A+W Software
A+W Software provides specialized ERP and production planning solutions designed to optimize glass and window manufacturing processes through integrated digital workflows and automated machinery control systems.
Katana
Katana is a cloud-based manufacturing enterprise resource planning software that gives you real-time visibility into inventory, production, and sales to streamline your entire small-to-medium manufacturing business operations.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | A+W Software | Katana |
|---|---|---|
| Website | a-w.com | katanamrp.com |
| Pricing Model | Custom | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | $179/month |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 14 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 1977 | 2017 |
| Headquarters | Pohlheim, Germany | Tallinn, Estonia |
Overview
A+W Software
A+W Software offers a comprehensive suite of digital tools specifically built for the flat glass, window, and door manufacturing industries. You can manage your entire production lifecycle—from initial glass cutting and tempering to final assembly and shipping—within a single integrated system. By digitizing your shop floor, you eliminate manual data entry and reduce material waste through optimized cutting patterns and real-time inventory tracking.
The platform connects your office directly to your machinery, allowing you to automate technical processing and commercial administrative tasks simultaneously. Whether you operate a small glass shop or a high-volume industrial plant, you can scale these solutions to synchronize your sales office with your production line. This integration helps you maintain high quality standards while meeting tight delivery deadlines in a competitive manufacturing environment.
Katana
Katana gives you a live look at your entire manufacturing business by unifying your sales, inventory, and production workflows. Instead of juggling messy spreadsheets, you get a visual interface that automatically prioritizes orders based on material availability. You can track raw materials and finished goods in real-time, ensuring you never overstock or run out of essential components during a production run.
The platform is designed specifically for scaling manufacturers who need to move beyond basic accounting tools. You can easily sync your shop floor with your online store, manage outsourced production, and calculate accurate product costs automatically. It helps you eliminate production bottlenecks and fulfill customer orders faster by providing a single source of truth for your entire team.
Overview
A+W Software Features
- Production Planning Organize your entire shop floor schedule and sequence production batches to maximize machine uptime and labor efficiency.
- Glass Optimization Reduce expensive material waste by using advanced algorithms to calculate the most efficient cutting patterns for your glass sheets.
- Machine Integration Send technical data directly to your CNC machines and cutting tables to eliminate manual programming errors and speed up production.
- Order Management Process complex custom orders quickly with built-in technical checks that ensure every window or glass unit is manufacturable.
- Inventory Tracking Monitor your raw materials and finished goods in real-time so you never run out of critical stock during a production run.
- Logistics & Shipping Organize your delivery racks and track shipments visually to ensure your customers receive the right products at the right time.
Katana Features
- Live Inventory Management. Track your raw materials and finished products in real-time to maintain optimal stock levels and prevent production delays.
- Master Production Scheduling. Drag and drop your manufacturing orders to prioritize jobs and see how changes impact your material requirements instantly.
- Omnichannel Sales Sync. Connect your e-commerce stores and marketplaces to centralize all your sales orders and inventory levels in one place.
- Contract Manufacturing. Manage your outsourced production processes by tracking purchase orders and inventory levels at your partner locations seamlessly.
- Shop Floor App. Give your operators a digital task list on their mobile devices to track time and material consumption accurately.
- Automated Costing. Calculate your precise manufacturing costs based on your bill of materials and production operations without manual calculations.
Pricing Comparison
A+W Software Pricing
Katana Pricing
- Up to 3 users
- 1 inventory location
- Real-time inventory tracking
- Sales order management
- Basic production planning
- E-commerce integrations
- Everything in Essential, plus:
- Unlimited inventory locations
- Shop Floor mobile app
- Batch and lot tracking
- Multi-currency support
- Full API access
Pros & Cons
A+W Software
Pros
- Deeply specialized features for glass and window manufacturing
- Excellent direct integration with major industry machinery brands
- Reduces material waste through highly accurate cutting optimization
- Scalable modules allow you to grow your digital capabilities
- Strong technical support from industry-specific subject matter experts
Cons
- Significant initial setup time for complex machinery integrations
- Higher price point compared to generic ERP solutions
- Steep learning curve for staff moving from manual processes
Katana
Pros
- Intuitive visual interface is easy to navigate
- Seamless integration with Shopify and QuickBooks Online
- Real-time material availability tracking saves significant time
- Excellent customer support and onboarding resources
Cons
- Starting price is high for very small businesses
- Mobile app functionality is limited for administrators
- Advanced reporting requires higher-tier paid plans