In 11 years, Andrew Gibson grew his namesake Gibson Performance Engines, Inc. to where they now have three full-time employees in addition to himself. More moving parts, however, requires more communication and coordination, which Gibson said Fytron Software helps to facilitate.
“The software keeps track of everything,” Gibson said. “We have around 115 open invoices — some small jobs, some complete turnkey. With that many projects and with as many employees as we have, by being able to go in the software, take pictures of things, post notes, pull something out of inventory and track it, I don’t have to waste time by looking for any of it. It’s all right there.”
Detailed records offer another benefit — better estimates for customers.
“In the custom engine world, everybody wants to know how much is it going to cost,” said Gibson. “It’s really hard to estimate. I can tell you roughly what we’re going to have in labor, but parts are a moving target. By being able to pull up a similar project we had done in the past, I can give you a ballpark estimate. I can click a few buttons, duplicate that project, change a few things, and I’m not wasting time looking up every individual part. It’s a big time-saver.”
Lastly, Gibson wanted to stress not only how easy the software is to use, but also if you do encounter an issue with it, Fytron Software quickly responds.
“They really care about their product,” Gibson said of Fytron Software. “I don’t have many questions or problems about their software. But, if I do have a question on how to do something or I encountered a glitch, I send an email and it seems like within minutes they’re getting it taken care of.”
You can sign up for a free, 30-day trial on Fytron Software’s website — fytronsoftware.com. Beyond that, it costs $99.95 a month. However, AERA Engine Builders Association members receive a discount, with the monthly fee at $79.95.
For more on Fytron Software, read this article previously published on Outside Groove — “Fytron Software: By Machine Shops for Machine Shops”.
Sources
Fytron Software, LLC
Santee, California
657-888-2414
fytronsoftware.com
Gibson Performance Engines, Inc.
Spokane Valley, Washington
509-241-3038
gibsonperformanceengines.com
Outside Groove Note of Transparency: Fytron Software paid for the production of this article. The content was subject to approval of Fytron Software and Gibson Performance Engines.
The Outside Groove Executive Editor has covered motorsports since 2000. His many awards include the 2019 Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) Jim Hunter Writer of the Year and the 2013 Russ Catlin Award for Excellence in Motorsports Journalism.
