Best Machine Shop Quoting Software
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PRODUCTS
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BUYER'S GUIDE
Buyer's Guide
By Christina George, Technical Content Writer at SelectHub
Running a machine shop is a tough job. But choosing the right machine shop quoting software doesn’t have to be like threading a needle while riding a roller coaster. The right quoting software for your manufacturing operations will give you the tools to shorten sales cycles and select the right jobs.
Sounds like something only the Force could accomplish? In this article, we’ll explain the ins and outs of machine shop quoting software and why it could be the magic potion you need to eliminate pesky no-quotes and backlogs.
Executive Summary
- Quoting the right price for RFPs is imperative to keep your business profitable. Machine shop quoting software helps estimate costs and ensure jobs are within your wheelhouse.
- It allows you to improve operations by streamlining sales cycles, automating procedures and reducing overhead costs.
- Machine shop software is a niche subset of CPQ software, so choosing a solution specific to your needs and industry is vital.
What Is Machine Shop Quoting Software?
Machine shop quoting software is a tool that helps manufacturers generate quotes and estimates using costs and historical data. It offers CAD viewers, a centralized database and workflow management to streamline sales cycles and determine the profitability of projects.
Imagine prepping for a meal you’ve been craving, but halfway through, you discover your oven is out of gas or you spot a rare ingredient you can’t afford. Not ideal. Similarly, machine shop quoting software ensures you have all the information you need before sending an RFP out to avoid snags in the process.
Primary Benefits
Implementing new software can sometimes be a no-brainer. For more niche solutions, it may be more complex. Read on for some benefits that may tip the scales in favor of machine quoting software.
Minimized No-quotes
Controversial opinion, but sometimes no-quotes can be handy. However, you don’t want them to occur when the job is feasible just because the machinery is a bit older or the modification of parts is complex. Instead, a machine shop quoting solution will automate pricing, issue manufacturability warnings and quote a variety of complexities.
Reduced Overhead Costs
Cutting costs is the name, and quoting software is the game. Use design for manufacturing and CNC tools to manage client specifications, adapt costly designs and reduce costs.
Shorter Sales Cycles
Generating quotes can be tricky business. Manually searching databases and tallying up configurations is time-consuming and prone to errors. A centralized database for past quotes and workflow management for approvals drastically reduces response times.
Automated Procedures
Labor is a precious resource in short supply. Humans working with machines to automate procedures makes for an ideal partnership. Automate tasks ranging from data collection to upselling and inventory updates for smoother sailing.
Better Communication
Context switching can cost you. Responding to back-and-forth emails on price and discount approvals makes it easy for things to fall through the cracks. Workflow management, discount limits, in-app collaboration tools and automated alerts streamline communication.
Key Features & Functionality
Cost Estimators | Estimating tools are a big part of machine shop quoting software magic. Input data to get a full strategy along with runtime, programming, machine cost and surface finish estimation. |
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Digital Quote Creation | Manual quote creation can take an eternity. Automate quotes from online requests and estimates, quote a variety of complexities for CNC parts and upload files throughout the quote process. Demonstrate price options effectively and send quotes in various formats, including web links and PDFs. View quote status updates with certain software. |
CAD Viewer | Upload and analyze 2D and 3D CAD files to pinpoint manufacturability errors and identify where to use special tools. |
Secure Document Database | Browsing through numerous spreadsheets and scrounging for hard copies of past quotes saps time and energy. A centralized, secure database keeps your trade secrets safe and provides information when needed. |
Workflow Management | Turnaround times for RFPs and quotes depend heavily on approval workflows. Set up discount rules, alerts for deadlines and user permissions to streamline processes. View project traceability in real time. |
Reporting and Analysis | Analysis is key to determining what products, quotes and modifications work for your company. Recreate “what if” scenarios for accurate pricing using a sales price analyzer |
Third-party Integration | Integrate with MES, ERP and CRM software to eliminate double-entry and optimize back-office productivity. |
Cost & Pricing Considerations
Purchasing machine shop quoting software is expensive enough without springing for costly features that may or may not add value to your company.
The main factor of price is size. Companies with multiple manufacturing processes and locations may benefit from purchasing a license with admin user and API access. Smaller shops may find a subscription-based pricing model more convenient.
