Metal fabrication — Automation for metal fabrication shops
Drawings and cut lists wait to be priced, mill test reports get typed into spreadsheets, and GCs keep calling to ask where their steel is. These are the parts software can take over, with the estimator, project manager and shop foreman still deciding on pricing, welding procedures and what passes inspection. 44 automations fit, each with an example and workflow written for metal fabrication.
What metal fabrication automate
Showing 44 use cases for metal fabrication
- Calls & leadsPlanned for a clientAI receptionistAnswers calls while the crew is welding, gives delivery dates from the job, takes new work and passes urgent calls on.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Calls & leadsPlanned for a clientMissed-call text-backTexts back callers the shop missed, asks for photos and measurements, and puts the request in front of the estimator.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Calls & leadsBuilt for a clientInstant lead responseReplies to custom railing, gate and repair inquiries in minutes, asks for photos and sizes, and offers a site measure.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Calls & leadsBuilt for a clientLead qualification & routingNew fab requests are sorted by steel type, process, size and deadline, then sent to the right estimator.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Calls & leadsLead nurture sequencesKeeps in touch with GCs who asked for budget numbers on projects not yet awarded, and stops when they reply.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Calls & leadsIn build for a clientWebsite chat assistantAnswers questions on materials, finishes, repairs and lead times from your pages, and takes photos for a quote.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Calls & leadsPlanned for a clientQuote follow-upOpen fab quotes get follow-ups tied to bid dates and drawing revisions, and replies go back to the estimator.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Calls & leadsBuilt for a clientQuote & proposal builderDrawings and cut lists become a draft fab quote priced from steel weight, cut, bend and weld time, and finish.Metal fabricationHow it works
- SchedulingBuilt for a clientOnline self-bookingLets customers book a site measure for gates, railings and repairs from the estimator's open times, with the address.Metal fabricationHow it works
- SchedulingAppointment remindersReminds customers before an install, asks them to clear the area, and lets them confirm or move the day by reply.Metal fabricationHow it works
- SchedulingPlanned for a clientDispatch schedulingSuggests which install crew or field welding truck takes each job and when, and texts customers the arrival time.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Intake & documentsBuilt for a clientDigital intake formsAn online request form for custom work and repairs asks for photos, sizes, material, finish and site access.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Intake & documentsClient onboardingSets up a new GC account: subcontract, insurance certificate, W-9, safety paperwork and billing portal, tracked to done.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Intake & documentsDocument collectionRequests the approved drawings, field dimensions and finish choices a job needs before fabrication, and tracks gaps.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Intake & documentsBuilt for a clientDocument data extractionMill test reports and customer POs are read into clean data: heat numbers, grades, sizes, quantities and dates.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Intake & documentsBuilt for a clientOrder entry automationCustomer POs for brackets, frames and weldments become entered jobs, matched to part numbers and quoted prices.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Intake & documentsBuilt for a clientDocument generationJob data fills submittals, weld certs, material cert packages and packing lists for the PM to check and send.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Intake & documentsDocument classificationSorts GC emails into RFIs, change orders, submittal returns and delivery requests, and files each to the job.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Intake & documentsVisit reports from field notesField measure photos, dimensions and voice notes become a clean site report for railings, stairs or repairs.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Customer communicationCustomer status updatesCustomers and GCs get short updates when steel is cut, welded, out for coating and ready to ship or install.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Customer communicationInbox triageThe shop inbox is sorted into bids, POs, RFIs, mill certs and steel invoices, with urgent repair work first.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Customer communicationAI reply draftingDrafts replies to customer emails about lead times, finishes and ship dates from the job record, for staff to send.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Customer communicationReview requestsAsks homeowners and local businesses for a review after a gate, railing or repair job, and flags new reviews.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Customer communicationWin-back campaignsFinds contractors and local plants that used to send regular work and went quiet, and drafts a check-in.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Customer communicationMeeting notes & follow-upsCustomer calls and shop drawing reviews become a summary, changes list and draft follow-up filed to the job.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Customer communicationSupport ticket triageCustomer emails about fit problems, missing pieces, certs and ship dates are tagged, matched and routed.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Billing & paymentsBuilt for a clientInvoicing automationShipped fab jobs and progress billings become draft invoices with freight, coating and change orders added.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Billing & paymentsPayment remindersOpen fab invoices and retainage get reminders with the PO and delivery ticket attached, paused when AP has questions.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Billing & paymentsSupplier invoice processingSteel service center, gas and consumables invoices are matched to POs and receipts, with price changes flagged.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Billing & paymentsExpense receipt routingInstall crews text photos of hardware, gas and anchor receipts, matched to the card and coded to the job.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Billing & paymentsBank and payment reconciliationMatches GC payments, retainage releases and card deposits to pay apps and invoices, and flags what doesn't line up.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Billing & paymentsBooking deposits & no-show feesTakes a deposit when a custom gate or railing quote is signed, shows the custom-order policy, and logs it to the job.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Inventory & operationsBuilt for a clientMulti-supplier stock lookupChecks your rack, remnants and several steel suppliers for the plate, tube or angle a job needs, side by side.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Inventory & operationsBuilt for a clientMaterial optimization & job costingParts are nested on plate and sheet, bar stock is cut-listed before quoting, and actual steel used is logged per job.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Inventory & operationsBuilt for a clientProduction tracking boardEvery fab job shows its stage from saw and laser to fit-up, weld, coating and ship, updated by the crew on a tablet.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Inventory & operationsBuilt for a clientApproval workflowsSteel buys over a limit, quote discounts, change orders and scrap write-offs go to the right person and are logged.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Inventory & operationsCompliance trackingTracks welder certs, AISC and ISO audits, crane inspections and insurance certs, with reminders before they lapse.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Inventory & operationsRecurring task coordinationLaser, brake and welder maintenance, consumables checks and shop audits become assigned tasks with checklists.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Team & HREmployee onboardingNew welders and fitters get paperwork, weld test scheduling, PPE sizes and shop training set up before day one.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Team & HRTimesheets & payroll prepShop clock-ins and job time are checked for missing punches and overtime, approved and sent to payroll.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Team & HRStaff schedulingDrafts weekly schedules for fitters, welders and install crews from the job plan and certs, and fills gaps.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Data & reportingBuilt for a clientSystem syncCustomers, jobs and invoices stay matched between the estimating tool, the shop ERP and the accounting software.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Data & reportingAutomated reportingA weekly report of quotes won, steel bought, shop hours, jobs shipped and late jobs, with a plain summary.Metal fabricationHow it works
- Data & reportingData cleanup and alertsFinds duplicate customers, parts with no drawing, wrong steel grades and jobs with no ship date in your records.Metal fabricationHow it works
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