Our Verdict…

Designed by engineers, Total ETO software combines the best of an ERP with a traditional MRP. This solution is a gamechanger for manufacturing looking for ERP functionality in the engineer-to-order or custom design fields. For example, users can release BOM in stages so you don’t have to worry about material changes or redesigns.

Since Total ETO is made for small to medium sized manufacturing companies, it’s not for manufacturers with under 5 employees or enterprise-level productions with more than 500 employees. It’s also not intended for manufacturers outside of ETO and related custom design fields.

9.2
Our Rating
based on our expert editorial analysis
9.3
User Rating
based on 9 user reviews
Best for: Small to mid-sized Engineer To Order manufacturers, including Integrators, Panel Shops, and OEMs. This ERP suits organizations that require tight integration between engineering design and manufacturing processes.
Pros:
  • Consistent performance across software updates
  • Excellent customer service with quick response time
  • Training and implementation included in annual costs
  • Dynamic Bill of Materials (BOMs) can save time and money
  • Integration with SolidWorks, Autodesk, OnShape, QuickBooks, and Sage
Cons:
  • Limited CRM features
  • 5 user minimum
  • Intended only for ETO and not general manufacturers
  • Customization can increase implementation timeline and costs
Starting Price
$7,500 /year
Price Range Learn More
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Pricing Details
5 user starting price.

What is Total ETO?

Total ETO, formerly known as Questica ETO, is an ERP and MRP solution designed exclusively for Engineer To Order (ETO) and Custom Design Manufacturers. This software features a dynamic BOM for each job, integration with CAD systems such as SolidWorks and Inventor, consolidated purchasing, inventory and routing, and accounting integration with systems such as QuickBooks or Sage.

Target Market

The target market for Total ETO is small to medium businesses, includes ETO job shops and custom design manufacturers specializing in:

  • Industrial Automation
  • Turnkey System Integration
  • Material Handling Systems
  • Packaging Machinery
  • Lifts and Cranes
  • Conveyors
  • Panels and Controls

Total ETOs software is ideal for custom manufacturers with 5-200 employees.

Our Ratings

Usability - 8.5 Offers on-premise installation along with some web-based applications on private servers; has a Windows-based user interface; certain functions are web-based.
Support - 9.5 Includes toll free phone support from 9 am - 5 pm EST Monday - Friday; email support requests are also available; the implementation agent will be the primary support contact during the first few years of use.
Features - 9.2 Covers a mix of manufacturing and ERP functionality, such as sales, engineering, purchasing, manufacturing, accounting, and analytics; all features are included in the core package, so no extra modules are necessary.
Security - 9.9 On-premise or private cloud server implementation options; uses open database technology and supports the latest Windows Operating Systems; the software uses a combination of Microsoft Office, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft .NET, and SAP Crystal Reports.
Value - 9.5 Plans start at $7,500 per year for 5 users; there are different pricing tiers based on user counts; more users can be added at any time and will be prorated; no free trial available.
Performance - 8.5 Functionality was fast and responsive; no slowness or performance issues.
Scalability - 9 New users can be added to the annual plan at any time; more than 200 employees can complicate the system, making it harder for midsize companies to grow beyond this.

Dynamic Bill of Materials

Total ETO lets you release your BOM in stages, so you don’t have to worry about material changes or redesigns. Creating dynamic BOMs saves time and money for manufacturers by allowing you to release bills of materials before in stages, so parts can move to procurement earlier and keep overall production moving.

In turn, these BOMs make it easier to estimate project costs and create accurate quotations. Manufacturers can generate detailed and precise estimates by considering various factors such as labor, materials, subcontracting, and overhead costs. The quotation feature integrates with project management functionalities, allowing manufacturers to seamlessly transition from quotation to project execution, minimizing the risk of under or overpricing.

Integrations

While covering most ERP functionality, Total ETO integrates with several third-party solutions to cover additional areas. Some accounting options include:

  • QuickBooks
  • Sage 300
  • Sage 50

This software also integrates with different CAD solutions, like Inventor and SolidWorks. Total ETO is partnered with Autodesk and Dassault. The BOM import tool can support files from:

  • SolidWorks Electrical
  • E-Plan
  • Solid Edge

Finally, Total ETO can link with payroll, time, and attendance systems like ADP.

All these integrations make overseeing different aspects of the business easier from one shared location. Project managers can better plan resources based on what is reported in each shop area.

Pricing Plans

Plan Pricing Features
Starting Package $7,500 per year for five users This starter plan includes:
  • Implementation
  • Training
  • Support
  • Upgrades

Site licensing is also available. New users can be added anytime in three roles: full access, read-only, and time-only. The restricted user roles can be added to a package at a lower price than full user access. There are no free trials.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about Total ETO software:

How much does Total ETO cost?

