Published June 4, 2013 | 
Tips and tricks can help users estimate faster.
Costimator cost estimating software has numerous features that can enhance a user’s cost estimating speed. It also helps estimators produce more consistently accurate information for estimates, quotations, comparative costing and cost reduction analysis.
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Published May 21, 2013 | 
Many manufacturers know estimating from experience alone isn’t ideal… but… don’t fully understand the negative effects it can have on their bottom line.
Join us for a 20 minute webinar as we focus on the issues this type of estimating practice creates and how cost estimating software such as Costimator® can help overcome these problems.
June 4, 2013 | 1:00 pm (EST)
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Published May 2, 2013 | 
Are you a manufacturing engineer, a cost estimator, or a design engineer who needs to keep up with manufacturing information? Would knowing the latest technology, engineering tools, or state-of-the-art machines things that help make your company tick or should I ask? Your heart tick?
How does your team stay informed and up-to-date with our rapidly changing technology? How does your team keep in touch with new ways of estimating or costing your manufactured parts? Continue reading
Published April 25, 2013 | 
(WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA) – April 24, 2013 – MTI Systems, Inc., a worldwide provider of cost estimating software and should cost estimating services, announced today the release of Costimator® version 12.
For decades, this dynamic cost estimating software has provided manufacturers a better way to estimate and quote parts more competitively. Version 12 is packed with upgrades and features that further enhance the speed, accuracy and consistency for estimators; as well as a new layer of specialized and unique features for machining and fabrication. Continue reading
Published April 16, 2013 | 
Calculators are critical for any business. They are important tools for any manufacturers cost estimating team as these tools provide a means to deliver accurate information fast.
When sales teams, management, and customers get information in a timely manner they can all make decisions more quickly. By speeding up the entire process, this helps move RFQ’s (request for quotes), for example, from a quotation to an order – more quickly.
Published April 5, 2013 | 
The Eastern States Exposition, located in West Springfield, MA, is hosting another show for manufacturers to visit and learn more about manufacturing, cost estimating, tooling, and other engineering related things.
The Eastec 2013 event is running from May 14-16, 2013. Find out new technologies, explore new manufacturing options, and meet new people, prospects, customers, vendors, or even find a new job.
Published March 27, 2013 | 
Are you an award winning manufacturer “according to” IndustryWeek magazine?
Could you be recognized for your company’s success with customer satisfaction, employee empowerment, motivating achievement, breakthroughs in operating performance or many other worthwhile accomplishments?
If you are a supplier, does your cost estimating team have a strong customer focus and customer involvement, with efforts to reduce lead-times? Continue reading
Published March 21, 2013 | 
Information about how manufacturing in the U.S. is coming back (reshoring) to America continues to pound the media airwaves at an increasing rate.
Every day, enlightening news appears in press releases, blogs, Facebook posts, tweets, and through other marketing events and news communication channels. More people, both in private and commercial sectors are trying to help build and “reshore” manufacturing in America.
Published March 14, 2013 | 
A unique approach, in Costimator®, provides cost estimators a way to identify time and cost-saving opportunities using estimating software.
No other cost estimating or quoting software on the market today enables their users an easy approach to setup, compare and analyze costs for parts and products they manufacture or procure.
After the estimating and costing estimates have been created and before the quoting process is complete, the estimator, production staff, members of the sales or management team and the customer want to know if the part can be made differently – for less money. Continue reading
Published March 8, 2013 | 
When estimating and quoting, effective communication matters. It can be the difference between winning and losing orders for cost estimators. Effective communication is also important in any situation where actions are anticipated.
Everyone communicates differently to some degree, above and beyond when faced with language barriers. Verbally, there can be different inflections for tones, and then there are attitudes and feelings that can be muddled-up in the mix.
A significant contributor to misaligned communications is “expectations.” These beliefs can further complicate meanings in the communication process. Continue reading
Published February 25, 2013 | 
Check out this article, as appeared in the February issues of Manufacturing News.
AAR Precision Systems, shares their thoughts about how they can save time with the improved import functionality now offered in Costimator.
