Rightly so, some fabricators -- particularly the smaller sized ones - are a little bit nervous as to where to best invest their capital and ensure they survive these uncertain times.

It is a new era in which China and cashed up Middle East states are consuming steel at such a rate that the market is uncertain when price rises will stop.

Fabrication software supplier, Planit (Australia), has been tracking developments and is definite in its belief that factory processes have to take a holistic approach get the most cost-effective outcome.

"More often than not it is down to software and setting the right platform based on this technology to make sure a business is prepared to ride out hard times and remain profitable," said Mr Rees Hughes, Sales & Marketing Director of Planit.

"One of the main objectives in a sheet metal fabrication factory is to stop cost blowouts at every point when manufacturing; and this can be anywhere from the point of ordering stock through to the moment it is transported out the door.

"It is a modern day reality that production line software does affect all these areas of the manufacturing chain, so now more than ever, making sure you choose the right software has become the imperative."

Business owners want more than just a CAM solution.  They are seeking more than just something to drive the machine; they want something to do processing and design.

Planit has been monitoring benefits derived from software on production lines and certainly with its own product, Radan, understands that the market is after a software product that can be in place to design and build on, yet is not a big capital investment.

"Fabrication plant owners and managers demand software solutions that can be shaped for their own purposes, because you can choose what you want for your own requirements," said Mr Hughes.

"Yet one should never forget that maximising the full potential of the investment also requires comprehensive installation and training from experienced sheetmetal people; thus, the onus is on the supplier to provide this.

"We believe that the training and understanding of software is most important as this helps instruct the new user as to how to get the utmost returns from the very start.

"Businesses are apprehensive about software, yet many companies scanning software for the fabrication market often don't give enough reassurance and technical support.

"And that's why we understand the fears of many manufacturers and their belief that most of the software industry has a subculture of fly-by-nighters that most other industries don't.

"It's very easy to snow people with technology which can often be obsolete the day it is bought.

"Not only does good software increase business and profits, but if the right solution is in place it will also show business owners how to maximise profits in their inventory."

A world leader in the field of CAD/CAM for the sheet metal industry, Radan software programs use a range of innovative design, manufacture and production control techniques that have become synonymous with production of the industry's components and products.

Whether in the fabrication of general sheetmetal, whitegoods, electronics, automotive or IT enclosures, Radan's applications help improve returns at every step of the manufacturing process.

www.radan.com