How can I build a reliable 12-month cash flow forecast for a small manufacturer?

[WilliamGM]

I'm the owner of a small manufacturing business, and while we're profitable on paper, I'm constantly stressed about short-term liquidity. My current cash flow forecasting method is basically an Excel spreadsheet I update manually, and it feels reactive and often inaccurate. For other small business owners or financial managers, what tools or methodologies have you implemented to create a reliable 12-month rolling forecast? How do you account for variable factors like client payment delays or seasonal inventory purchases, and what key metrics do you track weekly to stay ahead of potential shortfalls? I'm also curious about how you integrate this forecast with your actual banking and accounting software.