Manufacturing software estimator
What would it cost to fix the system that's slowing you down?
Get a cost and timeline estimate for modernizing a legacy system, connecting your ERP, or replacing a manual, spreadsheet-driven process. Answer a few questions about your system and see a projected investment range, a recommended approach, and what it takes to start focused and build out from there.
Free 30-minute call, no obligation · The estimate is free too, with no sales call required.
The modernization problem
The real cost of waiting to modernize
Most manufacturers know their aging Microsoft Access database, unsupported Visual Basic or FoxPro application, AS/400 green screens, or spreadsheet-driven process is holding them back. They put off fixing it anyway, because the system still technically works, the rebuild feels risky, and nobody knows what it will cost.
Meanwhile the real price keeps climbing: hours lost to manual workarounds, errors that slip through, knowledge locked in the head of one person who knows how it works, and growth capped by software that cannot keep up. The longer it runs, the more the business is built around its limitations. This estimator gives you a realistic cost before you commit, so the decision stops being a guess.
Why use it
Why use our estimator?
It helps you move from a vague operational pain point to a clear software direction, without waiting for a full Design & Scope phase.
See the real cost of the problem
See how process inefficiencies translate into hours lost, annual labor cost, and operational drag on your floor.
Get a system recommendation
Based on your workflow, team, and integrations, the estimator suggests the approach that may fit best, from legacy system modernization to ERP integration to workflow automation.
Start focused, build out
See what solving the most critical piece first could look like, what the complete system may involve, and the estimated investment range for each, so you can start where it matters most and expand from there.
Want exact numbers for your operation? An assessment puts a dollar value on every opportunity.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to modernize a legacy system?
It depends on the platform, the complexity of your workflows, and how many systems it connects to, but most legacy modernization projects fall within a predictable range once the scope is clear. This estimator gives you a directional investment range for modernizing systems built on Microsoft Access, Visual Basic, FoxPro, AS/400, and similar platforms, based on the details you provide.
What does the estimator provide?
A projected software investment range, a breakdown of what a focused first phase and a complete build could each involve, a recommended system approach, and an estimate of the operational impact based on the information you provide.
What kinds of projects does it cover?
The full range of manufacturing software work: legacy system modernization for platforms like Microsoft Access, Visual Basic, FoxPro, and AS/400, ERP integration and connecting disconnected systems, workflow and process automation, field mobility and inspection apps, and production visibility tools.
We are running an old system nobody supports anymore. Can you estimate a rebuild?
Yes. Legacy modernization is the most common project type this estimator is built for. Whether your system runs on Microsoft Access, an aging Visual Basic or FoxPro application, or an AS/400 green screen, it gives you a directional range for modernizing it without forcing a risky all-at-once rewrite.
How long does a manufacturing software project take?
Timeline depends on scope, but the estimator gives you a projected range alongside the cost so you can plan realistically. A focused first phase that solves the most urgent problem typically moves faster than a complete system, which is why the estimate shows both.
Can you connect new software to our existing ERP?
Yes, and the estimator accounts for it. Integration with an existing ERP is one of the most common requirements in manufacturing software work, and connecting to the system you already run is usually more practical than replacing it. The estimate reflects the added scope of integrating with your current setup.
How accurate is the estimate?
It is a directional planning tool based on your responses. Final scope and pricing may change after Design & Scope, an integrations review, and technical validation, but it gives you a realistic baseline to plan and budget around.
Who is this best for?
Manufacturers trying to fix a manual, spreadsheet-driven, disconnected, or unsupported system who want a faster way to understand possible scope and investment before committing to a full engagement.
Will I get insight into the ROI or business impact?
Yes. The estimator is designed to surface the potential annual labor cost tied to inefficiency, along with the type of system and scope that may help address it, so the investment is framed against what the current process is already costing you.
What happens after I get my estimate?
You move from "guessing" to "planning." With your estimate in hand, you'll have a realistic baseline to secure budget. From there, the next step is to schedule a consultation with the team at Denovo Studios. We can review your estimate together, refine the details, and create a formal roadmap to get your software system built.
Get your estimate
Every month you wait, the old system costs you more
The problem isn't getting cheaper to ignore. Work through the assessment and see what it's actually costing you to stay where you are, what fixing it could involve, and the investment range to solve it, from a focused first phase to a complete build. No sales call required to get your estimate.