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AUGUST 2025 I SMT007 MAGAZINE 53 satisfaction gap and power the next wave of innovation. The primary goal of this research was to explore soft- ware adoption and satisfac- tion trends across the electron- ics manufacturing sector. The Global Electronics Association is seeking to provide actionable insights into the factors driving long-term usage and satisfaction, while identifying opportunities for improvement to better align these tools with industry needs. Key Takeaways The full EMS Software Survey report explores detailed usage patterns, satisfaction scores, and implementation challenges across various system types. From ERP and MES to CRM and quoting tools, the data reveals where the industry is investing, 62.5 80 28.6 20 39.5 0 0 0 10 4.7 0 0 57.1 20 25.6 37.5 20 14.3 50 30.2 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Under 1 1-3 3-5 5-10 Over 10 ERP Selection Factors, by Years of Software Ownership Abi lity to Handle Compl ex Su pply Chains Abi lity to Handle Regulatory Compliance How Supports Lean Manufacturing Principl es Other (Specify) E R P S e l e ct i o n Fa cto r s , by Ye a r s of S of t wa re Ow n e r s h i p F i g u re 3 : E R P s e l e ct i o n fa cto rs by ow n e rs h i p a g e : P r i o r i t i e s s h i f t w i t h syste m a g e. N ewe r b u ye rs e m p h a s i ze Le a n m a n u fa ct u r i n g a n d v i s i b i l i t y, w h i l e o l d e r syste m s ref l e ct m o re va r i e d n e e d s a n d h i g h e r i n c i d e n c e of " O t h e r " fa cto rs , w h i c h a re d et a i l e d i n t h e f u l l re p o r t . ▼ where it's holding on to legacy systems, and what drives suc- cessful deployments. We present some major take- aways from the analysis, offering a snapshot of industry sentiment and questions to explore. No One-size-fits-all Priorities differ widely across soft- ware types. For example, quot- ing tools are valued for flexibil- ity and partner responsiveness, while ERP decisions often hinge on supply chain complexity and Lean manufacturing support. Legacy Systems Abound More than half of respondents reported using ERP and QMS software over 10 years old, dem- onstrating the industry's depen- dence on deeply embedded, long-standing platforms. Modernization Is Uneven While some software types— such as CRM and quoting tools— show higher rates of recent adoption, core operational sys- tems like MES and PLM lag behind in refresh cycles. "Built-in reporting tools are challenging to use. Performance issues and bugs with each new version are an issue." —Survey respondent Homegrown Systems Remain Widespread and Polarizing Many EMS firms still rely on inter- nally developed tools, either as legacy holdovers or deliberate alternatives to off-the-shelf soft- ware. These systems are often praised for their specificity but criticized for limitations in scal- ability, integration, and support.