For manufacturers that rely on cutting processes—like laser cutting, plasma cutting, waterjet, or CNC routing—nesting software is essential. Nesting software helps lay out parts efficiently on raw materials, reducing scrap and saving money. But when that software is integrated directly with your ERP system, it becomes much more powerful.
By connecting nesting software with Genius ERP, your material planning, inventory, production, and scheduling are all together in one seamless system. This integration eliminates manual work, reduces costly errors, and gives you better visibility across your entire operation. For manufacturers, that means less waste, faster workflows, and more efficient production.
In this article, we’ll break down the benefits of integrating nesting software with your ERP system. You’ll learn how it improves inventory accuracy, speeds up production planning, and reduces material waste. We’ll also share a real-world example of how SigmaNEST integrates with Genius ERP—and the big results it’s delivering on the shop floor.
Nesting software is a must-have tool for manufacturers that need to cut sheet metal, wood, plastic, or composite materials. It automatically lays out parts to be cut in a way that minimizes waste and makes the most of every sheet of material. Think of it like a very smart game of Tetris—one that saves you time and money.
But if your nesting software and ERP system aren’t connected, you’re likely still doing a lot of manual work to transfer job data, inventory levels, and cut lists between systems, which is time-consuming, prone to error, and slows you down.
When your nesting software is integrated with your ERP system, all your data is shared instantly between the two platforms. Material requirements, part dimensions, inventory levels, and cut plans stay in sync, so your team can move faster—and with fewer mistakes.
With a seamless nesting and ERP connection:
By syncing your ERP and nesting software, your team moves faster, your machines stay productive, and you get the data accuracy needed to plan confidently.
Genius ERP offers a built-in integration with SigmaNEST, one of the leading nesting software platforms used by manufacturers. SigmaNEST helps optimize cutting paths, reduce scrap, and improve machine performance—and when paired with Genius ERP, it becomes even more effective.
With this integration, Genius ERP automatically sends job data, material specs, and part quantities to SigmaNEST. Once nesting is complete, SigmaNEST sends the results—like material usage, remnant data, and actual part counts—back to Genius ERP. Inventory gets updated, jobs progress, and production can continue without delays.
This two-way integration gives your team real-time visibility into material consumption and job progress. You’re no longer working in silos or waiting for someone to update spreadsheets or re-enter data. Everything stays connected—and accurate.
EBM Laser is a precision machine shop that produces unique parts that demand frequent laser cutting. Before integrating SigmaNEST with Genius ERP, they faced several challenges: Job priorities were managed on paper, leading to lost work orders and late deliveries; materials weren’t reserved before nesting, which forced over-purchasing to prevent stockouts; processes were slow and required double data entry in both systems; and non-conformities were often detected too late, increasing production costs.
With the integration in place, the workflow is seamless. Work orders are created in Genius ERP, and jobs are manually triggered for nesting in SigmaNEST to maintain control over data flow. SigmaNEST receives all the necessary details—work order information, material specifications, and part data—directly from Genius, allowing programmers to quickly optimize nests.
Once nesting is complete, material consumption and production status automatically update in Genius ERP, and inventory adjusts in real time, including scrap and leftover material. Remnants and geometric details remain managed in SigmaNEST, which is purpose-built for that function, while Genius ERP tracks plate counts and material usage. The result is a connected, efficient process that eliminates duplicate work and keeps production moving smoothly.
The impact of integration on EBM Laser’s shop floor was dramatic:
With the integration, EBM Laser’s production floor has become more efficient, and the programming team spends less time chasing information and more time optimizing cuts. They’ve cut down on waste, improved scheduling, and can now handle more jobs with the same team.
Nesting software is a valuable tool for manufacturers—but integrating it with your ERP makes it even more powerful. When your systems are connected, your entire operation runs smoother. You save time, reduce errors, and get the visibility you need to make smart decisions.
At Genius ERP, we’re committed to helping manufacturers work smarter. That’s why we’ve built seamless integrations with leading tools like SigmaNEST. Whether you cut sheet metal, wood, or other raw materials, our integration helps you get more from your nesting software—and from your entire ERP system.
Want to see how a nesting integration could benefit your business? Watch our webinar or talk to us to learn how Genius ERP helps manufacturers like you streamline processes, reduce waste, and improve efficiency across the board.
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