SolidWorks CAM vs JobBOSS²

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Our analysts compared SolidWorks CAM vs JobBOSS² based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Manufacturing Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

SolidWorks CAM Software Tool
JobBOSS² Software Tool

Product Basics

SolidWorks CAM bridges the gap between virtual designs and physical prototypes, translating 3D models into precise instructions for computer-controlled machines (CNCs). This powerful software caters to professionals like machinists, programmers, and engineers, streamlining workflows and optimizing production. Key benefits include reduced errors through automated toolpath generation, enhanced efficiency with machine simulation, and shorter lead times thanks to streamlined workflows. Popular features encompass 2D/3D machining, 5-axis support, and collision detection, ensuring smooth operation and accurate results. While offering a robust feature set, SolidWorks CAM comes with a premium price tag, typically licensed per seat and requiring annual subscriptions. This makes it ideal for established businesses with high production volumes who prioritize precision and efficiency. Smaller shops or hobbyists might find alternative solutions with more accessible pricing models.

Pros
  • Seamless SOLIDWORKS integration
  • Intuitive interface and workflow
  • Powerful toolpath generation
  • Accurate simulation capabilities
  • Comprehensive feature set
Cons
  • High price point
  • Steep learning curve
  • Limited post-processing options
  • Occasional performance issues
  • Subscription-based pricing
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JobBOSS² is available as a privately-hosted or on-premise solution to track and manage any type of job. Users can manage split jobs, single-level and multi-level assembly, blanket orders and time and material intensive jobs. It manages and documents manufacturing jobs with engineering and labor reporting support. It has customer relations, human resources and workflow management modules, and is suitable for small and mid-size organizations. It also works for every manufacturing industry and mode — make-to-order, mixed-mode, assemble-to-order, contract manufacturing, custom manufacturing and more.

It is built for manufacturers focusing on machine building, metal fabrication, printing and rubber and plastics. Its on-premise deployment gives organizations complete IT control and while being responsible for security, upgrades, redundancy and uptime.
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$995/Seat, Annually
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$2,700 One-Time
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Product Assistance

