5 Best JobBOSS² Alternatives for Manufacturing (2026 Review)

JobBOSS² (by ECI) is a legend in the job shop world. For decades, it has been the standard for quoting, billing, and general shop management.

But for many modern manufacturers, JobBOSS² feels like a relic.

It is often described as "Accounting Software trying to run a factory."

While it is great for the front office, the interface for the shop floor (technicians and operators) can be dated and difficult to use.

If you are looking for an alternative that offers Better Usability, True Cloud Access, or Deeper Machine Intelligence, the market has evolved significantly.

Here are the 5 best JobBOSS² alternatives for modern job shops and high-mix manufacturers.

1. Fabrico (Best for Shop Floor Operations & Machine Reliability)

Fabrico is the best alternative if your primary frustration with JobBOSS is "Shop Floor Visibility."

JobBOSS tells you what to make. Fabrico helps you make it.

Fabrico focuses on the operational reality: Machine Uptime and Operator Efficiency. Unlike JobBOSS, which relies on manual clock-ins, Fabrico connects to the machines (via PLC/IoT) to track OEE and auto-trigger maintenance.

Why Switch?

• Machine Reliability: JobBOSS tracks the cost of a breakdown. Fabrico prevents the breakdown by linking OEE data to maintenance work orders.

• Usability: Fabrico is designed for tablets on the floor. It eliminates the "clunky" data entry that operators hate in legacy ERPs.

• Visual Scheduling: Instead of a complex tabular schedule, Fabrico offers an interactive planning board that respects machine availability and maintenance windows.

• Fast Setup: You can implement Fabrico in weeks, whereas ERP migrations often take 6-12 months.

Best For: Shops that want to modernize their floor operations and maintenance without replacing their accounting system immediately (Fabrico integrates).

2. Fulcrum (Best for Modern Cloud ERP)

Fulcrum is the "New School" ERP taking on JobBOSS directly.

It is completely cloud-native (no servers) and has a beautiful, modern interface.

Its superpower is its Live Scheduling. It uses a "throughput" model that automatically adjusts the schedule based on real-time shop floor activity.

Why Switch?

• No Servers: True SaaS. Access it from anywhere without a VPN.

• Auto-Scheduling: It removes the manual "Tetris" game of scheduling jobs.

• Paperless: It is designed to run entirely on tablets, eliminating the "Job Traveler" packet.

Best For: Job shops ready for a full "Rip and Replace" of their ERP to go 100% paperless.

3. ProShop (Best for Deep Manufacturing Process)

ProShop rejects the term "ERP." They call themselves a "Digital Manufacturing Ecosystem" (DME).

It was built by machine shop owners, for machine shop owners.

It is incredibly deep. It handles Tooling Management, Quality (AS9100), and CMM data better than JobBOSS ever could. It is document-heavy but extremely thorough.

Why Switch?

• Aerospace/Medical: If you need deep traceability and quality documentation that JobBOSS struggles with, ProShop is the standard.

• Tooling: Native tool crib management is built-in.

Best For: High-precision machine shops (CNC) with strict quality requirements.

4. Global Shop Solutions (Best for Customization)

Global Shop Solutions is the "Big Brother" to JobBOSS.

It is a robust ERP that can handle almost anything, but it requires setup.

Its strength is Job Costing. It tracks labor, material, and overhead with extreme precision. It offers a "Shop Floor Data Collection" module that is functional, though visual customization often requires their support team.

Why Switch?

• One System: It handles everything from Payroll to Inventory to Shipping.

• Customization: If you have a weird process that standard software can't handle, Global Shop can usually be customized to fit it.

Best For: Larger custom manufacturers who have outgrown JobBOSS.

5. Katana (Best for Lightweight Inventory)

Katana is for the smaller, modern maker.

If JobBOSS feels like "too much software" and you just want to track inventory and orders for Shopify/WooCommerce/B2B, Katana is excellent.

It is highly visual and integrates with modern tools like QuickBooks Online and Xero.

Why Switch?

• Visual Interface: Very easy to see "Commitments" vs. "Stock."

• Price: Much more affordable for small shops than legacy ERPs.

Best For: Smaller manufacturers selling D2C or light B2B.

Comparison: The Shop Floor Upgrade

Which tool replaces the legacy?

Conclusion: Don't let Accounting run the Factory

JobBOSS² is a great tool for the Controller, but it often fails the Plant Manager.

If you need a Full ERP Replacement, look at Fulcrum or ProShop.

But if you want to keep your current accounting system (or JobBOSS financials) but strictly modernize the Shop Floor Operations, Machine Reliability, and OEE Tracking, Fabrico allows you to layer modern tech on top of your existing business logic.

Ready to modernize the floor?

See how Fabrico improves shop floor visibility and machine uptime.

Book a Demo with Fabrico Today