When evaluating options for occupational noise assessment, organisations typically choose between manual noise surveys, spreadsheet calculations, generic noise software, and purpose-built occupational noise mapping tools like SoundPLANmanda. Here is a factual comparison to help you make the right decision.
Manual noise surveys (using a sound level meter to take point measurements) provide data about noise at specific locations at the time of measurement. They cannot predict what happens if a new machine is added, if production is reorganised, or if a noise barrier is installed. SoundPLANmanda creates a permanent 3D model of the facility that can be updated, re-run, and used for scenario planning — indefinitely.
Spreadsheet-based noise calculations are limited to simple ISO 9613-2 point source calculations without spatial context. They cannot show where noise propagates across a facility, and errors in complex multi-source scenarios are difficult to catch.
General environmental noise software (designed for road and industrial community noise) can be adapted for occupational noise work, but lacks the specific workflows — worker exposure calculation, hearing protection zone mapping, LEX,8h documentation — that occupational health teams need.
Many organisations initially consider subscription-based noise assessment tools because of a lower upfront cost. Over a 3–5 year period, however, SoundPLANmanda's perpetual license model delivers a significantly lower total cost of ownership. A SoundPLANmanda perpetual license from €1,100 — with optional annual maintenance — compares favourably against cloud or subscription tools that charge annual fees of €500–2,000+ per user per year. For organisations running SoundPLANmanda for 3+ years, the cumulative cost of ownership is materially lower. Request a pricing comparison for your specific use case.
Some organisations ask whether they need SoundPLANmanda or whether SoundPLANnoise can cover their occupational noise work. The answer depends on the type of assessment: if your primary need is community industrial noise (the impact of a factory on neighbours), use SoundPLANnoise with the ISO 9613-2 module. If your primary need is workplace occupational noise (worker exposure within the facility), use SoundPLANmanda. For organisations with both needs, both products integrate — the same facility geometry and source data can inform both an occupational and a community noise assessment.