Mrp-software

What is Merlin MRP Factory 9

Merlin MRP Factory 9 is an MRP / MRP II / ERP software package aimed at manufacturers, production units and job shops that build assemblies, subassemblies and PCB-assembled products. The product combines stock control, bill-of-materials (BoM) management, purchasing, production scheduling and despatch/invoicing in a single, on-premise server application with options to expand to multi-seat networks. It is positioned for small and mid-sized discrete manufacturers and fabricators that need job-level control plus material procurement automation.

The system supports typical shop-floor workflows: defining resources and operations, creating BoMs, planning jobs, allocating materials, and tracking work orders through routing steps. It includes capacity checks for MRP II-style scheduling, procurement generation based on shortages, and despatch functions to complete sales fulfillment. Merlin emphasizes learning-by-doing with a downloadable evaluation package that includes an on-screen User Guide and access to its training material.

For production teams that assemble PCBs, electromechanical products or other multi-level assemblies, the software provides features that span quoting and job creation through to finished-goods despatch and invoicing. It is designed to let companies start with a single workstation and add concurrent users via a network upgrade as operational needs grow.

Merlin MRP Factory 9 features

Merlin MRP Factory 9 groups core manufacturing functionality into stock control, MRP planning, shop-floor control and business-level ERP modules. Key feature areas include:

• Bill of Materials and routing: multi-level BoMs, subassembly creation, version control and routings tied to resource record cards for shop operations.
• Inventory control: minimum/maximum levels, just-in-time procurement options, lot and serial tracking where required, and automated reorder generation.
• Production planning and scheduling: MRP run for materials shortages, MRP II capacity checks, job sequencing, alerts for late or risk-of-late jobs and conflict warnings when creating new work.
• Purchasing and supplier schedules: auto-generated purchase orders based on job start dates, delivery scheduling, and links between purchase receipts and production requirements.
• Shop-floor tracking: work order status, sign-off to stock for completed assemblies, real-time progress indicators and exception handling for rework or scrap.
• Despatch and invoicing: despatch office workflows, packing lists, and integration of despatch to invoice for cash-flow management (ERP-level features).

The product also includes built-in learning resources: an on-screen User Guide, context-sensitive help tabs on each screen, and a vendor-hosted knowledge base (referred to as the "Merlin College" in product literature). The vendor advertises a free evaluation edition that allows entry of up to 50 Resource Record Cards to let users trial real production jobs during the evaluation phase.

What does Merlin MRP Factory 9 do?

Merlin MRP Factory 9 automates the planning and procurement steps that manufacturers otherwise perform manually. It runs demand explosions from sales orders or job requirements to calculate component shortages by BoM level, and then it generates either production work orders for subassemblies or purchase orders for bought-in items. This reduces manual tracking of component availability and helps prevent production stoppages caused by missing materials.

At the MRP II level the software adds capacity control and scheduling: it compares required operation times against resource availability and flags capacity conflicts. Operations managers can use this information to reschedule jobs, balance workloads, or add overtime where appropriate. The scheduling features are particularly relevant to job shops and small factories where resource contention across multiple jobs is common.

At the ERP level Merlin includes cash-flow and despatch functions to close the loop between production and customer fulfillment. Once assemblies are completed and signed off to stock, the despatch office can pick, pack and invoice goods, ensuring that inventory reductions and revenue recognition are synchronized.

Merlin MRP Factory 9 pricing

Merlin MRP Factory 9 offers flexible pricing tailored to different business needs, from individual evaluators to multi-seat production systems. The vendor distributes a free downloadable evaluation and educational package for initial learning and trial use; commercial deployment requires purchase of a licence key and optional network upgrade for additional concurrent users. Typical commercial licensing can be structured as single-seat perpetual licences with optional network upgrades or subscription models for hosted/managed deployment—terms vary by vendor arrangement.

The evaluation edition permits practical testing (up to 50 Resource Record Cards) so teams can validate the software against their workflows before purchasing. When upgrading to commercial use the vendor offers data-import services (spreadsheets/CSV import) to accelerate setup and reduce manual data entry.

