Micro Estimating Systems, Inc | Empowering Manufacturers to Make Informed Decisions | Joseph Rose

The company has been a trusted partner in the manufacturing industry for over 40 years, since 1982. Micro Estimating’s longevity in the market is a testament to its expertise and reliability. The company’s dedication to providing precise, user-friendly, and efficient software solutions has set it apart and will continue to drive its innovation and customer satisfaction. Micro Estimating’s experience and deep understanding of the industry allow them to anticipate and address the clients’ evolving needs. “We are not just a software provider; we are a partner in our customers’ success, consistently delivering tools that enhance their productivity and profitability,” says Joseph Rose, CEO of Micro Estimating. “By staying true to our core values and continuously evolving our technology, Micro Estimating is poised to remain a leader in the manufacturing software industry, helping our clients achieve their goals for many more years to come.”

A Pioneering Solution

One of the standout features of Micro Estimating’s software is the use of Activity-Based Costing (ABC) through guided questions. This approach ensures precise estimates even from something as basic as a paper drawing. The software gathers the necessary information to produce detailed and accurate cost estimates by asking targeted questions. This method allows users to achieve high accuracy with minimal input, ensuring that quotes are based on actual costs rather than rough guesses.

Micro Estimating’s cost-based system also ensures that users will never end up underwater on a job. The software calculates actual production costs, allowing users to set appropriate margins and make informed pricing decisions. This level of precision helps manufacturers maintain profitability and competitiveness in the market. Micro Estimating’s software is designed to be flexible, catering to different levels of user input. Users who want a rapid quote based on previous experience can input minimal details and still receive a reasonably accurate estimate. However, the software offers precise forecasts for those who wish to delve deeper and provide more information. This flexibility ensures that the software can be as straightforward or as detailed as the user needs, making it an invaluable tool for both quick estimates and thorough project planning.

“I often describe the effort-to-accuracy relationship in our software as logarithmic. A minimal amount of work yields reasonable accuracy, while a bit more effort results in significantly higher accuracy,” explains Joseph. “This efficiency allows users to choose the level of detail that best suits their needs without compromising on the quality of their estimates.” By integrating these advanced features and maintaining a focus on user-friendly design, Micro Estimating Systems empowers manufacturers, machinists, and fabricators to plan, estimate, and quote projects with unprecedented accuracy and efficiency

Clients can ensure consistency and professionalism by utilizing Micro Estimating’s range of customizable quote templates. These templates are designed to reflect each client’s brand identity and standards, providing a uniform presentation. By allowing customization, clients can tailor the templates to meet specific project requirements, enhancing clarity and communication with their customers while maintaining a professional appearance.

The company’s Bill of Materials (BOM) and Assembly Modules provide detailed and structured management of complex jobs. The BOM allows for accurate tracking of all components, materials, and processes involved in production. At the same time, the Assembly module facilitates the organization and coordination of intricate assemblies, ensuring that every part is accounted for and efficiently managed. This comprehensive approach reduces errors, streamlines production, and improves overall project management.

Serving A Niche Market

Micro Estimating specializes in providing precise and efficient estimating software designed for CNC machining, including CNC Milling, CNC Turning, and multi-axis CNC machines. Their expertise lies in delivering accurate cycle times and cost estimates using Activity-based Costing methods. This precision helps manufacturers reduce waste, improve bid accuracy, and increase their chances of winning jobs, ultimately leading to higher profitability and operational efficiency.

“To expand on this, Micro lets you give as much or a little detail as you want. For example, if you just want a “back of napkin” estimate, you can enter in the rough details of the part and Micro will fill in the rest with best practice assumptions,” describes Joseph. “But if you want to really get down into the details, you can enter your cutter prices and work out your estimated tool lifespan per part so you can determine what you spend will be on your consumables. It’s having these sorts of options (not requirements) that provide manufacturers with the level of accuracy they need for each potential job.”

Precision and user-friendliness in estimating are crucial for CNC machining processes because they directly impact a manufacturer’s ability to win bids and maintain profitability. Precise estimates ensure that manufacturers can offer competitive quotes without underestimating costs, which could lead to losses. A user-friendly interface streamlines the workflow, making it easier for users to generate accurate quotes quickly, even if they are not experts in estimating, thus enhancing productivity and efficiency.

Another critical aspect is “not leaving money on the table.” If an estimate shows that a part can be produced for $50, but the going rate is $150, the shop can strategically decide to capture more of that value. Knowing the target price can also guide the shop’s approach: if the required price is above the estimate, they can either choose not to quote (to avoid losses) or provide a detailed quote explaining why their price is higher. This transparency highlights potential underestimations by competitors or quality issues that arise from lower bids, helping the customer make an informed decision.

