Before implementing the system, the pricing and raw material blending process at Dieu Thinh completely depended on the experience of a single expert and manual Excel spreadsheets. This caused the company significant difficulties in expanding production. SoftWorld developed an intelligent material optimization solution, helping Dieu Thinh successfully achieve digital transformation, increase quotation speed, and greatly reduce dependence on human resources.
Digital Transformation Challenge from Dieu Thinh Customer
Before partnering with SoftWorld, Dieu Thinh Inox Factory was facing a typical digital transformation challenge that many traditional manufacturing enterprises still encounter: core processes remained entirely manual and heavily dependent on human factors.
Specifically, the entire pricing and raw material blending process at Dieu Thinh was performed using manual Excel spreadsheets. All inox blending formulas (ratios of stainless steel coils, additives, thickness, sheet sizes…) existed only in the mind of a single highly experienced expert. There was no automated system to support this. When receiving a quotation request from a customer, this expert had to spend several hours, or even a full day, calculating, double-checking multiple times, and producing the final blending sheet.
This led to the following consequences:
- Slow processing time and high risk of errors: A single quotation could take 4–8 working hours. During peak periods, the expert had to work extra shifts or overtime. Even a small error in the Excel formula or forgetting to update the latest material prices would make the entire quotation inaccurate, resulting in underquoting (lower than actual cost) or losing opportunities due to overquoting.
- Difficulty in controlling costs and profit margins: Management had no way to clearly see the real cost picture for each order. Actual profit margins could only be known precisely after production was completed, and could not be reliably forecasted in advance. This made pricing decisions risky and unscientific.
- Inability to optimize raw materials: The manual system could not run hundreds of blending scenarios in a short time to find the most cost-effective option. As a result, there was significant material waste (especially high-value imported stainless steel coils), and the scrap rate was higher than necessary.
- Major obstacles when scaling up production: When Dieu Thinh wanted to increase capacity, add new production lines, or serve more large customers, the biggest bottleneck was human resources. A single expert could not handle a volume of orders that increased many times over. The company faced the risk of losing customers due to slow quotation times or having to reject large orders because they could not process them in time.
In summary, the challenge that Dieu Thinh brought to SoftWorld was how to eliminate dependence on a single individual, reduce quotation time from several hours down to just a few minutes, intelligently optimize raw material costs, and at the same time create a solid foundation for the factory to scale up production without worrying about personnel limitations.
Software Solution: Automatic Material Blending Optimization & Management System from SoftWorld
To thoroughly solve the “bottleneck” issue at Dieu Thinh Inox Factory, SoftWorld designed and implemented a specialized system — one that not only automates the process but also delivers superior intelligent optimization compared to traditional manual methods.
How the Automatic Material Blending Optimization & Management System Works
SoftWorld built the Automatic Material Blending Optimization & Pricing System specifically for the inox manufacturing industry. This is a solution that combines advanced intelligent optimization algorithms, real-time raw material databases, and a fully digitized workflow.
The system allows Dieu Thinh to simply input the order parameters (thickness, dimensions, quantity, inox standards…), and the system will automatically generate the most optimal blending options in just a few seconds to under 1 minute.
The entire process from receiving customer requests to issuing official quotations has become fast, accurate, and easily repeatable without depending on any individual.
Key Features
Regarding the standout features of the software, the first to mention is the material blending optimization algorithm that quickly generates multiple options. The system uses advanced optimization algorithms (Optimization Algorithm) capable of running thousands of blending scenarios in an extremely short time.
For each request, the system does not provide just one option but delivers the top 3–5 blending options along with:
- Estimated raw material costs
- Scrap & wastage ratios
- Estimated profit margins
- Suggested production time
Thanks to this, the sales team and leadership can immediately select the best option, balancing competitive pricing and maximum profit.
At the same time, the system features one-way synchronization with the ERP system. It seamlessly connects with Dieu Thinh’s existing ERP, automatically syncing:
- The latest raw material prices (updated daily)
- Actual inventory levels
- Technical specifications of each inox batch
The entire workflow has been fully digitized:
- Receive customer requests (via webform or email)
- The system automatically calculates and proposes blending options
- Quick approval by management (1 click)
- Generate professional PDF quotation and send to customer immediately
Finally, the system has a user-friendly interface that reduces dependence on personal experience. The interface is designed to be friendly and intuitive, functioning like a “virtual expert.” New employees only need 1–2 days of training to operate the system proficiently.
All the knowledge and experience of long-term experts have been transformed into logical rules and data within the system, helping the business no longer worry when experts resign or retire.
Implementation Methodology
SoftWorld applies a clear, transparent, and low-risk implementation process for customers: Requirements Research → Build PoC → System Completion and Integration.
– Phase 1: Requirements Research (2–3 weeks): The SoftWorld team conducted on-site surveys of actual processes, collected blending formulas, historical data, and Dieu Thinh’s specific requirements.
– Phase 2: Proof of Concept (PoC) (4–6 weeks): Build a pilot version for a main group of products. Dieu Thinh performed real testing and compared results with the old method to evaluate effectiveness before full investment.
– Phase 3: System Completion and Integration (6–8 weeks): Finalized features, completed ERP integration, trained users, and ran the system in parallel with the old process before full switchover. Continuous maintenance and optimization support is provided after deployment.
The entire implementation process took place without disrupting production and was handed over with full documentation, source code (if requested by the customer), and a long-term support commitment.
SoftWorld is a Trusted Partner Accompanying Dieu Thinh on its Production Digital Transformation Journey
Choosing the right technology partner is the decisive factor in the success or failure of any digital transformation project. For Dieu Thinh Inox Factory, SoftWorld is not just a software provider but a trusted partner that works closely with the business to remove process bottlenecks and build a sustainable digital foundation for the future.
From the very beginning, SoftWorld built a Proof of Concept (PoC). The pilot version was designed to closely match the main product groups of Dieu Thinh, using real data from the factory. The PoC results showed that the system not only operated stably but also delivered clearly superior optimization results compared to the manual Excel method.
This helped Dieu Thinh’s leadership confidently evaluate real effectiveness before deciding on full deployment, minimizing investment risk and shortening the time from idea to actual implementation.
In addition, SoftWorld has extensive experience in implementing process optimization projects for many factories in the fields of metals, construction materials, and industrial manufacturing. We deeply understand the industry’s specific challenges: raw material price fluctuations, strict technical requirements, and intense pressure on pricing and delivery times.
A highlight of the project with Dieu Thinh is the high level of “fit” between the solution and actual processes. The SoftWorld team spent time conducting in-depth surveys at the factory and listening to feedback from technical experts, sales departments, and leadership.
The system was not built to completely change the way of working, but to upgrade and automate what Dieu Thinh was already doing well, while eliminating manual weaknesses. From specific blending formulas, scrap calculation methods, to the quotation approval process — everything was digitized seamlessly and easily adopted by the existing team.
With the successful implementation of the material blending optimization & pricing system, Dieu Thinh has transformed from a manual, human-dependent process into an automated, intelligent, and easily scalable one. The project not only solved immediate problems but also created a solid foundation for the long-term development of the inox factory.
SoftWorld continues to accompany Vietnamese manufacturing enterprises on their digital transformation journey, delivering the most practical and effective solutions.
