Manufacturing
AUTOMATING CUSTOM ORDERS WITH E-COMMERCE
AUTOMATING CUSTOM ORDERS WITH E-COMMERCE
Client Overview
Our client is a sheet metal processing company with decades of experience manufacturing solid fuel boilers and sauna heaters for residential use. Beyond their core product line, they specialize in custom metalworking services, including precision cutting, bending, and forming sheet metal parts tailored to unique customer specifications.
The Challenge
The client was well-known for making solid fuel boilers and sauna heaters, but their custom sheet metal fabrication services were not widely recognized. They provided a full range of metalworking services, including precision cutting, folding, shaping, and custom part manufacturing to meet exact customer needs.
However, lacking an effective online platform to showcase or sell these custom metal services, most potential customers never asked about them. When customers did inquire, the ordering process was slow and manual. They had to send design files and detailed requests via email, wait for quotes, negotiate prices, and hope their file formats worked with the production machines.
This inefficient process created delays and frustration: the client spent too much time on manual quoting, and customers experienced unnecessary difficulties when placing custom orders.
The opportunity was clear: make it easy for customers to discover custom metalworking options, configure and order parts online, without delays or complicated emails.
Our Solution
We developed a custom e-commerce system that transformed the slow, manual quoting process into a fast, self-service experience. This made it easier for customers to order custom metal parts and streamlined order fulfillment for the client.
Self-Service Ordering
Customers can upload their part design files, select materials, enter dimensions, and choose extra operations like drilling or polishing. The system instantly calculates an estimated price based on the inputs, allowing users to explore different materials, quantities, or specifications with real-time pricing updates.
3D Preview & Automated File Conversion
Before placing an order, customers receive a 3D preview of their custom part to confirm their design. Meanwhile, the system automatically converts uploaded files into DXF format, which is compatible with the client’s machinery. This automation removes manual file preparation and speeds up production setup.
Integrated Price Calculation
We integrated third-party pricing software to handle complex pricing calculations based on material type, dimensions, quantity, and additional operations. This delivers accurate, real-time quotes with no manual work.
Admin Dashboard for Full Control
The client uses an internal dashboard to manage orders easily, including user accounts, pricing markups, submitted files, and invoicing. Orders arrive fully processed and ready for production, reducing administrative effort.
Tech Stack
Next.js
Nest.js
Radan
Sendgrid
PostgreSQL
Tailwind
Three.js
Results
The new system completely transformed how custom metal parts are ordered - for both the client and their customers. Customers can now configure, price, and preview their parts online within minutes. There’s no more waiting for quotes or sending design files back and forth. Everything happens in one place with instant feedback and full control.
For the client, manual quoting is no longer a time drain. File formatting is automated, and orders arrive production-ready with DXF files prepped for their machines. This allows the team to spend less time on administrative tasks and focus more on their core expertise.
With a user-friendly online interface for customers and a powerful internal dashboard, the company has turned a previously hidden custom metal service into a streamlined, revenue-generating channel.
2x
Faster ordering process
5x
increase in custom orders
50%
less administrative work