Total ETO pricing starts at $7,500 per year for five users. Additional users can be added at any time. The new users’ rate depends on how many users you already have. Different user types are available at different rates, so you can affordably add read-only and time-only employees. Request a demo to get a quote based on your user count.

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Summary

Based on our experience, we recommend Total ETO for small to medium ETO manufacturers with between 75 and 100 employees. Since this solution is designed by former integrators and custom machine builders with firsthand experience in ETO, it is also ideal for manufacturers looking for a single software with all the functionality of ERP and MRP tools to address ETO-specific processes.

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Total ETO
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Total ETO is an engineering-focused ERP software designed for Engineer-to-Order (ETO) and custom-design manufacturers. Its key features include efficient project management, integration with popular CAD software like SolidWorks and Inventor, real-time monitoring of engineering, procurement, and manufacturing, and easy-to-use interfaces with customizable reporting capabilities. This software helps solve the common problems Custom Machine Builders face, so they can increase efficiency, accuracy, and profitability.
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User Reviews of Total ETO

Peter Graham
  • Machinery Manufacturing
  • 11-50 employees
Overall
★★★★★
★★★★★

Streamlined Project Management with Total ETO

May 15th, 2024 • Product Experience: 1-2 years • Roles: Purchaser & End User

We at ProVantage Automation implemented Total ETO about 18 months ago and have seen significant improvements. The software has streamlined various aspects of our project data management and enhanced overall engineering accuracy. Additionally, it provides a centralized platform for project reporting. Our only regret is not adopting this solution five years earlier.

Anonymous
  • Robotic Manufacturing
  • 11-50 employees
Overall
★★★★★
★★★★★

Fantastic Product and Support!

November 30th, 2023

I want to thank you and your team. Your product is exactly as described. It took us about three months to get everything up and running, with inventory being the final piece, and as of today, it’s fully operational. Achieving this without on-site support or training is remarkable. Some of my employees thought I was nuts, but we pulled it off. Much appreciated!

Anonymous
  • Commercial Services & Supplies
  • 51-250 employees
  • Annual revenue $10M-$50M
Overall
★★★★★
★★★★★

integration with Quickbooks

July 21st, 2023 • Product Experience: 1-2 years • Role: Purchaser

We moved forward with Total ETO because of its integration with Quickbooks. We were promised the software could meet our various, unique needs but once it was implemented, we found that not to be case. To have the software operable, we have numerous work arounds. Already unhappy with the software and not finding any resolution, we were then informed our costs were going to double.

Response from Total ETO:

“We’re sorry to hear of your struggles getting used to Total ETO. As these reviews are anonymous, I’d like for you to reach out to your project manager so they can address your specific concerns and help you be successful with the software. Our team has helped many ETO manufacturers improve their processes, including accounting with Quickbooks, so I’m confident they will help you too. Your PM will also want to discuss costs with you to ensure you understand everything because they shouldn’t suddenly double. Usually when a client has an increase in costs it’s because they purchased additional seats, or asked us to create some customized workflows.”

Anonymous
Overall
★★★★★
★★★★★

Total ETO Review

February 5th, 2021 • Roles: Purchaser & End User

The biggest benefit of ETO is real time data. It used to take days to get a report. Now it’s literally minutes. When we’re running 10 to 12 projects at a time, this is important because I can get all the information I need without bugging people.

Anonymous
Overall
★★★★★
★★★★★

Total ETO Review

November 5th, 2020 • Roles: Purchaser & End User

As our company has grown, we haven’t had to increase the number of employees in the Purchasing Department. In fact, we’re down from two people to one.

Anonymous
Overall
★★★★★
★★★★★

Total ETO Review

October 21st, 2020 • Roles: Purchaser & End User

Accuracy of costs is critical. That’s why we went with Total ETO. It’s easy to get people up and running on the system.

Anonymous
Overall
★★★★★
★★★★★

Total ETO Review

August 25th, 2020 • Roles: Purchaser & End User

Total ETO is extremely responsive. They listen to their customers. They are willing to work with customers to make the changes that are needed. They are not like other software companies that leave you to deal with it yourself.

Anonymous
Overall
★★★★★
★★★★★

Total ETO Review

May 18th, 2020 • Roles: Purchaser & End User

It allowed us to double sales and increase profits by a factor of five in four years

Anonymous
Overall
★★★★★
★★★★★

Total ETO Review

October 31st, 2019 • Roles: Purchaser & End User

Total ETO’s service is excellent. They are always very timely in terms of responding to requests.