In 2022, Jody brought on new staff to help with their manufacturing operations and built an outstanding reputation in the industry. With business starting to roll in a decision had to be made on the best way to manage the shop for today and the future expansion plans. Starting the search with JobBoss and landing on StartProto, there were a few key problems Jody wanted to solve.

Jaco Machine had three main challenges to solve for:

• Centralizing Data: Before StartProto, Jaco Machine had no centralized system for managing orders, quotes, and production information. This lack of centralization made it difficult to track progress, costs, and quality.
• Streamlining Management: The company needed a system that could simplify accounting processes, integrate manufacturing-focused data, and provide easy access to information like cut sheets, drawings, and task lists.

• Tracking Product Quality and Profitability: Initially, Jaco Machine lacked the tools to consistently track product quality and profitability. They required a solution that could handle this level of detail as the company grew.

The decision to adopt StartProto came after an unsatisfactory experience with JobBoss's seemingly overpriced offering. StartProto's flexible features, such as the ability to start with certain functions turned off, allowed Jaco Machine to grow at their desired pace. As the company expanded, they gradually enabled more advanced features like multi-level bills of materials (BOMs) and job tracking.

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“When you start a business, you only want to focus on doing what you are good at. StartProto is a system that allows that to happen. ”

‍Jody Powell — Owner and Principal, Jaco Machine LLC

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Key Features and Benefits

• Flexibility: The ability to start with a simplified setup and gradually enable more complex features allowed Jaco Machine to grow without overwhelming their day-to-day processes.
• Centralized Data: StartProto provided a centralized platform for managing all production-related information, from quotes to orders to inventory.
• Streamlined Accounting: The Quickbooks integration allowed StartProto to migrate only what was needed leading to a smoother accounting process.
• Material Tracking: The inclusion of every foot and inch of material in the system eliminated the need for manual checks, saving time and reducing inventory counts.
• Quality and Profitability Tracking: StartProto enabled Jaco Machine to monitor product quality and profitability, ensuring that they could make informed decisions about their operations.