Visual EstiTrack

Just another User

Comments: We are currently using EstiTrack for every function of our operations, from estimating to shipping to accounting by using Visual Books. We went from a paper based system + a program that one of the owners created to quote and write up jobs that not everyone had access to. With EstiTrack we are able to have everything we need on one program. Gauges, Corrective Actions, Sales orders, Quotes, APSL, PO's. The list goes on. We are currently learning how to setup and use the scheduling board and we are very excited to role it out to the shop floor. Overall EstiTrack helps us save time, and after all "All we sell is Time" [SENSITIVE CONTENT HIDDEN]

Pros:

One of the reasons why we purchased Henning Software in 2002 was the ability to make changes and customize the software to fit our company, this still stands true today. Going to the user conferences every year i'm able to see how other users utilize the system which gives me ideas of what we can possible do better in our own company.

Cons:

What I like least about the software is the inability to size the screens inside of ET. I would like to see it more cloud friendly, which I think the new version will be.

Awesome Software

Comments: We had tried a ERP/MRP software in the past that failed miserably for a few reasons, we then reverted back to all the documents we had created over the years until we found EstiTrack. Once enough time had gone by to get the bad taste out of our mouth created from the previous software we tried, we started the hunt again for software, Estitrack was the second to last on the list of about 20 Demo's. The Demo started and being honest I pulled out my phone and was checking emails and what not, within a few minutes I put my phone away because this was making sense, before the end of the Demo our company President and I agreed this was the software, it all clicked to us. That has not changed since we started using it and daily we find more stuff that makes everything function easier. After a short time we have almost caught up our back log and definitely are having an easier time tracking product flow.

Pros:

This software is easy to use, many things are self explanatory and when you do need assistance you just call and customer service will schedule you a time for phone conference. In the off chance a resolution to your issue is not immediate they have meetings in mornings to go over solutions and you usually receive an answer within a day or two of phone conference, but it is a rare instance when the solution is not immediate.

Cons:

I have not found anything about the software I don't like. If you really want something that the software doesn't have you can usually pay a fee for Henning to create it. With that said there has only been one thing that I asked about having capability for that the current answer was not yet but definitely in the near future it would be considered. For this request I absolutely understand the answer I received because the capability I was asking for requires them to work with a vending software that is not associated with Henning but the answer of in the future is just a testament to how willing Henning is to work with customers.

As good as it gets

Pros:

What I like best about this product is its ease of use. When first starting I was overwhelmed, but after a couple short hours of training and playing around in a test data base the people at Henning set up for me I was using the system like a pro. It helps me with the everyday workload and compiles all of the necessary machine shop operations into a simple software solution.

Cons:

I haven't found anything to date, but I would like to see some type of backup solution for my files, so I can wipe the saved info off VET and save it to a hard drive to make my orders and quotes a little less crowded.

Great experience with a customer-oriented company

Comments: HenningSoftware Inc. has been a great business partner. They have been amazingly supportive and committed, starting with pre-sale demos and conversations. Their investment in our pre-sale due-diligence paid off for both of us. It's truly a win-win. We have a valuable tool for a within-reach price that will bring our manufacturing floor into real-time processing and lot control and create efficiencies that we were not able to do with Vista/Epicor because it was too clunky and too constraining.

Pros:

I am still in the implementation phase and working with them on some upgrades, but the transparency of the reporting and the logic of the system seem to really stand out. It is easy to trace not only your processes but the calculations behind them. Nothing is so hidden that you can't find it, and if you have problems, they will find it readily. EstiTrack also offers lot control and item sequencing within manufacturing, which was hard to find in a less expensive system. Also, it allows for more than one way of doing things..and yes, that is a great feature for our manufacturing business. It allows us to tailor how we come to an endpoint. This has already been proven to be very useful, in quoting and pricing. We chose EstiTrack because it offered the most of what we could use immediately, and some of what we could use later. The systems that were so complex meant that we would get a 40% value right away and hope to "use" the great features eventually. With EstiTrack, we knew we could take advantage of 70% immediately, it would streamline our current processes, it would get us to where we needed to be, and it would allow us room to grow.

Cons:

As with any system, and we reviewed a handful before choosing EstiTrack (and have been with Vista/Epicor for 20 yrs), it doesn't do everything for everyone, but they do a great job with most areas. We opted for EstiTrack with the idea that we would ask for some upgrades specific to our needs, and they are working diligently with us to develop those upgrades and to make sure that they are useful, well thought out, and worthy of the investment. Because we have not fully implemented the system, there are not so many cons that have stumped us.

Comments: Martec Precision is a small jobbing shop in Brampton, Ontario run by a husband and wife team. We have doubled our size in the last 6 years and now employ 12 people. At Martec Precision we manufacture metal and plastic parts for the aerospace, mining, mold and commercial industries. Currently we are working our way towards becoming ISO. Our motto at Martec is “Where principles count”, and our work ethic is founded on our strong values. Three years ago we spent about 6 months looking at many popular shop management software packages before making a decision. Before purchasing Henning's Visual EstiTrack ERP we had been using software that had been developed by an independent writer. Our first software package worked well during our initial start up period but as our business grew, we wanted to find a more comprehensive software that provided us with all the documentation required to reach our goal to obtain an ISO certification. Another important area of concern for us was the current software did not offer reliable support leaving us feeling frustrated and powerless at times. Finally, in order to be competitive we needed to be as lean as possible in today’s marketplace and we hoped purchasing ERP software would do that for us. Certainly the software research stage took longer than the implementation once we purchased Henning’s Visual EstiTrack software. The Henning’s support team installed it from their office in the USA and was there every step of the way until we were completely satisfied. The software manual was easy to follow and after a couple of months we were comfortable using it. In addition, hands on training online or on site can be purchased. We now run more efficiently, in a systematic fashion and have all the documents required for us to be accountable to our customers. We also purchased the “Editor’s Privileges” allowing us to tailor the software documents uniquely to our businesses preferences and requirements. Lastly, we want to comment on the customer support we receive through the “Henning’s Support Team”. Their support staff is friendly and very knowledgeable. Their response time for support is immediate and all matters are resolved in a timely fashion. For example: I had a recent situation where my computer antivirus software was interfering with the software and with my permission the technician went in and made the adjustments needed to resolve the problem. Now that’s what I call service!