StartProto Blog

Manufacturing Fundamentals

Learn what it takes to run a sane and profitable manufacturing business. We cover the latest industry intel, advice, and honest takes from people tackling their shops greatest challenges.

Editor's picks

Dive into our curated selection of articles that will give you essential insights on how to effectively organize your business process.

AI in Job Shops: Hype or Game-Changer?

Connecting Engineering and Production with the Ultimate Manufacturing Tech Stack

ERP vs. MRP: What’s Best for Your Job Shop?

Article topics

AI Powered Manufacturing

Production Shop

Growth

Manufacturing Software

Cybersecurity

Job Shop

Events

Manufacturing Execution

All posts

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AI Powered Manufacturing

July 8, 2025

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min read

How AI Agents Are Revolutionizing RFQ Processing in Manufacturing

The manufacturing industry has a problem: engineers are spending 60% of their time on administrative tasks instead of solving complex engineering challenges.

AI Powered Manufacturing

June 23, 2025

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min read

AI in Job Shops: Hype or Game-Changer?

The shops that win tomorrow are modernizing today. AI in manufacturing—especially in small job shops—isn’t theoretical. If you’re still managing quotes, scheduling, and reporting by hand—or using MES systems designed for factories 20 years ago—it’s time to ask: what’s stopping you from upgrading?

AI Powered Manufacturing

June 17, 2025

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min read

From Email to Execution: Your AI Assistant in StartProto

Harness the power of AI to automate manufacturing quoting with StartProto. Simply email your AI assistant purchase orders, PDFs, and 3D models to automatically create parts, routings, and sales orders, saving you valuable time and effort. This innovative feature transforms tedious manual entry into a seamless, efficient process, freeing you to focus on higher-value tasks.

AI Powered Manufacturing

The Role of Quoting and ERP Software in CMMC Compliance

The road to CMMC compliance for manufacturers doesn't have to be complicated. With the right digital tools in place—like StartProto—you can build compliance into your daily operations, reduce risk, and win more defense contracts with confidence.

Cybersecurity

AI Powered Manufacturing

May 5, 2025

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min read

How Smart Software Is Revolutionizing Job Shops: From Cloud Adoption to AI-Powered Production

In today’s manufacturing world, speed, precision, and compliance aren’t luxuries—they’re survival. For machine shops trying to stay competitive in a high-demand, high-spec industry, traditional spreadsheets and outdated systems are no longer enough. The future of manufacturing belongs to agile, digitally fluent job shops. Whether it’s through adopting AI job shop software or leveraging a manufacturing shop RFQ online system, the right tech stack is your competitive edge.

AI Powered Manufacturing

April 8, 2025

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min read

Emerging AI Use Cases and Trends in Manufacturing Planning and Execution Software

The manufacturing industry is undergoing a seismic shift, and AI is at the forefront of this transformation. From optimizing production schedules to predicting maintenance needs, AI is revolutionizing how machine shops and manufacturers plan and execute operations. Let’s dive into some of the emerging AI use cases and trends shaping the future of manufacturing planning and execution software.

AI Powered Manufacturing

March 14, 2025

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min read

Dynamic Reallocation: Optimize Job Priorities & Maximize Efficiency

Dynamic Reallocation allows manufacturers and job shops to prioritize orders on the fly, ensuring that the highest-priority assemblies and parts are completed first. By intelligently shifting inventory, work-in-progress (WIP), and resources, this feature helps businesses meet urgent deadlines without manual intervention.

AI Powered Manufacturing

Manufacturing Execution

March 12, 2025

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min read

The Advantage of StartProto’s Work-in-Progress Display System

Manufacturers often struggle with tracking work-in-progress (WIP) efficiently, leading to bottlenecks, production delays, and procurement issues. StartProto’s operation pills solve this by providing a real-time, visual way to monitor production progress at every stage.

Manufacturing Execution