If your manufacturing software runs on VB6, VBA, Microsoft Access, or an older version of the .NET Framework, you’ll eventually have to decide what to move it to. For most of these systems, the answer is modern .NET.
A quick note on the name: when this post was first written, the platform was called .NET Core. Starting with .NET 5, Microsoft dropped “Core” from the name, so today it’s simply .NET. It is the same platform, and it has kept improving.
Here is why we recommend it for manufacturing software.
1. It runs almost anywhere
Modern .NET runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS, on local servers or in the cloud. You can use it to build web applications, desktop tools, background services, and APIs that connect your systems.
For manufacturers, that flexibility matters. A system can run on a server in your plant today and move to the cloud later without being rewritten. Web-based tools built on .NET also work on the tablets and computers your team already uses on the floor.
2. It’s fast
Performance has been a major focus of every .NET release. Features like just-in-time compilation, ahead-of-time compilation, better memory management, and efficient handling of parallel work all help applications run quickly under heavy loads.
That speed shows up in real results. In one project, moving a manufacturer’s VBA logic to .NET made it up to 900% faster.
3. It has a predictable support schedule
Microsoft releases a new version of .NET every year, and every other release is a long-term support (LTS) version that receives fixes and security updates for three years. That schedule makes it easy to plan upgrades in advance instead of being caught off guard, which is a big change from older platforms like VB6 that simply stopped being supported.
4. Security is built in and kept current
.NET includes strong security features out of the box and receives regular security patches. Running on a supported platform also helps when customers, auditors, or insurers ask how your software is maintained.
5. It connects to the rest of your operation
Manufacturing software rarely stands alone. .NET connects well to SQL Server and other databases, ERP systems through their APIs, label printers, barcode scanners, and other shop floor equipment. That makes it a natural fit for tools that need to sit between the floor and the front office.
6. It’s a natural path off legacy platforms
Many legacy manufacturing systems were built with Microsoft tools, so .NET is often the most direct path forward. The skills, tools, and patterns carry over, and developers who know .NET are far easier to hire than those who know VB6 or VBA.
Is .NET right for your system?
Modern .NET is a strong default for manufacturing software, but the right choice always depends on what your system does and how it connects to everything else. A quick review of your current system can show whether .NET is the right target and what a move would involve.
Learn more about our approach to legacy system modernization.
