Considering Wheelhouse:
Frequently Asked Questions
Find clear answers to common questions straight from the experts at Wheelhouse.
Considering Wheelhouse:
Implementation cost depends on your business complexity, data migration needs, and how much of the setup you want to do yourself. If you’re tech-savvy, onboarding can be minimal. If you’d like guidance on things like configurations, pricing rules, or dealer setup, our team can step in and support where needed.
Wheelhouse is designed to be configurable, so if you have internal technical resources, you can handle much of the setup on your own. That said, many customers choose to have our implementation team assist with tasks like importing historical data, setting up pricing rules, or configuring dealer access. You’re in control of how much you do versus where you’d like support.
Implementation cost depends on the complexity of your products and rules, the number of users or dealers you need to onboard, the amount and quality of your existing data, and whether integrations with other systems are required. Another key factor is how much setup your internal team handles versus where you’d like Wheelhouse to provide support.
Implementations are typically done remotely. On-site support is available if it’s the right fit for your project.
The ideal process depends on where you want to start. For CPQ, most companies begin by setting up configurations and pricing, then have CSRs create and validate orders before opening the system to the dealer network. For MES, the focus is on setting up configurations and routings, then moving into production use and expanding gradually with procedures and quality control functions. Many manufacturers choose a combined approach: they configure products and pricing, let CSRs start creating orders, then add routings and production workflows before extending access to outside reps and dealers.
Many manufacturers are live in 60–120 days, which is often faster than ERP or CPQ alternatives. The exact timeline depends on product complexity, data readiness, and how much setup your internal team chooses to handle versus what you’d like support with.
Every manufacturer is different, but there are some common patterns. Many companies with urgent pain points — like manual quoting or disconnected systems — make a decision quickly and go live within about 3–6 months. Others, especially those moving off spreadsheets or bringing larger teams on board, may take closer to 6–12 months. Your timeline depends on readiness, priorities, and how much change management is required.
Most manufacturers involve a mix of people in the decision. Production managers often highlight day-to-day operational challenges, CEOs and owners focus on strategic growth and efficiency, and operations or IT leaders weigh in on integrations and implementation. Having input from each of these perspectives helps ensure Wheelhouse is the right fit across the organization.
Results vary by company, but many manufacturers using Wheelhouse report measurable improvements, such as fewer customer service calls, faster order processing, and major error reduction through configuration rules. The impact depends on your starting point and how you roll out the system, but the goal is the same — smoother operations and fewer mistakes.
Wheelhouse isn’t a “rip and replace” solution. Instead, we partner with you to map your current systems, workflows, and pain points, then improve them step by step. This approach makes adoption smoother, reduces risk, and delivers results without forcing a complete overhaul on day one.
Wheelhouse is offered as a SaaS (Software as a Service) subscription, primarily priced per user. There are two main user types: Full Access Users, who can configure, quote, and manage operations; and Limited Production Users, designed for shop floor access. Pricing scales with the number and type of users, along with optional add-ons such as in-process inspection and the Channel Partner Portal. The subscription model keeps costs predictable, avoids large upfront licensing fees, and ensures you always have access to the latest updates and improvements.
Total cost depends on your company’s size, complexity, and needs. Wheelhouse is offered as a SaaS (Software as a Service) subscription, delivered through a web browser. That means no server hardware to buy, no hosting fees, and no IT overhead for upgrades or patches. You avoid large up-front licensing costs and instead have a predictable subscription. We’ll provide clear estimates covering onboarding, subscription, and any optional services you choose.
Traditional ERP or MOM systems often require tens of thousands — or even millions — in upfront costs, plus ongoing fees for servers, maintenance, and upgrades. Wheelhouse takes a different approach. With a flexible subscription model, there are no large upfront licensing costs, no server hardware to maintain, and no hidden fees. This makes enterprise-level tools accessible to small and mid-sized manufacturers without the heavy burden of a traditional ERP.
With SaaS (Software as a Service), you’re always on the latest version — new features, improvements, and fixes come to you automatically, without big upgrade projects. Security patches and updates are handled for you, so there’s no downtime or extra work for your team. And because SaaS is subscription-based, your costs scale with your business instead of requiring a large upfront investment.
Wheelhouse’s CPQ tools only allow valid configurations and options, so sales teams quote products that can actually be produced. This prevents costly errors before they reach production.
Yes. Wheelhouse provides dealer and customer portals where users can place orders, configure products, check order status, and view history. Access and permissions are tailored to your business needs.
By standardizing how configurations and requirements are captured, Wheelhouse ensures sales promises align with what production and design can deliver, reducing rework and miscommunication.
Yes. Many manufacturers begin with CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) to speed up quoting and reduce errors, then expand into production and MES when they’re ready.
Yes. Some customers begin with production management (MES) to get shop floor control in place, then add CPQ later as dealer ordering and quoting needs grow.
Yes. Wheelhouse is a web-based application with a mobile-friendly dealer portal, so orders can be placed from tablets, phones, or laptops without requiring a separate mobile app.
Yes. Wheelhouse supports both discrete (part number–based) inventory and Kanban-style control. This gives you the flexibility to use detailed tracking where it’s required and simple visual replenishment where it’s most efficient.
Wheelhouse gives you real-time visibility into orders and work-in-progress, making it easier to schedule smaller batches. Smaller batches reduce lead times, improve quality, and support lean manufacturing practices.
With Wheelhouse, you can see where every order is on the shop floor at any time. That visibility enables faster decisions, quicker issue resolution, more reliable delivery dates, and clearer communication across teams.
Yes. Wheelhouse captures quality data at each stage of production, prompts operators for required checks, and flags deviations in real time so issues are caught early.
