Choosing the Right Workflow Software for Additive Manufacturing: A Deep Dive into Market Leaders and Alternatives

When it comes to additive manufacturing, workflow software is the backbone that keeps projects moving smoothly. Big names like Siemens, Materialise, and 3YOURMIND dominate the conversation - but are they always the right fit?

The truth is: different teams need different solutions. From aerospace compliance to SME scalability, the “best” software depends on your use case. That’s why it’s worth comparing these market leaders with alternatives like Authentise Flows, which offers a flexible, automation-first approach.

Why Compare Workflow Software?

• Additive manufacturing workflows are complex (files, scheduling, traceability, compliance).

• No two platforms solve them the same way.

• A comparison helps highlight what each vendor does best - and where they fall short.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Authentise	Materialise CoAM	Siemens Opcentre AM	3YOURMIND	AMFG
Automation	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Digital Thread	✅	✅	✅	⚠️	✅
Order Tracking	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Integrations	✅	✅	⚠️	✅	✅
Regulatory Support - Defence/ITAR	✅	❌	✅	⚠️	✅
Regulatory Support - Medical	✅	✅	❌	❌	❌
Powder Genealogy Management	✅	❌	✅	❌	❌
Operator Specific App	✅	❌	✅	❌	❌
Digital Parts Warehouse	✅	❌	❌	✅	⚠️
Quoting	✅	✅	❌	✅	✅

(✅ Strong, ⚠️ Partial, ❌ Limited/None)

Authentise

Strengths:

• ✅ Full automation across workflows.

• ✅ End-to-end digital thread and traceability.

• ✅ Strong compliance for Defence/ITAR and Medical.

• ✅ Advanced features like Powder Genealogy Management, Operator-Specific Apps, and Digital Parts Warehouse.

• ✅ Transparent quoting and order tracking.

Limitations:

• Less known brand compared to Siemens or Materialise, may require education for stakeholders.

Best for:

• Aerospace, defence, and medical manufacturers.

• Teams that need compliance + automation + materials tracking in one platform.

• SMEs and enterprises scaling with flexibility.

Materialise CoAM

Strengths:

• ✅ Established brand with strong automation and digital thread capabilities.

• ✅ Solid order tracking and quoting features.

• ✅ Regulatory support for medical (leveraging their healthcare heritage).

Limitations:

• ❌ No Defence/ITAR compliance support.

• ❌ Missing advanced features like powder genealogy, operator apps, and digital warehouse.

• Best for medical use, but not broad compliance-heavy industries.

Best for:

• Medical device manufacturers.

• Companies already in the Materialise ecosystem needing AM management with order tracking.

Siemens Opcentre AM

Strengths:

• ✅ Comprehensive enterprise-grade solution with automation, digital thread, and order tracking.

• ✅ Strong Defence/ITAR compliance.

• ✅ Includes Powder Genealogy Management and Operator-Specific App support.

Limitations:

• ❌ No Medical regulatory support.

• ⚠️ Integrations can be more rigid (best with Siemens ecosystem).

• Complex and heavyweight compared to leaner platforms.

Best for:

• Large enterprises, OEMs, or government contractors.

• Defence and aerospace use cases where ITAR compliance is essential.

3YOURMIND

Strengths:

• ✅ Solid automation, digital thread, and order tracking.

• ✅ Good for quoting and marketplace-style management.

• ✅ Includes Digital Parts Warehouse (stronger than some competitors).

Limitations:

• ⚠️ Partial Defence/ITAR compliance.

• ❌ No medical support, no powder genealogy, no operator apps.

• More service bureau / marketplace-oriented than manufacturing-focused.

Best for:

• Service bureaus and distributed networks.

• Teams prioritising quoting and part catalogues over deep compliance.

AMFG

Strengths:

• ✅ Strong automation, digital thread, order tracking, and quoting.

• ✅ Defence/ITAR support.

• Good integration flexibility compared to Siemens.

Limitations:

• ❌ No medical support.

• ❌ No powder genealogy, operator apps, or full digital parts warehouse (⚠️ partial).

• More limited depth in compliance and advanced materials management.

Best for:

• Manufacturers that want a broad AM workflow tool.

• Companies needing quoting + order management, but not advanced compliance.

Why Manufacturers Switch to Authentise

When companies move to Authentise, they’re not just buying more features - they’re solving business-critical challenges:

• ✅ Pass audits faster with built-in defence & medical compliance.

• ✅ Reduce waste and costs through full powder genealogy tracking.

• ✅ Standardise workflows with operator-specific apps (no more errors).

• ✅ Unlock growth with a scalable digital parts warehouse.

• ✅ Keep customers happy with transparent quoting and real-time order tracking.

That’s why Authentise isn’t just another option - it’s the future-proof choice for additive manufacturing workflows.

Conclusion

Choosing workflow software isn’t about picking the biggest brand - it’s about choosing the right fit for your team.

If you’re looking for:

• Flexible automation

• Proven compliance tools

• Scalable, user-friendly workflows

👉 Authentise Flows is built for you.

Book a Demo Today