The Most Popular Machine Shop Quoting Software
Picking the right solution for your organization can feel like browsing through Netflix with no idea of what you want to watch. We’ve compiled a list of the most popular machine shop quoting software to give you a little nudge in the right direction.
Note: These are the most popular machine shop management solutions with quoting capabilities, not explicitly the most popular machine shop quoting software overall.
JobBOSS
JobBoss is an on-site or privately-hosted solution to monitor and manage jobs. Users can generate quotes, take data from part history, convert proposals to new orders and draft recurring estimates. Quoting involves verifying parts, materials and purchase history inventories.
MIE Trak Pro
MIE Trak Pro has extensive quoting features for an ERP solution with a broad scope of uses. Develop quotes, RFQs and proposals, and determine win/loss ratios by customer or time frame. Monitor sales order conversions, personalized formulas, quota history, multiple quotes per item and advanced raw material estimation.
Pro Shop
Pro Shop is a cloud and on-premise job shop and management ERP software. Create quotes and proposals using non-recurring engineering (NRE) fees or by dividing NRE costs into the unit price. View current comments from estimates for continuity in quotes. Convert quotes into PDFs and estimates into orders.
Questions To Ask
New software can grind production to a screeching halt. Before you deal with the inevitable opportunity cost, it’s important to ask yourself the right questions.
- What are our business requirements?
- What’s our budget?
- What features are crucial, and which can we skip?
- How will the software add value to our existing operations?
- Will this software meet our future manufacturing needs?
- Does this software integrate with our current ERP, MES and CRM systems?
- Are shops with our specialty incorporating machine shop quoting software?
- Have our competitors implemented any quoting solutions? How has it helped them?
If a stitch in time saves nine, the number you’ll save by getting clarity from the vendor is exponential. Before signing on the dotted line, here are a few questions to ask:
- Do you offer migration or implementation support?
- What solutions integrate with the platform?
- Are there any hidden costs or add-ons?
- What kind of training and support do you offer?
- Are there industry-specific templates?
- How advanced are the BOM and cost estimating?
- Is it ITAR/NIST compliant?
Next Steps
While it’s theoretically possible to complete a marathon with flip-flops and without fueling, experts don’t recommend it. Choosing the right runners and electrolytes can make all the difference. In the same way, machine shop quoting software can add enormous value to your shop floor.
The tricky part can be figuring out the perfect solution for your company. Luckily, we have a free requirements template to help you get started. Armed with the features you need, the selection process becomes that much easier.
Products found for Machine Shop Quoting Software
Jobber
Jobber is a cloud-based solution for field service professionals to manage operations and resources, offer customer support and expand business through features like real-time scheduling and dispatching, invoice creation and billing, quoting and expense tracking, integrated CRM, customizable automated workflows and more. Automated quotation helps close deals faster by delivering quick, accurate and professional quotes to clients via text, with a follow-up option. Users can personalize proposals by adding brand-centric product visualizations to customizable templates. Streamline quotation processes by leveraging one-click conversion, batch invoicing and on-site assessment offerings. Supporting small- to mid-sized businesses in over 50 service industries, it ensures seamless and efficient operations in a fast-moving industry, minimizing costs and maximizing resource utilization.
PandaDoc
PandaDoc is an automated solution for easy documentation that offers insights, easy workflows and a fast, seamless buying experience. It allows teams to get more deals, create documents and be more predictable. Automated legal binding of eSignatures and its API ensures security, convenience and easy operations. Users can replicate the approval process by sending, creating and tracking documents such as proposals, quotes, contracts, forms and more. Integrations are available with Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, Zoho, Copper and more.
FPX
FPX is a cloud-based solution to configure quotations for manufacturing equipment. It offers a purpose-built selling engine, domain expertise, collaborative selling and quoting, rapid deployment, and fast ROI. Users can minimize sales cycles, create accurate orders and quotations, and increase operational efficiency. It extends a selling cloud, product selector, configuration and pricing, project management, and business intelligence. It caters to both fluid handling equipment and mechanical equipment.
