the automation of tasks, freeing up employee time for different processes. For example, material purchasing can be automated by leveraging historical demand and sales information. 
  • Data Centralization: Obtain more accurate communication and fewer manual errors with its centralization of information. Additionally, automation can be implemented through the sharing of data among different workflows. For example, by using historical transaction information, the system could develop more accurate sales forecasts and, in turn, create material orders in line with estimated demand. 
  • Visibility: Leverage customizable dashboards to help users develop insights quickly and accurately. For example, basic accounting functions such as budgeting, accounts payable and accounts receivable can be analyzed through a unified dashboard.  
read more...
  • Increase On-time Deliveries: Utilize stock, machinery and other data to enhance productivity and team collaboration to boost on-time deliveries and increase customer satisfaction. 
  • Reduce Costs: Implement shipping analytics and merge them with global shippers to gain operational visibility and eliminate bottlenecks to save time and money. 
  • Obtain Workflow Centralization: Govern sales, warehouses, inventory, production and files on multiple sites with a centralized solution to monitor and supervise all activities. Gain in-depth business activity from any location to better manage and address issues. 
  • Boost Collaboration: Share job information with shop floor teams for increased communication and productivity by keeping everyone on the same page with real-time data. 
  • Reduce Machine Downtime: Automate scheduling to reduce idle machines, unnecessary overtime and missed deadlines while boosting production KPIs and client satisfaction rates. 
read more...
  • Shop Management: Gain a real-time overview of the shop floor. It contains information such as variance reports, job costing, material review and performance measurement. Workcenter data is also easily accessible through this tool and includes information such as efficiency reports, load details and backlog reports. Scheduling information is available through the program, along with labor performance management. 
  • Planning and Scheduling: Plan for resource needs and material requirements while also developing lead time estimates for jobs. The system uses real-time information to generate sales quotes. A drag-and-drop function is included to make rescheduling or rerouting easier. A Master Schedule Dashboard is included and provides users with visibility of all jobs along with the ability to take action on any job quickly. 
  • Customer Relationship Management: Track leads and identify potential prospects while on the go on mobile devices. Customized reporting is available so that employees can track the customer metrics that are most relevant to the business. Job status, invoicing, shipments and quoting information are available in real time. Users can also send emails to clients directly through the application. 
  • Inventory Management: Trace information related to material needs, whether it be bill of material, cost buildups or inventory data. Some of this tool’s capabilities include history/usage reports, multi-location inventory, product line reports and cycle counting. The program can also automate the purchasing process by using material requirements, purchase history and planning functions to make smart purchases. Vendor material tracking is available through this feature and allows employees to look at cost breakdowns, on-time delivery rates and performance ratings. 
  • Sales Management: Manage functions such as shipping, sales orders, customer service, bookings reports and UPS/FedEx integration. Employees can develop customized reports based on specialized company needs. The Open Sales Order Review Dashboard provides visualization of open orders and lets users take actions from a centralized area. Custom sales orders, shipping labels, invoices and bills of lading can also be created with this tool. 
  • Accounting: Centralize processes such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, budgeting, payroll and other basic accounting functions into a unified location, therefore providing a more comprehensive visualization of company finances. Some of the single-screen dashboards included in the program are AR Aging, AP Aging and AR Collections. User visibility of these sensitive dashboards is based on defined permissions. Organizations can connect their payroll to the general ledger and shop floor information, making the payment process faster and easier. Tax reporting and direct deposit are supported as well. 
  • Quality Control: Analyze scrap trend quantity or costs by vendor, department, date range, workcenter or employee. The program can capture any rejects related to inventory, purchasing or manufacturing and enables users to issue new materials or correct simple problems. Users can maintain a record of all quality control details to meet QC requirements for internal and external needs. Sign-off requirements, tracking and department communications are also included in this feature. 
read more...
  • Production Management: Maintain job schedules and track labor to control fees. 
  • Inventory Management: Merge all business data in real time and track all stock information across business functions. 
  • Scheduling: Automate schedules to meet maximum performance for discrete and other production methods. 
  • Shipping Management: Automate and simplify shipping tasks with in-depth analytical and Order Snapshot tools to monitor on-time deliveries and adjust accordingly. 
  • Manufacturing Resource Planner (MRP): Manage and arrange multiple facilities to keep up with ever-changing supply and demand. 
  • Quality Management: Perform automatic, customized requirements for product inspections and quality analyses. Verify improvement areas to keep bottom lines and reputations intact. 
  • General Ledger: Unite all financial data, including accounts payable and receivable, payroll, fixed assets register and credit card processing into one centralized system. 
  • Design Studio: Add new fields, change input documents, shift objects and create recent reports. Change search grids to exhibit data in several ways. 
  • Product Configurator: Craft and adjust anything from single-level BOMs to intricate products and parts. 
  • Shop Floor Entry: Gain accurate job fees, prioritizations, real-time job statuses and collected payroll hours. 
read more...