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Product Insights

  • NC Editor: Verify and back plot G-codes to evaluate and deliver to the computer numerical control (CNC) with direct numerical control (DNC) tools. 
  • eDrawings: Analyze 3D models with their relevant toolpaths to comprehend machining orders inside of eDrawings. 
  • CAM Probing: Recalibrate coordinate systems for manufacturing critical features with restricted tolerances with CAM probing, permitting users to reset toolpath coordinates for precise product fabrication. 
  • CAM Tab Cutting: Work with larger scrap pieces attached to the finished product with the tab cutting apparatus. It enables users to supervise time for toolpath setup and production after post processing. 
  • Universal Post Generator: Add and maximize procedures such as crafting and editing clients' post processors with the universal post generator. 
  • UserGroups: Carry out conversations with other SOLIDWORKS CAM users with the usergroups community accessory.  
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  • Customizable Dashboards: With JobBOSS², users can create customizable dashboards. These dashboards provide users with critical business insights such as shop views, alerts and messenger.  
  • Improve Accuracy: Users can improve overall accuracy by collecting and validating data quickly, eliminating the need for manual data entry.  
  • Monitor Business Activity: JobBOSS² features monitoring, alerts and the automation of critical information gathering. It gives users visibility into information, activities and milestones. It has over 20 preset alerts and gives users the option to add more.  
  • Automate Workflows: It automates processes and manages every step from quote to order to cash. It also monitors, manages and maximizes sales.  
  • Improved Quality: It improves quality by tracking quality issues. It also gives suggestions about corrective action and manages tool maintenance, preventing quality errors and documenting any issues that arise.  
  • Greater Flexibility: JobBOSS² is perfect for manufacturers looking for software that can handle important daily processes, such as management of orders and jobs, quoting, manufacturing orders, payroll and accounting.  
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  • Rules-Based Machining:  Utilize rules-based machining to superintend programming operations concurrently with implementing tolerances allocated to specific parts. This accessory pinpoints critical areas when crafting a piece instead of touching every individual feature that requires machining. 
  • Tolerance-Based Machining: Amend asymmetric tolerances to mean tolerances for various cutting tool tactics with the tolerance-based machining appliance. 
  • Knowledge-Based Machining: Establish machining strategies and tools needed for particular shapes and workpieces with the automatic or interactive feature recognition tools in the knowledge-based machining appliance. This function also automatically sets recurring machining operations per specific company regulations. 
  • Automatic Feature Recognition: Recognize prismatic parts such as holes, pockets, bosses and more with the automatic feature recognition module. 
  • Automatic Machine Times: Cipher and compare machine times to traditional techniques to verify each part's aspects are present before pledging to productions. 
  • 3+2 Programming: Execute machining styles with a three-axis milling platform utilizing two rotational axes on a five-axis machine within a tilted cutting machine through the 3+2 programming apparatus. 
  • High-Speed Machining: Sustain consistent tool pressure across the cutting process with the high-speed machining appliance. Users may implement several feed rates for tools to cut at full depth to decrease cycle times while prolonging the life of their tools and machinery. The machining route extension merges with standard cutting machinery to diminish overhead costs for machining parts. 
  • Turning: Carry out various forms of turning such as face rough and finish, groove rough and finish, OD threading and more via the turning feature. 
  • Part Modeling and Importing: Draft and input parts to effectively communicate with designers, study MBD data and apply vital manufacturing modifications with the part modeling and importing apparatus. 
  • Assembly Modeling and Importing: Verify fits and tolerances in parts with the assembly modeling and importing accessory. This tool can import clamps and vises to guarantee workpieces are made correctly the first time and provide users with the required clearances to remove the product upon completion. 
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  • Quote Processing: JobBOSS² generates quotes quickly and accurately. Users can pull data from spare parts history, create repeat quotes and copy quotes to create new orders. Users can also check inventory for materials, parts and purchase history.  
  • Order Processing: Users can easily navigate between quotes and orders. Users can process complex assemblies, blanket orders, quick jobs and material and time jobs. Users can also make changes, such as quantities and due dates, to under-process jobs.  
  • Shop Floor Control: With this feature, users of JobBOSS² can schedule a global, single or job split task. Users can choose between finite and infinite scheduling to manage capacities. The system can also identify the load on work centers and make decisions by employee, machine and date.  
  • Inventory and Material Control: It creates purchase orders and requests for quotes using planning reports. It provides visibility into how much material is available so that users can avoid material shortages. They can also view material demand and supply on a single screen.  
  • Shipping: Users can track early and late shipments online and match customers’ shipping dates. To improve delivery times, users can also analyze delivery performance.  
  • Cost Analysis: JobBOSS² analyzes estimates against actual costs and hours for any job at any time. Users can also change the selling price of repeat orders and maintain a history of spare parts.  
  • Bill of Material Import: This feature automates the process of entering data into the components and materials tab of JobBOSS² jobs and templates. It captures data from a bill of materials and imports it into JobBOSS² to create jobs and quotes.  
  • Accounting: This feature of JobBOSS² provides standard accounts receivables reporting, allowing users to bill their customers when an order is shipped. It tracks incurred costs, and the general ledger gives detailed accounts of financial transactions.  
  • Accounting Integrations: JobBOSS² users can sync vendor and customer data seamlessly. Users don’t need to repeatedly enter data, reducing mistakes and increasing productivity.
  • Electronic Data Interchange (EDI): This feature of JobBOSS² helps transmit data like invoices, orders and shipment details between manufacturers, vendors and trading partners. This feature keeps overheads low while maintaining high levels of production.  
  • Data and Labor Collection: This feature schedules employees’ working hours and manages assignments based on operator and material availability. It also helps users add floor notes into time-entry details.  
  • Payroll: This feature of JobBOSS² integrates attendance, employees’ time and payroll with the general ledger. Its robust reporting capabilities ensure that the user is always up-to-date on their financial information.  
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Product Ranking

#66

among all
Manufacturing Software

#72

among all
Manufacturing Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

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Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

