Ready-mix producers coordinate batching, dispatch, delivery, fleet, inventory and billing. Concrete is a mix of cement, water, sand and stone (aggregate). This guide compares ERP and dispatch options for US producers. See O2B's manufacturing, supply chain management and Odoo integration services.
What ready-mix producers need
- Batch plant integration
- Order entry and dispatch
- Delivery tickets
- Truck and fleet tracking
- Mix designs and quality tests
- Aggregate and cement inventory
- Job-based billing
ERP and dispatch options for US ready-mix producers
| Software | Best for |
|---|---|
| Odoo | Producers wanting sales, inventory, fleet, maintenance and accounting in one system, connected to dispatch tools |
| Command Alkon | Producers wanting specialist dispatch and batch software |
| Marcotte Systems | Producers wanting ready-mix dispatch and ticketing |
| Microsoft Dynamics 365 | Firms already on Microsoft 365 |
| Acumatica | Mid-size firms wanting cloud ERP with construction features |
Command Alkon and Marcotte Systems are dispatch specialists, not full ERPs. They often connect to a company's ERP.
Odoo
Odoo can serve as the ERP for producers wanting sales, inventory, fleet, maintenance and accounting in one system, connected to dispatch tools.
Key Features
Modular Design: The software gives the liberty to the user to select their specific modules according to their desired operations, which can vary from inventory management, sales, and project management.
Integration Capabilities: Odoo can easily integrate with other software solutions and platform used by businesses.
User-Friendly Dashboard: Odoo has the ability to provide a visual representation of the key metrics and performance indicators.
Benefits
Licensing: Odoo Community is open source, while Odoo Enterprise is paid. Compare licensing and implementation requirements when evaluating upfront costs.
Flexibility and Customization: Odoo works on providing flexibility and customization that assist the businesses getting a tailored and well fitted solution according to their specific needs without extensive coding knowledge.
Community Support: Odoo provides a large community support of developers that contributes in a continuous improvement and support resources.
Command Alkon
Command Alkon provides specialist software for concrete production, batching, dispatch and delivery operations. It is a dispatch and batch specialist rather than a full ERP, and often connects to the producer's ERP for financial and business processes.
Marcotte Systems
Marcotte Systems focuses on ready-mix dispatch and ticketing. Producers can assess how its tools fit order entry, delivery and plant workflows, and how it connects to their ERP.
Acumatica
Acumatica is a cloud ERP option for mid-size firms looking for construction features. Ready-mix producers can assess how its project and financial workflows fit plant, materials, delivery and billing needs.
Microsoft Dynamics 365
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is an ERP option for firms already using Microsoft 365. Assess how the selected Dynamics applications and integrations fit production, inventory, logistics and finance workflows.
Key Features
End-to-End Production Management: It works from managing the raw material procurement to the production scheduling and on-time delivery.
Advanced Analytics Tools: Assist the user in providing the insights into the operational efficiency and also monitors the financial performance through powerful reporting tools.
Supply Chain Management: Works across multiple locations and help the venture to optimize its logistics and inventory management.
Benefits
Scalability for Large Enterprises Perfect choice for the organizations that have an extensive operations needs and demand a robust solution.
Integration with Microsoft Products: It can Seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft applications like Office 365 and Power BI which boost the overall productivity of the ventures.
Customizable Workflows: Through Microsoft Dynamics 365 software the businesses has the liberty to create their workflows which aligns with their unique processes.
Considerations for Implementation
There are some check points that the user must keep in mind while selecting their perfect ERP especially for the ready mix concrete industry.
Business Size and Complexity
Always understand your business size and complexities, as there are a wide range of solution available but only a few that works perfectly with all business sizes. There would be time when the user want to have low-key solutions and vice versa.
Customization Needs
It is important to observe the extent of customization that you may need based on the specific operating requirements. On the other hand Open-source software’s like Odoo can allow the user more flexibility without investing a lot in the technical expertise.
Budget Constraints
Compare the expected implementation effort, ongoing maintenance, training and support against the plant's requirements.
User Adoption
Consider how easy the system is for employees to use, what training they need and how each option fits existing workflows.
Real example: tracked production and dispatch. A manufacturer was passing work between stations by hand. O2B rebuilt its work-center, assembly and dispatch flow in Odoo so every step is tracked. Read the case study.
Our verdict
Most ready-mix producers use a specialist dispatch tool and an ERP side by side. Odoo works well as the ERP, running sales, inventory, fleet, maintenance and accounting, and it can connect to your dispatch and batch systems.
Running a ready-mix plant?
See how Odoo would connect your dispatch, inventory, fleet and billing.
Odoo integration · Manufacturing
Talk to an Odoo ExpertFAQs
What does RMC mean?
RMC means ready-mix concrete.
What is ready-mix concrete?
Concrete is a mix of cement, water, sand and stone aggregate.
How can Odoo support a ready-mix producer?
Odoo can run sales, inventory, fleet, maintenance and accounting, and connect to dispatch and batch systems.