Because Merlin MRP Factory 9 is sold with different deployment and support options, businesses often receive quotes based on:

• Number of concurrent users: single-seat licences versus multi-seat network licence with the Merlin Network Upgrade
• Implementation services: data import, configuration and training packages
• Support and maintenance: standard uptime support versus enhanced support agreements

For precise, up-to-date commercial rates and available plans, visit their official pricing page. Visit their official pricing page for the most current information.

How much is Merlin MRP Factory 9 per month

Merlin MRP Factory 9 offers competitive pricing plans that are typically quoted based on concurrent users and the scale of deployment. Small manufacturers commonly pay either a monthly subscription for hosted or SaaS-style deployments or a support/subscription fee when using an on-premise licence. For budgeting purposes, comparable small-business MRP/ERP SaaS offerings commonly range from $50/month to $300/month per user depending on feature sets and support levels; perpetual licences for single-seat on-premise systems are often a one-time cost with an annual maintenance fee.

Vendors sometimes provide discounts for annual commitments; confirm current billing options and any volume discounts on the vendor's pricing page. Visit their official pricing page for current rates and billing options.

How much is Merlin MRP Factory 9 per year

Merlin MRP Factory 9 offers annual licensing and support options that lower per-month costs compared with month-to-month billing in many vendor models. When companies choose annual billing for hosted services, typical savings ranges are 10–20% compared with monthly payment plans. For on-premise perpetual licences, expect an initial licence purchase plus an annual maintenance fee (commonly 15–25% of the licence price) to cover support and updates.

For accurate yearly pricing and any available discounts for annual payment, consult the vendor directly or visit their official pricing page. Visit their official pricing page for the most current information.

How much is Merlin MRP Factory 9 in general

Merlin MRP Factory 9 pricing ranges depend on deployment, user count and services required. Small single-user licences and evaluation downloads are typically the lowest-cost entry points; as organizations add concurrent users, implementation services and integrations, the total cost of ownership increases. A realistic purchasing budget for a small manufacturer implementing a basic on-premise MRP might include one-time licence costs (several hundred to a few thousand dollars) and annual maintenance, while SaaS options are generally billed per user per month.

When comparing cost, factor in these budget items:

• Implementation services: data import, configuration and initial training
• Support agreement: 24/7 support options or business-hours support
• Network licensing: additional concurrent user licences or network upgrade
• Integration costs: API or custom integrations with accounting or MES systems

Visit their official pricing page for the most current information.

What is Merlin MRP Factory 9 used for

Merlin MRP Factory 9 is used to plan, control and record manufacturing activity from material procurement through production to despatch. Typical use cases include:

• Job shops managing discrete orders that require routing through multiple shop-floor operations and subassembly builds.
• Fabricators and assemblers that need BoM-level planning, purchasing triggers, and shop-floor work-order management.
• Small PCB assemblers or contract manufacturers that must coordinate component procurement, board assembly operations and test/inspection steps.

For purchasing teams the software automates shortfall detection and generates purchase orders or delivery schedules keyed to job start dates, reducing emergency buys and inventory ties. Production managers use the capacity and scheduling checks to balance machine and labour loads, identify bottlenecks, and sequence work to meet customer due dates.

Operational accounting benefits come from ERP features such as despatch-to-invoice flows and cash-flow reporting. Finance teams can reconcile material consumption against purchase receipts and finished-goods despatch, and use built-in reports to monitor inventory valuation, margins by job and work-in-progress values.

Pros and cons of Merlin MRP Factory 9

Merlin MRP Factory 9 provides focused MRP/MRP II/ERP functionality for small-to-mid manufacturers, but like any product there are trade-offs to evaluate.

Pros:

• Direct control over BoMs and shop-floor processes with automatic shortage detection and PO generation, which reduces manual procurement effort.
• Evaluation-friendly rollout: the vendor supplies a free downloadable evaluation with help on every screen and optional data import services, lowering implementation friction.
• Options to expand from single-seat deployments to multi-user networks via a network upgrade and support for MRP II capacity planning for production scheduling.

Cons:

• Smaller vendor footprints can mean fewer out-of-the-box integrations compared with large cloud ERP providers; integrations may require custom work or middleware.
• On-premise server licensing may require internal IT resources for backup, updates and network configuration unless the vendor offers managed hosting.
• Interface and usability are scaled for practical production control rather than modern SaaS UX; teams that prioritize cloud-native collaboration or mobile-first features should evaluate integration and accessibility options.

