Tailored quoting and production systems

Built between Excel and ERP for bespoke manufacturing

Most bespoke and high-variation manufacturers reach a point where spreadsheets stop working, but full ERP feels too heavy, expensive, and risky.

That is where Apslo works.

We design and build tailored quoting and production systems that sit between Excel and ERP, adapted to how your business actually operates.

No generic software.
No forced standardisation.
No ERP overhead.

The problem we solve

In bespoke and made-to-order production, quoting and production are tightly connected.

In reality, they often live in separate tools:

• quotes in Excel

• production tracked manually

• installation planned late

• costs drifting without visibility

This creates:

• inaccurate quoting

• firefighting on the shop floor

• last-minute changes during installation

• margin erosion that is hard to see early

ERP promises control, but usually requires:

• standardised products

• fixed structures

• long implementations

• heavy change management

For many medium-sized manufacturers, neither option fits.

Our approach

Apslo designs tailored systems that connect quoting, production, and installation into one operational flow.

We start from:

• your real workflows

• your product variation

• how decisions are actually made

• how work moves from office to production and site

Then we build only what is needed, step by step.

The result is a system that:

• replaces fragile spreadsheets

• improves accuracy and visibility

• remains flexible as your business evolves

• deliberately stops before ERP complexity

What these systems typically cover

Every system is different, but most include:

Accurate quoting for bespoke products

• structured quote logic based on real production effort

• reusable templates for products and jobs

• visibility into costs before work starts

• direct link between quote and production data

Job and project based production management

• jobs grouped by project when needed

• kanban and table views for daily control

• clear priorities without micromanagement

• support for high product variation

Production and installation tracking

• live status updates from the shop floor

• mobile access for production teams

• readiness visibility for installation

• fewer last-minute surprises

Controlled replacement of Excel

• spreadsheets replaced gradually, not overnight

• no disruption to ongoing work

• teams adopt the system naturally

What makes this different from ERP

These systems are not smaller ERPs.

They:

• do not include accounting or finance modules

• do not force standard workflows

• do not require months of configuration

• do not lock you into rigid structures

They are built to support variability, not eliminate it.

Who this is for

This approach works best if:

• you run bespoke or made-to-order production

• product variation is normal, not an exception

• quoting accuracy matters for margins

• production and installation overlap

• Excel is becoming a bottleneck

• ERP feels too heavy or risky

It is not a good fit if:

• you run high-volume, repetitive manufacturing

• you need full ERP finance modules

• you want a ready-made SaaS tool

• you are looking for “one system to do everything”

How engagement works

We keep the process simple and pragmatic.

1. Workflow discussion
   We talk through how quoting, production, and installation currently work.

2. System design
   We define what should replace Excel and what should stay as-is.

3. Incremental build
   The system is built and introduced step by step.

4. Adoption and refinement
   Feedback from real use shapes the final system.

No big-bang implementations.
No unnecessary modules.

Typical outcomes

Companies usually see:

• more reliable quoting

• fewer production surprises

• clearer priorities on the shop floor

• better coordination with installation

• less time spent fixing spreadsheet issues

Most importantly, teams regain control without adding bureaucracy.

See a real example

You can access a live demo of a real production system built using this approach.

This is a working application, not a mockup.
Use it to understand the structure and flow, not the feature list.

Access the live demo system

Is this the right approach for you?

If you are done patching Excel but not ready for ERP, a tailored quoting and production system may be the missing layer.

The fastest way to find out is a short conversation.

Talk through your workflow
See if this approach fits your company