Tips, articles, and insights for the metal and steel fabrication industries
There is no time to waste in this fast-paced marketplace. Manual tasks and spreadsheets decentralize data, making it harder to respond quickly to customer demands or optimize inventory and production activities. A modern enterprise resource planning (ERP) system will streamline operations, automate common daily tasks and calculations and drive profits for steel service centers and …
Continue reading “Automation Drives Profits For Steel Service Centers and Metal Manufacturers”
Read MoreThe internet can be a valuable tool for businesses in the steel and metals industry. An online presence makes it easier for customers to find you. On the other hand, it also makes it easier for customers to find your competitors. Steel service centers and metal manufacturers need to work as fast as the internet …
Continue reading “Is eCommerce Impacting Steel and Metals for Better or Worse?”
Read MoreBusinesses of all types and sizes are experiencing an exponential growth of data. In the steel and metals industry, vast amounts of information are challenging business systems. Steel service centers and metal manufacturers already capture volumes of data ranging from metal variations to production processes to customer specifications. Companies able to master their data will …
Continue reading “How Steel Service Centers and Metal Manufacturers Are Using Data”
Read MoreWhat does ERP mean? The concept of enterprise resource planning, or ERP, involves the understanding that business operations are intertwined. Understanding the relationships between core business processes, and capitalizing on them, is a strategy. As technology advanced, ERP systems were introduced as a technology solution to help businesses take that ERP strategy and execute it …
Continue reading “What Does ERP Mean?”
Read MoreAdvances in technology have transformed the way we manage our businesses and interact with customers. The fast-paced marketplace and new digital tools have put pressure on businesses to work faster, deliver quality products and services, and respond faster to changing customer needs. The steel and metals industry has also felt the effects, but many steel …
Continue reading “Game-changing Technology for Steel Service Centers and Metal Manufacturers”
Read MoreWhat Is Enterprise Resource Planning? Business leaders in every business sector, in companies of all sizes and types, and around the world have likely heard of or discussed the concept of enterprise resource planning (ERP). But, what exactly is enterprise resource planning? The idea of connecting business operations, resources and technology isn’t an entirely new …
Continue reading “What is Enterprise Resource Planning?”
Read MoreThe sales quoting process is the most important, yet most challenging procedure, for steel service centers, metal fabricators and building manufacturers. Profit or loss begins with sales quoting and every aspect of operations, from purchasing through production, is impacted by that estimate. Getting it right the first time is critical for building profits in the …
Read MoreMetal distributors and fabricators have busy warehouses and distribution centers already stuffed full of inventory. Maintaining certain types and volumes of inventory is necessary for certain customers, but how much is too much? Businesses can quickly lose money on overstocking the warehouse or find themselves stuck with obsolete materials. Take a strategic approach toward inventory …
Continue reading “Metal Distributors and Fabricators Need Inventory, How Much is too Much?”
Read MorePreparing estimates and quotes in the steel and metals industry is a challenging task in and of itself. What happens after you secure the contract? Are you able to ensure your project follows the budget and time milestones established in the quote? Coordinate job costing and manage project budgets, from start to finish, with a …
Continue reading “Coordinating Job Costing and Project Budgets in the Steel and Metals Industry”
Read MoreCustomers in the steel and metals industry have high expectations for quality products at reasonable prices. This particular marketplace is also highly competitive and customers are often quick to turn to the competition if you can’t be as responsive as the next steel service center or fabricator. Don’t waste time during the quoting process or …
Continue reading “Know What Customers Want With RealSTEEL”
Read MoreSteel and metals service centers, fabricators and others in the industry struggle with challenging operations—from estimating projects to forecasting inventory needs to completing customer projects on time and in budget. Managing all the moving parts of a complex business with disparate specialty software only adds to the struggle. Too many systems lead to too many …
Continue reading “Too Many Systems, Too Many Problems”
Read MoreStrong inventory control is essential for any business, but especially for those in the steel and metals industry. Many customers have unique project specifications, which makes it difficult to have the right inventory, in the right quantity, at the right time. Gain control and insight over inventory needs and protect your bottom line by deploying …
Continue reading “Inventory Management That Contributes to Your Bottom Line”
Read MoreSteel service centers, metal fabricators, coil slitters, pipe and tube processors and others in the steel and metals industry have to prepare complicated estimates for customer projects. There is a lot of information to consider for an estimate including material and labor costs, overhead, and outside processing needs. Not only do you need to prepare …
Continue reading “Improve Job Costing, Control Projects and Profits”
Read MoreSales representatives and project managers within the steel and metals industry likely know their customers very well. In this business sector, customers often have very precise specifications and needs. Knowing customer needs is important; however, are your customers as profitable to your business as you think? At the surface, fulfilling customer orders shows that business …
Continue reading “How Well Do You Know Your Customers?”
Read MoreWhile accounting processes and financial management operations are seemingly different activities, they are also related. Many businesses, including those in the steel and metals industry, use accounting information to evaluate the fiscal health of their enterprise. Most often by moving information from accounting software into spreadsheets for analysis. Though these processes are different, you don’t …
Continue reading “Businesses Don’t Need Separate Software to Manage Accounting and Finances”
Read More
866.965.2688