Karpen Steel are Streamlining Their Order Process with DriveWorks

Karpen Steel, based in the USA, manufactures high-quality custom doors and frames. They aim to exceed customer expectations by manufacturing dependable products that meet critical quality standards with prompt, on-time delivery.

Before using DriveWorks, the technical data involved in each custom order made tracking and verifying each order a long process. Once an order was placed, it would be checked by two members of the customer service team and two engineers, to ensure everything was accurate.

Streamlining processes, winning more orders

Using DriveWorks Pro, Karpen Steel has streamlined its order process. The amount of employee time needed to process each order has been reduced and the process is now slicker and more efficient, allowing Karpen Steel to concentrate on winning more orders and providing great customer service.

Once an order is received, the customer service team enters the parameters of the order into the DriveWorks Configurator. This then creates the 3D SOLIDWORKS model and order documents for both the customer and the workshop. The price for the order is also generated and the order or quote is placed as a database entry. This is all done in one single step with DriveWorks.

Intelligent guided selling

Karpen Steel’s form within the DriveWorks Pro Configurator guides a user through the order process. Customers can only see, and are prompted to fill out, the relevant fields on the form for the product line they have selected.

The Configurator forms have been designed to provide feedback to whoever is filling them out. By using pictures, pop-up warnings, and instructions, errors are highlighted before the order progresses to the next step.

The ability to set up error checking within DriveWorks Pro prevents the user from leaving out required information or entering parameters that can’t be manufactured. This helps to minimize the number of times orders must be returned due to incomplete or inaccurate information, which would disrupt the order flow.

Saving time for engineers

As DriveWorks automates SOLIDWORKS, the customer service team are effectively now using its powerful 3D capabilities, without the need for any SOLIDWORKS training.

It means that Karpen Steel’s engineering team are freed up from simple, repetitive tasks to focus on the more critical aspects of the order. DriveWorks Pro also saves time by creating all the required documents. These documents contain images specific to the order details such as the frame profile, anchor types, hardware locations and door vision light size and placement.

These documents are sent to both the customer and the workshop, with each document being designed for the customer’s unique needs. Potential errors or required changes can be quickly identified, and any feedback is passed to the shop personnel so it can be fixed.