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.
Tharstern
Tharstern provides cloud-native management information systems designed to help print service providers automate their entire workflow from initial estimating and job submission through to final delivery and invoicing.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Katana | Tharstern |
|---|---|---|
| Website | katanamrp.com | tharstern.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Custom |
| Starting Price | $179/month | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 14 days free trial | ✘ No 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 | 2017 | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Tallinn, Estonia | Colne, United Kingdom |
Overview
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.
Tharstern
Tharstern is a specialized management information system (MIS) built specifically for the printing and packaging industry. You can manage your entire production cycle within a single platform, starting from complex multi-part estimating to automated job scheduling and real-time inventory tracking. By centralizing your data, you eliminate manual entry errors and gain a clear view of your shop floor's performance and profitability.
The software is designed for commercial printers, label manufacturers, and large-format specialists who need to scale their operations. You can integrate it with your existing prepress and finishing equipment to create a fully connected 'smart factory' environment. It helps you reduce waste, speed up turnaround times, and provide more accurate quotes to your customers instantly.
Overview
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.
Tharstern Features
- Dynamic Estimating. Generate accurate quotes for complex print jobs in seconds by automating your material costs and labor calculations.
- Live Job Tracking. Monitor the real-time status of every project on your shop floor so you can proactively manage deadlines.
- Inventory Management. Track paper stocks, inks, and consumables automatically to ensure you never run out of materials during a critical run.
- Automated Scheduling. Optimize your press time with intelligent scheduling tools that account for machine availability and job priority.
- CRM Integration. Manage your customer relationships and sales pipeline directly alongside your production data for better client communication.
- Business Intelligence. Access visual dashboards and detailed reports to analyze your profit margins and identify bottlenecks in your workflow.
Pricing Comparison
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
Tharstern Pricing
Pros & Cons
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
Tharstern
Pros
- Highly specialized for complex print and packaging workflows
- Excellent integration capabilities with industry-standard prepress hardware
- Detailed reporting provides deep insights into job profitability
- Scalable architecture grows alongside your business expansion
Cons
- Significant time investment required for initial configuration
- Higher price point compared to generic ERP solutions
- Steep learning curve for staff during implementation phase