Smart Tech for Small Engineering Firms: Saving Time, Staying Sharp
Running a small engineering company — whether you’re designing prototypes, fabricating components, or doing maintenance — means wearing a lot of hats. For firms with fewer than 5 staff, time is always tight, and every tool has to pull its weight.
The good news? Modern technology can help small firms work smarter without needing huge budgets or complex systems. Here’s how engineering teams across the UK are using tech to boost productivity, improve collaboration, and meet client expectations — without hiring extra staff.
1. CAD/CAM Management and Version Control
For many engineers, CAD is the backbone of the business. But version chaos and lost files can slow everything down.
Cloud-based platforms like Autodesk Fusion 360, Onshape, or even SolidWorks PDM offer:
Cloud file storage with version tracking
Easy sharing with clients and colleagues
Real-time collaboration on designs
Access from the workshop or on the go
You don’t need a massive IT setup — just a good connection and secure logins.
2. Job Tracking & Workshop Scheduling
Managing jobs across the shop floor can get messy without a system.
Simple job management tools (like JobBOSS², Katana, or Trello) can help you:
Track job stages (design > production > delivery)
Manage small teams across projects
Share updates and notes in real time
Assign deadlines and see what’s falling behind
Even free tools like Google Sheets or Notion can be game-changers when used properly.
3. Quality Control & Compliance
If you work under ISO standards, CE marking, or tight tolerances, you’ll know how important documentation is.
Digital systems can help with:
Quality control checklists
Calibration logs
Maintenance schedules
Certificate storage
Whether it’s for internal processes or client reports, having it all in one place reduces mistakes and speeds up audits.
4. Client Communication & Approvals
Small engineering firms often work directly with clients — and responsiveness matters.
Tools like:
Slack or Teams for project chat
DocuSign for quick sign-offs
Loom or screen recording to explain designs visually
…make communication quicker and clearer — especially when your clients aren’t engineers themselves.
5. Smart Stock and Supplier Management
Even basic inventory tracking helps avoid delays. Tools like Sortly, Zoho Inventory, or Excel with barcode plugins can help track:
Parts and materials
Supplier lead times
Incoming/outgoing deliveries
That’s fewer surprises and smoother production.
The Takeaway
You don’t need to spend thousands to make a real difference. For most small engineering teams, a few smart tools can:
Save hours per week
Reduce costly errors
Improve client satisfaction
Start with just one:
Get CAD files into the cloud
Set up a basic job board
Digitise your quality checks
Need a Hand?
At Infracto, we work with small UK engineering companies to help them choose, set up, and manage simple, cost-effective systems — without the faff.
If you want to stay sharp without hiring a full-time tech manager, we’ve got your back.
