5 Best OEE Software Tools for Contract Manufacturing (CDMO/CMO) (2026 Review)

In Contract Manufacturing (CMO/CDMO), you don't own the brand. You own the Efficiency.

Your margins are dictated by how fast you can set up a line, run the job, and tear it down for the next customer.

If you quote a job assuming 85% OEE, but you actually run at 65%, you are losing money on every single unit produced.

Furthermore, Contract Manufacturing is a relationship business.

When a client asks, "Why is my production run delayed?", you cannot afford to guess. You need irrefutable data.

Standard OEE tools often fail here because they assume a "Steady State" factory.

You need software that handles High-Mix Agility, Rapid Changeovers, and Customer Reporting.

Here are the 5 best OEE software tools for Contract Manufacturers.

1. Fabrico (Best for Agility & Changeover Speed)

Fabrico is designed for the chaotic reality of the job shop and the contract plant.

In a CMO environment, the "Changeover" is the biggest loss category. You might change formats 5 times a day.

Fabrico attacks this loss directly. It digitizes the setup process, ensuring that the machine is "Right First Time" to prevent startup scrap (which comes out of your margin).

Key Features for Contract Manufacturing:

• Digital SMED Tools: Operators follow step-by-step digital guides for changeovers, tracking actual setup time against the target. This helps you bill accurately for setup costs.

• Video RCA: If a machine jams, Fabrico captures the video. You can prove to the client, "The machine didn't fail; your packaging material was out of spec."

• Client-Ready Reporting: Easily export downtime and performance reports to share with customers during Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs).

• Native CMMS: Keeps your shared assets reliable. You can't afford a breakdown when you have a penalty clause for late delivery.

Best For: CDMOs focused on rapid changeovers and proving reliability to clients.

2. Nulogy (Best for Co-Packing Logistics)

Nulogy is the specialized operating system for the Contract Packaging (Co-Pack) industry.

It goes beyond the machine. It manages the complex dance of Customer Inventory.

• Did the customer send the labels?

• Are the corrugate boxes here?

Nulogy links OEE to the supply chain. It allows you to give your customers a portal where they can see the status of their job in real-time. This transparency builds massive trust.

Best For: Co-Packers managing customer-owned inventory.

3. Plex (Best for Financial Job Costing)

Plex (by Rockwell) is a cloud-native ERP born in the automotive supplier world—the original contract manufacturers.

Plex is powerful because it connects OEE directly to Finance.

It tracks the exact labor hours, machine hours, and scrap associated with Job #1234.

This allows you to analyze profitability by customer. You might discover that Customer A (who requires high precision) is actually unprofitable despite high volume, while Customer B is your cash cow.

Best For: Tier 1 Suppliers needing deep financial analysis per contract.

4. Tulip (Best for High-Mix Assembly)

Tulip is a "No-Code" platform that is perfect for CMOs who constantly reconfigure their lines.

If you land a contract to assemble medical kits this month, and then a contract to package electronics next month, you need to change your software workflow instantly.

Tulip allows your engineers to drag-and-drop new "Apps" for the operators. You can build a custom work instruction app for the new contract in hours, not weeks.

It tracks the cycle time of the human operator, which is critical for manual assembly contracts.

Best For: High-Mix / Manual Assembly contract manufacturing.

5. Shoplogix (Best for Visual Performance)

Shoplogix is great for the high-volume contract manufacturer (e.g., bottling or plastic molding).

It focuses on Visual Management.

When you are running a 24/7 operation for a major brand (like Coke or Nestle), you need to ensure every shift is hitting the target. Shoplogix gamifies the shift performance.

It provides a "Live Scoreboard" that motivates temporary labor (common in CMOs) to hit the numbers.

Best For: High-volume, automated contract manufacturing.

Comparison: Winning the Bid

Which tool helps you secure the contract?

Conclusion: Your Efficiency is Your Sales Pitch

In Contract Manufacturing, OEE isn't just an operational metric; it is a sales tool.

When you can show a prospective client, "We run at 92% OEE because we use digital reliability tools," you win the bid.

If you need to manage Customer Inventory, Nulogy is the standard.
If you need Financial Granularity, Plex is the choice.

But if you need to execute Rapid Changeovers and ensure the Mechanical Reliability that guarantees on-time delivery, Fabrico is the system that turns your shop floor into a competitive advantage.

Ready to optimize your margins?

See how Fabrico helps contract manufacturers reduce setup time and track costs.

Book a Demo with Fabrico Today