Wheelhouse provides visibility into production, enforces workflow stages, and supports lean scheduling. This helps reduce excess WIP, freeing up both cash and floor space.
Wheelhouse uses CPQ rules to validate every order before it’s released, so only complete and buildable jobs move forward. Once in production, routings enforce the correct sequence of steps, keeping work on track and preventing errors from slipping through.
No. You can keep using them. Wheelhouse supports both Kanban-style (visual or physical) and transactional (bill-of-material-based) inventory systems. Many manufacturers use visual cards or bins for replenishment, with barcode or QR code labels that tie into digital records. This hybrid approach preserves what works while adding traceability, automation, and system-level visibility.
Yes. Wheelhouse integrates out of the box with QuickBooks and can connect to ERP, CRM, or other tools through APIs and custom scripting. Because every manufacturer’s environment is different, we scope integrations to fit your specific needs, ensuring reliability and reducing double entry.
Yes. Wheelhouse integrates with QuickBooks out of the box, and supports custom API and scripting for other systems. A broader API is on our roadmap.
Wheelhouse includes an out-of-the-box integration with QuickBooks Online (QBO). For other accounting or AR systems, integration can be implemented through custom scripting and API tools based on your specific requirements. This allows you to continue using the financial tools you prefer while reducing double entry and improving data flow where integration is set up.
Wheelhouse reduces double entry by integrating key functions into a single system, from dealer to CSR to production, so information flows through the process without needing to be re-entered. Where external systems are used, custom integrations or API connections can also help reduce manual effort.
Customization means writing new code or creating unique functionality tailored to your business. It’s powerful but requires more investment and ongoing maintenance. Configuration means adjusting Wheelhouse’s built-in settings and workflows. It’s quick to implement, low risk, and easy to support.
In every integration, it’s important to define a single source of truth for each type of data — like orders, inventory, or customer records. Wheelhouse helps you set these boundaries during setup so data stays accurate, duplication is avoided, and sync errors are minimized.
Wheelhouse can centralize most of your core operations — quoting, order entry, inventory, production, and shipping. But no software has every feature a manufacturer might need. That’s why Wheelhouse is built to be your operational backbone, while integrating with accounting systems like QuickBooks and connecting to other tools where it makes sense. The goal is clarity and simplicity, without the complexity of juggling disconnected systems.
Begin by mapping your core processes: sales, order management, production, and accounting. Wheelhouse can help you cover those needs from the start, with room to grow as you scale.
Begin with a clear picture of what’s working, what isn’t, and which data needs to be preserved. Wheelhouse supports migrations that minimize disruption and deliver value quickly.
If you’re manually transferring data between systems or struggling with version control, you likely have too many. Consolidating with Wheelhouse simplifies operations and reduces overhead.
Separating accounting allows each system to do what it does best. MOM manages operations, while accounting handles finance and compliance. They can still integrate when needed.
You could, but it is usually far more challenging and expensive than expected. Building software is like building a house: first comes design, then foundation, framing, wiring, plumbing, finishes, inspections, ongoing maintenance, and future renovations. Most businesses underestimate how many of these steps are required. Wheelhouse is the product of years of development, testing, and iteration. With Wheelhouse, you get a system that is already built, supported, and constantly improving so you can focus on running your business, not managing developers.
Change is expected — and Wheelhouse is built to handle it. You can adjust workflows, update rules, and bring new team members on board without starting over. The system adapts as your operations evolve, so it stays useful even as your business changes.
Wheelhouse is designed for small to mid-sized manufacturers and can support anything from a handful of users to large dealer networks. The system scales through roles, permissions, and processes rather than fixed limits, so you can expand your team without outgrowing the platform. Wheelhouse isn’t built for multinational corporations with highly complex, global ERP needs — it’s purpose-built to give growing manufacturers enterprise-level power without enterprise-level overhead.
Security is built into Wheelhouse from the ground up. Data is encrypted in transit, user access is controlled by roles and permissions, and the system is hosted securely in Microsoft Azure. Wheelhouse follows modern security best practices and is developed on a proven .NET/C# and PostgreSQL foundation.
No. Wheelhouse is fully cloud-based, so there’s no server hardware for you to buy, maintain, or update. You just log in and start working.
Wheelhouse is securely hosted in Microsoft Azure, one of the world’s leading cloud platforms. This gives you enterprise-grade reliability, scalability, and security without the need to manage servers yourself.
Wheelhouse supports multi-site operations, such as multiple plants or contract manufacturers working in the same system. We don’t yet offer multi-language or multi-currency features, since our focus is on U.S.-based manufacturers. These capabilities are on our roadmap.
Wheelhouse includes built-in reports, dashboards, and a reporting module that lets you create, customize, and share insights tailored to your business. It’s more economical than external tools, which can cost thousands per month, and it’s fully integrated with your everyday data.
Yes. Wheelhouse works with both standard printers and label printers, so you can generate the documents and labels you need directly from the system.
Yes. Wheelhouse supports label printing, making it easy to produce barcode or QR code labels, part serial number labels, and shelf position labels directly from the system. Shipping labels can also be generated, though they aren’t built in.
Yes. Wheelhouse is designed to scale with your business. You can add new products, rules, dealers, locations, or procedures without starting over or disrupting your existing setup. Wheelhouse functions as an enterprise-level system for small to mid-sized manufacturers — giving you the power and flexibility of ERP without the heavy cost and complexity of systems built for global corporations.
Most ERPs weren’t built for complex configurable products or dealer networks. Wheelhouse bridges that gap — connecting dealer ordering directly to the shop floor, with real-time visibility and error prevention.
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