E2 Shop System Software

I've been working with Shoptech for just over a year and gave it my best effort. We have implemented many work arounds to try and work within the forced system. However, there are glaring issues around each corner and fixes are painfully slow to be implemented. Although the software is cloud-based there are many features of a cloud based software that are not being utilized. For example, records do not save until the user clicks save (standard cloud based software packages retain the information as the user updates it).

Pros

The concepts at a very high level are good. The modules and work flow make sense in general. The basic concepts are all good and at the core are what is needed out of an ERP system.

Cons

Where to start...

1. The number of clicks to accomplish a simple task is unreal and extremely time consuming.
2. Lack of customization - each company is very different in operation yet all are forced into a solution that does not work for all. Simple issues such as the way tables are viewed are forced by Shoptech and not able to be customized.
3. Customer service - Many issues raised by the online community are classified as "oversights" and not as defects as a result nothing is done to correct them
4. Slow improvements - The community can request enhancements to the software, yet this are very slow to be implemented (if at all).
5. Outdated - many features are copied over from old outdated software and not likely to change anytime soon as they attempt to keep the new cloud based software inline with the older software packages

We purchased E2 Shop System in October after months of research to find a manufacturing system that would integrate well with our accounting software that is already in place. There are several little quirks and kinks that we quickly discovered upon deploying the system that just made it a bit more tedious to use that honestly we probably wouldn't have purchased the software had we known this during the demo. The online training classes are not one-on-one and are instead a classroom type of environment, however, with having to stop every 3-4 minutes because the sample system interface is frozen or someone is having an issue understanding the procedure it tends to get a little lengthy and the content of the class is lost. We have actually taken it upon ourselves to pay the additional fee for someone to come in-house and go through what we still have yet to comprehend (yet have not been contacted to schedule a date well over a week of already approving and paying upfront costs for the trainer.) Hopefully, once we are able to sit down with the specialist all will be running smoothly for us and I will be able to provide a better review.

Pros

Web-based, Interface looks nice, Shipment progress is easy to follow

Cons

Difficult to learn, Manuals are out-dated, Customer support is hit or miss, Training classes are sometimes less than helpful and leave you desiring that one-on-one instruction.

Best shop software I’ve used.

Pros

The many many features that tie your entire shop together from RFQ, to work order and invoice and everything in between. Order, track and locate your raw material inventory and finished products.

Cons

You need a pretty solid understanding of the software and software systems and computers as a whole to really understand and use all of the many features. But the basics are very easy and user friendly.

We have been using E2 for well over 16 years and so far we love it. We have used other systems and this one just seed to get it right. In that time we have only had a handful of issues of which most were fixed in minutes and all we had to do was call Tech Support and explain what was not working. The customer and technical support staff are extremely knowledgeable in what their software can do and how they can customize it to fit your every need. They have even extra fields set aside for all most every function to carry different data types just in case you have found a data point that they haven't thought of.

Pros

E2 creates a clutter free work space with a simple layout and design. Shop Tech has broken down the manufacturing process to get a true understanding of how our company really operates. The bolt on modules allow for greater control of specific functions in particular departments. We specifically use the Scheduling and Custom Order Import Automation functions. Scheduling give us a top level view, department view, work center view, and all the way down to a view of sub parts that make up a single part. This tells us exactly where an order is as well as if we are under or over loaded at the work center and department level. All I have to do is pull up the schedule, click a button for the level of detail I want to display and away it goes. The Custom Order Import Function has allowed us to automate the order entry process by simply downloading a file from our customer, pointing where I saved the file, and clicking "Import". This function creates the order and based off our custom company settings which we have setup to automatically pull from stock jobs, inventory, post a quantity to make or a combination of all of the above. We can then run a requirement report to see what we need to make to fulfill open orders or to make stock for inventory. It really doesn't get easier than that.

Cons

The extra modules do have a cost but they are well worth it. On the plus side of that, E2 will demo the modules with full functionality and if it doesn't incorporate everything that you need you don't have to purchase it.

The Customer Support improves and is quick and resourceful
The system allows for improved organization

Pros

The Part history feature allows quick response to Customer Quotes

Cons

The software does not allow multiple screen use

Pros

Everything is at your fingertips! Order history, shipments, Vendor PO's, receiving etc. PLUS, there is many different ways to look items up (part #, description, PO#, date etc).

Cons

There is a limited number of report options.

Pros

The ability to gather data on cost, and labor. Inventory tracking is probably the most useful aspect of this software.

Cons

The user interface is very clunky, and hard to navigate. The capability of the program is hard to realize due to how difficult it is to use.
I have, on multiple occasions, pulled my hair out trying to figure out why the program will not cooperate, only to find there was some missing information somewhere. Ok, this is my fault, but wouldn't it be nice if even the smallest window could pop up to say there is an error?
Sometimes I sign in and forget to actually click on the little green check mark. Turns out if you push the enter key to sign in results in the program window disappearing from the screen with no warning or indication as to why. One winds up waiting the several minutes expected for the program to respond only to find it is not opening after all.
The promise of what this software could enable a business to do is amazing. It is truly a shame how non-user friendly it is.

Pros

E2 is really easy to use and get setup for your company, especially if you run a job shop. It has comprehensive features to allow you to track time and jobs. From quoting, all the way to post production, it has you covered. It also has semi-automated integration with Quickbooks, to help keep your financials in line with operations.

