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Success stories
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From quoting crunches to streamlined processes: Tempus Tools empowers growth of J&T Steel Sales
As J&T Steel Sales expanded into the fast-growing laser cutting market, outdated spreadsheet-based quoting quickly became a bottleneck for delivering fast, reliable service. By adopting Tempus Tools, the team streamlined quoting, order tracking, and invoicing—freeing up time, improving consistency, and supporting the company’s growth as they scale their laser cutting operations.
Expanding Australian metal fabrication specialist, J&T Steel Sales, has found that improved productivity and new equipment is only half the battle to boost customer service and sales – equally important is eliminating the outdated processes used to track and prepare quotes, delivery, and invoices.
J&T Steel Sales began as a small plate processing business in Victoria with a CNC Plasma machine, where staff used spreadsheets to develop quotes for customers, but the company has now made the move into the high demand laser cutting market.
Part of the motivation for the expansion was a need in the market for better lead times on laser cut metal products, including aluminium, stainless steel, and carbon steel.
“We had customers come and beg us to purchase a laser machine, because they were fed up with the long lead times that were becoming increasingly common for laser cut products,” explains Luke Patterson, Operations Manager, J&T Steel Sales.
“So we invested in a laser cutting machine, and prepared to grow our business to the next level. But with this change, we needed a quick and efficient software solution to export a presentable quote that we can forward directly to customers in a timely fashion. Spreadsheets just weren’t going to work anymore, so we did some research and found Tempus Tools,” he said.
Laser cutting quoting software streamlines operationsTempus Tools, is a multi-functional laser cutting quoting software that is provided using a SaaS (Software as a Service) model. Tempus Tools was developed specifically for the laser cutting industry, and is designed to save job shops time, and make quoting more efficient, accurate, and consistent.
“Tempus Tools has allowed us to streamline not only the quoting aspect, but also the tracking of active orders as well as invoicing,” says Luke.
“It has been able to take most of the heavy lifting in cutting back on excess paper waste in our offices, whilst also creating a digital paper trail to be able to track material usage and stock.”
Since purchasing the laser cutting machine, J&T Steel Sales has committed to getting customers their parts when they need them, calling it “the J&T Guarantee”.
“Tempus Tools has helped us immensely in delivering this guarantee to our customers. It has taken the stresses and late night quoting crunches and completely streamlined the process, freeing up more time for us to be able to focus on growing the business,” says Luke.
“In the past, expanding our customer base meant we would fall increasingly behind when it came to invoicing and quoting. Now, with Tempus Tools, we really feel we have found a software that not only services us now, but also allows us room to grow in the future.”
Service is key
Luke explains that in his business, customer service is the key to success. Customers have good memories, and they value pricing consistency, accuracy, and reliability.
“Being a service-focused business, it’s something I look for in our suppliers too. In my opinion, the Tempus Tools team has been exceptional when it comes to responsiveness and availability to work through any challenges I’m experiencing,” he says.
“Coming from a small business ourselves it was an incredibly refreshing experience to have team members visit our workshop, and to also feel listened to when it came to our concerns or feedback for the future development of Tempus Tools.”
“I met Mark Washington (Sales & Support) and Felipe Lechuga (Director) from Tempus Tools at a local manufacturing expo earlier this year, and they took the time to visit our job shop and discuss the functionality of Tempus Tools, and what more it could be doing for us. I was very impressed, and I’m grateful for all the support.”
A bright future
J&T Steel Sales has seen steady growth since moving into the laser cutting business, and Luke has plans to continue this trend.
“Our future plans are not only to focus on bringing in new customers – ideally ones that require repeat work – but also to let all our customers know about our bending and fabrication facility, so they know we can provide an end-to-end manufacturing solution,” he says.
“Tempus Tools has a huge range of useful features, and the development team is always working on new functionality that can benefit job shops like ours, so it is a key component of our growth plans.”
To learn more about Tempus Tools, please click here.
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Product updates
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min read
Tempus Tools’ Google Drive integration: 6 ways to supercharge your job shop efficiency
Last month Tempus Tools released a powerful new feature: seamless integration with Google Drive.
Since then, we’ve heard from lots of customers about the innovative ways they have implemented this integration in their job shops, and we wanted to share the best six with you to inspire you to use the feature in your shop.
First, a quick recap: with the Google Drive integration, all your quote data (in CSV format) and production-ready part files can be automatically saved to your chosen Google Drive folder. From here, they can be exported to any number of programs or that data can be manipulated for many use cases, opening up a world of automation, reporting and connectivity for your job shop. We’ve also put together a quick video to show the integration in action.
1. Automate quote data collection for reporting
With every quote automatically saved, you can easily compile and analyse your quote performance over time. Use Google Sheets or your favourite analytics tool to track:
- win/loss rates
- performance across material types
- average order size
- breakdown of secondary processes contributions
This data-driven approach helps you identify trends, optimise pricing and improve customer response times.
2. Connect with ERP/MRP and other business systems
Some apps have native integration with Google Drive, which makes taking in quote data and parts easy, but many need a formal API. Luckily, Google Drive comes with its own API.
Some users have used the Google Drive API to build automations that push quote data directly into ERP, MRP or order management systems. This can streamline order processing, reduce manual data entry and ensure your production schedule is always up to date.
3. Organise your orders by material type
Use the exported quote data to create a parts planner that groups jobs by common material type. This enables you to:
- batch similar jobs for more efficient material usage
- reduce changeover times on machines
- optimise purchasing and inventory management
A simple Google Sheets script or integration with a dashboard tool can make this process nearly automatic.
4. Integrate with project management tools
Connect your quote data with popular tools like ClickUp, Monday.com or Airtable. Build custom dashboards and planners for your factory, visualise job statuses and assign tasks to your team-all based on real-time quoting data. These tools don’t require coding or a developer and anyone can work wonders. These types of projects boost collaboration on the shop floor and keep everyone aligned on priorities.
5. Create a scheduling calendar from time calculations
Use the time estimates in your quote data to automatically populate a production calendar. With a Google Calendar integration, you can:
- visualise machine and operator workloads
- identify bottlenecks before they happen
- easily adjust schedules as new jobs come in
This proactive scheduling helps you deliver on time, every time.
6. Enable automated notifications and workflows
Set up Google Drive triggers (using tools like Zapier or Google Apps Script) to notify your team when new quotes are confirmed as orders, or to kick off downstream processes-like updating CRM records or ordering materials.
Getting started is easy
- Go to Settings > Organisation settings > Integrations in your Tempus Tools Tempus Tools account
- Connect your Google Drive and select your preferred folder
- Choose the quote statuses that will trigger automatic file saving
- Start building automations and workflows that fit your shop’s needs
This integration is designed to be flexible-whether you want to automate reporting, connect with business systems, or simply keep your files organised, Tempus Tools and Google Drive make it possible.
Ready to enhance your job shop efficiency? Try the new Google Drive integration today.
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Articles
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min read
Is expensive, non-dedicated software holding you back from effortless laser cutting quoting?
Laser cutting is a precise task, requiring machinery tailored to specific requirements. Profitability is significantly boosted by the ability to be able to respond quickly to customer requests for quotes (RFQs), and efficiently deliver the product.
“With the time and energy often spent on selecting the right laser cutting machine, it’s amazing how often software is overlooked as a driver of productivity,” says Tempus Tools Head of Global Sales, Mark Washington.
“Sometimes laser cutting companies are stuck using software that wasn’t specifically designed for job shops, but it’s all that their team is used to using. Other times, expensive software is implemented, but only a small fraction of the features are actually used,” he says.
“And in many cases, it becomes so complex that a specialist is hired to manage quoting via the software – but what happens if they leave the company?”
Tempus Tools is the creator of dedicated quoting software, Tempus Tools, which can provide fast, accurate, and consistent laser cutting quotes that are professionally presented, ready to send back to the customer.
“Using software that isn’t specifically designed for laser cutting is like using a cricket bat to play tennis. It might get the job done, but it would be far more efficient and accurate with the tools designed for the job!” says Mark (pictured, right).
“In addition to providing quotes in minutes, Tempus Tools can also produce production documents with the click of a button, to add further efficiency to running a job shop floor,” he adds.
A shift in the industry
With customers demanding faster service, the industry is shifting to tailored laser cutting quoting solutions, to enhance their RFQ response times, and Mark sees this as part of a larger global trend.
“It’s evident across a number of industries – smarter players want to utilise technologies specifically targeted to their industry to out-pace competitors. And laser cutting job shops are enthusiastically getting on board with this trend,” he says.
“Tempus Tools has been specifically designed for laser cutting job shops. It’s quick to set up, intuitive, and user-friendly, so the entire team can use it with minimal training, instead of relying on one specialist.”
Tempus Tools cloud-based laser cutting quoting software can be set up with information on material price, cutting time, labour, and other relevant information, to generate quotes quickly and accurately, with repeatability.
“The Tempus Tools team has decades of experience in the laser cutting industry, from the shop floor, through to management, and running their own laser cutting enterprises, so we know the industry inside out – and we can support through setup and every step of the journey, for no additional charges,” adds Mark.
“A major inhibitor of laser cutting quoting software has often been cost, with powerful software that can do it all costing thousands per month. But if you only need dedicated laser cutting quoting software, our plans start from US$100 per month, and are packed full of features you will actually use,” he says.
Switching software – overcoming challenges
Even with the knowledge of the benefits of dedicated laser cutting quoting software, job shops can be hesitant about the time involved in switching, says Mark. He notes some of the main concerns:
- Time – often job shops have tried other software implementations and it’s taken months, and they just cannot afford to spend that time again. But Tempus Tools isn’t like other software. For a job shop with one laser, press brake, and standard secondary processes, set up takes less than 90 minutes.
- Staff training – job shops often believe their staff don’t have the time or capacity to learn a whole new software. But again, Tempus Tools is different. It’s designed to be user-friendly, easy to learn, and staff end up doing their jobs more efficiently, and enjoying the features right away.
- Hidden costs – this is a big factor for any software, and job shops are highly alert to cheap upfront costs, followed by lots of add-ons. No one likes to be “nickel and dimed”. For Tempus Tools, it’s a monthly or yearly subscription, and that’s all. No extra charges for support, upgrades, or training. Features all have a set pricing that’s clear from the outset.
- Too many programs – some job shops have two, three, or more different software programs – why add more, especially if they don’t talk to each other? That’s a totally valid concern. Tempus Tools outputs a CSV as standard with all the quote data, making integration seamless and easy.
“The Tempus Tools leadership team has decades of experience working from the shop floor to the top floor, so they understand the pain of changing software, and have designed Tempus Tools to be effortless and simple,” says Mark.
Tempus Tools features
Tempus Tools features that have been specifically designed for laser cutting job shops include:
- 3D model extractor. Identify, extract and unfold sheet-metal parts directly from 3D assemblies without a 3D software package.
- PDF to CAD convertor. Convert a vector PDF into a CAD file instantly. No tracing, no CAD package, just click on a part and extract it into your quote.
- Tube quoting. Easily drag and drop rectangular, square or round hollow sections into the tube module. It quickly calculates highly accurate cutting time and material consumption for pricing.
- Web Store. Let your customers get instant pricing and place orders from your website 24/7 with an online quoting portal.
- Secondary processes. Get accurate and consistent folding prices quickly using the built-in folding algorithm developed by specialists with decades of experience using brake presses.
- Drawing Doctor®. Upon upload of a 2D DXF or DWG file, Drawing Doctor® automatically corrects for double lines, dimensions, and small end points that are hidden in some drawings.
- Part Library. Part Library allows you to save parts that you’ve produced for a customer for re-use. Saves time on repeat orders and quotes, by dropping an existing part straight into the quote, ready to calculate, based on the latest pricing.
“These are just a few of our most popular features, but there are lots more within Tempus Tools, and our development team is constantly listening for customer feedback to determine what new features can be added,” says Mark.
“So for effortless laser cutting quoting, don’t let software hold you back, let it be the catalyst that drives business growth. We offer an obligation-free trial of Tempus Tools so that laser cutting job shops can see the difference for themselves.”
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Guides
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How to set laser cutting prices that are both competitive and profitable
Metal fabrication and laser cutting job shop owners have all asked themselves at one point, “how should I set my prices?”.
It’s a delicate balance. Set your prices too high and customers may walk away to the competition, but set your prices too low, and you may be working too hard for little or no profitable return.
Setting a baseline
“The first thing to do is understand all of the costs that are associated with running your laser machine. Once you have a complete overview, best practice is to apply a full absorption costing method to your business,” advises Bruce Thomas, Product Executive at Tempus Tools. Bruce has decades of experience in the laser cutting industry. His experience is complemented by the Tempus Tools team, which are highly knowledgeable in the laser cutting industry, with practical, hands-on experience on the shop floor, through to management.
“Full absorption costing means that you’re absorbing overhead costs into the hourly rate. In laser cutting job shops, this could be direct costs, like labour, as well as indirect costs like rent, insurance, power, and maintenance. But each case is different, so we can provide guidance on how to perform this type of calculation,” he says.
Bruce explains that once you have calculated all the costs within a job shop and created an annual figure, you can set an accurate yearly revenue target, which can be broken down into monthly and daily objectives. This breakdown is an effective way to focus on revenue goals for the job shop.
“This data should give you an idea of what prices need to be set in order to be profitable, but you won’t know if they are exactly right until you get market feedback, so be prepared to adjust these initial prices,” says Bruce.
A word on assumptions
Full absorption costing is a great starting point, but Bruce points out that this calculation does require some assumptions, such as the number of hours the shop will be operational for, and the percentage of those hours the machine will be cutting (known as the utilisation rate).
“Varying the utilisation rate can have a big impact on how costs are distributed. If your machine isn’t running for as many hours per day as you predicted (actual cutting time), then you find yourself in a situation where you’ve priced your cutting service too low,” he says.
“In other situations, you might increase the number of shifts per day, or add shifts on weekends, which can increase efficiency without changing fixed overheads, resulting in a more competitive hourly rate.
Getting ahead and staying competitive
“Of course, once you’ve come up with a price, it’s crucial to see if it’s competitive with the market, and one of the best ways to do this is to use software to monitor your win/loss ratio,” he says.
“A typical win/loss ratio is about 30-40%. This means, for every 100 jobs you quote for, you win 30-40 of them. Lower than 30 means the pricing is too expensive and you’re losing work to competitors, and above 40 means the pricing is too cheap, meaning you are doing a lot of work for a lower profit margin.”
“It’s important to monitor pricing over time, and see how it changes in reaction to trends, too. For example, material price fluctuations or changes in demand from different industries will have an impact on pricing.”
“Similarly, technology changes will have an impact. Cheaper and more powerful machines, and more automation will allow more advanced laser cutting tasks to be done with lower costs.”
“It’s important to know your customer, but it’s equally important to know your competitor and what they are offering, and for how much.”
Hourly rates only go so far
Much of the metal fabrication and laser cutting industry uses hourly rates to calculate a price, which is then quoted to customers, but this only works up to a point, says Bruce.
“To remain competitive, you need to keep monitoring prices. Each quote – regardless of who prepares it – needs to be consistent and accurate. One of the best ways to do this is to use laser cutting quoting software, so that any changes are implemented within the software, rather than on a per-quote basis,” he explains.
There are a range of factors that can affect a quote, and it can often mean one job shop will quote at a different rate to another. Bruce explains that this can be for reasons such as:
- The speed and size of the machine. A 6kW laser cutting machine can vary from approximately $180,000 to $1,200,000, which is a huge difference. Each machine will perform at different speeds, and allow different levels of sophistication.
- Whether the machine is paid off or not. If it’s still not paid off, this might have to be factored into the hourly rates.
- Cutting thickness, with thicker cuts demanding higher costs.
- Cut quality – all machines will be able to produce an acceptable quality, but some customers may demand an additional level of precision and finish, and if this takes additional time, it will need to be considered in the costs.
“With all that being said, your customer is buying on a per-part basis. They are comparing your part priced at $10 with the competitor’s part priced at $8. So, you need to adjust for this difference using software and data, rather than relying solely on a ‘gut feeling’. Knowing your bottom line gives you the confidence to accept or reject the work,” he says.
Added value wins more jobs
Once you’ve figured out a price, to really stand out from the competition, it’s all about the added value you can deliver, says Bruce.
“Consider your delivery times, customer service, expectations management, and understanding a customer’s unique needs. Do they need all their parts individually packed and labelled, for example? If you can meet their needs, you’re more likely to win the job,” he says.
“Adding value is always better than discounting price. In a race to the bottom on price, nobody wins.”
Tempus Tools helps win more jobs
To help deliver added value, monitor win/loss ratios, and provide faster, more accurate, and more consistent quotes, Tempus Tools created Tempus Tools. Tempus Tools is multi-functional laser cutting quoting software that is calculation-based and runs on a Software as a Service (SaaS) model. It can be set up with information on material price, cutting time, labour, and other relevant information, to generate quotes quickly and accurately.
“Tempus Tools can give job shop owners more accurate estimates of time, which leads to greater consistency,” says Bruce.
“Additionally, Tempus Tools can generate printable part labels, and produce work orders with times listed on each task. Tempus Tools provides consistent and accurate data on folding, cutting, and secondary processes, so that quotes to customers are exactly right.”
“We’ve helped a huge variety of different job shops with full absorption costing, win/loss ratios, setting up pricing, and then generating fast and accurate quotes – so if you’re looking to optimise your job shop’s operations, we’re here to help,” he concludes.
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Product updates
New integration: Tempus Tools + ECI M1 – from quote to order to ERP, seamlessly
At Tempus Tools, we know that speed and accuracy are everything in a laser cutting job shop, and today we’re announcing a new integration that makes both even easier.
We’re now fully integrated with ECI Software’s M1 ERP system.
What does that mean for your job shop?
It means you can now send quotes, order details, and production-ready drawings directly from Tempus Tools into your M1 ERP — no more double handling, no more data entry errors, no more jumping between systems.
This integration eliminates any “dead zone” between quoting and production. You get the specialist laser quoting power of Tempus Tools (like lightning-fast nesting, material cost accuracy, and margin control) combined with the operational backbone of M1.
It’s quoting that talks to your shop floor.
We’ve talked about how integrations like Google Drive can supercharge job shop workflows, and this M1 integration is another great example.
Want to learn more or set it up? If you want to avoid the limitations in the generic quoting functions in ERP/MRP software, but still use the rich planning and production features in ERP/MRP software, then get in touch today.
Book a demo or email us at support@tempustools.com and we’ll help you get connected.
Tempus Tools + M1 = quoting to production, finally in sync.
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Articles
Is the laser cutting industry evolving and automating as quickly as its customers?
As the laser cutting industry accelerates toward greater automation, customers now expect instant quotes and rapid turnaround times—making manual or delayed quoting a growing liability. Tempus Tools’ Web Store feature gives job shops a 24/7 online quoting portal that delivers instant pricing, helping them win more work, boost efficiency, and keep pace with an increasingly fast-moving market.
In a fast moving industry such as laser cutting, no-one can afford to be complacent. Laser shops have to ensure they are up to date with the best technologies available to them. Suppliers, in turn, have to ensure they are very closely attuned to the rapidly changing needs of customers large and small.
You have to have an ear to the group continuously. This is a dynamic business. The global laser cutting machine market size is current more than a staggering USD 5.59 billion and predicted to a phenomenal growth trajectory. By 2030, the market is expected to reach a monumental USD 11.32 billion, exhibiting a remarkable Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.6%. With that amount of money out on the shop floor, no businesses can afford not to be at the head of the field.
So, is our industry evolving and automating as fast as our customers? In the 50 years I’ve worked in the laser cutting industry, customers and vendors alike have been racing to out-compete each other with faster and superior technologies.
Laser cutting vendors are now automating throughout their operations, from manufacturing to invoicing, and everything in between.
So it comes as no surprise that these highly automated organisations are seeking an automated quoting experience when they need to request a laser cutting job. Getting an instant online quote is far more efficient than having to request information, which comes back hours, or days later. By that point, the end customer may have gone elsewhere.
Customers want faster times
A trend that’s ubiquitous across all industries is the demand for faster service, faster deliveries, and faster turnaround times. As technology has improved, services have become faster, and the consumer has developed a taste for “instant” service – and they want more. This has been a major driver for companies to invest in automation to keep up with demand.