Pros
PROS is an integrated solution that offers intelligence for commerce. It provides robust product catalogs, performance quote management, sales insights, market segmentation and customer-specific price optimization. Product and service configurations, streamlined agreements, omnichannel price management and real-time price delivery are some of its notable offerings. Users can engage with customers and sell personalized offerings using AI-powered technology. It provides a dedicated mix of CRM, eCommerce and an API for operational improvement.
Conga
Conga is a cloud-based contract management, document generation and revenue management solution. Its Configure Price Quote (CPQ) module powers e-commerce by providing accurate pricing quotes with up-to-date product information. Business teams can create custom commercial documents and share them with others for online collaboration. It helps shorten contract lifecycles through automation of contract authoring, approvals and collaboration workflows.Salesforce teams can issue contract requests for approval, e-signature and subsequent housing in its document repository. In addition to streamlining processes from initial order placing to provisioning and delivery, it helps automate billing and invoice management for products, subscriptions and services.
Zuora
Zuora is a cloud-based solution specifically made for companies that provide a subscription service or product to help them manage their finances. It serves customers in sectors such as media, communication, healthcare and B2C.It enables users to automate processes with the unique needs of subscription-centered operations in mind. Due to its support of a range of currencies and a variety of payment methods, it can be used by international companies. It also tracks KPIs such as Total Contracted Billing and Total Contracted Value and provides users with visualizations of important insights to further business development.
FastSpring
FastSpring is a SaaS deployed, full-service ecommerce platform that helps businesses sell digitally. It offers integrations, risk management, financial compliance services and more through a unified dashboard. It extends an easy-to-install and globally accessible payment gateway and assists in subscription management, billing, tax and VAT collection. It accepts over 20 currencies and supports more than 15 languages.Users can increase efficiency, eliminate complexity and risks, and increase revenue by an estimated 40%. Additionally, it supports selling SaaS-enabled technologies through automated billing and dunning management. Its branded checkout experience helps reduce the cart abandonment rate.
Salesforce CPQ
Salesforce CPQ is a cloud-based platform designed to give the most accurate price quote with any product configuration scenario. It simplifies the complex process of navigating price quotes through options and availability. Empower service providers and administrators with complete visibility into customer payment plans and easy, accessible setup.
Qwilr
Qwilr is a proposal solution that offers easy document processing with automation, esignatures and integrations with technologies like Salesforce, Hubspot, Slack and Xero. It visually represents documents, making it easy to create and design proposals, quotes, client updates and more. It provides an extensive image and video library, pre-built design templates, custom subdomains and brand-specific fonts and colors. It simplifies communications and ensures easy operation through automated engagement tracking and payments. Editable quotes and an interactive dashboard provide a flexible customer experience.
QuoteWerks
QuoteWerks is a web-based platform that streamlines quotes and proposal generation for companies of all sizes and industries. To enhance efficiency, it integrates with many CRM, accounting, shipping, vendor, distributor, payment gateway and leasing platforms. It offers real-time pricing, warehouse availability, product descriptions and images, electronic order submissions and more.
Better Proposals
Better Proposals is an integrated platform that streamlines and speeds up professional proposal creation. Simplified templates, combined with digital multi-party signatures and a secure paywall, help procure business quicker. Its other aspects include real-time follow-up, project management, web automation and more. Users can personalize and recycle proposals, and select custom domains by adding the company content, logo or fonts to deliver a consistent client experience. Designed particularly for small and medium enterprises, it’s well-suited for a wide range of industries.
Quoter
Quoter, a cloud-based system, helps close deals faster by automating the processes of creating professional proposals. It ensures seamless workflows through integrations with CRMs, PSAs, billing methods, email marketing and more. An easy-to-use interface allows businesses to regulate templates according to variables and reuse them, minimizing time and increasing quotation volume.Designed for technology service providers of all sizes, it ensures flexibility. All pricing plans accommodate unlimited users, with an onboarding fee.
ResponsiBid
Responsibid is an AI-based tool that helps organize quotation processes by providing instant, precise quotes. Designed to generate quotes via in-person interaction, mobile devices and websites, it allows users to eliminate bottlenecks and develop leads on the go.It syncs with Google Calendar and automates sales through online purchasing and follow-up options. Video and CRM integrations help users create personalized proposals to close more deals. Workers can track closing rates, average ticket price, lead sources and more. It offers customizations for business-specific optimization.