When assessing fit, weigh the operational benefits of BoM-driven planning and shop-floor tracking against integration needs with accounting systems, e-commerce channels, or supplier portals.

Merlin MRP Factory 9 free trial

The vendor offers a downloadable evaluation and educational package intended for learning and trial use. The evaluation lets users create realistic data (up to 50 Resource Record Cards) and run actual production jobs within the trial environment so that operations teams can validate workflows before purchasing. This hands-on approach helps production and procurement teams confirm that the software can manage their BoMs, routings and purchasing patterns.

Evaluation customers get context-sensitive help tabs and access to an on-site "Merlin College" training resource to accelerate onboarding. The vendor also states that they provide 24/7 support during trials should customers need human assistance while they test real production scenarios.

When the business moves to commercial use, the vendor will provide a licence key and—at no charge in some cases—import data from spreadsheets or other electronic formats to speed the cutover. This staged approach (trial → data import → licence activation) reduces the risk of operational disruption during implementation.

Is Merlin MRP Factory 9 free

Merlin MRP Factory 9 provides a free downloadable evaluation and educational package that can be used for trial and learning purposes, limited to a set number of Resource Record Cards for testing. Commercial deployment requires purchase of a licence key for production use and optional purchases for network upgrades, implementation or enhanced support. For current details on trial limitations and licence requirements see their official pricing page.

Merlin MRP Factory 9 API

Merlin MRP Factory 9 exposes standard data import and export mechanisms (CSV/Excel) to facilitate initial data migration and periodic data exchange with other systems. For typical MRP packages of this class, the API story includes file-based integration, database-level access for reporting, and optional custom connectors for accounting or shop-floor equipment. If your project requires real-time integration with an ERP, accounting system or MES, discuss integration options and any available web-service or ODBC interfaces with the vendor.

Integrations commonly requested by customers include accounting packages (for sales invoices and supplier invoices), barcode and label printers for shop-floor traceability, and CSV-based batch imports from PLM or CAD systems for BoM creation. Ask the vendor for documentation on available endpoints, authentication, and supported integration patterns; vendors frequently offer professional services to build connectors when needed.

For guidance on connecting Merlin to other business systems, review their materials on integrations and contact their support team for API documentation and recommended best practices. You can also reference general MRP integration patterns in the manufacturing space such as ERP-to-MES synchronization and supplier EDI for procurement automation.

10 Merlin MRP Factory 9 alternatives

Paid alternatives to Merlin MRP Factory 9

• SAP Business One — A full-featured ERP for small-to-medium manufacturers with strong inventory, production and financial modules; widely used and supported by partners worldwide.
• Oracle NetSuite — Cloud-native ERP with broad functionality including manufacture planning, procurement and order management; suited for growing manufacturers requiring cloud scalability.
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central — Integrated business management solution with manufacturing extensions, strong partner ecosystem and native Microsoft integrations.
• Infor VISUAL — Manufacturing-focused ERP designed for discrete and make-to-order environments with detailed shop-floor scheduling and cost tracking.
• Priority Software — Mid-market ERP that includes production scheduling, quality and supply chain features with flexible deployment options.
• Plex Manufacturing Cloud — Cloud-first MES/ERP hybrid focused on plant-level control, traceability and real-time shop-floor visibility.
• Epicor ERP — Comprehensive manufacturing ERP targeted at discrete and mixed-mode manufacturers, strong in production planning and inventory management.

Open source alternatives to Merlin MRP Factory 9

• ERPNext — Open-source ERP with manufacturing, BOMs, work orders, and stock management; suitable for small manufacturers that prefer an open platform and in-house customization.
• Odoo (Community Edition) — Modular open-source ERP with manufacturing apps for BoM, work orders and MRP flows; the community edition can be extended with custom modules.
• Dolibarr — Lightweight open-source ERP/CRM with inventory and order functions; better suited to very small manufacturers and job shops that need a simple footprint.
• inoERP — An open-source PHP-based ERP that includes manufacturing modules and is designed to be modular and extensible for developers.
• metasfresh — Open-source ERP with manufacturing and production planning modules; targeted at mid-sized businesses needing flexible deployment.