This is just as true in the laser cutting industry as may be for groceries or retail products. A vendor that can return a quote faster, and subsequently deliver a laser cutting job faster, is more likely to win the work, because this gets the final product to the end customer faster. And with the end customer wanting the product increasingly quickly, faster quoting is going to go from being desirable, to being necessary for business growth.
Instant laser cutting quotes with Web Store
With the trends towards automation and faster service in mind, Tempus Tools has introduced its Web Store feature to Tempus Tools, its cloud-based laser cutting quoting software.
Web Store is an online quoting portal that Tempus Tools subscribers can use on their own website, with their own branding, to allow customers to receive instant online quotes and instant pricing 24/7.
This is a game-changer for laser cutting companies. A customer working different hours might put a request in on a Sunday afternoon. Previously, this would have to wait until normal business hours on Monday, but now that customer gets an instant quote and can choose whether they are ready to proceed to an order.
It’s a win-win scenario. The customer gets information quicker, and the laser cutting business can win more orders with quoting available around the clock. It even frees up staff who would previously have been preparing quotes to work in other vital areas of the business to further add to growth and expansion.
Fast setup
A major barrier to entry for new automated technologies has been long or complicated setups, where the business has to suffer while the transition occurs.
But with Tempus Tools, the setup takes minutes, not weeks or months, so laser cutting job shops can get back to doing what they do best. And the Tempus Tools team can assist right through the setup process (at no extra charge), using their decades of experience from the job shop floor, through to management of large laser cutting enterprises.
With a low monthly subscription fee and fast setup, Tempus Tools has been designed to give even the smallest job shops the same advantages as the major players in boosting efficiency and responsiveness to customer quotes.
About the author
Bruce Thomas is Product Executive at Tempus Tools. He began his career in the laser industry in 1971, and has worked for a major laser machine manufacturer, then helped set up and run new job shops, before becoming CEO of a major Laser job shop with multiple sites throughout Australia, a company with 11 laser cutting machines. Bruce’s practical, hands-on experience in the industry has helped guide his contributions to Tempus Tools, as he steers product development to ensure the laser cutting quoting software provides features that job shops will gain the most benefit from
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Articles
Accounting software integrations boost laser cutting quoting efficiency for SMEs
Small laser cutting and fabrication job shops are under pressure to do more with limited staff, making efficient tools essential for staying competitive. Tempus Tools by Tempus Tools streamlines quoting, production docs, online ordering, accounting integrations, and more—giving SMEs enterprise-level capability without the complexity or cost.
Small laser cutting and metal fabrication job shops face big challenges. With a limited number of staff on the roster, each person is performing multiple roles, from estimator, to customer service, to accountant, to production manager, and more.
According to the World Bank, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) “represent about 90% of businesses and more than 50% of employment worldwide,” so it’s a significant proportion of the market.
In demanding industries like laser cutting and metal fabrication, SMEs need to capitalise on available tools, resources, and software, to make their jobs more efficient and productive, and to stay ahead of the competition.
To further enhance the efficiency of small-to-medium job shops, Tempus Tools has introduced accounting integrations with Xero and QuickBooks to its Tempus Tools multi-functional laser cutting quoting software.
“Tempus Tools is designed to provide fast, accurate, and consistent laser cutting quotes that are professionally presented, ready to send back to the customer. It was a logical next step to integrate this process with common accounting systems, to provide job shops with additional capability and efficiency,” says Bart Jesman, CEO, Tempus Tools.
“Additionally, by using a Software as a Service (SaaS) model with a monthly subscription, SMEs aren’t lumped with large up-front set-up costs and annual fees,” he adds.
With more than 100 years of combined experience in its leadership team – extending from the job shop floor to the formation of entire laser cutting enterprises – Tempus Tools designed Tempus Tools to not only increase laser cutting quoting efficiency, but to integrate with other software programs, and to perform a range of functions in one, saving the need to purchase multiple subscriptions or programs.
New features help SMEs
In addition to simple, fast, and accurate quoting, Tempus Tools has a large range of useful features for SMEs, and the development team is consistently adding more features to meet market needs.
Secondary processes
Tempus Tools uses simplified folding and custom secondary process algorithms, to make quoting these processes straightforward and user-friendly for fabrication job shops.
Production documents
Where larger job shops often utilise dedicated floor management software, Tempus Tools has a production documentation feature that allows small to medium job shops to print work orders, part labels, and delivery dockets to better manage the shop floor. The production documents provide useful and relevant information and include a thumbnail for an easy visual reference to the part.
Web Store
“And we’ve got a growing Web Store feature for online orders,” says Jesman.
“Web Store allows SMEs to run their own online shop without having to build it themselves. It connects directly to their existing Tempus Tools settings, with additional options related to an online ordering experience, such as branding and shipping. With Web Store, a job shop’s customers can log in and get instant pricing or place orders 24/7, opening up the opportunity to win work around the clock.”
Quote miscellaneous items
In response to customer feedback, Tempus Tools has also introduced an option to quote miscellaneous items, not just sheet metal parts.
“Sometimes jobs have non-sheet metal parts that you’d like to include in the quote. It could be things like CAD drawing time, delivery, assembly charges, nuts and bolts, or a huge range of items – now you can simply enter a price and a description, to include it in the overall quote,” says Jesman.
Fixed price parts
Another new feature is the ability to optionally lock the unit price of parts for a customer, in that customer’s part library.
“Fixed price parts is great for returning customers, where you have agreed on a set price for parts. Rather than the price varying each time with changes in quantity or settings, it can be locked in, to ensure the consistency the customer is expecting,” says Jesman.
Features that benefit all laser cutting companies
The features of Tempus Tools are not just for SMEs, though, and the software has a range of advanced features to help larger job shops streamline their laser cutting quoting processes, too.
For companies with multiple software solutions in place, Tempus Tools offers exports of quote data and cleaned drawing files for importing into other systems.
“Our Tempus Tools customers serve a hugely diverse range of industries, and the demand for fast quotes and responsive service is what drives success,” says Jesman. “Our customers have found innovative ways to streamline their operations with Tempus Tools, and that’s giving them a competitive edge in the marketplace.”
To learn more about Tempus Tools, please click here.
Author: Bruce Thomas, Executive (Product)
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Guides
How manual quoting inconsistencies can lose laser cutting jobs
Relying on laser machines or manual methods to estimate run times slows down quoting, reduces laser uptime, and creates inconsistent pricing that eats into profit. Tempus Tools streamlines the entire quoting process—making it faster, more accurate, and easy for any staff member to use—so job shops can boost efficiency, win more work, and even take a holiday without halting operations.
The only time a laser cutting job shop is earning revenue is when that red light is on, sparks are flying, and the laser is in use. Everything else is done to support this activity, and to maximise the utilisation of the laser machine.
This is one of the major reasons why using a laser machine to estimate run times for quotes can impede job shop efficiency and profitability.
When quoting manually – that is, not using dedicated software – a typical workflow looks like this:
- A request for quote is received from a customer for a laser cutting job that could be a few parts, up to multiple thousands of parts.
- The customer service representative passes the task to the laser operator or a staff member with CAM software on their computer. They then request an estimate of the job’s run time through the laser’s software. This process diverts the laser from revenue-generating tasks, making it time-consuming and potentially prone to errors if busy staff overlook details.
- Once an estimated time is determined, this is multiplied by an hourly rate.
- This data is then usually entered into a spreadsheet to form a final calculation.
- The final calculation is then used to prepare a quote for the customer.
This process might look accurate, because a machine has been used to calculate time, but there are inconsistencies to watch out for. Items that may be left out of the final quote price could include:
- Sheet change time
- Setup time
- Material handling
- Gas needed for cutting (such as nitrogen)
These inconsistencies may eat into profit, or may provide a customer with different prices each time, which can erode trust and cause frustration.
To reduce human error, remove inconsistencies, and improve the overall efficiency of the process, dedicated laser cutting quoting software can be a major asset to job shops.
Dedicated quoting software
Dedicated quoting software, such as Tempus Tools, can turn the process detailed above into a faster task, that only requires one person and one software program.
Every element of a quote can be set in a calculations-based system that uses a Software as a Service (SaaS) model to save job shops the large upfront setup costs often associated with quoting software.
When job shops look at their win/loss ratios, they’ll find that on average they win 30-40% of jobs they quote for, making it even more important to respond to quotes faster, with consistent pricing, and professional presentation.
Tempus Tools has a huge range of features designed to take the guesswork out of quoting, and to instead form a standardised, efficient process that can easily be managed by a single employee.
Reclaiming the holidays
Holidays such as Easter, Christmas, New Year, school holidays, and other breaks throughout the year can be a great time to rest, relax, or visit loved ones. But for small job shops, if you’re the only person who knows how to provide quotes, taking a vacation is not a viable option!
With Tempus Tools in place, it’s simple for any staff member to learn how to prepare quotes. They don’t need to have any CAD/CAM skills or prior training, and can be taught the user-friendly software quickly, so they can begin quoting sooner.
To learn more about Tempus Tools, please click here.
Author: Bruce Thomas, Executive (Product)
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Success stories
US job shop Hammers home success with attitude-first hiring
Facing skilled labor shortages, Hammer MetalWerks shifted its hiring strategy to prioritize attitude over experience, using technology to quickly train new operators. With Tempus Tools streamlining quoting, work orders, and secondary processes, the team has improved accuracy, reduced errors, and empowered new staff to become productive faster.
A US-based metal fabrication job shop is taking a new approach to hiring staff, in response to skilled labor shortages, preferencing work ethic and attitude over existing skillset.
Derek Hammer, President of Hammer MetalWerks, and Erin Hammer, Vice President and Director of Human Resources have found that with the right technology, you can train and upskill an employee with a good attitude, which benefits them and the business.
“Our laser operator and brake press operator had both never used those machines in their life before working here. But they were intelligent, familiar with computer systems, and had a positive attitude to learning, so we hired them based on that,” said Derek.
Hammer MetalWerks provides small-to-medium production runs and parts for a huge range of industries, from construction, to healthcare, entertainment, attractions, military, and government.
“Rather than looking for highly skilled – and more expensive – operators, which are in short supply, we looked for technology that could make the operator’s job easier, and help them get up to speed faster,” says Derek.
Hammer chooses Tempus Tools
One technology the Hammers chose to help their new staff, and the overall efficiency of the job shop, was Tempus Tools. Tempus Tools is multi-functional laser cutting quoting software that is calculation-based and runs on a Software as a Service (SaaS) model. It can be set up with information on material price, cutting time, labour, and other relevant information, to generate quotes quickly and accurately.
“Tempus Tools has been highly valuable for us. It provides work orders to the shop floor with lots of details that the operators don’t have to find or calculate themselves. One example for us is that sheet sizes are all metric, and we use imperial gauges in the US – which can often lead to errors if not converted correctly,” explains Derek, whose business operates a 3kW fiber laser machine.
“Moreover, 11 gauge aluminium is not the same thickness as 11 gauge steel, and our laser machines are all metric, so having all the right measurements through Tempus Tools reduces the risk of any errors.”
“Additionally, Tempus Tools is very user-friendly, so staff that are used to working with computers in a broad range of contexts can pick up the program quickly and begin working with it.”
Tempus Tools CEO, Bart Jesman, says it’s rewarding to see the software benefitting forward-thinking job shops like Hammer MetalWerks. “We’ve designed Tempus Tools to provide benefits to job shops of all shapes and sizes. What Derek has done is take this a step further and used it to improve his hiring process, by making the operator’s job easier – it’s an intelligent approach.”
Secondary processes
In addition to metal fabrication and laser cutting, Hammer MetalWerks has a unique advantage over most job shops, with the broad range of additional services and secondary processes it provides, including design, bending, welding, powder coating, packaging, tapping, rivets, hardware, and more, all from the one place.
“With so many secondary processes, it’s so helpful that we can quote them all using Tempus Tools, and they can all be included in the work order that goes out to the shop floor,” says Derek.
“Additionally, the work order can be sent to our label printer, including a thumbnail of each item, to provide a visual cue to our shop floor staff, to further enhance the accuracy and efficiency of their work. It really helps avoid mix-ups on the shop floor.”
Updates and support
Derek adds that the support from the Tempus Tools team has been outstanding, collaborative, and helpful.
“The Tempus Tools team is always open to feedback, and they use this to help develop new features that make Tempus Tools better for job shops like ours. But they’ll also help with general questions we have – and they have experienced staff to draw upon for industry knowledge,” he says.
“With the skilled labor shortages in the US – and common issues around the world – having the right technology is crucial. We now hire employees that fit well with our work culture and have a good attitude – and it’s working out well for our business,” concludes Derek.
To learn more about Tempus Tools, please click here.
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When spreadsheets don’t cut it: laser cutting quoting software slices through wastage
Many job shops rely on spreadsheets to save money on quoting, but the hidden costs—from staff time to errors to slow turnaround—far outweigh the savings. Purpose-built software like Tempus Tools streamlines quoting, improves accuracy, and delivers a strong ROI, helping laser cutting businesses stay competitive and efficient.
Laser cutting businesses often decide to use spreadsheets to develop and provide quotes, as a way to save money on specialised software.
But does the maths stack up? In our experience, it’s actually costing more than it’s saving – and here’s why.
Based on data from millions of line items quoted, Tempus Tools calculates that the value of the average quote in the average job shop is about US$1,250. This varies depending on the business, with smaller-job businesses doing about US$500 on their average quote, and larger-job businesses doing about US$2,000 on their average quote.
The average job shop using a 4-6 KW laser cutting machine produces 4,500 quotes each year, which means $US120,000 is being invested in responding to quotes, based on two employees.
