How outdated ERP holds back machine manufacturers

Machining Companies Face a Dilemma

Customers demand faster delivery, more complex orders, and lower costs—yet outdated ERP systems or Excel sheets limit operational efficiency. According to a 2025 ING report, 68% of metalworking companies say they’re unable to boost productivity due to a lack of digital integration.

Let’s break down the three biggest pain points—and how MetalSpheeres solves them.

1. Wasted Time Due to Fragmented Systems

Many companies use disconnected tools for quoting, production planning, and invoicing. The result:

• Duplicate data entry (e.g., order details entered in both Excel and ERP)

• Delays in accessing critical information like machine availability or lead times

• Errors from manual transfers, such as outdated material costs in quotes

Example: A rush order for 500 precision parts requires instant insight into machine capacity and stock. With outdated systems, this can take hours. With MetalSpheeres, it’s visible in one dashboard.

2. Lack of Flexibility for Complex Orders

The machining industry is all about customization—from single-piece runs to batch production, often with changing specifications. Traditional ERP systems tend to be rigid, resulting in:

• No support for partial deliveries or last-minute changes to work orders

• Poor or expensive integration with CAM/CAD software, forcing manual data transfers

• No real-time post-calculation insights, putting profit margins at risk

MetalSpheeres solves this with:

• Seamless integration between CAD files, production orders, planning, and shopfloor control

• Flexible order management, including partial deliveries and priority handling of rush jobs

• AI-powered calculations that instantly process material, machine, and labor costs

3. High Costs from Operational Inefficiencies

One in three metalworking companies say their ERP system doesn’t support their business goals. This translates into:

• Productivity loss (averaging 11 hours per employee per month on messy admin)

• High inventory costs due to lack of real-time visibility

• Quality risks from inconsistent documentation (e.g., outdated tool lists)

With MetalSpheeres:

• Double your quoting speed with automated cost calculations

• Reduce inventory costs through real-time material tracking

• Meet customer demands faster with built-in quality control features

✅ Stay Ahead of the Competition

The machining industry demands agility. While others are stuck in Excel hell or burdened by expensive, inflexible ERP systems, MetalSpheeres gives you the edge with a cloud-based, AI-powered platform—designed specifically for machining companies that want to do more than just keep up.

Ready to optimize your operations?