3Diligent opens beta programme for its new ProdEX and Shopsight Connect software
August 25, 2020
3Diligent, a digital manufacturing services provider headquartered in El Segundo, California, USA, reports that it has successfully concluded a closed beta round of its new ProdEX Connect and Shopsight Connect applications. Based on the success of the pilot, the company has now opened the beta programme to all qualified users.
ProdEX Connect is a service platform for companies seeking custom manufactured parts on-demand, including technologies such as Additive Manufacturing, CNC machining, Sheet Metal Forming, Casting, and Injection Moulding. The Shopsight Connect software helps job shops, machine shops, and service bureaus manufacture and deliver custom parts through a collection of quoting, project management, and quality assurance tools.
3Diligent explains that central to its new offerings are two key components which include firstly, job opportunities facilitated between ProdEX and Shopsight users utilising the company’s team and proprietary matching algorithms and secondly, enhanced connectivity throughout the product development cycle using integrated sharing tools, including Zoom video conferencing.
“Connect represents an exciting step forward for our ProdEX and Shopsight applications,” stated Cullen Hilkene, 3Diligent CEO. “In our current economy, it is crucial that people in purchasing or product development can still stay connected to their contract manufacturing partners. ProdEX Connect and Shopsight Connect increase that connectivity to levels surpassing even pre-pandemic times.”
Users of ProdEX may now choose to submit RFQs in one of three ways: request a ‘ProdEX Auto’ instant quote for rapid prototyping, request a ‘ProdEX PM’ quote for well-defined products in which the ProdEX team will serve as project managers, or request a ‘ProdEX Connect’ quote.
According to the company, users that choose to submit their RFQ through ProdEX Connect will have the opportunity to release their request directly to their preferred suppliers through the portal at no charge. Users can also request introductions to qualified suppliers in the ProdEX production network for a fee. Those submitting requests to suppliers that are not in the ProdEX network will be able to grant their manufacturing partners free extended trials of the Shopsight software as part of the Connect workflow.
After submitting requests, customers can engage with their suppliers using the communication and data management tools embedded in the ProdEX application. Their suppliers, in turn, can engage via the Shopsight management portal. The tools embedded in each application include video communication and screen sharing powered by Zoom, as well as RFQ/order tracking from request to delivery.
Hilkene added, “We want to empower companies with their transition to Industry 4.0. Especially for products that are in development or regulated industries, manufacturing challenges are often best solved when customers can directly engage the machine operator.”
“With ProdEX Connect features, engineers and buyers benefit from our Industry 4.0 tools, whether they are working with longstanding suppliers or seeking new partners from our vetted ProdEX production network. In turn, the operators using Shopsight benefit from greater opportunities to create and grow their customer base, and a suite of tools to help them assess, quote, and fabricate more effectively,” Hilkene continued.
“Shopsight Connect is a great resource for us as a company, it allows us to make confident connections with new clients,” reported Benjamin Heard of STS Technical, a contract manufacturing service that participated in the Shopsight Connect pilot. “The ease of messaging and meeting scheduling has shortened and made more efficient the quoting process.”
Doug Bartow, President of Upscale Pet Products, after completing a recent project using ProdEX Connect, said, “Having the ProdEX team select a few suppliers with different technologies and strengths opened up new possibilities that I wouldn’t have thought of.”
