RMDB vs JobBOSS²: Job Shop ERP vs Pure Scheduling
JobBOSS² is the job shop ERP many US precision shops grew up on. RMDB is finite-capacity scheduling. Different scope; different price point; different deployment timeline.
The short answer
JobBOSS² handles the breadth of job shop ERP — estimating, work orders, costing, financials — in one system. RMDB delivers finite-capacity scheduling depth. For shops where JobBOSS² scheduling cannot keep up but the rest of the system works fine, RMDB is the targeted fix.
Why this comparison matters
JobBOSS² (developed by Shoptech) has been a workhorse for US job shops and precision machining operations for decades. It covers the full workflow from quote to ship to invoice: estimating, work orders, job costing, scheduling, purchasing, inventory, and accounting integration. For a small-to-mid shop wanting one system to run on, it is a credible choice.
JobBOSS² scheduling is functional but not finite-capacity APS depth. It handles work order sequencing and basic load. It does not handle sequence-dependent setup times, what-if scenarios, or constraint-aware automatic optimization the way dedicated APS systems do. For shops growing past basic scheduling needs, the gap shows up as missed promise dates and overtime that should have been preventable.
RMDB is built specifically for that gap. It is finite-capacity scheduling that integrates with JobBOSS² (or any ERP) so the rest of the workflow is preserved. The combination — JobBOSS² for ERP, RMDB for scheduling — is a common pattern for shops that outgrew JobBOSS² scheduling without wanting to replace the whole system.
Feature-by-feature comparison
An honest side-by-side look at the capabilities buyers ask about most.
| Capability | RMDB | JobBOSS² |
|---|---|---|
Finite-capacity scheduling | ||
Drag-and-drop Gantt | ||
Sequence-dependent setup modeling | ||
Estimating and quoting | ||
Order entry and management | ||
Job costing | ||
Accounting integration | ||
Multi-level BOM and routings | ||
What-if scheduling scenarios | ||
Alternate work center routing | ||
Integrates with QuickBooks | ||
Cloud / on-premise options | ||
Pricing model | One-time license | Per-user subscription |
Implementation time (typical) | 5 days–4 weeks | 2–6 months |
Best for company size | 10–500+ employees | 5–150 employees |
Included · Limited or partial · Not available
Pricing comparison
RMDB
From $5,000
One-time license + optional support
JobBOSS²
From ~$200/user/month
Per-user subscription with bundled support
JobBOSS² pricing is per-user subscription, typically $150–$300/user/month depending on edition and module count. A 10-user shop runs $20K–$35K annually. RMDB is one-time licensing — typical 5–10 user deployments are $5K–$15K total. Over 5 years, JobBOSS² subscriptions accumulate to $100K–$175K vs RMDB $5K–$15K.
Where each tool wins
RMDB does this better
- Shops where JobBOSS² scheduling has hit its limits and overtime is rising
- Manufacturers wanting finite-capacity logic without leaving JobBOSS² ERP
- Operations needing what-if and alternate routing logic
- Companies modeling sequence-dependent setup times that JobBOSS² cannot
- Shops wanting one-time licensing instead of perpetual subscription
JobBOSS² does this better
- Small shops needing full ERP in one system with low setup overhead
- Operations wanting integrated estimating, quoting, and job costing
- Manufacturers preferring bundled vendor support across all modules
- Companies new to ERP wanting a single vendor relationship
- Job shops that value accounting integration tightly with shop floor data
Which one should you pick?
Choose RMDB if…
JobBOSS² shops who outgrew the built-in scheduling and want to add finite-capacity APS without replacing the rest of their system. Also for shops $10M+ where scheduling depth justifies a dedicated tool.
Choose JobBOSS² if…
Small precision shops $1M–$30M that need integrated ERP with light-to-medium scheduling complexity, and that value one-vendor support.
Switching from JobBOSS² to RMDB
A practical migration path that most manufacturers complete in days, not months.
- 1
Keep JobBOSS² for ERP
Most shops keep JobBOSS² for estimating, work orders, costing, and accounting integration. Only the scheduling moves to RMDB.
- 2
Connect RMDB to JobBOSS² database
Direct database integration pulls work orders, routings, BOMs, and item masters into RMDB. Standard adapter available; setup is typically 1–2 days.
- 3
Configure RMDB scheduling rules
Define work centers, shift calendars, setup time rules, and scheduling constraints. JobBOSS² routing data feeds into the constraints automatically.
- 4
Run parallel for 1–2 weeks
Generate RMDB schedule and JobBOSS² schedule in parallel. Compare. Once RMDB output is trusted, transition planners fully.
- 5
Decommission JobBOSS² scheduling
JobBOSS² scheduling module becomes unused. Some shops drop the JobBOSS² scheduling subscription tier at renewal for additional savings.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace JobBOSS² entirely with RMDB?+
No. JobBOSS² is full job shop ERP — estimating, quoting, accounting, purchasing. RMDB is scheduling only. To replace JobBOSS², you would need RMDB + a separate ERP. Most shops keep JobBOSS² for the breadth and add RMDB for scheduling depth.
Will my JobBOSS² users have to learn a new system?+
Only planners and schedulers — the people who currently use JobBOSS² scheduling. Estimators, accounting, and production users continue working in JobBOSS² as before. The scope of change is contained.
How does the JobBOSS² → RMDB integration work?+
Bi-directional. Work orders, routings, and BOMs flow from JobBOSS² to RMDB at start of shift. Completion data, scrap counts, and actual hours flow back from RMDB to JobBOSS² for accurate job costing. The integration runs as a scheduled service.
Why would I add RMDB to JobBOSS² rather than just upgrading JobBOSS²?+
Because JobBOSS² scheduling is not designed as finite-capacity APS — upgrading JobBOSS² versions does not change its scheduling architecture. The capability gap (sequence-dependent setup, what-if scenarios, alternate routings) is architectural. RMDB exists specifically to fill that gap.
Is RMDB cheaper than JobBOSS² total cost over 5 years?+
For the scheduling portion: yes, dramatically. JobBOSS² subscription at $200/user/month × 10 users × 60 months = $120K. RMDB one-time license $10K + support contract $1.5K/year × 5 years = $17.5K total. The combined JobBOSS² + RMDB approach over 5 years is also typically cheaper than full ERP replacement options.
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