Visibility.NET

I've implemented Visibility.NET twice — once for a defense subcontractor and once for a custom equipment manufacturer. Both times, the same thing happened: the team groaned at the interface but grew to rely on its project management depth.

The ETO Sweet Spot

Most ERPs assume repetitive manufacturing. Build the same widget 10,000 times. Visibility.NET assumes the opposite. Every job might be unique. Every BOM might change mid-production. Engineering changes flow through the system without blowing up existing work orders. That's its superpower.

The project management module is the backbone. Every quote, sales order, engineering task, purchase order, and production operation ties back to a project. You can see real-time cost versus estimate at any point during a job. For companies building $50,000-$5,000,000 custom products, that visibility (pun intended) prevents margin erosion.

Manufacturing and Engineering

The BOM structure supports unlimited levels with revision control and effectivity dates. Engineering change orders follow a formal approval workflow — critical for AS9100 and ISO-certified shops. The routing module handles complex multi-step operations across work centers, with capacity planning that accounts for tooling, setup time, and operator skill levels.

Material requirements planning (MRP) runs at the project level, not just the item level. That means you can procure materials for a specific job without affecting other projects. For ETO manufacturers, this is table stakes but surprisingly few ERPs handle it well.

Where Age Shows

Here's the honest truth: the interface looks like it was designed in 2008 — because it was. The .NET Windows client works but feels clunky compared to modern web-based ERPs. The web module exists but covers only a subset of functionality. Mobile access is minimal.

Reporting relies heavily on Crystal Reports. If your team knows Crystal, great. If they don't, expect a learning curve or consulting costs. The system can produce powerful reports but building them isn't self-service for most users.

Pricing and Implementation

Visibility doesn't publish pricing. Based on deals I've seen, expect $500-$2,000/month depending on user count and modules. Implementation typically runs 4-8 months with their professional services team or a partner. That's in line with mid-market manufacturing ERPs but longer than cloud-native alternatives.

Who It Fits

If you're an engineer-to-order manufacturer with 25-250 employees building complex, custom products — especially in aerospace, defense, or industrial equipment — Visibility.NET deserves consideration. It handles project-centric manufacturing better than most alternatives at this price point. Just don't expect a pretty interface.