RMDB vs Realtrac: Small Shop ERP vs Finite-Capacity Scheduling
Realtrac is a long-running job shop ERP for small US machine shops. RMDB is finite-capacity scheduling. Realtrac covers ERP breadth; RMDB delivers scheduling depth.
The short answer
Realtrac is a credible small-shop ERP option for $1M–$20M machine shops needing one system for everything. RMDB adds the finite-capacity scheduling depth Realtrac does not provide. Combination works well for shops that outgrew Realtrac scheduling.
Why this comparison matters
Realtrac has served small US machine shops for over 30 years. It is a focused job shop ERP — quoting, work orders, job costing, inventory, scheduling, shop floor data collection, and accounting integration. For a 10–50 employee precision shop wanting one vendor, one database, and one support number, it is a sensible fit.
Like most small-shop ERPs, Realtrac scheduling handles capacity loading and work order sequencing but is not finite-capacity APS depth. Sequence-dependent setup, what-if scenarios, and constraint-aware automatic optimization are not part of the architecture. For shops with simple sequential routings this is sufficient. For shops where setup matters and routings have alternates, it is not.
RMDB is built for that gap and integrates with Realtrac via direct database connection. The combination — Realtrac for ERP, RMDB for scheduling — is the targeted upgrade path for shops that like Realtrac generally but need scheduling depth.
Feature-by-feature comparison
An honest side-by-side look at the capabilities buyers ask about most.
| Capability | RMDB | Realtrac |
|---|---|---|
Finite-capacity scheduling | ||
Drag-and-drop Gantt | ||
Sequence-dependent setup modeling | ||
Estimating and quoting | ||
Order management | ||
Job costing | ||
Shop floor data collection | ||
Multi-level BOM and routings | ||
What-if scheduling scenarios | ||
Alternate work center routing | ||
QuickBooks integration | ||
Cloud / on-premise options | ||
Pricing model | One-time license | Subscription or one-time |
Implementation time (typical) | 5 days–4 weeks | 2–4 months |
Best for company size | 10–500+ employees | 5–75 employees |
Included · Limited or partial · Not available
Pricing comparison
RMDB
From $5,000
One-time license + optional support
Realtrac
Custom (around $10K–$50K first year typical)
Per-user with optional perpetual licensing
Realtrac pricing is custom; typical small-shop deployments run $10K–$50K first year. RMDB at $5K–$15K one-time covers the scheduling depth for similar-sized shops. Combined Realtrac + RMDB approach typically runs under $60K total deployment cost.
Where each tool wins
RMDB does this better
- Realtrac shops that outgrew the built-in scheduling
- Operations needing setup-dependent and alternate-routing logic
- Manufacturers wanting what-if scheduling capability
- Shops where scheduling is the immediate pain and ERP is fine
- Companies preferring one-time scheduling license over subscription
Realtrac does this better
- Small precision shops needing full ERP in one focused vendor
- Operations preferring small-vendor close support
- Shops that value Realtrac's specific shop floor data workflow
- Manufacturers with simple sequential routings (no complex setup logic)
- Companies wanting tight estimating-to-shop-floor workflow integration
Which one should you pick?
Choose RMDB if…
Realtrac shops where scheduling complexity exceeds what the built-in module handles. Also for small-to-mid manufacturers $5M–$50M needing finite-capacity scheduling depth.
Choose Realtrac if…
Small US machine shops 5–50 employees needing focused job-shop ERP with integrated shop floor data and accounting, where scheduling complexity is modest.
Switching from Realtrac to RMDB
A practical migration path that most manufacturers complete in days, not months.
- 1
Keep Realtrac for ERP
Realtrac continues handling estimating, work orders, costing, and shop floor data. Only scheduling moves to RMDB.
- 2
Establish Realtrac → RMDB data flow
Direct database integration pulls work orders, routings, and BOMs. Setup typically takes 2–3 days.
- 3
Configure RMDB scheduling logic
Define work centers, shifts, setup time rules, and constraints. Realtrac routing data feeds in.
- 4
Parallel run for 2 weeks
Validate RMDB output matches shop reality. Most planners trust the new schedule within 10 working days.
- 5
Transition fully
Move scheduling to RMDB. Realtrac scheduling module unused; some shops drop the scheduling tier at next renewal.
Frequently asked questions
Why not just upgrade Realtrac instead of adding RMDB?+
Because Realtrac scheduling architecture is not finite-capacity APS — upgrading versions does not change that. The capability gap (sequence-dependent setup, alternate routings, what-if branches) is structural. RMDB fills it without disturbing the rest of Realtrac.
Can RMDB work with the data Realtrac already has?+
Yes — Realtrac's work order, routing, and BOM data flows into RMDB via standard integration. No data reshape required for the scheduling-side data.
How does Realtrac compare to JobBOSS² or M1?+
All three are credible small-shop ERPs with similar scope. Realtrac tends to focus on machine shops specifically; JobBOSS² and M1 cover broader discrete manufacturing. The choice between them is usually about UI preference and existing vendor relationships rather than capability gaps.
What does the combined Realtrac + RMDB cost over 5 years?+
Realtrac: typically $15K–$30K/year for a 15-user shop = $75K–$150K. RMDB: ~$15K one-time + $1.5K/year support = ~$22K over 5 years. Combined ~$100K–$175K with substantially better scheduling capability than Realtrac alone.
Is Realtrac being actively developed?+
Yes, with ongoing maintenance and module updates. The product is mature and stable. As with any small-vendor ERP, verify roadmap and support commitments before a fresh deployment.
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