Welcome to FabFlow

Configure Your Shop

Start by telling FabFlow about your shop. This takes about 10 minutes and you only do it once.

1. Go to Settings → set your company name, address, and phone number
2. Upload your logo — it'll appear on quotes, work orders, and reports
3. Set your primary brand color (default is navy #1a3a5c — change it to match your brand)
4. Navigate to Settings → Machines and add each machine in your shop:
   • Laser cutter (include bed size, wattage, gas type)
   • Press brakes (tonnage, bed length)
   • Welding stations (MIG, TIG, Stick)
   • CNC mills, lathes, cold saws, drill presses
   • QC / inspection station

Set Your Pricing & Rates

FabFlow uses your actual shop rates to price every quote. Configure these once and every quote is accurate.

1. Go to Settings → Pricing & Rates
2. Set your Default Labour Rate (e.g., $130/hr)
3. Override rates for specific machines if needed (laser often runs at a higher rate)
4. Set your Material Markup percentage (industry standard is 25–35%)
5. Set Setup Charge per machine (default: $30)
6. Set Burn Rate (consumables, gas, etc. — typically 5–10%)

Import Your Data

Bring in your existing customers, vendors, materials, and historical quotes. We support CSV import for standard data, and can handle complex database migrations.

Simple Import (CSV)

1. Go to Customers → Import → upload a CSV with columns: Name, Contact, Phone, Email, Address
2. Go to Vendors → Import → upload a CSV with columns: Name, Contact, Phone, Email, Terms
3. Go to Materials → Import → upload a CSV with columns: Type, Grade, Thickness, Width, Length, Qty, Location

Complex Import (Databases, Spreadsheets, Legacy Systems)

If you're switching from JobBOSS, E2, Global Shop, QuickBooks, or a custom Access database — we'll handle the migration for you. Send us your data and we'll import it within 1 business day.

Add Your Team

Set up employee accounts so your shop floor can clock in, see assignments, and punch operation timers.

1. Go to Settings → Users → Add User
2. Create accounts for each employee:
   • Admin: Full access — you (already created at signup)
   • Manager: Can create quotes, WOs, POs, view reports
   • Shop Floor: Clock in/out, view assigned jobs, punch timers
3. Assign each employee a 4-digit PIN for the shop floor kiosk
4. Employees can clock in immediately on any tablet or phone by visiting your shop's kiosk URL

Create Your First Quote

Now the real magic. Here's how to quote your first job using AI:

1. Go to Quotes → New Quote
2. Select a customer (or add a new one on the spot)
3. In the description field, describe the part in plain English:

   Example: "304 stainless steel bracket, 11 gauge, 6 pieces. Laser cut profile with 4 countersunk holes, press brake form 90° on two sides, TIG weld corners, SURFOX passivate all welds."

4. Click Generate Quote — the AI routes the part through your shop, estimates time, calculates material, and prices it
5. Review the quote, adjust if needed, and click Send to Customer

Go Live — Day 1 Checklist

Here's everything you need to have in place before your team starts using FabFlow full-time:

• Company info, logo, and branding set
• All shop machines added with rates
• Labour rate, material markup, and setup charges configured
• Customers and vendors imported (or a plan to enter them as you go)
• Materials inventory entered (at minimum: common sheet/plate stock)
• Employee accounts created with PINs
• Shop floor tablet or kiosk station set up (any old iPad or Android tablet works)
• First test quote created and reviewed
• Bookmark fabflowpro.com on your browser and the shop floor tablet

Ongoing Support

We're here to make sure your transition is smooth. Here's how to reach us: