One thing is clear in industrial prefabrication: change isn’t just coming—it’s already here. The contractors who adapt and adopt stay ahead, while those resistant to change are left in the dust. As the demands of industrial projects grow more complex, so do the requirements of the technology supporting them. That’s why industrial prefabrication needs different solutions built specifically to meet its unique workflows, reporting needs, and legacy systems.
Why Industrial Prefab Is a Different Animal
Industrial contractors face a fundamentally different reality than their commercial counterparts. Revit, the backbone of many commercial BIM workflows, often takes a backseat in industrial prefab shops. Instead, they rely on tools like ISOs with Excel BOM data, SpoolGen, SpoolFab, Plant 3D, and highly customized spreadsheets. It’s common for these firms to have one or more full-time employees dedicated solely to managing data extraction and process flow.
That level of complexity isn’t just a preference—it’s a necessity. Industrial fabrication projects require higher levels of traceability, quality control, and integration across departments. Everything from weld logs to paper travelers to ERP connectivity must be accounted for. In this environment, “plug and play” solutions built for commercial work often fall short.
Facing the Change: The Problem of Inertia
Despite this need for more advanced solutions, the industrial sector is notoriously slow to change. Many shops still rely heavily on Excel or even pen-and-paper systems. There’s often little internal momentum to innovate. Many leaders don’t see a clear ROI from upgrading technology, mainly when their current system—however clunky—technically works.
That mindset is holding teams back. The reality is that failing to adapt means falling behind.
“Adapt and Adopt” isn’t just a tagline—it’s a survival strategy.
With increasing demand for traceability, tighter schedules, and integrated reporting, the cost of doing nothing is rising. Industrial contractors who don’t take steps to modernize risk losing bids, sacrificing quality, and bottlenecking their workflows.
Why MSUITE Is Built for Industrial Needs
While some industrial contractors are deploying superior technology solutions, most still rely on in-house tools or outdated spreadsheets. That leaves a massive opportunity for a solution like MSUITE that can bridge old processes with future-ready workflows. Here’s where MSUITE stands out:
- Flexibility with File Types and Formats
Industrial workflows often start with files like .pcf or .pcd from legacy tools. MSUITE’s Cloudinator helps eliminate spreadsheet uploads, enabling seamless data flow from these sources. This saves hours of manual rework and reduces errors.
- Support for ISO-Based Workflows
Industrial contractors aren’t always designing in Revit. MSUITE supports workflows that rely on ISOs and non-Revit design files, ensuring your team doesn’t need to overhaul the entire design department to benefit from digital fabrication.
- Custom Labeling and Weld Log Options
Do you need more columns on your labels? Do you want to capture specific weld log data on your iPad? MSUITE understands the labeling needs of industrial teams and provides robust customization options on mobile and web.
- Integration-First Approach
Industrial contractors usually have interconnected systems—ERP tools, homegrown databases, and API integrations tie everything together. MSUITE plays well in that ecosystem, offering the flexibility and connectivity industrial teams require.
- Dual Workflow Support
Whether you’re fabricating for your installs or as a third-party vendor, MSUITE can handle both internal and external fabrication workflows. That’s especially useful for large industrial contractors who serve multiple business units.
- Scalable for Growth
Even though many industrial teams aren’t chasing rapid growth, scalability still matters. As projects get larger and requirements more complex, you need software that won’t cap out. MSUITE’s modular structure lets you scale as needed—without committing to features you don’t use.
What Industrial Contractors Want—And Why MSUITE Delivers
Here’s what we consistently hear from industrial prefab leaders:
“We need better traceability.”
- MSUITE provides digital travelers, custom fields, and label formats that ensure full material tracking from receipt through shipping.
“Our reporting needs are different.”
- While MSUITE doesn’t currently support full advanced reporting, many industrial users already have robust Power BI setups. MSUITE’s integration options and “data blob” access ensure teams can connect their BI tools with the software.
“We have multiple systems, and they don’t talk to each other.”
- MSUITE offers flexible API and data export options, allowing streamlined integration across your tech stack.
Breaking Down the Barriers to Adoption
Change can feel risky, especially for teams with a long history of doing things a certain way. However, the most successful industrial contractors understand that innovation doesn’t mean replacing everything at once—it means choosing smart upgrades that support how you already work.
MSUITE isn’t asking industrial teams to abandon what works. Instead, we help you extend those systems with powerful features that reduce manual effort, improve visibility, and open the door to future growth.
If your shop has been hesitant to move on from spreadsheets or is struggling with disconnected software tools, now is the time to re-evaluate. Staying put means missing out on productivity gains, better quality control, and increased competitiveness.
Adapt and Adopt
The future of industrial prefabrication isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s tailored solutions that respect your existing processes while making them more efficient, traceable, and scalable.
Industrial contractors who adapt and adopt aren’t just surviving—they’re leading the way. The next time your team questions whether it’s time to upgrade, remember that staying the same is a bigger risk than evolving.
Senior Strategic Account Manager
DEWALT Construction Technology
