Pothera ERP · Production modes
Make-to-Order and Make-to-Stock ERP for Manufacturers
Pothera ERP runs make-to-order (MTO), make-to-stock (MTS) and mixed production in the same system. MTO orders drive production orders and material purchase from the customer’s order and BOM; MTS items are planned from stock targets and reorder levels. Sales can see stock and open production before promising a delivery date.
Who it is for: Pothera ERP is built for Indian make-to-order, make-to-stock and mixed-mode manufacturers with roughly ₹10–500 crore annual turnover that need realistic delivery promises and order-wise costing.
Built by Bsquare Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Noida · part of The Nambiar Group · 25 years in business · 1,000+ manufacturing and trading clients.
Make-to-order & make-to-stock in Pothera — at a glance
| Modes | Make-to-order, make-to-stock, mixed |
|---|---|
| MTO trigger | Sales order → production order from BOM |
| MTS trigger | Stock targets and reorder levels |
| Purchase | MRP indents from requirements, reorder levels and stock |
| Visibility | Real-time stock and production status |
| Re-packing | Supported for finished goods |
Bsquare’s take
“Most delivery promises in Indian plants are made in the sales office and broken on the shop floor. A date is only a promise when the person giving it can see material, capacity and open orders at the same time.”
MTO vs MTS vs mixed — what changes
| Make-to-order (MTO) | Make-to-stock (MTS) | Mixed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trigger | Confirmed customer order | Forecast or stock target | Both, by item |
| Material | Bought or reserved per order | Bought to reorder levels | Per item rule |
| Lead time to customer | Longer; depends on material and capacity | Short; from stock | Varies by item |
| Main risk | Late delivery | Excess or dead stock | Complexity |
| What ERP must do | Order-wise planning and costing | Stock levels, ageing, reorder | Handle both in one plan |
How Pothera ERP handles each mode
- MTOSales order → production order from BOM → MRP indents for shortfalls → production → inspection → dispatch.
- MTSStock targets and reorder levels → production orders → finished-goods stock → dispatch from stock.
- MixedEach item follows its own rule in the same plan; sales sees both stock and open production.
Free tool: order promise-date estimator
Estimate a realistic delivery date for a new order. Nothing you enter leaves your browser.
Questions to ask any vendor
- Promise: What does sales see before promising a date?
- Costing: Can we see cost and margin per order?
- Changes: What happens when a customer changes quantity or date after release?
- Stock: How are MTS stock levels and ageing controlled?
- Mixed: Can one item be MTO for one customer and MTS for another?
Frequently asked questions
What is make-to-order manufacturing?
In make-to-order manufacturing, production starts only after a customer order is confirmed. It suits customised or engineered products and keeps finished stock low, but the delivery date depends on material and capacity.
What is make-to-stock manufacturing?
In make-to-stock manufacturing, products are made in advance to forecast or stock targets and sold from stock. It gives short delivery times but risks excess or slow-moving stock.
What is the difference between MTO and MTS?
MTO starts production after an order; MTS produces ahead of demand. MTO reduces stock risk but lengthens lead time; MTS shortens lead time but ties up inventory.
Can one ERP handle both MTO and MTS?
Yes. Pothera ERP supports make-to-order, make-to-stock and mixed modes, so each item follows its own rule in the same plan.
How do you calculate an order promise date?
Add the material lead time (if not in stock), the queue time before your machines are free, the processing time, inspection time and dispatch time. Our free estimator does this from your numbers.
What is the best ERP for make-to-order manufacturing?
Look for order-wise BOMs and production orders, MRP purchase per order, order-wise costing and visibility of stock and capacity when quoting. Pothera ERP covers these for Indian manufacturers.
Related
Production planning
Plan production against orders, machines and manpower. Free capacity calculator.
MRP
Purchase indents from MRP runs, reorder levels and stock. Free MRP calculator.
Manufacturing costing
Job and product cost with material, labour, overheads and scrap. Free margin calculator.
Inventory for manufacturing
Real-time, multi-store stock with ABC, ageing and shelf life. Free reorder calculator.
ERP for manufacturing
One system from enquiry to dispatch, built around production.
ERP demo questions checklist
35 questions to ask every vendor, with a free scoring tool.
See it on your own data
Send us one sales order, its BOM and last month’s production report. We will run them through Pothera ERP in the demo.