Cons

User interface is extremely dated and will not scale for large enterprise.

The E2 System has provided a structured manufacturing process/system that has assisted our company in maintaining an organized, structured and documented system for the products that we produce.

Pros

The user friendly format. The process takes you from estimating/quotation through to invoicing . We use the shop floor and quality modules daily.

Cons

The scheduling module takes a bit longer to master but that is probably due to the nature of our busines..

Pros

It's nice to have a platform that keeps track, in live time, of your inventory and orders. Great for those working in a production area

Cons

This is not the most intuitive software. It takes a lot of messing around with to achieve one simple aspect.

Customer can run their manufacturing through this software

Pros

The ease of use. The Shoptech help desk has helped me many times on issues and customization of E2.

Cons

The cost. It is expensive software and the yearly fee is quite expensive. Customization through shoptech is expensive also.

E2 makes our manufacturing easy to track and analyze. It is a very simple but powerful software.

Pros

My favorite part about E2 is the simple layout and design of each module. Anyone with an understanding of the flow in manufacturing can learn this software quickly. Also, the software is somewhat flexible which makes it easy to tailor around your company's specific style of processing jobs and orders. There is also a lot of useful data you can pull from the system to analyze manufacturing costs. My favorite is the Job Cost Summary which allows you to see in detail every cost of a specific job.

Cons

The one module I find difficult to use is the Scheduling module. For our company's style of manufacturing it has been hard to use and implement. We mostly build to stock, but we get a lot of build to order jobs that have to be rushed through manufacturing and really mess up the scheduling. I still have a lot to learn about the Scheduling module, but I wish there was a way to use sales history to continually update the job completion date. This would allow us to reschedule our work in progress to fill the shelves before we run out of stock. This module has a lot of promise but for now seems a bit cumbersome to use effectively.

Pros

The E2 Shop Software has changed our business in the best way possible. E2 is well thought out and easy to use. We can't imagine running our shop without E2. It keeps everything tracked and organized. We have noticed a huge change in our productivity. Thank you E2!

Cons

I wish I could copy and paste more information in the program. I also wish it had an easier compatibility with my accounting software.

All shop activities and Accounting activities are in one software package.

Pros

Software is very easy to use. There are various modules to meet a variety of needs. Updates are available as downloads so I can schedule them at our convenience. Support has always been immediately available and their staff follows up to make sure things are resolved. They also have Online tutorials and webinars that are helpful.

Cons

The customization of reports can be difficult to do on my own using the Crystal Report Writer software.

improved our inventory control and non-conformance control.

Pros

Priced well compared to competition, provides reports, upfront training provided. great for the shop floor guys to clock in and out of. While the training manuals were outdated, the software was easy enough to figure out on my own.

Cons

So many extra modules must be purchased to make it functional or editable. Customer service can be a little rough to get an answer or fix, but once you get to the the knowledgable person it will get resolved quickly.

Pros

The software allows you to create items on the fly to eliminate down time.
E2 is very customizable to your specific needs in your organization.
E2 has integrated the various currencies that are used in transactions.
The software has user security so that you can limit the information seen by each user
It is a fully functional program that takes the part from inception and quote stage to the full out Order processing and then to shipping.
We love the integration with Data Collection to minimize input of labour entries
Customer Service is great and they can usually fix the issue within 1 or 2 phone calls unless it is a larger issue but is also escalated to keep the down time to a minimum.
It is also pretty easy to teach new employees on how to use the program.

Cons

The software is a great product and I really don't have anything we don't like about the program. We use it daily and very rarely do we have any issues.

Pros

Versatile to handle all functions from administrative to shop floor applications. Has streamlined our estimating and job router creation to a fraction of the time. The online support is very friendly and responsive.

Cons

Would like more flexibility to customize our capacity planning and scheduling, particularly those items that are processed in different lot batches.

It greatly streamlined our shop management system, allowing us greater visibility and transparency of the whole process from order review through production to final inspection and shipment.

Pros

- The General layout of the software and UI makes it very simple and intuitive.
- The ability to customize reports
- The expandability of the software, being able to add-on as you grow.
- Customer service is very responsive and always willing to help.

Cons

- No major cons really to speak of a few minor inconveniences
- No EDI capability currently, which is far from a major problem.

Pros

1. No IT guy cost to maintain server.
2. Can use inexpensive workstations. We use Chromebooks for data collection. I also use a chromebook for trips.
3. Android/Apple app for tablets that can be used for data collection
4. Also just released an app for employees to check in and out from their phone. You can post stock from this app.
5. Work from anywhere. I was in Minnesota 2 weeks ago during a blizzard. I was at starbucks, posted up next to the window, working on my chromebook with no hick ups.
6. New updated features over the old system. Better reports. More capable Hot Spots.
7. Works the same as the old system, just things are in different spots.
8. Better, more efficient user interface
9. Easier to customize reports
10. Just introduced Dashboards

Cons

1. The subscription price.
2. Cert control in general can be better.
3. Employee Clock in Module is a pain. You cannot edit someone time until they are clocked out.

Pros

The software enables us to track our jobs throughout the manufacturing process and is extremely easy to use. Their customer services representatives are knowledgeable and eager to assist. We also utilize their quality module for creating RMA/DMRs.

Cons

The aspect of ShopTech that I like least is probably the reporting capabilities. I find the "canned" reports to be lacking.