It’s time for an update. Things are moving fast, and you need software that can keep up. But if you jump the gun, you could end up replacing one inefficient solution with another.
So, if you operate a metals service center and are planning a major software update, you need to ask yourself the right questions:
1. How Comprehensive is the Inventory Management Solution?
Proper inventory management is crucial for running any steel or metal fabrication company.
The software should be able to keep track of every incoming material and outgoing product while accounting for factors such as:
- Material type
- Quantity
- Dimension
- Cost
- Condition
That way, there’s no need to waste valuable time and resources on inventory checks. You will know exactly where you stand before any major project or order. It’s a single source of information you can consult to check on everything from inventory to warehousing and fulfillment.
2. Will it Increase Profits?
Software like enterprise resource planning (ERP) provides an all-encompassing view of the company. If properly utilized, it will make your operations more efficient and should improve your bottom line.
So, consider your current operations. Are disconnected programs preventing you from seeing the bigger picture? Will the insights provided by an update improve efficiency and, as a result, boost profitability?
3. How Easy is it to Implement?
Big upgrades can be resource heavy. If you have multiple software solutions—metals nesting software, metal fabrication software, flat rolled software—and are incorporating them into a single solution, it will be a huge undertaking.
So, whatever option you choose, make sure you know how long it will take and how demanding it will be on your staff and resources. You’ll learn exactly what’s required of you and can prepare accordingly.
4. Will it Make Us More Efficient?
Major software upgrades are all about efficiency. You want the latest and greatest solutions. You want to be bigger and better. But more importantly, you want to do everything cheaper and more efficiently.
So, compare the upgraded solution to your current setup and consider how much more efficient it will make you. If the difference isn’t all that impressive, it might not be the upgrade that you need right now.
5. Will it Benefit Our Clients?
You have to consider your bottom line in every decision that you make. You should also think about your employees and how much easier/better an upgrade will be for them. Most importantly, you need to consider your clients—if they aren’t happy, no one gets paid.
Think about how each implementation benefits your clients.
Inventory management, for instance, can automate the order process, get materials where they need to go and expedite the production and shipping process. Incorporating customer relationship management (CRM) software will improve the customer experience, and as a result, it could build stronger relationships and encourage greater loyalty.
Even if it costs more and demands more resources, all of that effort will be worthwhile if your customers spend more and stay loyal.
6. How Will it Be Managed?
Your employees will probably need to be trained to use the new software. If it’s a fully integrated solution, it should be easier and more intuitive, but they still need to be shown the ropes.
7. Will Ongoing Support Be Provided?
Will you have anyone to talk to if anything goes wrong? Aftersales care is imperative in major IT upgrades. If the system drops, your business will stall, so before you commit, ask who will help and to what extent.
8. Does it Incorporate All Essential Software?
What kind of software does your company use on a daily basis, and is all of this incorporated into your new solution?
At RealSTEEL, for instance, we provide custom solutions that incorporate various programs required by the steel and metals industry, including;
- Multi-line processing software
- Plate processor software
- Flat rolled software
- Metal fabrication software
- Metals nesting software
It’s a comprehensive metal and steel optimization software suite designed to meet the demands of modern metal fabricators. However, the same level of customization may not be available elsewhere, and incorporating other programs could be troublesome.
9. Does it Speed Up the Quote-to-Order Process?
The sooner you can complete a customer order, the happier they will be. There’s a lot to consider in this process, though, including the customer’s exact specifications, the cost of resources, and the production time.
You need a business software package that can speed up this process without affecting the quality of the end product. Speed isn’t everything, but if you get the other stuff right, it’s the thing that the customer will remember the most.
10. How Much Will it Cost Us Overall?
A good business software package will pay for itself in the long run, and if you have considered all of the above and are still confident about moving forward, it’s probably worth its weight in gold.
But you don’t have infinite capital. You have other costs to consider and demands to meet, and there may be cheaper solutions available.
Ask for the full price and look for ways to reduce those costs if they are too expensive, such as removing elements or services that you don’t need.
11. Is it Easy to Scale?
If you’re considering a major business software upgrade, there’s a good chance you’re trying to accommodate growth. But if you keep growing, you could find yourself in the same position several years down the line.
Look for scalable business software, one that will grow with you and ensure all new upgrades and implementations are processed smoothly and without any loss of service or unnecessary costs.
Summary: Updating Your Steel Service Center Software
For more information, check out our eBook for steel service centers and metal fabricators considering new business software. You can also get in touch with us and put your questions to us directly, learning more about the solutions we provide for companies involved with plate processing, coil processing, metal framing, metal fabrication, sheeting and leveling, and more.
