Issue 9 - Summer 2011 Newsletter

Software estimating newsletter – Costimator – Summer 2011

Cost Estimating for manufacturing, quite frequently confused with or interchanged with quoting, is one problem that plagues most manufacturing shops around the globe.

Why don't managers, owners and users take more action to identify solutions to these challenges and protect themselves against untimely, over and under quoting because of inadequate estimating.

Frankly, most users don't think they have an estimating problem or they think that their approach is just fine and are immune to the problems experienced within other manufacturing companies.

This paper debunks the top 5 myths surrounding cost estimating, offering suggestions and opportunities that could quite possibly save or greatly improve your business from unprofitable jobs and your customers no longer requesting your service.

Download 5 Cost Estimating Myths - Busted!

Customer Spotlight - Landoll Corporation

Kansas Manufacturer, Landoll Corporation, Boosts Productivity & Profits

In 2007, engineers at the Landoll Corporation (Marysville, Kansas) began researching options for replacing their existing cost estimating software. They needed a flexible system that would produce accurate job quotes and process plans for a wide variety of machining, fabricating and assembly jobs.

View the rest of the article

Estimating and Quoting Article...

6 Tips to Prevent you from Reverting to Money-Losing Estimating Practices...

I was an estimator under duress, needing to quote parts or assemblies in a short amount of time or with limited information. I was often plagued with afterthought, "Did I miss something?"

- Gene Barsaleau, Dir. of Engineering

Read the rest of this article at The Fabricator.com.

Costimator Tips

Advanced Search Helps Estimators Find Parts & Quotes
Arrange Icons on Tool Bar - More Speed & Reduce Training Time
Choose Either Customer or Supplier for Part Information Window
Control Where Export reports are Stored Electronically
Custom Fields - Sort & Search Estimated Parts or Quotes
Export Reports to Excel
Replace Standard Report Label
Show Changed By User
Using Plant Specific: Better Organization, Speed, Reduce Errors

View more Costimator Tips

MTI Systems Blog

Top 10 Sheet Metal Safety Tips for Manufacturing that Affect Costs!
5 Tips for Better Follow Ups for Manufacturers
Get the Most from your Quoting Software
Have the Manufacturing Social Butterflies left their Cocoon?
Cost Estimating Software Blog
Cost Estimating Standards Handbook

View our latest Costimator Cost Estimating Software Blog

A note from one of our trainers

As an MTI Systems training applications engineer, I have the good fortune of visiting some fantastic places and companies in North America. In January 2011, I had a great opportunity to train engineers in China on how to use Costimator.

I was nervous and anxious to experience the china culture for the first time, and to train an Asian company who is part of one of the world's fastest growing manufacturing markets.
Aaron Martin, Applications Engineer

Read more about his Training Experience in China