SolidWorks CAM
JobBOSS²
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Bill Of Materials (BOM) And Routing Computer-aided Design And Computer-aided Manufacturing (CAD And CAM) Management Engineering Change Control Inventory Management Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Mobile Capabilities Platform Capabilities Product Configuration Production Planning Production Scheduling Quality Management Recipe And Formula Management Reports And Dashboards Shop Floor Control Warehouse Management Work In Process (WIP) Work Order Management 29 8 33 36 32 53 16 29 38 34 15 0 68 55 31 48 41 0 25 50 75 100
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Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Seamless Integration: Works seamlessly with SOLIDWORKS models, minimizing data transfer errors and streamlining workflows.
Intuitive Interface: User-friendly interface with clear menus and icons, making it easier to learn and use even for beginners.
Powerful Toolpaths: Generates optimized and efficient toolpaths for various machining operations, reducing cycle times and material waste.
Accurate Simulation: Provides realistic machine simulations to identify potential collisions and optimize programs before actual machining, minimizing errors and rework.
Comprehensive Features: Offers a wide range of features for various machining needs, including 2/3/5-axis machining, wire EDM, and surface milling, making it suitable for diverse projects.
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Scheduling: JobBOSS² offers robust scheduling features, including drag-and-drop functionality and Gantt charts, which provide a clear visual representation of production schedules and help users efficiently manage shop floor activities.
Inventory Management: The software enables users to track inventory levels, manage stock, and automate replenishment processes, ensuring that materials are available when needed and reducing the risk of stockouts or overstocking.
Job Costing: JobBOSS² provides accurate job costing capabilities, allowing users to track costs associated with labor, materials, and overhead, enabling better cost control and profitability analysis.
Reporting and Analytics: The software offers comprehensive reporting and analytics tools, providing insights into key performance indicators (KPIs) such as production efficiency, on-time delivery, and profitability, enabling data-driven decision-making.
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High Price Point: Requires a significant upfront investment and annual subscriptions, making it less accessible for smaller shops or hobbyists.
Steep Learning Curve: Mastering advanced features and toolpath strategies can be challenging for beginners, requiring dedicated training or experience.
Limited Post-Processing Options: Offers fewer built-in post-processors compared to some competitors, potentially requiring manual customization or third-party tools for specific machine setups.
Occasional Performance Issues: Users report occasional performance issues, especially with complex models or simulations, potentially impacting workflow efficiency.
Subscription-Based Pricing: The subscription-based model can be a disadvantage for businesses with low or unpredictable production volumes, leading to potentially higher costs per use.
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Difficult to Use: Many users find JobBOSS² difficult to learn and use, with some comparing its interface to older DOS-based systems. This complexity can lead to decreased efficiency and frustration for employees.
Limited Reporting Capabilities: Users frequently express dissatisfaction with the reporting features of JobBOSS², citing limitations in customization and data extraction. This can hinder analysis and decision-making processes.
Outdated Technology: JobBOSS² is often perceived as outdated compared to modern cloud-based ERP solutions. This can result in concerns about security, scalability, and integration with newer technologies.
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SolidWorks CAM gets high praise for its seamless integration with SOLIDWORKS models, streamlining workflows and minimizing errors. One user says, "It's like working with one program instead of two." The intuitive interface and powerful toolpath generation are also popular, with another user reporting, "I was able to program my first part within hours of installing it." However, the high price tag is a major sticking point for many. "It's definitely an investment," one user admits, "but it saves us time and money in the long run." The learning curve can also be steep, especially for complex features. As one reviewer puts it, "Mastering some of the advanced functions takes dedication, but the online resources and community are helpful." Compared to competitors, users appreciate SolidWorks CAM's accuracy and reliability. "The simulations are incredibly realistic," one reviewer notes, "it helps us avoid costly mistakes." However, limited post-processing options compared to some competitors like Mastercam can be an inconvenience. "We had to purchase a third-party post-processor for our specific machine," one user mentions. Ultimately, SolidWorks CAM shines for its tight integration, user-friendliness, and powerful features, ideal for businesses with high production volumes and complex machining needs. While the cost and learning curve can be barriers, the accuracy and time-saving potential make it a worthwhile investment for many users. As one reviewer concludes, "It's not perfect, but for integrated CAM with SOLIDWORKS, it's the best option on the market."

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Is JobBOSS² the boss of manufacturing software? User reviews from the past year suggest a mixed bag. While JobBOSS² boasts a robust suite of features designed to streamline manufacturing operations, some users have voiced concerns. A standout strength is its comprehensive inventory tracking, allowing businesses to monitor raw materials, works in progress, and finished goods. This granular visibility empowers better production planning and scheduling decisions. Users also appreciate the order management capabilities, enabling efficient tracking, quote generation, and invoicing, ultimately enhancing customer service and potentially boosting sales. However, some users have reported a steep learning curve, finding the software's interface less intuitive than desired. Additionally, occasional glitches and slowdowns have been cited as drawbacks, impacting productivity and user satisfaction. Despite these challenges, JobBOSS² differentiates itself through its industry-specific focus, catering specifically to the nuances of manufacturing. This targeted approach is particularly valuable for businesses seeking a solution tailored to their unique needs. Overall, JobBOSS² appears best suited for established manufacturing companies with dedicated IT resources to navigate the software's complexities and address occasional technical hiccups. Smaller businesses or those lacking technical expertise might find alternative solutions more user-friendly and manageable.

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