Success stories
Real builds, real numbers
Practical systems that solved a real problem — and cost a fraction of the off-the-shelf alternative.
A $40,000 inventory system, rebuilt for $2,500
$40,000
VLM maker's software
$2,500
Our custom build
16× lower cost
The challenge
Our client invested in a vertical lift module (VLM) — an automated storage unit that keeps inventory in trays and delivers the right one on demand. To actually run it, the VLM manufacturer quoted $40,000 for their software. That price bought a closed, basic system: no web access, no customization, and no room to grow with the business.
The result
- $2,500 instead of $40,000 — roughly 94% less than the manufacturer's quote.
- A system the client fully owns and can keep expanding.
- Faster, more accurate picking with full traceability on every part.
- Stock levels driven by real usage data instead of guesswork.
What we built
- A fully custom, web-based inventory system wired directly into the VLM.
- Operators select the exact parts they need and the machine presents the correct tray.
- Barcode scan-in and scan-out keeps every part count accurate in real time.
- Locked-down access — the unit only opens through our system, so stock stays secure and every transaction is logged.
- Usage analytics that surface the most frequently picked parts.
- Data-driven recommended stock levels, so they reorder before they run out.
- An AI assistant that answers inventory questions in plain English.
- Ongoing recommendations on how to optimize storage and stocking.
300+ products, unpredictable demand — tamed for under $5,000
Spreadsheets
Manual scheduling, by hand
Under $5,000
Our custom build
300+ products, automated
The challenge
A manufacturer producing over 300 different products was at the mercy of unpredictable demand — some weeks they'd ship thousands of parts, other weeks almost none. Their entire production schedule and safety-stock planning ran on manual Excel spreadsheets, which meant constant guesswork and no early warning when they were about to fall behind.
The result
- Built for under $5,000 — no expensive planning software required.
- A clear, real-time view of where they're at risk at all times.
- Safety stock sized to actual demand and process lead time, not guesswork.
- Hours of manual spreadsheet work replaced with automatic recommendations.
What we built
- A fully custom system that analyzes real demand across the entire plant.
- Factors in how long each product takes to move through their process — true lead time.
- Calculates recommended stock levels that protect against demand swings.
- An urgent 'hot list' that shows, at a glance, exactly where they're at risk right now.
- Instant, real-time visibility into priorities — no more digging through spreadsheets.
- Replaces manual scheduling guesswork with data-driven recommendations.
Want results like these?
Start with the AI Efficiency Assessment. We'll find your highest-impact opportunity — then I can build it.