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5 Best ManagerPlus Alternatives for Manufacturing (2025 Review)

5 Best ManagerPlus Alternatives for Manufacturing (2025 Review)

Key Takeaways

 

  • The "Fleet" Roots: ManagerPlus built its reputation on managing heavy equipment (bulldozers, trucks) and fleets. It often struggles with the nuances of Discrete Manufacturing and High-Speed Production.

  • The "Legacy" Lag: As part of the Eptura consolidation, many users report slowed development and a user interface that feels outdated compared to modern SaaS.

  • The Top Contenders: We review Fabrico, Fiix, Fleetio, and others to help you find the right upgrade path.

5 Best ManagerPlus Alternatives for Manufacturing (2025 Review)

ManagerPlus (Lightning) has been a reliable workhorse in the asset management industry for years. If your primary job is managing a fleet of yellow iron (construction equipment) or delivery trucks, it remains a solid choice.

But if you are running a production plant, ManagerPlus often feels like the wrong tool.

It treats a high-speed bottling line the same way it treats a dump truck. It lacks the specific OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) integration, Cycle-Counting triggers, and Quality workflows that modern factories rely on to stay competitive.

If you need software built for the Shop Floor, not the Garage, here are the 5 best ManagerPlus alternatives for 2025.

 

1. Fabrico: The "Factory-First" Solution

 

Best For: Manufacturers migrating from legacy software to a modern Smart Factory platform.

Fabrico is the direct upgrade for ManagerPlus users who want to move from "Asset Tracking" to "Asset Reliability."

Why Manufacturers Switch to Fabrico:

 

  • Production Integration: ManagerPlus tracks engine hours. Fabrico tracks Production Performance. By connecting to machine PLCs, Fabrico visualizes OEE and correlates downtimes with maintenance actions automatically.

  • The "Modern" Interface: Fabrico is built on a cloud-native stack with a user experience (UX) that rivals consumer apps. Technicians adopt it instantly, reducing the "churn" often associated with migrating from legacy tools.

  • Spares Optimization: Fabrico’s inventory module is designed for MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Operations) parts. It links usage to machine cycles, helping you predict stockouts before they stop the line.

  • Migration Support: Moving from a legacy SQL-based tool like ManagerPlus can be scary. Fabrico’s team specializes in cleaning and importing legacy data structures to ensure you don't lose your history.

 

The Verdict: If you operate inside four walls (a factory) rather than on the road, Fabrico is the specialized choice.

 

 

2. Fiix (Rockwell Automation)

Best For: Enterprise manufacturing with heavy automation.

Fiix is a strong alternative if you need a robust, cloud-based CMMS that can handle complex asset hierarchies.

  • Pros: Powerful reporting and AI capabilities. Since the Rockwell acquisition, it has become the standard for factories heavily invested in Allen-Bradley automation.

  • Cons: It is complex. Implementation is a project, not a task. It is significantly more expensive than ManagerPlus, moving you into a different budget category.

  • The Difference: Fiix is a heavy enterprise tool; ManagerPlus is a legacy mid-market tool.

 

3. Fleetio

Best For: Dedicated Fleet Management.

If you used ManagerPlus exclusively for your delivery trucks and forklifts, Fleetio is the best modern replacement.

  • Pros: Unmatched features for fuel card integration, GPS tracking, and driver safety inspections. It is the gold standard for rubber-tire assets.

  • Cons: It is not for the factory. You cannot use Fleetio to manage a CNC machine or a conveyor belt effectively.

  • The Difference: Fleetio manages vehicles; Fabrico manages production lines.

 

4. UpKeep

Best For: Mixed asset portfolios (Facility + Light Fleet).

UpKeep shares the "Generalist" DNA of ManagerPlus but delivers it in a much more modern, mobile-first package.

  • Pros: Extremely easy to use. Great for managing a mix of building assets (HVAC) and some fleet vehicles.

  • Cons: It lacks the deep industrial logic (RCM, FMEA, OEE) required for complex manufacturing reliability.

  • The Difference: A usability upgrade, but a lateral move in terms of industrial depth.

 

5. Limble CMMS

Best For: Reducing administrative overhead.

If your main frustration with ManagerPlus was the number of clicks required to create a PM, Limble solves that pain.

  • Pros: The interface is designed for speed. It is very fast to set up and easy for technicians to learn.

  • Cons: It acts as a maintenance silo. It does not natively integrate with production data (OEE) to drive condition-based maintenance as deeply as Fabrico.

  • The Difference: Limble is for execution; ManagerPlus is for record-keeping.

Comparison Matrix: Fleet vs. Factory

Feature Fabrico ManagerPlus Fleetio Fiix
Primary Asset Production Machines Mixed / Fleet Vehicles Enterprise Assets
OEE Integration ✅ Native ❌ No ❌ No ⚠️ Add-on
User Experience Modern Dated Excellent Good
Cycle Triggers ✅ Automated ⚠️ Manual ✅ Odometer ✅ Automated
Setup Speed Weeks Months Weeks Months

 

Summary: Pick Your Lane

ManagerPlus tries to do everything—Facilities, Fleet, and Construction—which means it doesn't do Manufacturing deeply enough.

  • Choose Fleetio if: You are managing a trucking company.

  • Choose UpKeep if: You are managing a university or municipality.

  • Choose Fabrico if: You are a Manufacturer. If you need to reduce scrap, improve cycle times, and ensure your production assets are reliable, you need a system built for the factory.

 

Modernize your maintenance.


Book a Demo with Fabrico to see how we replace legacy complexity with manufacturing clarity.

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