Spreadsheets have their place – but it isn’t quoting
Spreadsheets are brilliant tools for all sorts of elements of running and maintaining a healthy, profitable business – and they are not going away any time soon.
But when it comes to laser cutting quotes, the consistency, accuracy, and tools of specialised software can provide a range of benefits that elevate a job shop to the next level.
Tempus Tools, is cloud-based laser cutting quoting software developed specifically for the laser cutting industry, and is designed to save job shops time, and make quoting more efficient, accurate, and consistent.
Tempus Tools will cost a job shop less than $US3,000 per year – around 0.1% of the $US2.8m total annual amount quoted with a 50% win/loss ratio. For that tiny percentage, is it really worth the risk to not use specialised software? Using spreadsheets, the time invested by valuable staff and the time taken to correct human error will quickly outweigh the saving from not purchasing specialist software.
Spreadsheets are great in their place – but laser cutting quoting demands software that’s designed for the task at hand.
Tempus Tools takes job shops to the next level
A typical workflow for a job shop using spreadsheets is for them to receive a DXF drawing and request from a customer, load this into a CAM system, and have the CAM operator calculate the machine time, which is then entered into the spreadsheet to calculate the price. This is often exported into an accounting programme or other desktop application to develop a professional quote.
Rather than using three different systems, Tempus Tools can perform all these tasks, and offer further benefits to give job shops the competitive edge in their industry. These include:
- Simplicity of use. This saves the valuable CAM operator’s time because any person in the company can use Tempus Tools to develop a quote.
- Reduced human errors. Anyone who has used a spreadsheet knows how easy it is for human error to create a cascading series of problems with the figures and calculations. When multiple people – often with different spreadsheet proficiency or different usage habits – use the same file, it only compounds the problem.
- Increased professionalism. With Tempus Tools, the final quote document looks professional, branded with your company logo, and including an image of each part against its price. In contrast, getting thumbnails of parts into quotes made from spreadsheets is either not practical or not possible.
- Hundreds of modules and features. Every job shop is different, and Tempus Tools has a huge range of features to suit different applications. Some examples include quoting secondary processes, an online shop for your website, the ability to turn a PDF into a quote, tube quoting, 3D model unfolding and quoting, customer part libraries, and more. The development team is constantly adding new features – including in response to customer feedback – to further enhance the value of Tempus Tools.
Tempus Tools is a rules-based programme, which allows individuals from all parts of a job shop to complete quotes, regardless of their level of expertise. This means there are no longer delays in finalising a quote, so job shops can respond faster than competitors and become front-runners to win the business.
Remaining competitive, professional, and efficient are the keys to growing laser cutting job shops. In these areas, Tempus Tools has distinct advantages over spreadsheets, and has delivered a proven return on investment to job shops around the world.
To learn more about Tempus Tools, please click here.
Author: Bruce Thomas, Executive (Product)
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US job shop Hammers home success with attitude-first hiring
Facing skilled labor shortages, Hammer MetalWerks shifted its hiring strategy to prioritize attitude over experience, using technology to quickly train new operators. With Tempus Tools streamlining quoting, work orders, and secondary processes, the team has improved accuracy, reduced errors, and empowered new staff to become productive faster.
A US-based metal fabrication job shop is taking a new approach to hiring staff, in response to skilled labor shortages, preferencing work ethic and attitude over existing skillset.
Derek Hammer, President of Hammer MetalWerks, and Erin Hammer, Vice President and Director of Human Resources have found that with the right technology, you can train and upskill an employee with a good attitude, which benefits them and the business.
“Our laser operator and brake press operator had both never used those machines in their life before working here. But they were intelligent, familiar with computer systems, and had a positive attitude to learning, so we hired them based on that,” said Derek.
Hammer MetalWerks provides small-to-medium production runs and parts for a huge range of industries, from construction, to healthcare, entertainment, attractions, military, and government.
“Rather than looking for highly skilled – and more expensive – operators, which are in short supply, we looked for technology that could make the operator’s job easier, and help them get up to speed faster,” says Derek.
Hammer chooses Tempus Tools
One technology the Hammers chose to help their new staff, and the overall efficiency of the job shop, was Tempus Tools. Tempus Tools is multi-functional laser cutting quoting software that is calculation-based and runs on a Software as a Service (SaaS) model. It can be set up with information on material price, cutting time, labour, and other relevant information, to generate quotes quickly and accurately.
“Tempus Tools has been highly valuable for us. It provides work orders to the shop floor with lots of details that the operators don’t have to find or calculate themselves. One example for us is that sheet sizes are all metric, and we use imperial gauges in the US – which can often lead to errors if not converted correctly,” explains Derek, whose business operates a 3kW fiber laser machine.
“Moreover, 11 gauge aluminium is not the same thickness as 11 gauge steel, and our laser machines are all metric, so having all the right measurements through Tempus Tools reduces the risk of any errors.”
“Additionally, Tempus Tools is very user-friendly, so staff that are used to working with computers in a broad range of contexts can pick up the program quickly and begin working with it.”
Tempus Tools CEO, Bart Jesman, says it’s rewarding to see the software benefitting forward-thinking job shops like Hammer MetalWerks. “We’ve designed Tempus Tools to provide benefits to job shops of all shapes and sizes. What Derek has done is take this a step further and used it to improve his hiring process, by making the operator’s job easier – it’s an intelligent approach.”
Secondary processes
In addition to metal fabrication and laser cutting, Hammer MetalWerks has a unique advantage over most job shops, with the broad range of additional services and secondary processes it provides, including design, bending, welding, powder coating, packaging, tapping, rivets, hardware, and more, all from the one place.
“With so many secondary processes, it’s so helpful that we can quote them all using Tempus Tools, and they can all be included in the work order that goes out to the shop floor,” says Derek.
“Additionally, the work order can be sent to our label printer, including a thumbnail of each item, to provide a visual cue to our shop floor staff, to further enhance the accuracy and efficiency of their work. It really helps avoid mix-ups on the shop floor.”
Updates and support
Derek adds that the support from the Tempus Tools team has been outstanding, collaborative, and helpful.
“The Tempus Tools team is always open to feedback, and they use this to help develop new features that make Tempus Tools better for job shops like ours. But they’ll also help with general questions we have – and they have experienced staff to draw upon for industry knowledge,” he says.
“With the skilled labor shortages in the US – and common issues around the world – having the right technology is crucial. We now hire employees that fit well with our work culture and have a good attitude – and it’s working out well for our business,” concludes Derek.
To learn more about Tempus Tools, please click here.
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From quoting crunches to streamlined processes: Tempus Tools empowers growth of J&T Steel Sales
As J&T Steel Sales expanded into the fast-growing laser cutting market, outdated spreadsheet-based quoting quickly became a bottleneck for delivering fast, reliable service. By adopting Tempus Tools, the team streamlined quoting, order tracking, and invoicing—freeing up time, improving consistency, and supporting the company’s growth as they scale their laser cutting operations.
