No quotes going out means no jobs coming in, but getting quotes out quickly and confidently isn’t always easy. For small- and medium-sized manufacturers, balancing shop operations with the demands of quoting can slow growth and stretch already limited resources. Whether you're running a one-person shop or managing an established operation, quoting consistently and profitably can be a challenge. Price too low, and margins shrink; price too high, and opportunities disappear; price too slow, and it doesn’t even matter. The real opportunity lies in quoting smarter. What if quoting could be faster, easier, and more consistent to help you focus on the right work and grow with confidence? Uptool RFQ DashboardUptool (IMTS booth #135714) is an AI software platform built for small, high-mix manufacturers, such as machine and fabrication shops, to help them move faster, operate more efficiently, and grow with confidence. Founded in 2023 and backed by leading industrial and AI investors, Uptool’s AI engine automates 90% of quoting workflows from detecting RFQs in overflowing inboxes to analyzing job specifications to developing accurate estimates. The monthly subscription starts at $195 for small shops with zero upfront cost and minimal setup. Most shops are up and running within an hour. Uptool RFQ OverviewUsing an App for That Running a one-person shop means having several full-time jobs. Every day, Melissa Ramos, the CEO and programmer at M95 Machining, is programming, setting up, and running machines. She’s also doing marketing and deliveries, and don’t forget, completing RFQs to get new business. Uptool helps Melissa manage all incoming RFQs through a single, simple interface. Instead of digging through her crowded email inbox, she can log into Uptool to review requests and generate quotes that account for materials, time, and labor. Uptool Estimate Part“If the RFQ includes a drawing, Uptool automatically pulls information from the drawing and assigns materials needed for a job, even the post-processing, like anodizing or powder coating,” Melissa notes. “So, you don’t miss anything when you are quoting a job.” For Melissa, simplicity matters. “I don’t need this giant, expensive ERP system. That would be really overwhelming. This tool has saved me so much time and effort.” Reclaiming Valuable Time After working as a fabricator and model maker at Rivian, Preston Murray teamed up with a friend to establish Bullray MFG in San Clemente, Calif. Leveraging his connections in motorsports, the new owner-operator has built a profitable machining and fabrication shop and is now focused on growth. When he learned about Uptool, Murray thought it could help him streamline the time-consuming task of quoting jobs. Uptool Quote“Pricing out and quoting a job used to take me two hours or longer. Using Uptool, it now takes about 10 minutes,” Murray says. “It also keeps our pricing competitive, so we are not under- or overestimating. I can create consistent and competitive quotes.” Focusing on ROI After several years of working as a computer scientist, Ivraj Seerha returned to take over his father’s 40-year-old job shop, Just in Time Machine Corp., just outside Madison, Wis. As the general manager and machinist, Seerha wanted to improve the RFQ response time to focus on high-end parts for aerospace and nuclear energy applications. Uptool Send Quote“There is no shortage of work,” Seerha explains. “The tough part is selecting the right RFQs to respond to. Uptool helps identify the most valuable jobs and respond quickly.” After evaluating many software tools, Uptool stood out. Today, the shop is more selective, more efficient, and better positioned for profitable growth. Register at IMTS.com/Register. Discover Small Tools with Big Impact Software Sector in the East Building at IMTS, McCormick Place, Chicago, Ill.Innovations like Uptool show how targeted software solutions can streamline workflows, automating the quoting process while improving accuracy and efficiency. Whether you're just starting out or scaling an established shop, small tools can drive meaningful results. Explore solutions like these at IMTS 2026. Visit IMTS.com to see how the right tools can make a big impact on your shop. Register today at IMTS.com/Register.
Software innovations like Uptool can transform machine shop workflows by automating the quoting process while accounting for variable material and labor costs. Whether you're just starting or scaling an established business, the right tools can help you move faster and work smarter.
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