Vendavo
Vendavo is a cloud-based platform that assists B2B enterprises by steering them towards an ecommerce-driven approach to optimizing prices and profits. AI-enabled processes help deliver product configurations, real-time business insights, increased win rates and more. It ensures an enhanced customer experience by applying intelligent pricing guidance as per global parameters. It offers a profit analyzer, margin bridge analyzer, deal price guidance and business risk alerts.Users can implement 2D and 3D visualizations to create extensive proposals compatible with business needs. It’s suitable for businesses with complex operations, and multiple offerings and pricing strategies.
Camos
Camos is a customizable solution for streamlining sales processes by providing relevant and accurate data. It acts as a buffer between an organization and its clients by configuring offerings as per requirements. Users can seamlessly integrate with existing work infrastructures to allow bi-directional data exchange for a consistent workflow across all their technologies. It provides quick quote generations and accurate price calculations, and delivers a digitalized distribution process right from development to lifecycle forecast.
Zilliant
Zilliant is a cloud-based platform that streamlines pricing and sales processes for B2B companies. It helps manage inventory, deals, campaigns and more, empowering businesses to get strategic leads. Real-time market pricing extracts data from varied sources to deliver optimized prices as per industry standards.Integration via native connectors ensures shorter implementation time and more coordinated workflows. With unlimited virtual scalability, it’s suitable for manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers looking to automate delivery of diverse offerings with complex pricing structures.
Experlogix
Experlogix is an integrated solution for product configuration and automating the quote-to-order fulfillment process. Users can streamline operations and simplify order processes by implementing approval workflows and creating pricing rules.It allows users to complete complex configurations and visualize modifications without programming. Implementation can be on-premises or cloud-based. It integrates with ERP and CRM platforms, including Microsoft Dynamics, Salesforce and NetSuite.
SAP CPQ
SAP CPQ is a cloud-based solution designed to streamline quote fulfillment and eliminate pricing errors. Users can configure products by using step-by-step selection and defining product rules. It enables customers to view product modifications and place orders.Sales representatives can generate and update quotes using any internet-accessible device. Ideal for omnichannel selling, the AI-powered tech automates and generates upsell and cross-sell options. It integrates with various CRM and ERP systems and is available in multiple languages and currencies.
Cincom
Cincom is a cloud-based platform that provides flexible sales automation and price configuration, embedded in Microsoft Dynamics 365. It allows businesses to adapt to market changes through continuous updates. Real-time pricing and quoting options help create instant proposals, eliminating pricing errors.An easy-to-implement and user-friendly interface enables smooth onboarding for new sales reps. Native integration with Dynamics CRM empowers businesses to create branded, error-free documents for a consistent customer buying experience. Front-end and back-end customizations are available.
Verenia
Verenia is a cloud-based module native to NetSuite that helps businesses increase sales by creating quick and accurate quotes. Designed to cater to manufacturing's specific needs, it enables users to configure complex products by providing a well-rounded, 3D view. It offers real-time updates on industry trends with the latest information to ensure guided selling and ordering.Users can opt for built-in or external CRM and ecommerce integrations, tweak the customizable interface to fit organization requirements and leverage the built-in forecasting and follow-up inclusions to drive sales.
Configure One
Configure One is a web-based price quoting software designed to simplify and speed up the sales configuring process. It uses visualization and CAD functions to display prospective product configurations to customers. Users can integrate data with CRM and ERP systems. It also features a comprehensive data overview and rules-based programming for management.
SignTracker
SignTracker is a well-known software product that ranks 157 among all Project Management Software according to our research analysts. Starting from $49, SignTracker is priced fairly and commonly offers a free trial.
Tacton
Tacton is an automated solution that boosts and accelerates sales with quick quote generation, extensive brand-centric proposals and streamlined operational tasks. It configures offerings for sales reps and customers according to specific requirements, reducing sales cycles and ensuring high win rates. Design automation minimizes errors and reduces time spent on repetitive modeling when generating documents, drawings and 3D CAD models. Users can leverage integrations with CRMs and ERPs for smoother workflows.
