Metalmite Corporation is continually seeking to use the latest technology. It is important to be on the cutting edge of technology and process improvement. While making a substantial investment in the CNC machine and Wire EDM capabilities, Metalmite Corporation struggled to manage its front office business with “off-the-shelf” software packages. These applications were used to write up jobs, track work flow, and invoice customers. Metalmite also had to archive documents, track quotes, and generate shipping documentation. In some cases, there were three to five different packages where information was stored. A few years ago the senior management Metalmite decided it was time to design, build and incorporate a ground-up software that would integrate all of these needs. After a few considerations, Software Designer and IT Consultant Matthew Cotterman was brought in to organize and complete the project. As major ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and SCM (Supply Chain Management) software platforms were examined, the team gleaned from what they liked and removed what seemed cumbersome and unproductive. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a term usually used in conjunction with ERP software or an ERP system which is intended to manage all the information and functions of a business or company from shared data stores. An ERP system typically has modular hardware and software units and “services” that communicate on a local area network.
As a CNC Machine Shop that knows that “time is money” the software for first and foremost to be fast and efficient. Matthew Cotterman worked feverishly for months to take out unnecessary steps and draw the databases together seamlessly. This resulted in a simple program that is accessed through a web browser on any PC in the shop that can search by any aspect of a job- customer, part number, material, buyers name, or even dates run or quantity ordered. When the matching jobs show on the screen one click allows the user to see all documentation involved with this job. These documents can then be printed, e-mailed, or simply reviewed at that moment. The new software also allowed us to streamline quoting and analyze profitability.
“The goal is to listen to the client,” said Matthew. “They know how to run their business. I have to understand how the client does business and mold the software around that. It must be quick and efficient. The software should do as many of the mundane as well as complicated tasks as possible. Above all, the system should reduce the amount of time and effort required to run the business. That way, the software pays for itself.”
Metalmite Office Manager Tina noted, “Our customer’s have been so impressed with our system that we often get calls asking us to look up old information or drawings and e-mail it to them, when we ask why they say it is because their system is too difficult to work with and take too long to respond!” As Metalmite works hard to stay current with high speed machining, Wire EDM technology, and 5 Axis Machining, they find it only logical that their software be just as cutting edge.