Overview
AEC Engineering, a custom industrial panel manufacturer, faced workflow inefficiencies and fragmented data across sales, project execution, and inventory management. By implementing a unified Zoho solution designed by Enable Solutions, the company achieved tighter project control, integrated quoting and CRM functions, and improved visibility through advanced analytics dashboards.
Key Takeaways:
- Unified CRM, Projects, and Inventory on Zoho One
- Custom dashboards with automated reporting and email triggers
- Structured change management and user adoption program
- Improved data accuracy and decision-making speed
Executive Summary
AEC Engineering, based in Freeport, Maine, designs and fabricates custom industrial electrical panels for clients across multiple industries. The company’s operations depend on detailed project workflows, vendor coordination, and client communications, all of which were previously managed across disparate tools.
“Everything we build is custom; there’s no one-size-fits-all part or process. Our database is the internet,” said Tim Hooper, AEC Engineering. “We needed a system that could handle that complexity but remain simple for our team to use.”
Enable Solutions partnered with AEC to optimize their Zoho environment, ensuring a scalable digital foundation and empowering AEC’s leadership to manage projects and quotes seamlessly, even remotely.
Problem Statement and Key Challenges
Before Enable’s engagement, AEC’s challenges included:
- Fragmented data between CRM, Projects, and Inventory modules
- Manual quote and estimate tracking using Excel and email chains
- Redundant data entry leading to inefficiencies
- Limited visibility into team performance and project progress
- Low adoption of Zoho Projects due to complex workflows
“We’ve been using Zoho CRM pretty consistently, but not Projects yet, it’s been kind of off and on. We know the data’s there; we weren’t pulling it out effectively,” noted Tim Hooper.
Evaluation of the Problem
Enable Solutions began with an in-depth discovery and system audit, including on-site workflow analysis. The Enable team identified key process gaps between quoting, production, and reporting. By collaborating closely with AEC’s leadership, the team mapped both the current and future states, aligning them with Zoho’s ecosystem capabilities.
Mike Lauer of Enable Solutions emphasized the importance of adoption and long-term usability: “Digital transformation isn’t just about software, it’s about people. Adoption is the key to success. We design systems and training plans that make using Zoho second nature.”
Proposed Solution(s)
Enable’s solution suite for AEC Engineering included four major deliverables:
- Analytics: Data Visualization Design Build
– Created interactive dashboards to track commissions, integration metrics, and project KPIs.
– Configured automated email report triggers and enhanced visualization for leadership oversight. - User Training and Change Management
– Conducted hands-on Zoho Projects training sessions.
– Developed user documentation and internal video tutorials.
– Implemented a change management plan including feedback loops and refresher sessions. - Integration Customization
– Integrated Zoho CRM, Projects, and Inventory for seamless data flow.
– Reduced redundant data entry and established unified project management workflows. - Workflow Redesign
– Simplified Zoho Projects workflows and aligned them with AEC’s real-world project stages.
– Delivered optimized processes supported by user documentation and automation.
Implementation
The project was executed over several months, covering approximately 65 work units. Enable Solutions employed an agile, iterative rollout to allow immediate feedback and user adaptation. Training included designating “super users” within AEC’s team to champion adoption internally.
The implementation also included system integration validation, custom dashboard deployment, documentation, and knowledge transfer sessions, and recorded workflow reviews for future reference.
Results
Post-implementation, AEC Engineering saw marked improvements in daily operations:
- Data Centralization: CRM, Projects, and Inventory data now sync automatically, eliminating double entry.
- Operational Efficiency: Workflows reduced manual quoting steps by over 40%.
- User Adoption: The team now consistently uses Zoho Projects for tracking deliverables and milestones.
- Leadership Visibility: Dashboards provide real-time insights into open quotes, project status, and sales forecasts.
“I want this tool to help me manage the company from away,” said Tim Hooper. “Enable built it so it finally fits how we work, not the other way around.”
Conclusion
Through Enable Solutions’ Zoho expertise, AEC Engineering successfully transitioned from fragmented spreadsheets to a unified, data-driven platform that supports real-time decision-making, improved collaboration, and scalability. This project demonstrates Enable’s ability to deliver not only technical integration but also behavioral adoption, ensuring that AEC’s Zoho system evolves with their business.
Partner Details
Enable Solutions LLC
Milford, MA
office@enable.llc
https://enable.llc
