Cost estimating software, in a nutshell, helps your machine shop send out estimates or quotes that are consistent and have the right profit margin for your shop. Being able to do this with software makes your life, and the life of your estimator, much easier. Using cost estimating software in an ERP system can help…
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We’re going to continue to see the impact from COVID-19 for a long time. Your shop has probably already had to make changes, and you may have to make more. As long as you’re making changes in your shop, it may be time to think through some improvements you’ve been considering. These improvements can be…
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As we welcome 2020, we also take one last look back at 2019. Below are our top 10 blog posts from last year. It looks like many people wanted to make their shops more efficient, figure out scheduling, and improve their shop overall. Then again, who wouldn’t? Let’s get started with the tenth most popular…
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The best part of having an ERP system is how much it improves your shop. How it makes your shop better depends on what you need it to do and how you use it. For example, you may need an ERP system that tells you exactly where your jobs are so you can meet tight…
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We’ve all heard that technology can make our lives better, but it can be hard to know, specifically, what technology to use. There are plenty of examples of technology that can be used in a job shop. Some things, however, work better than others. Below are five examples of technology that can do wonders for…
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When you don’t have too many jobs, it’s easy to keep an eye on the quality of your products, but when you start getting more jobs, it becomes more difficult. You need to make sure that everything that leaves your shop meets your standards, but without some sort of quality tracking software, this can be…
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If you’ve been using the same ERP system for several years, it might be time for an upgrade. When you bought your system, it was probably on the cutting edge of shop management systems, but technology changes quickly. If you’ve had the same ERP system for several years without updating it, you have a legacy…
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Which is easier, following driving directions with each turn marked, or knowing that you need to head west, generally? As anyone who’s used a GPS knows, you’ll get where you’re going much faster with detailed instructions. The same holds true for implementing an ERP system. However, for implementation, your road map is actually a list…
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You’re probably familiar with the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Goldilocks tries the bears’ oatmeal, chairs, and beds throughout her tour of their house. She’s looking for the one that’s not too big or too little, but is just right. Looking for an ERP system is kind of like that. Some systems are…
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It’s hard to run a shop when you’ve got too much work and you need to keep everything on time. It’s also hard to run a shop when you don’t have enough work and you need to figure out how to get more. In each instance, ERP software can be what makes the difference for…
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You need an ERP solution to manage your shop, drive efficiency, and boost your bottom line. Making the decision to implement manufacturing ERP software is only the first step in the process, however. After you decide you need ERP, the next big question is whether to implement an in-house solution or utilize a web-based ERP…
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Considering new ERP software for your machine shop? Only a few years ago, the search for new ERP software would have been focused on which provider was right for you. Today, there’s an additional question you’ll need to address first: Do you want software installed on-site or cloud ERP? The ERP software has changed dramatically…
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If you’ve recently decided to explore software options for your machine shop, that could be a wise decision. The difference between a successful shop and a shop that’s just barely making it is that the successful shop has a process that maximizes efficiency and eliminates waste. Software is often the engine that drives that process….
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Your ERP software can make all the difference between delivering on-time and being profitable versus missing customer deadlines and losing money. And it’s not just enough to have ERP software. You also need the right software for your shop, and you need to utilize it to its fullest capabilities. The good news is you…
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It’s almost over. In just under three months, another year will be in the books. How has your shop fared this year? Have you met – or even exceeded – your goals? Or has it been more of the same? Have you barely met customer quality and deadline demands? Have you struggled to move product…
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There’s no doubt that job shop software can improve your shop’s efficiency, productivity, and overall profitability. However, just having the right software isn’t enough. You also need to make sure your team members are using it properly. Even the best software won’t produce results if your workers aren’t implementing it to its fullest capabilities. Most…
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Do you dread the idea of implementing new job shop software? Have you purchased software that’s subsequently gone unused because you don’t know how to manage the transition? You’re not alone. For many job shops, the challenge isn’t in finding the right software; it’s in implementing the new software. Most job shop owners see the…
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It’s that time of year again. No, I’m not talking about the holiday season. Rather, it’s the time of year when business owners all over the country are making end-of-year decisions to anticipate and plan for next year. Part of that “taking stock” of your business includes what kind of investments for the future you…
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Of all the reasons I hear from job shop owners on why they’re not using a manufacturing software package, the most common one is that they think it will cost too much. Especially for the small job shop – which, by the way, represents the vast majority of the job shop market and the bulk…
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Ever since we started writing Job Shoptalk, we’ve been working hard to share information about contract manufacturing and the make-to-order manufacturing industry. We can all learn from each other, and this forum is a great way for us to address some of the issues and topics that percolate with our market. We may not have…
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We were at a machine shop trade show recently and I had a very direct question come from one of the conference attendees. After sizing up our booth he leaned in and asked, “So who’s got the best shop management software here at the show?” What job shop software providers wouldn’t jump at the chance…
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We were at a machine shop trade show recently and I had a very direct question come from one of the conference attendees. After sizing up our booth he leaned in and asked, “So who’s got the best shop management software here at the show?” What job shop software providers wouldn’t jump at the chance…
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E2’s quality module and ISO quality certification for job shops got some props recently in a Modern Machine Shop article about K & E Plastics, a second-generation machine shop in Vermont. ISO 9001:2008 certification is built into the E2 job shop software solution, offering shop owners a cost-saving alternative or supplement to an ISO-certification consultant. Read more here about ISO 9001:2008…
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You’ve been appointed to the software selection committee for your job shop –or you’re a committee of one – and you want to know where to start. Buying an ERP platform for your small- to mid-size job shop is a monumental step. Maybe you’re replacing an existing implementation, or starting anew. Either way, be…
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As technology becomes more prominent in our personal and professional lives, our reliance on technical support also continues to increase. In the business world, with all the similarities existing between the many enterprise resource planning (ERP) software packages available, it is often the support aspect that makes the difference in which program a company chooses…
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