Location/Region: Johnson Creek, WI.
Industry: Engineering services
Apps implemented: Sales, Purchase, Manufacturing
Number of users: 2
Software Replaced: GoDaddy, Excel Spreadsheets
Hosting type: Odoo Online
When a manufacturing engineer turns entrepreneur, efficiency becomes a non-negotiable. That’s exactly what happened when Ryan Marquardt, owner of MarqCAD Engineering, discovered Odoo. With Odoo’s suite of business apps, Marquardt has successfully eliminated manual processes and optimized core operations, from sales to purchasing and manufacturing.
MarqCAD Engineering was founded in Johnson Creek, Wisconsin, in 2020, right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, an unconventional time to start a new venture. But Ryan Marquardt saw an opportunity where others experienced uncertainty. Leveraging his background as a manufacturing engineer specializing in machining and automation, he launched a dual-focus business: one side dedicated to engineering services like 3D scanning, prototyping, and small-batch production, and the other focused on selling aftermarket accessories for off-road vehicles via e-commerce.
The off-road side of the business was born from real-world frustrations with stock equipment. “None of these off-road machines are perfect from the manufacturers,” Marquardt says. “So we take the small issues and create solutions, then market and sell them.” This hands-on, problem-solving approach has helped MarqCAD build a loyal customer base looking for smarter, purpose-built vehicle enhancements.
“We’re not just making parts; we’re solving problems that manufacturers overlooked, and giving enthusiasts a better ride.”
A Tangle of Tools and Time-Consuming Tasks
Before integrating Odoo, MarqCAD relied on GoDaddy for e-commerce and Excel spreadsheets for internal processes, including cost analysis and bills of materials. The patchwork system worked (barely), but struggled to scale with the company’s growing complexity. Generating quotes, managing orders, and tracking inventory across disparate platforms slowed production and increased the margin for error.
While evaluating solutions, Marquardt also considered NetSuite. Ultimately, Odoo won out thanks to a faster, more responsive customer experience and the ability to launch efficiently.
"NetSuite wasn’t quick to respond or helpful with the questions I had. Odoo, on the other hand, made the process easy and got me up and running fast."
Odoo as a Catalyst for Operational Efficiency
Marquardt came across Odoo through online research, drawn in by its flexibility and modular design. He decided to implement three main apps that now power daily operations: Sales, Purchase, and Manufacturing.
- With the Sales app, Marquardt quickly tracks incoming orders and uses the built-in reporting tools to identify high-performing products. “It helps us focus our marketing efforts. We can see what sells and double down on it,” he explains.
- In the Purchase app, automated purchase orders, based on inventory levels, have replaced the old Kanban system. Now, Marquardt can see in real time which vendors or components need attention, and trace unexpected activity back to the Sales app in just a few clicks.
- The Manufacturing app brings it all together. Work orders are auto-generated and synced with both sales and purchasing data, helping Marquardt anticipate production demands and respond faster to changes. “If a work cell suddenly gets an order for 10 units we weren’t expecting, I can immediately trace it back to what generated that,” he says.
- Features like direct messaging and log notes in the Sales app have also proven invaluable. “Instead of digging up customer emails, I can message them directly from the sales order. It saves time and keeps everything in one place.”
"What once took an entire day using Excel, like building Bills of Materials and analyzing costs, can now be done in under an hour, freeing up precious time and reducing the need for extra staffing."
What’s Next for MarqCAD??
Looking ahead, Marquardt aims to implement Odoo’s Accounting app to phase out QuickBooks and unify all financial data under one platform. The only thing holding him back so far? Time. “It’s not that Odoo hasn’t helped, on the contrary. It’s just that setting up all the Bills of Materials and SKUs took longer than expected,” he admits. Once the setup is complete, Accounting is next on the roadmap.
As for the company itself, MarqCAD is on a trajectory of consistent growth. “My goal has always been to double our sales every year, and so far, we’ve done just that.” With expanded equipment and better tools, they’re poised to scale both the engineering and off-road divisions even further.
Whether you're in engineering, e-commerce, or any hands-on industry, MarqCAD Engineering’s success with Odoo is proof that smart systems lead to scalable growth. If you're drowning in spreadsheets and outdated software, consider making the shift to an integrated solution that works as fast and flexibly as you do.