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“Improved Data Import Functionality For Cost Estimating Software”
Import functionality for Costimator is now improved. Continue reading
Published February 13, 2013 | 
Below you will see 6 signs… but are there more?
You are invited to jot down (in the comment section below) other factors that you (our customer) came upon before you changed to using Costimator. On the other hand, if you are not our customer then please jot down your specific issues if you are searching for a new cost estimating solution.
A change, even a minor change, can significantly affect the results an estimator may get from their cost estimating method.
Published February 1, 2013 | 
REPORTS KEEP POURING IN: “MANUFACTURING is doing better for January 2013 than expected.”
The Institute for Supply Management for example said its January index of manufacturing rose to 53.1 from 50.7 in December. Analysts had expected a reading of 50.7. –In the article “Jobs report pushes Dow above 14,000.”
Are you getting the estimating and manufacturing news you want in your inbox?
For those of you who monitor the web using “Google Alerts” and have a listing set for “manufacturing news” you could be reeling in reports like Continue reading
Published January 24, 2013 | 
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COSTIMATOR v12 WEBINAR
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MTI Systems is pleased to announce the upcoming VERSION 12 release of its flagship cost estimating software – Costimator®.
While Costimator version 12 is still in its testing phase, we offer this webinar to show new design features, operating attributes, and performance enhancing characteristics. These features have been added to help users consistently achieve more — in less time — without compromising accuracy! Continue reading
Published January 18, 2013 | 
Who (or what) can “fill in” when estimators are out?
It’s not uncommon that manufacturers have employees who wear many hats. Every business needs a backup procedure or recovery policy to fill in for other employees, but what about for their cost estimators?
Then, with manufacturers are suffering enough with employee shortages seasonal things like “the mighty flu” has to rear its ugly head. This impacts manufacturing in areas such as sales, production, profits and more.
Published January 10, 2013 | 
Core job skills, for cost estimators, begins by knowing a fair bit of math and having the ability to be well-organized, analyze data quickly and to communicate effectively verbally and on paper. However, to be competitive, they need to know and understand manufacturing trade secrets and other engineering-based information.
It’s typical that to acquire this specific knowledge it takes years of experience and on-the-job manufacturing-based involvement.
Cost estimating software can help Continue reading
Published December 28, 2012 | 
Have you checked out the “Bureau of Labor Statistics” website offered by the United States Department of Labor?
This is a great resource offering information about employment. It covers topics such as inflation, worker injuries, unemployment, productivity, benefits, strikes, and more. It shares information about what particular occupations do, their work environment, what to do to become or get into a certain occupation, and even similar occupations. Continue reading
Published December 17, 2012 | 
Why aren’t cost estimators always told the results of their estimates and the success or failure on the quotes they deliver?
- How can the estimator be confident?
- How can the results improve?
- How can the company be more successful?
Through the years, our cost estimating team and software trainers have had hundreds of discussions with customers and prospects. Occasionally, they cite things like, “My computer that I use for estimating is purposely disconnected from the company network. I have no idea the results of my estimates. I don’t know if my results were too high, on target, or too low. For the orders, we get, I don’t know whether we made a profit or lost money on the jobs!” Continue reading
Published December 7, 2012 | 
IMPORTANT NOTICE to suppliers who are estimating manufactured parts for the federal government.
If you’re next bid or manufactured part quote you’re estimating is slated for the federal government, (for example, the United States Air Force) be sure to read the article: “Cost Estimating – Stepping Up the Game“.
This blog article is written by, Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, Certified Public Accountants and Consultants, and it talks about new effects or repercussions of under estimating now faced by suppliers. They describe, Continue reading
Published November 28, 2012 | 
When estimators don’t have the luxury of using cost estimating software they tend to rely on guess estimating and assumptions typically received from their manufacturing staff. When their production staff is trying to get orders out faster, better, and with higher quality… as they should… problems arise.
MTI Systems has been helping manufacturers since 1982, and we know how estimators “visit, email, or phone” their manufacturing staff for “quick” manufacturing process questions. We know this because that’s what we hear from prospective clients. Continue reading