Executive Summary
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software is the undisputed nervous system of the modern manufacturing facility. Business leaders rely on it to track costs, manage inventory and drive production. But as supply chains grow more complex and the demand for speed increases, manufacturers are asking: is our current technology keeping pace with our growth?
To find out, we surveyed hundreds of Global Shop Solutions users across the globe – from general managers and CFOs to IT administrators and production floor managers. Our goal is to provide a clear, data-driven look at how manufacturers value their ERP, where the system excels, what obstacles they face and how the industry is organically adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI).
This report reveals a powerful consensus: while manufacturers view their ERP as an indispensable, centralized asset, they are increasingly eager for modernized user interfaces, faster processing speeds and smarter AI-driven integrations to eliminate manual work.
Key Findings
Our research reveals a compelling story: Global Shop Solutions users are deeply invested in their ERP, but they approach their daily usage with a mix of high praise for its robust capabilities and vocal demand for streamlined workflows.
80%
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The ERP is the Unshakable Foundation: 80% of surveyed manufacturing leaders "Agree" or "Strongly Agree" that their ERP is one of their most valuable business assets, relying heavily on it for real-time visibility. |
| The Modernization Mandate: While 60% of users report positive overall satisfaction with the software, 20% remained neutral and 20% explicitly requested modernization – highlighting a strong industry demand for faster processing speeds and fewer clicks. |
60%
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AI
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The "Early Adopter" Ecosystem: Manufacturers are not waiting for the future; they are building it. Without being prompted, users organically listed AI tools like "GPT" and "ChatGPT" as part of their current software stack. |
| Customer Service is a Major Differentiator: While software has bugs, people matter. Over 85% of respondents rated their Customer Service Manager (CSM) as highly "Responsive" and "Knowledgeable." |
85%
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The ERP Foundation: Driving Daily Value
When asked if Global Shop Solutions ERP software is one of their most valuable assets, the response was overwhelmingly positive. The data shows that users rely heavily on the system to turn raw data into actionable business insights.
As one executive noted:
"Global Shop Solutions has greatly improved our company's visibility of our manufacturing and business processes and allowed us to recognize weak areas that need improvement. We have also been able to make more informed decisions with the new level of data being captured."
Core Operations: Production & Inventory
When it comes to core operations, manufacturers are focused on substance. The survey data shows that the Production and Inventory modules are the absolute bedrock of the platform.
85%
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An overwhelming 85% of users ranked the Production and Inventory modules as "Very Important" to the success of their business, making them the highest-valued capabilities in the entire software suite. Users praised the system's ability to track labor, monitor efficiency losses and provide critical supply and demand dashboards. |
As an aerospace customer highlighted:
"Global Shop Solutions is easy to use and has all the right components to make our job shop run great."
The Financial Engine & Engineering
Modules like Engineering (BOM, CAD Interface) and Financials (Accounting, Job Costing) are deemed critical to the success of our users. The ability to track costs accurately is a major win for the platform.
As an accounting professional noted:
"Global Shop Solutions provides the cost information that we need for management to make decisions. However, financial users were also some of the most vocal about needing highly flexible reporting tools to export detailed trial balances and drill back into source data."
The Modernization Mandate: Speed & UI Challenges
We believe in transparency and continuous improvement. While the software's capabilities are robust, the survey highlighted critical areas where the industry needs ERP software to evolve:
- Speed and Clicks: The most frequent piece of feedback was the desire for faster processing speeds. Users noted that navigating through multiple nested windows to complete routine tasks slows down their workflow.
- UI Consistency: Respondents pointed out that different modules sometimes have different layouts and rules.
This candid feedback is actively shaping our development roadmap as we prioritize streamlining the user experience.
The Interoperability Imperative (Tech Stack)
Manufacturers do not want their software to operate in silos. Adopting an ERP shouldn't require you to abandon the rest of your favorite tools. Based on the survey, our users are actively integrating Global Shop Solutions with other mission-critical software.
When asked which future integrations are most critical to their success, respondents ranked their top priorities as follows:
Barcode/Labeling: The most requested integration, cited by 35% of all respondents (using tools like Bartender, UPS WorldShip and FedEx).
CRM: Cited by 29% of users (relying heavily on Salesforce and HubSpot).
Payroll & HR: Cited by 25% of users (utilizing ADP, Paylocity and Paycor).
E-Commerce & Website: Cited by 15% of users looking to connect their digital storefronts to their shop floor.
Emerging Technology & AI Readiness
As manufacturing grows more complex, the industry is rapidly looking toward AI to streamline operations and enhance productivity. Based on the survey data, Global Shop Solutions users are not just preparing for this shift – they are already active participants.
When asked about other mission-critical software they use, forward-thinking respondents explicitly listed tools like "GPT" and "ChatGPT." Furthermore, users are looking for seamless interoperability between their smart systems, with respondents highlighting a desire for integration with the AI portions of Microsoft Office.
This indicates that the Global Shop Solutions customer base is highly adaptable, tech-savvy and actively seeking out AI-driven efficiencies to maintain a competitive edge.
Microsoft Office Suite
SolidWorks
AutoCAD / Autodesk
ADP / Paylocity / Paycor
Salesforce
Future Outlook: AI-Integrated ERP
The message from the shop floor is clear: modern manufacturers want seamless AI integration without having to rely on disconnected, third-party workarounds.
That is why Global Shop Solutions is proud to offer AI-Integrated ERP. Designed to directly answer the needs of our forward-thinking community, our AI-integrated system helps automate routine tasks, summarize critical data and keep your shop floor moving faster than ever.
LEARN ABOUT AI-INTEGRATED ERP
A Partnership Beyond Software: Customer Care
Implementing and managing an ERP is not a solo mission. A major takeaway from the survey is that our users highly value the human element of our software.
85%
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The Global Shop Solutions Customer Care team and CSMs consistently received top marks. In fact, over 85% of respondents "Agreed" or "Strongly Agreed" that their CSM is highly responsive, knowledgeable and genuinely cares for their business. |
As one user stated, we provide the "Best customer service in the ERP industry." Another user echoed this sentiment, adding, "The customer service team is second to none!"
Empowering the Workforce: Continuous Training
Users value the continuous learning resources provided by Global Shop Solutions, though many expressed a desire for more modernized, hands-on training to help them utilize the system to its full potential.
Respondents highlighted that programs like Friday Features and the Advanced Certification Classes (ACC) offer great opportunities to learn new topics. Moving forward, we are committed to making our training materials even more accessible to ensure every user feels confident navigating the system.
FRIDAY FEATURES
Webinar happening most Fridays to explore core and newly launched item.
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ADVANCED CERTIFICATION CLASSES
Virtual classes with final exam allowing you to become certified on a specific ERP topic.
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Research Methodology & Demographics
Global Shop Solutions conducted a comprehensive survey capturing data from over 150 manufacturing leaders and daily users.
- Company Sizes Represented: We heard from shops of all sizes, ensuring a holistic view of the industry.
- 35% Small custom job shops (50 employees or less)
- 35% Mid-sized manufacturers (51 to 100 employees)
- 20% Large operations (101 to 200 employees)
- 10% Enterprise-level organizations (201+ employees)
- Top Industries Represented: Metal Fabrication, Machine Shops, Aerospace/Defense, Medical, Automotive and OEMs.
- Roles: Participants included Executives, IT Administrators, Accounting staff, Production Managers, Engineers, Quality Control and Sales.
Conclusion
Your feedback is the blueprint for our future. We are committed to refining the user experience, enhancing system speed and building the integrations you need to succeed.
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