Digitalization of metal fabrication: Ilma’s experience with BriaSOFT

Metal fabrication companies, like many other manufacturers in the metalworking sector, often face complex challenges in managing job orders, providing accurate quotations, and optimizing costs. BriaSOFT has taken these real needs and turned them into practical features, designing a customized version of its Crono software specifically for the production requirements of the metal fabrication field. A tangible example is Carpenteria Ilma Srl, which has been using Crono since 2023 with the goal of better integrating ERP management with CNC systems.

From quotation to production: a seamless workflow

For metal fabrication companies, the quoting phase is a critical step that demands speed, precision, and consistency. Crono’s quoting module is specifically designed to meet these requirements by calculating the need for materials, in-house and outsourced production steps, and purchased components.
"Each line item in the job order includes a dedicated section for the production steps: when we create the job order—or import the data from the quote—we assign the estimated hours for each required operation," explain representatives from Carpenteria Ilma.
The system also allows for quote revisions and historical analysis of negotiations, providing a tool to refine the company’s sales strategy.

Tracked jobs and calculated costs

Once the quote is approved, Crono automatically activates the job order. The software manages material allocation, defines production cycles, and stores all incoming and outgoing production documents, including certificates and treatments.
“We particularly appreciate the feature that allows for the generation of documents linked to job orders,” say representatives from Carpenteria Ilma.

One of Crono’s key strengths is its ability to manage the complexity of custom, job-based work typical in the metal fabrication industry. The bill of materials was customized on Carpenteria Ilma request, resulting in a table organized by macro-categories such as sheet metal, bent parts, oxy-cut parts, tubes, flats, and more. This way, even non-standard variants are neatly grouped under the “miscellaneous” category.

To keep production progress under control, the company uses the “job status” section. “It’s a table that shows the hours logged daily for each step, allowing us to monitor the progress of welding, assembly, inspections, and machining.”

Inventory and supply chain management are also designed to integrate smoothly into the production flow. A dedicated section within the job order lets users record whether materials are already in stock or expected, with the option to attach the supplier’s delivery notes. Even though outsourced processes are limited, they are still tracked as costs within the job order.

BriaSOFT: technology serving metal fabrication and beyond

BriaSOFT is an Italian company focused on developing management solutions for custom manufacturing. By listening directly to the needs of metal fabrication shops—like Carpenteria Ilma—it has created a truly specialized version of its ERP system, Crono, aligned with the typical production processes in this sector. But this customized approach isn’t limited to structural steel. The same flexibility makes Crono suitable for other sectors in mechanical and metalworking manufacturing, offering precise solutions for different production environments.

Carpenteria Ilma is confident in its choice: “It’s a user-friendly ERP, and we would no doubt recommend it to other metal fabrication and manufacturing companies as well.”

Want to see how it works in practice?
Visit BriaSOFT’s online stand and reach out to the company directly using the provided contact details.