Product Ranking

#12

among all
Manufacturing Software

#126

among all
Manufacturing Software

Find out who the leaders are

User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 155 reviews
we're gathering data
83%
of users recommend this product

Global Shop Solutions has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 83% when considering 155 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

we're gathering data
4.1 (18)
n/a
4.2 (64)
n/a
4.2 (67)
n/a
3.0 (6)
n/a

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Comprehensive Solution: Global Shop Solutions offers a comprehensive suite of manufacturing software tools, covering everything from scheduling and inventory management to shop floor control and quality assurance. This integrated approach streamlines operations and eliminates the need for multiple disparate systems.
User-Friendly Interface: Many users praise Global Shop Solutions for its intuitive and user-friendly interface. The software is designed to be easy to navigate and use, even for employees who are not tech-savvy. This ease of use can lead to increased productivity and reduced training time.
Improved Efficiency: Global Shop Solutions helps manufacturers optimize their operations and improve efficiency. By automating tasks, streamlining workflows, and providing real-time visibility into production processes, the software enables businesses to reduce waste, minimize downtime, and increase output.
Show more
Comprehensive Feature Set: ECi M1 offers a wide array of functions, covering production planning, inventory control, and financial management, making it a comprehensive solution for small to medium-sized manufacturers.
Flexible and Customizable: The software's adaptability to different manufacturing processes is a key advantage, allowing businesses to tailor the system to their specific needs.
Improved Operational Efficiency: Many users report that once ECi M1 is fully implemented, it significantly streamlines operations, leading to increased productivity and reduced manual processes.
Show more
Difficult to Customize: Users have reported that Global Shop Solutions can be challenging to tailor to their specific manufacturing workflows, especially when it comes to integrating with existing systems or unique production processes.
Complex User Interface: Some users have found the software's interface to be overly complicated and not intuitive, leading to a steep learning curve and decreased efficiency for employees who are not tech-savvy.
Limited Reporting Capabilities: There have been complaints about the software's reporting features being somewhat limited, making it difficult to extract specific data insights and generate comprehensive reports for analysis and decision-making.
Show more
Steep Learning Curve: ECi M1 has a steep learning curve, meaning it can be challenging and time-consuming for users to get up to speed with the software's functionality.
Customer Support Responsiveness: Some users have reported issues with the responsiveness of ECi M1's customer support, which could be problematic when facing urgent technical difficulties or needing assistance.
Complex Initial Setup: The initial setup of ECi M1 can be complex and time-consuming, requiring significant effort and potentially specialized expertise to configure the system correctly.
Limited Batch Manufacturing Support: ECi M1 is not ideal for batch manufacturing, which could be a drawback for businesses that heavily rely on this production method.
Lack of Low-Code Customizations: Unlike some competing ERP systems, ECi M1 does not offer low-code customization options, making it potentially less flexible for businesses with unique requirements not addressed by the software's standard features.
Show more

Is Global Shop Solutions the "gold standard" for shop solutions? User reviews from the last year paint a picture of a robust and comprehensive ERP system that caters specifically to the needs of manufacturers. Reviewers frequently highlight the software's strengths in inventory management, production planning, and scheduling. The ability to track materials across multiple locations, optimize production schedules, and gain real-time insights into inventory levels is a game-changer for businesses looking to streamline their operations and boost efficiency. Global Shop Solutions' integrated approach sets it apart from competitors, as it eliminates the need for multiple, disparate software systems. This not only saves time and money but also ensures data consistency and accuracy across the entire organization. However, some users note that the software's extensive functionality can lead to a steeper learning curve, especially for those new to ERP systems. Additionally, while Global Shop Solutions offers a wide range of features, some users mention that certain niche functionalities may require additional customization or third-party integrations. Despite these minor drawbacks, the consensus is clear: Global Shop Solutions is a powerful ERP solution that empowers manufacturers to take control of their operations. Its comprehensive features, industry-specific focus, and integrated approach make it an ideal choice for small to medium-sized manufacturing businesses seeking to optimize their processes and drive growth.

Show more

Is ECi M1 manufacturing a monumental success in the world of ERP software? Recent user reviews suggest a somewhat nuanced picture. While ECi M1 garners praise for its robust functionality, particularly in inventory management, production scheduling, and financial reporting, some users find the initial learning curve to be a bit steep. Many users, especially those already familiar with manufacturing software, appreciate the depth of features, citing the comprehensive inventory tracking and detailed production planning capabilities as major wins for streamlining operations and reducing costly errors. However, the software's complexity can be daunting for some, leading to initial setup challenges and a longer onboarding period. This robust functionality also appears to be a key differentiator for ECi M1. Unlike more general-purpose ERP solutions, ECi M1 is purpose-built for the intricacies of manufacturing, which resonates with users who find generic ERP systems to be a poor fit. The software's ability to integrate with other software is another often-cited advantage, enabling businesses to create a more unified technology ecosystem. That said, the responsiveness of customer support has been an occasional source of frustration for some users, who have reported delays in getting issues resolved. Overall, ECi M1 appears to be best suited for small to medium-sized manufacturers who need a powerful, specialized solution and are willing to invest the time to overcome the initial learning curve.

Show more

Screenshots

Top Alternatives in Manufacturing Software


Acumatica

Aptean ERP

Cetec ERP

DELMIAworks

Dynamics 365 Business Central

Dynamics 365 SCM

Epicor Kinetic

JobBOSS²

Katana MRP

MIE Trak Pro

MRPEasy

NetSuite

Oracle Fusion Cloud

Plex Systems

Sage 100 Cloud

SAP S/4HANA Cloud

SYSPRO

SyteLine

Visibility ERP

Related Categories

WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more...

Compare products
Comparison Report
Just drag this link to the bookmark bar.
?
Table settings