5 Ways Budget-Friendly Software Helps Small Shops Win More Business

Being able to quickly respond to customer demand, inquiries, and requirements is a surefire way to win more business. Here are five ways modern manufacturing ERP software helps you do it.

1. Quick quoting

In metal fabrication, the speed of turning over a quote can be a decisive factor in winning or losing a client. The quoting process in such scenarios can extend from hours to several weeks, depending on the complexity of the request. Industry standards for quoting times vary, but the longer these times are, the greater the potential disparity between the efficiency of different companies. An efficient manufacturing quoting system is therefore critical—it enables you to dispatch quotes quicker and potentially close deals before your competitors.

Manufacturing ERP software significantly improves the quoting process in manufacturing by integrating real-time data across various departments. This integration allows for immediate access to crucial information such as inventory levels, material costs, and production capacity, enabling faster and more accurate cost and lead time estimations, enabling you to secure new business in fast-paced market environments.

“We build very complicated assemblies with many subparts included in the bills of materials,” says CJ Prem, Director at Aston Precision. “MRPeasy is the best to get accurate pricing for them. It’s highly beneficial to us.”

2. Minimized stockouts

Preventing stockouts is crucial as they can lead to production delays, increased operational costs, and lost business opportunities. Stockouts disrupt the smooth flow of production, delay order fulfillment, and can damage customer relationships due to unmet delivery commitments. Maintaining adequate stock levels reinforces your ability to meet customer demands promptly and efficiently.

Software plays a vital role in preventing stockouts by providing precise inventory management and forecasting tools. It continuously monitors current stock levels and provides you with historical data that enables you to predict future material requirements accurately. By automating reorder point notifications and assisting in purchase order generation, ERP software ensures that materials are replenished just in time, minimizing the risk of overstocking and understocking.

“We don’t have to create purchase orders manually,” Prem details. “Whenever inventory levels drop below a certain point, we can generate a pre-filled PO ready to be sent out. That is amazing.”

3. End-to-end traceability

Traceability is becoming increasingly important in metal fabrication as clients demand greater transparency and accountability in manufacturing processes, be it for regulatory reasons or otherwise. Demonstrating that your company has robust systems in place to track and report on the movement and use of materials not only complies with regulatory standards but also reinforces trust. This makes clients more willing to do business, knowing that they can rely on your company to deliver products that are consistently up to standard and traceable throughout their production journey.

Manufacturing ERP software significantly boosts traceability in metal fabrication through functionalities like lot and serial number tracking, which assigns and monitors identifiers for all materials and products throughout the production process. It also tracks shop floor activities, providing real-time insights into material usage, work order progress, and personnel involvement, crucial for pinpointing issues and evaluating productivity. Additionally, these systems facilitate comprehensive report generation, essential for audits and compliance checks, thereby ensuring that every aspect of the production cycle is documented and traceable.

Jan-Marc Pickhan, Director of Operations at Allied Global Engineering, states: “Everything now has an automatic lot number created by MRPeasy. We are stamping them on the materials so they become traceable throughout the system. One of our customers even started using our lot numbers to trace their own operations.”

4. Increased efficiency

Increased efficiency, both administratively and on the production floor, is pivotal for fabricators aiming to win more business. Efficient operations allow for faster turnaround times, which is a crucial competitive advantage in meeting client deadlines and responding to market demands. Administrative process streamlining reduces overhead costs and minimizes errors, which directly impacts profitability and customer satisfaction. On the production side, the efficient use of resources and optimized workflows prevent delays and waste, ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget. Together, these efficiencies make a fabricator more reliable and attractive to potential clients, leading to increased business opportunities.

ERP software boosts efficiency in metal fabrication by integrating and automating core business processes. It optimizes production planning and inventory management, ensuring that resources are available when needed without overstocking, thus reducing holding costs and minimizing waste. Scheduling tools within these systems help allocate machinery and manpower effectively, avoiding bottlenecks and streamlining the flow of operations. Additionally, software automates many routine administrative tasks, freeing up staff to focus on more value-added activities. This comprehensive approach not only speeds up production cycles but also improves the overall accuracy and responsiveness of the business, enabling fabricators to handle more orders with greater precision and less effort.

Lee Brien, Director at Intake Engineering, says: “Now it’s all completely set up so I can manage the business even on my phone at home. I can look at the jobs, see where the material is, see what’s coming in, see progress on the shop floor, and so forth. It’s fantastic!”

5. Improved cost control

Cost control is a huge part of maintaining profitability and competitive pricing. In an industry where materials and operational costs can fluctuate significantly, having a detailed understanding and management of costs is essential. Effective cost control helps fabricators identify areas where expenses can be reduced without compromising quality. It also allows for more accurate pricing strategies, ensuring that fabricators can competitively price their services while safeguarding margins. This financial stability not only boosts the bottom line but also attracts more clients looking for reliable yet cost-effective manufacturing partners.

Manufacturing ERP software plays a pivotal role in improving cost control within metal fabrication businesses by providing detailed and real-time visibility into all cost-related aspects of the production process. It tracks the costs of labor, raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods, ensuring that budget overruns are quickly identified and addressed. By accurately forecasting demand, these systems help manage procurement efficiently, avoiding both excess stock and urgent, costly purchasing scenarios. Additionally, the software improves resource utilization by scheduling production runs that minimize downtime and optimize the use of machinery and labor. With comprehensive reporting features, this kind of software enables ongoing analysis and refinement of cost control measures, allowing fabricators to continuously improve their cost efficiency and operational decisions.

David Altemir, Founder of small-manufacturing-oriented consultancy Altemir Consulting, says: “Actual costing is particularly important for smaller companies that are ramping up production as they need to have a good understanding of their unit costs. Few people realize this, but actual costing gives a terrific advantage to many businesses.”

But isn’t ERP a million-dollar project?

ERP licenses and implementation costs might have reached hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars 20 years ago, but times have changed drastically. Modern cloud-based ERP systems like MRPeasy are built specifically for small and mid-sized manufacturers. There’s no need for heavy upfront investments in servers or IT infrastructure, no year-long implementation cycles, and no massive consulting fees. Most cloud ERP platforms operate on a straightforward monthly subscription, can be implemented in weeks or months rather than years, and are designed to be configured by your own team with guided onboarding support. For metal fabricators, this means predictable costs, low risk, and fast time to value—without disrupting day-to-day production.

The implementation of ERP software in metal fabrication is not merely about technological advancement; it’s a strategic improvement that addresses multiple facets of the business. From streamlining the quoting process to improving inventory management, providing end-to-end traceability, boosting efficiency, and enabling effective cost control, manufacturing ERP software gives metal fabricators the tools they need to push forward in a competitive market. 

Additionally, the positive impact on a company’s reputation as a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective partner is invaluable. By adopting an ERP system, metal fabricators can not only meet the current demands of the industry but also position themselves for future growth. This comprehensive approach to managing production and operations ensures that fabricators are equipped to deliver superior service and quality, winning more business and establishing lasting relationships in the industry.