In this fast-paced world, the faster the turnaround quote, the higher the likelihood of even being considered. Quick and accurate quoting is essential for staying competitive. It’s also a necessity for a company’s financial health, ensuring the business remains profitable and can provide its owners and employees with the benefits they deserve.

The company’s advanced algorithms also utilize Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR) and Activity-based Costing methods to analyze part geometries and identify manufacturing features rapidly. This automation significantly speeds up the estimating process by reducing the need for manual input and minimizing errors. Additionally, their software provides guided manual input, reducing errors and allowing users to assemble quotes based on drawings quickly. By streamlining the workflow and ensuring accuracy at every step, the algorithms enable manufacturers to produce reliable estimates in a fraction of the time it would take using traditional methods

“For shops with consistent clients where there’s a high likelihood of winning the job, Micro Estimating provides the tools needed to accurately determine costs,” interprets Joseph. “Users can quickly enter job details, and our software performs the necessary calculations to produce a reliable cost estimate. This enables rapid quote turnaround or allows more time to identify potential hidden complexities in the part.”

For new RFQs from unknown companies, where the strategy might be to issue quotes quickly to maximize chances, the software helps by delivering fast, accurate estimates. This ensures the quoted price is realistic, saving valuable time. By getting quotes out in under 24 hours, shops increase their chances of being considered for the job, thus playing the volume game. This tool ensures that quick quotes are still precise, allowing the owner to focus on high-value opportunities.

Becoming A Leader

Micro Estimating stays ahead of the competition through attention to detail, process automation, and a deep understanding of the manufacturing industry. Their software’s unique ability to use shop-specific data—such as machine parameters and operational efficiencies—ensures that every quote is highly accurate. Unlike other solutions, the company’s software delves into the minutiae of production costs, providing precise Activity-Based Costs (ABC) for any job.

The company has integrated advanced process automation, including automatic feature recognition, to streamline quoting and estimating. This technology reduces the time and effort required for users, allowing them to generate accurate quotes quickly and efficiently. Despite the complexity behind these calculations, their software remains user-friendly, making life easier for the customers without sacrificing accuracy.

Micro Estimating’s extensive experience in manufacturing informs every aspect of its software design. They understand the challenges machinists and fabricators face because we have been in their shoes. “This insight drives our commitment to creating tools that enhance productivity and accuracy while simplifying workflows. By focusing on these core principles—attention to detail, process automation, and industry expertise—we provide unmatched value to our clients, helping them achieve their goals and outperform competitors,” elucidates Joseph. “Our solutions help manufacturers operate at a top level, ensuring they can deliver precise quotes without compromising on efficiency or accuracy.”

One notable case study depicting Micro Estimating’s expertise involves a mid-sized manufacturing firm struggling with lengthy quoting processes. After implementing Micro Estimating’s software, they reduced their quoting time from several days to a couple of hours, significantly improving customer response times. Another client, a large fabrication company, faced challenges managing complex assemblies. Micro Estimating’s BOM software streamlined their processes, reducing errors and increasing production efficiency. These examples highlight the tangible benefits our clients receive, such as enhanced productivity, reduced costs, and improved customer satisfactioMicro Estimating is poised for significant advancements and expansions shortly. They are focused on developing and enhancing their web-based solution, “ShouldCost,” which brings the same advanced cycle time calculators and accuracy of Micro Estimating to a cloud-based platform. This transition allows customers to access their software from anywhere, eliminating the need to manage installations and specific hardware. The convenience and flexibility of a web-based solution enable Joseph and his team to cater to a broader range of clients, including those who require remote access and scalability.

In addition, Micro Estimating is working on its fully integrated CAD/CAM/Quoting software, ShouldCost DEEP. “Leveraging our partnerships with SolidWorks and CAMWorks, this comprehensive software provides a seamless solution for estimating and manufacturing parts directly from 3D designs. This integration ensures that users can transition smoothly from design to production, enhancing efficiency and accuracy,” adds Joseph.

A key focus of Micro Estimating’s future development is further automation. They have already implemented processes to load entire assemblies into a Bill of Materials (BOM) and are advancing this by automating the operations for each part within the assembly. This level of automation, combined with their web-based software, will enable the customers to rapidly, and in some cases instantly, quote jobs for their clients directly online.

Geographically, Micro Estimating is exploring opportunities to expand its presence in Europe and Asia, leveraging its strong reputation and innovative solutions to establish a global footprint. Their commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and industry expertise will drive our growth and success in these new markets. By continuing to develop cutting-edge solutions, expanding Micro Estimating’s service offerings, and increasing its geographical reach, Micro Estimating aims to revolutionize the manufacturing industry and provide unparalleled value to clients worldwide.