Each alternative has different strengths in cloud vs on-premise deployment, native integrations and community or vendor support; evaluate against your key requirements for BoM complexity, shop-floor control and supplier integration.

Frequently asked questions about Merlin MRP Factory 9

What is Merlin MRP Factory 9 used for?

Merlin MRP Factory 9 is used for materials planning, production control and procurement for manufacturers and job shops. It helps teams manage BoMs, create and schedule production jobs, detect component shortages, and generate purchase orders or subassembly work orders to meet production dates.

How does Merlin MRP Factory 9 handle bill of materials and subassemblies?

Merlin MRP Factory 9 supports multi-level BoMs and auto-creates subassembly work orders. The system explodes BoMs during an MRP run to identify component shortages and schedules subassembly jobs before generating purchase orders for bought-in parts.

Does Merlin MRP Factory 9 offer capacity planning?

Yes, Merlin includes MRP II-style capacity checks and scheduling. It compares required operation times with resource availability, flags shop-floor conflicts and helps production planners sequence jobs to avoid bottlenecks.

Can Merlin MRP Factory 9 integrate with accounting systems?

Yes, Merlin supports data exchange patterns commonly used to integrate with accounting packages. Typical integrations use CSV/Excel imports, database exports, or vendor-provided connectors; discuss available options and APIs with the vendor for specific accounting systems.

Is there a free trial of Merlin MRP Factory 9?

Yes, Merlin provides a free downloadable evaluation and educational package. The trial includes up to 50 Resource Record Cards for hands-on testing and learning via the built-in User Guide and Merlin College resources.

Why would a job shop choose Merlin MRP Factory 9?

Job shops choose Merlin for focused BoM-driven MRP, shop-floor control and procurement automation. The software helps reduce stock holding by specifying JiT procurement for some items and automating purchase orders and delivery schedules for others.

When should a manufacturer move from spreadsheets to Merlin MRP Factory 9?

Move to Merlin when manual tracking causes production delays, inventory shortages, or excessive overstock. If you frequently experience missed deliveries due to component shortages, lack of capacity visibility, or time-consuming manual purchase planning, an MRP system will centralize planning and reduce these operational risks.

Where can I find user reviews and comparisons for Merlin MRP Factory 9?

User reviews for Merlin are available on major software review platforms and industry sites. Look for user reviews on sites like Capterra, G2 and Trustpilot, and compare deployment notes on manufacturing forums to assess fit for your shop.

Does Merlin MRP Factory 9 support barcode and shop-floor scanning?

Merlin supports shop-floor data capture through integrations with barcode and label systems. Implementations commonly use barcode-enabled workflows to sign off operations, record inventory movements and reduce manual entry errors—confirm specific scanner and label support with the vendor.

How much training is required to use Merlin MRP Factory 9?

Merlin includes an on-screen User Guide and access to Merlin College training materials to reduce onboarding time. Most production teams can become operational with hands-on trial use and a few structured training sessions; the vendor also offers support and data-import services to accelerate implementation.

Merlin MRP Factory 9 careers

Merlin’s company size and hiring profile will dictate available career paths, but common roles related to this product include product support engineers, MRP consultants/implementers, documentation authors and integration specialists. Candidates with experience in manufacturing processes, BoM structuring, and ERP/MES implementations are particularly valuable.

Jobs related to Merlin deployments can also be found within partner and reseller organizations that provide implementation, customization and support services to manufacturers. For openings, check the vendor’s careers page and job boards focused on manufacturing software and ERP consulting.

Merlin MRP Factory 9 affiliate

Merlin may work through reseller and partner channels that provide referral or reseller arrangements to system integrators and consultants. Typical affiliate/reseller agreements include commission for licence sales, implementation margins and support contracts. If you are an ERP consultant, systems integrator or reseller, contact the vendor to inquire about partner programs, certification opportunities and referral terms.

Where to find Merlin MRP Factory 9 reviews

User feedback and independent reviews are useful when evaluating fit. Look for detailed user reviews and case studies on platforms such as Capterra and G2 to understand real-world deployment experiences, feature coverage and customer support ratings. Also review industry-specific forums and manufacturing technology publications for comparative write-ups and peer recommendations.

For hands-on validation, download the vendor’s evaluation package to test the software against your production workflows and compare the results to reviews and case studies.