Why Choose Costimator®
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Why Choose Costimator® for Manufacturing Cost Estimating and Quoting
Costimator® is manufacturing cost estimating and quoting software developed by MTI Systems, Inc. — built specifically for machine shops, sheet metal fabricators, job shops, and contract manufacturers. Unlike generic spreadsheet-based quoting, Costimator® provides a structured, repeatable estimating process backed by over 330 industry-validated cost models that reflect real-world shop conditions: speeds and feeds, machine-specific cycle times, tool change times, material costs, and overhead rates.
The result is faster quotes, more accurate pricing, and fewer bids lost to underpricing or overpricing.
Costimator® is used by nearly 2,000 manufacturers across North America, Europe, and Latin America. It works with or without a 3D CAD model and integrates with leading ERP systems including Epicor, JobBoss, E2, and ProfitKey.
Manufacturing Cost Estimating
Integrates with leading ERP systems
Manufacturers using Costimator® report the following improvements:
40+
Years
Experience
- 78% increase in estimating speed
- 89% improvement in costing accuracy
- 61% reduction in time spent on estimates
- 69% improvement in quoting accuracy
Results based on customer surveys across machine shops and sheet metal fabricators.
78%
increase in estimating speed
89%
improvement in costing accuracy
61%
reduction in time spent on estimates
69%
improvement in quoting accuracy
70+
improvement in costing accuracy
3x
increase in estimating speed
Minimal experience required- Eliminates costly data
- Maximizes data integrity
- Minimizes redundancy
- Works With CAD Model
- Integrates with ERP
Win More Bids
Key Benefits of Costimator®
Eliminates costly data entry time and errors
Costimator® contains hundreds of easy-to-use, time-tested, and industry-validated cost models that enable estimators to calculate cycle times and costs for a wide range of manufacturing processes. Because the logic is built into the cost models, estimators spend less time on manual calculations and data re-entry — and make fewer errors in the process.
Minimal experience required to produce accurate estimates
Costimator® encodes manufacturing knowledge — speeds, feeds, machine capabilities, material allowances — directly into its cost models. This means a less experienced estimator can produce accurate, consistent quotes using the same validated methodology as a seasoned shop expert. It also makes onboarding new estimators significantly faster.
Maximizes data integrity and minimizes redundancy
All estimate data is stored and managed within Costimator®, reducing the fragmented spreadsheets, duplicate entries, and version-control problems that plague manual estimating processes. Managers gain a consistent, auditable record of every estimate and quote.
Works with or without a CAD model
Costimator® supports feature-based estimating from 3D CAD models — including direct integration with 3D model files — as well as manual estimating from 2D drawings or part descriptions alone. This flexibility makes it practical for the full range of quoting scenarios a shop encounters day to day.
Integrates with your ERP system
Costimator® exports estimate data via XML into leading ERP and MRP platforms, eliminating the need to manually re-enter cost data after a job is won. Supported integrations include Epicor, JobBoss (ECI), E2 Shop System (Shoptech), and ProfitKey.
Professional Estimators
Who uses Costimator®?
Costimator® is designed for manufacturers that need to produce fast, accurate, and consistent cost estimates and quotes. It is used across three primary manufacturing environments:
- Job Shops, Machine Shops and Machining Operations
- Sheet metal fabricators
- Should-cost analysis and supplier quoting
Costimator® gives machine shops a faster, more consistent way to estimate the cost of machined parts. Estimators can calculate cycle times for turning, milling, drilling, grinding, and other machining operations using pre-built, validated cost models — reducing reliance on tribal knowledge and spreadsheet guesswork. Shops report quoting time cut by more than half after adopting Costimator®.
Sheet metal fabrication shops use Costimator® to quote parts quickly and consistently across a full range of fabrication processes — including laser cutting, punching, forming, welding, and finishing. With hundreds of fabrication-specific cost models, estimators can produce accurate quotes even for complex multi-operation parts without extensive manual calculation.
Procurement teams, OEMs, and contract manufacturers use Costimator® for should-cost estimating — calculating what a part or assembly should cost to manufacture before going to suppliers. This gives buyers an independent cost baseline to benchmark supplier quotes, identify overpricing, and negotiate from a position of knowledge rather than assumption.
These manufacturers learned the secret of cost estimating!
99% Client Satisfaction
2,528 positive reviews last year
Integration
Costimator® ERP and MRP Integration
Costimator® includes built-in import/export tools that allow manufacturers to transfer cost estimate data directly into their existing ERP or MRP system. Exports are delivered as structured XML files compatible with the following platforms:
Epicor ERP
export estimate data into Epicor jobs, quotes, and BOMs
JobBoss (ECI)
transfer cost estimates into JobBoss job management workflows
E2 Shop System (Shoptech)
connect Costimator® estimates to E2 shop floor management
ProfitKey ERP
flow quote data into ProfitKey production and job costing modulesThis integration eliminates duplicate data entry between the estimating and production environments,
reducing errors and saving time when a quote converts to a live job.
Discover for yourself how Costimator saves time and money.
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Estimate Machining Part's Cost Quickly
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about Costimator®
Get the answers to questions of how Costimator will help your company save time, money and win new bids.
What is Costimator® and what does it do?
Costimator® is manufacturing cost estimating and quoting software developed by MTI Systems, Inc. It enables machine shops and sheet metal fabricators to calculate accurate labor times, cycle times, and part costs using industry-validated cost models — with or without a CAD model.
What types of manufacturers use Costimator®?
Costimator® is used by machine shops, sheet metal fabricators, job shops, contract manufacturers, and OEM suppliers that need to estimate and quote the cost of machined parts, fabricated parts, and assemblies. It is also used by procurement teams for should-cost analysis.
Does Costimator® work without a CAD model? Yes.
Costimator® can generate cost estimates with or without a 3D CAD model. This makes it suitable for early-stage quoting, design-for-cost analysis, and shops that receive 2D drawings or part descriptions rather than CAD files.
What ERP systems does Costimator® integrate with?
Costimator® integrates with Epicor, JobBoss, E2 Shop System, and ProfitKey via XML export, allowing manufacturers to transfer estimate data into their ERP environment without manual re-entry.
How many cost models does Costimator® include?
Costimator® comes pre-loaded with over 330 industry-validated cycle time cost models covering machining, sheet metal fabrication, welding, laser cutting, and more. Estimators can also customize cost models to match their specific shop's equipment, processes, and overhead rates.
How much does Costimator® cost?
Pricing is available upon request. MTI Systems offers a free demo so manufacturers can evaluate the software before committing to a purchase. Request pricing here or contact MTI Systems directly at info@mtisystems.com or 413-733-1972.
Free Demo & Consultation
See how Costimator® can reduce your estimating time and improve quote accuracy.
Whether you run a machine shop, a sheet metal fabrication operation, or a procurement team that needs to benchmark supplier costs — Costimator® is built for your workflow. Request a free demo to see the software in action with your own part types and processes.
Location
1111 Elm Street, Suite 6, West Springfield, MA 01089 USA