Expanding Australian metal fabrication specialist, J&T Steel Sales, has found that improved productivity and new equipment is only half the battle to boost customer service and sales – equally important is eliminating the outdated processes used to track and prepare quotes, delivery, and invoices.
J&T Steel Sales began as a small plate processing business in Victoria with a CNC Plasma machine, where staff used spreadsheets to develop quotes for customers, but the company has now made the move into the high demand laser cutting market.
Part of the motivation for the expansion was a need in the market for better lead times on laser cut metal products, including aluminium, stainless steel, and carbon steel.
“We had customers come and beg us to purchase a laser machine, because they were fed up with the long lead times that were becoming increasingly common for laser cut products,” explains Luke Patterson, Operations Manager, J&T Steel Sales.
“So we invested in a laser cutting machine, and prepared to grow our business to the next level. But with this change, we needed a quick and efficient software solution to export a presentable quote that we can forward directly to customers in a timely fashion. Spreadsheets just weren’t going to work anymore, so we did some research and found Tempus Tools,” he said.
Laser cutting quoting software streamlines operationsTempus Tools, is a multi-functional laser cutting quoting software that is provided using a SaaS (Software as a Service) model. Tempus Tools was developed specifically for the laser cutting industry, and is designed to save job shops time, and make quoting more efficient, accurate, and consistent.
“Tempus Tools has allowed us to streamline not only the quoting aspect, but also the tracking of active orders as well as invoicing,” says Luke.
“It has been able to take most of the heavy lifting in cutting back on excess paper waste in our offices, whilst also creating a digital paper trail to be able to track material usage and stock.”
Since purchasing the laser cutting machine, J&T Steel Sales has committed to getting customers their parts when they need them, calling it “the J&T Guarantee”.
“Tempus Tools has helped us immensely in delivering this guarantee to our customers. It has taken the stresses and late night quoting crunches and completely streamlined the process, freeing up more time for us to be able to focus on growing the business,” says Luke.
“In the past, expanding our customer base meant we would fall increasingly behind when it came to invoicing and quoting. Now, with Tempus Tools, we really feel we have found a software that not only services us now, but also allows us room to grow in the future.”
Service is key
Luke explains that in his business, customer service is the key to success. Customers have good memories, and they value pricing consistency, accuracy, and reliability.
“Being a service-focused business, it’s something I look for in our suppliers too. In my opinion, the Tempus Tools team has been exceptional when it comes to responsiveness and availability to work through any challenges I’m experiencing,” he says.
“Coming from a small business ourselves it was an incredibly refreshing experience to have team members visit our workshop, and to also feel listened to when it came to our concerns or feedback for the future development of Tempus Tools.”
“I met Mark Washington (Sales & Support) and Felipe Lechuga (Director) from Tempus Tools at a local manufacturing expo earlier this year, and they took the time to visit our job shop and discuss the functionality of Tempus Tools, and what more it could be doing for us. I was very impressed, and I’m grateful for all the support.”
A bright future
J&T Steel Sales has seen steady growth since moving into the laser cutting business, and Luke has plans to continue this trend.
“Our future plans are not only to focus on bringing in new customers – ideally ones that require repeat work – but also to let all our customers know about our bending and fabrication facility, so they know we can provide an end-to-end manufacturing solution,” he says.
“Tempus Tools has a huge range of useful features, and the development team is always working on new functionality that can benefit job shops like ours, so it is a key component of our growth plans.”
To learn more about Tempus Tools, please click here.
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MSG Industries provides laser cutting quotes eight times faster with game-changing software
After struggling with an in-house quoting system that was costly and inefficient, MSG Industries adopted Tempus Tools and immediately cut quoting time while improving accuracy and pricing consistency. The team now relies on Tempus Tools powerful features—like PDF part extraction and upcoming pipe-cutting support—to streamline operations and better serve their growing customer base.
A Canadian metalworking, fabrication, welding, and laser cutting enterprise, MSG Industries, has implemented a “game-changing software” to deliver faster and more accurate laser cutting quotes to its customers.
MSG Industries Vice-President, Olivier Samson, had been working with his team on developing their own quoting tool software, but it was not a cost-effective solution to the accuracy and time pressures the growing business was facing.
“We probably spent about $15,000 (Canadian dollars) and a large investment of hours developing a home-made system, but it just wasn’t performing to the level we needed to deliver better service to our customers,” said Samson.
“We did some research and discovered Tempus Tools, and it’s a game-changing software for us. Right now, I can’t imagine how we could get through the week without it,” he added.
MSG Industries, which prides itself on innovation, integrity, and professionalism, has been growing steadily since its inception three years ago, and to cope with additional requests for quotes, the company took on two full-time employees dedicated to quoting.
Tempus Tools, is an all-in-one laser cutting quoting software that is provided using a SaaS (Software as a Service) model.
“Since implementing Tempus Tools, we’ve found it is much more accurate, reliable, and fast. Instead of two people quoting full time, we can now have one person do a better job in a quarter of the time, freeing up staff to work on other tasks that can further grow our business,” says Samson.
“As we take on more customers, and send out more quotes, Tempus Tools also gives us total pricing consistency, which means we build the trust of our customers. No one likes receiving two different prices for the same work, but if two different estimators manually prepare the quote, it can happen,” he says.
“Additionally, the service has been outstanding, which is rare these days. Every time I’ve needed assistance, the Tempus Tools team has been quick to respond and highly professional.”
New updates: pipe cutting
MSG Industries provides services to a broad range of industry, and is constantly looking at ways to innovate and expand its offering.
“Our strength has always been our versatility. We have a department dedicated to heavy structural fabrication, such as schools or hospital building pieces, another department for food factory equipment, one for hydropower products, and then we have pipe cutting and laser cutting services,” explains Samson.
“Since we have so many different departments, we need very reliable tools to help us quote, and Tempus Tools has been highly valuable to us.”
“Our major focus right now is working on our pipe cutting laser service, and Tempus Tools is already working on adding this functionality into Tempus Tools so that we can quote for this service too – it’s very exciting.”
Turning customer PDFs into quote-ready CAD files
Tempus Tools Director Felipe Lechuga says that the discovery of Tempus Tools PDF part extractor feature was a further benefit to MSG Industries.
“MSG had just been using Tempus Tools for creating new quotes, but when they discovered they could use the PDF part extractor to turn a customer’s vector PDF into a CAD file straight away with no tracing required – they were delighted with the results,” said Lechuga.
“The PDF part extractor doesn’t need any CAD package or skills to use, meaning anyone can simply click on a part and extract it into a quote. You can scale the part, plus specify details like folding and etching too.”
Olivier Samson says he can’t believe he didn’t try the PDF part extractor right away. “This is even more than we hoped for. Such a useful tool! I wish we’d tried out these features from the beginning.”