Oracle CPQ
Oracle CPQ is a cloud-based platform that provides optimizations for creating, customizing and finalizing purchase orders for medium to large-scale businesses. It empowers teams to generate comprehensive proposals, contracts and custom-branded documents. Its built-in intelligence offers automated, intuitive and real-time configurations that enable sales teams to determine customer needs and close deals faster.It offers guided pathways that accommodate dynamic industry trends to deliver the optimal product mix. Users can access it from any device for real-time interaction with customers. It also includes language flexibility, end-to-end integration, e-signature and more.
Pricefx
Pricefx is a cloud-optimized solution that provides necessary inclusions for creating an optimal pricing strategy. It offers a 360-degree view of pricing plans, segmented price lists, quick calculations, simulation checks and more. AI-powered sales insights deliver actionable intelligence as per industry and company standards, reducing sales cycles and increasing quote win rates.Integrations with legacy connectors and the ability to pull data in any format ensure consolidated, comprehensive data visibility and processes. Users can access advanced analytics via classified dashboards and an easy-to-use interface.
Infor CPQ
Infor CPQ is a cloud-based software that aims to enhance the customer quote experience through visuals. The visuals are incorporated in every step of the process, from interest generation to quote capturing. During the configuration process, sales employees can refer to a generated product image based on selected options.
Powertrak
Powertrak is a cloud-based software designed to streamline quote configuring. It maximizes efficiency by tailoring the program specific to a company. It offers advanced visualization and virtual reality imaging to better aid customers’ understanding of products. Users can create mockups and demonstrate prospective products throughout the quote process.
Involve.me
Involve.me is a well-known application that ranks 61 among all Customer Experience Software according to our research analysts and 55 crowd-sourced reviews from 1 source. Starting from $19, Involve.me is priced lower than average, has offered a free trial in the past and is most applicable for businesses large and small. Involve.me can be deployed in the cloud.
Conga CPQ
Conga CPQ is a cloud-based platform designed to increase sales by leveraging AI and acting as a guided sales coach. Users can insert their data and customize the sales processes from several models to create a unique quoting and purchasing experience.
Apparound
Apparound is a popular platform that ranks 31 among all CPQ Software according to our research analysts and 11 crowd-sourced reviews from 1 source. Apparound is most fitting for companies large and small. Apparound can be deployed online and on-premise and is accessible from a limited number of platforms including Windows and Linux devices.
servicePath
ServicePath is a platform designed to simplify complex price quotes with automated workflows. Centralized tools ensure accurate, fast quotes and monitor client contracts and renewals. Easy-to-use setup screens and audit logs keep management in the hands of system administrators.
Excel-to-Word Document Automation
Excel-to-Word Document Automation is a well-known solution that ranks 33 among all CPQ Software according to our research analysts and 32 crowd-sourced reviews from 1 source. Starting from $9.95, Excel-to-Word Document Automation is priced at a low cost and is most advisable for any business. Excel-to-Word Document Automation can be deployed online and on-premise and is accessible from a handful of platforms including Windows devices.
IBM Sterling CPQ
IBM Sterling is a web-based software used for generating price quotes and operating order management. It offers AI-powered data trends to optimize configuring and product processes. Users can access a centralized pricing system to automate changes and control the quote-to-order process with additional visibility. It integrates with ERP systems for added flexibility and multi-channel model usage.
Stockito
Stockito is a unique software product that ranks 299 among all CMS Software according to our research analysts and 2 crowd-sourced reviews from 1 source. Starting from $9, Stockito is priced fairly, has offered a free trial in the past and is most fitting for companies on the small or medium side.
Smart Part Number Quoter
Smart Part Number Quoter is a well-known application that ranks 37 among all CPQ Software according to our research analysts and 1 crowd-sourced review from 1 source. Smart Part Number Quoter is most suitable for any company. Smart Part Number Quoter can be deployed in the cloud.
eRep CPQ
ERep CPQ is a well-known solution that ranks 40 among all CPQ Software according to our research analysts and 12 crowd-sourced reviews from 2 sources. Starting from $75, eRep CPQ is priced more competitively and is most fitting for any business. ERep CPQ can be deployed online and on-premise and is accessible from a few platforms including Windows and Linux devices.
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