From complex spreadsheets to a custom web application

Tarsco was dealing with a network of complex spreadsheets and equations to produce accurate estimates for their custom manufacturer bolted tanks. This resulted in disjointed communication and caused lengthy estimate turnaround times. 

Complex equations exist for a reason, but software can alleviate the difficulty of using them quickly and effectively. After all, overusing spreadsheets is a primary indicator that custom software could be for you! Tarsco’s complex process is vastly improved with a solution that knows their context and was intentionally created collaborating with their experts. 

Does a series of spreadsheets complicate your estimation process? Bogged down by double-data entry? Or full of opportunities for human error? Tarsco Bolted Tank’s estimate process took 3-5 days to complete and lacked traceability, costing them money. 

Tarsco Bolted Tank is a leader in bolted tanks for liquid and dry storage solutions. A standard process is vital in contract manufacturing, but Tarsco’s projects often have custom components, so they needed a system that balanced standardization and customization. 

Tarsco found that they needed an estimation system to match their upgraded manufacturing process and support their sales staff as they scaled. They had a complicated estimating process that required several teams to work through a series of spreadsheets to provide an estimate. This process took 3-5 days to complete and required double data entry throughout the spreadsheet, which was error-prone, causing them to underbid projects and costing them money. Tarsco also needed to create a separate estimate for each tank, even on a site with multiple tanks being built, and each change in accessories and assemblies needed to be calculated separately. Additionally, they were saving emails and printing out hard copies of estimates to record historical information, which made analytics of previous projects difficult. 

Tarsco wanted to optimize their process moving forward, as they felt the pain of how long it took to complete estimates. If they could speed up their estimation process, they could take on more of the market share. The double data entry also left them prone to human error while completing estimates. They were also searching for a way to keep better records of their projects so they could better understand the scope of their projects. 

Now, Tarsco has a unified software solution that simplifies their process and facilitates the collaboration between the in-field sales team, the estimators, and the engineering team, with an estimation process that meets their goals of taking under two business days to complete. The process is contained within their app, with only one spreadsheet involved in the process. Their software standardizes their process while still allowing customization. When they finish a project, they can also “lock” a proposal for their records so they can easily complete analysis on previous projects. 

Tarsco’s system is built with tiered access so administrators can designate permissions for other users. Administrators set up and update all of the assemblies, parts, and options available so that each estimate’s pricing is up to date.

Many of Tarsco’s clients need customizations built into their systems for their specific use or building codes. Their administrators can build the information for all their products into their system so they can access their parts database while creating an estimate. Since the system will enable estimators to see the tanks and their customizations separately, they can reference them later for other projects. Each estimate contains additional data such as individual tanks, customizations, shipping information, etc. Estimators can set the number of tanks, materials, accessories, and labor needed within the estimate, and the software calculates the price.  

Tarsco’s system automatically creates reports for the estimate, including plans for the tank(s), a breakdown of the estimate, a parts list, a schedule for construction, terms and conditions, and budget reports on materials and labor. All the data is stored in the app, allowing for easy access, and easy to find down the road for analytical purposes. 

RoleModel Software worked with Tarsco to understand their business and created a software solution that streamlined, localized, and contained their process within their custom software. Their system lets them build multiple estimates for each client, divided by sites or individual tanks. Additionally, their software automatically creates a set of reports with the estimated breakdown to budget materials and labor for each part of the process. All the estimates are saved within the system to be accessed later—making analytics on previous projects easy.  

Tarsco needed software to simplify their process while considering more information about their parts and related costs. RoleModel delivered a system balanced standardization and customization, cutting down the time it takes to create estimates, reducing the possibility of human error, and simplifying reporting.