“I’ve found that Tempus Tools is reliable and fast, and Tempus Tools is actively working on updates, so we really couldn’t ask for more!” he concluded.
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New integration: Tempus Tools + ECI M1 – from quote to order to ERP, seamlessly
At Tempus Tools, we know that speed and accuracy are everything in a laser cutting job shop, and today we’re announcing a new integration that makes both even easier.
We’re now fully integrated with ECI Software’s M1 ERP system.
What does that mean for your job shop?
It means you can now send quotes, order details, and production-ready drawings directly from Tempus Tools into your M1 ERP — no more double handling, no more data entry errors, no more jumping between systems.
This integration eliminates any “dead zone” between quoting and production. You get the specialist laser quoting power of Tempus Tools (like lightning-fast nesting, material cost accuracy, and margin control) combined with the operational backbone of M1.
It’s quoting that talks to your shop floor.
We’ve talked about how integrations like Google Drive can supercharge job shop workflows, and this M1 integration is another great example.
Want to learn more or set it up? If you want to avoid the limitations in the generic quoting functions in ERP/MRP software, but still use the rich planning and production features in ERP/MRP software, then get in touch today.
Book a demo or email us at support@tempustools.com and we’ll help you get connected.
Tempus Tools + M1 = quoting to production, finally in sync.
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Tempus Tools’ Google Drive integration: 6 ways to supercharge your job shop efficiency
Tempus Tools’ new Google Drive integration automatically saves your quote data and part files to Drive, opening the door to faster, smarter workflows. In this post, we highlight six clever ways job shops are already using it to boost efficiency.
Last month Tempus Tools released a powerful new feature: seamless integration with Google Drive.
Since then, we’ve heard from lots of customers about the innovative ways they have implemented this integration in their job shops, and we wanted to share the best six with you to inspire you to use the feature in your shop.
First, a quick recap: with the Google Drive integration, all your quote data (in CSV format) and production-ready part files can be automatically saved to your chosen Google Drive folder. From here, they can be exported to any number of programs or that data can be manipulated for many use cases, opening up a world of automation, reporting and connectivity for your job shop. We’ve also put together a quick video to show the integration in action.
1. Automate quote data collection for reporting
With every quote automatically saved, you can easily compile and analyse your quote performance over time. Use Google Sheets or your favourite analytics tool to track:
- win/loss rates
- performance across material types
- average order size
- breakdown of secondary processes contributions
This data-driven approach helps you identify trends, optimise pricing and improve customer response times.
2. Connect with ERP/MRP and other business systems
Some apps have native integration with Google Drive, which makes taking in quote data and parts easy, but many need a formal API. Luckily, Google Drive comes with its own API.
Some users have used the Google Drive API to build automations that push quote data directly into ERP, MRP or order management systems. This can streamline order processing, reduce manual data entry and ensure your production schedule is always up to date.
3. Organise your orders by material type
Use the exported quote data to create a parts planner that groups jobs by common material type. This enables you to:
- batch similar jobs for more efficient material usage
- reduce changeover times on machines
- optimise purchasing and inventory management
A simple Google Sheets script or integration with a dashboard tool can make this process nearly automatic.
4. Integrate with project management tools
Connect your quote data with popular tools like ClickUp, Monday.com or Airtable. Build custom dashboards and planners for your factory, visualise job statuses and assign tasks to your team-all based on real-time quoting data. These tools don’t require coding or a developer and anyone can work wonders. These types of projects boost collaboration on the shop floor and keep everyone aligned on priorities.
5. Create a scheduling calendar from time calculations
Use the time estimates in your quote data to automatically populate a production calendar. With a Google Calendar integration, you can:
- visualise machine and operator workloads
- identify bottlenecks before they happen
- easily adjust schedules as new jobs come in
This proactive scheduling helps you deliver on time, every time.
6. Enable automated notifications and workflows
Set up Google Drive triggers (using tools like Zapier or Google Apps Script) to notify your team when new quotes are confirmed as orders, or to kick off downstream processes-like updating CRM records or ordering materials.
Getting started is easy
- Go to Settings > Organisation settings > Integrations in your Tempus Tools Tempus Tools account
- Connect your Google Drive and select your preferred folder
- Choose the quote statuses that will trigger automatic file saving
- Start building automations and workflows that fit your shop’s needs
This integration is designed to be flexible-whether you want to automate reporting, connect with business systems, or simply keep your files organised, Tempus Tools and Google Drive make it possible.
Ready to enhance your job shop efficiency? Try the new Google Drive integration today.
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Tempus Tool’s new laser cutting quoting experience
Tempus Tool's new quoting interface delivers faster calculations, cleaner navigation, and powerful new features—all in one unified, intuitive screen. From smarter sorting to automatic updates and richer quote details, the upgraded experience makes quoting simpler, quicker, and more efficient than ever.
After months of rigorous development and innovation, we’re thrilled to unveil the newest evolution of our quoting interface in Tempus Tools. We remain committed to enhancing your laser cutting quoting process. This fresh approach promises enhanced navigation, lightning-fast calculations, and a host of exciting new features.
We have collected your feedback and listened to your concerns and requests over the past couple of years, and our design team has used their magic to put together a quoting interface that takes Tempus Tools to the next level!
Watch our new Tempus Tools Overview video to see all changes in detail:
Read on to learn more about some of the enhancements.
Tailored sorting
You’re in complete control. Choose between the smart auto-sort feature or manually arrange parts using drag-and-drop for a seamless organisation that aligns with your preferences.
Material requirements and order summary
At a glance, get an indication of how many sheets you need of each material to fulfil the order. Additionally, the order summary details information such as the total order weight, processing time and part count.
Part notes for everyone
A dedicated section for notes, whether they come from your customers, your team, or personal reminders for a job.
Streamlined price adjustments
With our revamped interface, tweaking the prices of parts becomes an intuitive and quick task.
Extra quote details
From setting an RFQ number to determining invoice due dates, shipping options, and beyond – we’ve got it all.
Unified quoting screen
No more toggling between tabs. Every bit of information you need, all consolidated on a single, intuitive page.
Automatic calculations
Forget the constant back and forth with the Calculate and Edit buttons. Our system now recalculates on-the-fly, keeping up with your pace.
Sleeker interface
With a cleaner, fresher look, onboard new team members with ease and navigate your daily tasks faster.
Customer emailing enhancements
An integrated system to keep your customers in the loop for every quote status.
In short, quoting in Tempus Tools is now even simpler and smarter. We’ve made sure it’s user-friendly while still being packed with all the features you need. Dive in and check out all the new improvements!
Accessing the new quoting experience
If you’re new to Tempus Tools, you will get the new experience by default. Just create a Tempus Tools account to get started.
For existing users, you have a temporary period to switch back and forth between the old and new experiences using the toggle at the top of the quote page.
We believe the new quoting experience will significantly enhance your quoting efficiency, and we can’t wait for your feedback.
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