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Moulder software

4/3/15       
Jozbow Member

I was wondering if there was any dedicated moulder software out there to help the start up of my new company. It would be nice to quote moulding/millwork with the profile on the quote. I have looked into weinig Order It! software but doesn't seem fully developed yet. Please looking for you moulding experts to give some advise. Thanks

4/4/15       #2: Moulder software ...
David Waldmann  Member

Website: vermonthardwoods.com

We use a spreadsheet to do our first time quotes, and send the drawings as a separate 8-1/2 x 11 sheet. However, if desired, a GIF/JPG could be inserted in the Excel sheet for reference.

Once an item has been ordered all data is entered in our ERP system, including the ability to reference the full size page and/or a smaller image (we use GIFs for B&W). The small image can be included by line item on all paperwork (Acknowledgements, Packing Slips, Invoices, even Work Orders).

Evo Erp

4/27/15       #3: Moulder software ...
James Member

I found this on Wood Web several years ago and have been using it ever since. You'll need to update it to today's standards, but that is very simple since it is customizable.

They also sell a newer updated version for $195 on their website, but I have not purchased it, the free version has suited me just fine so far.

moulding calculator

4/27/15       #4: Moulder software ...
James Member

For some reason it didn't include the original Wood Web link in my last post.

http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Moulding_Calculator_Spreadsheet_Pro
gram.html

4/27/15       #5: Moulder software ...
David Waldmann  Member

Website: vermonthardwoods.com

Pretty interesting spreadsheet. We have a similar one. Though not quite as fancy it's a lot more flexible and allows for much more customization and also quotes multiple price breaks depending on customer "level".

BTW, we don't include knife cost in the price per foot. Also, the knife cost depends on the depth of cut. We quote out the knife cost as a "First order setup charge" and explain to the customer that it includes the design of the profile, template & knives, programming the machine the first time, and allocating a space in our library for the knives/templates/sample. We also guarantee to the customer that we will always have the knives available - if they get worn out from sharpening we replace them. Even though we only cover the actual cost of purchasing the knives, I figure that by the time they've bought a few hundred thousand feet of moulding I can spring a couple hundred dollars for a new set of knives.

However, neither pricing solution deals with the biggest problem I face with pricing, and that is - how to handle percentage price increases versus specific price increases.

Our challenge is that we have two basic types of product that are distinct only because one is made in bulk and sold by the foot and one is made to order. Our make-to-stock items are in a catalog and customers expect to buy them at the published price until further notice, as they have every reason to. We can't feasibly change the price every time our cost on Cherry or Walnut goes up or down a hundred dollars.

The prices on these make-to-stock items (of which there are hundreds) are generally updated annually on a percentage basis because it's not very feasible to update every price individually.

Adding to the confusion is that we have lots of repeat orders for the make-to-order products - a customer may order the same thing once a month, or once every 5 years. So, we also tend to make any adjustments on a percentage basis, as we have literally thousands of these items.

Now we come to the problem. Customer wants new item that is almost the same as something we make already. Let's say it's even exactly the same size, labor and waste factors - it just has a different rabbet. The first time we made the original item was 10 years ago. You know where I'm going with this, right? Price it out fresh and I GUARANTEE the new price will NOT be the same as the old item. It may be cheaper or it may be more expensive depending on how accurate your general percentages were.

Now, in the above example there's not too much issue. They just said "give me X but with adjustment Y". So you do the new price, look at the old one and decide what to do.

But what if they just say "I want Y" and you don't remember that you made X before and it's really exactly the same thing. So you give them the new price and they say "How come Y is so much cheaper/more expensive than X?!!".

So, anyone have any great insights?


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