From new construction to remodels, glass shower enclosures and wetrooms have become very popular bathroom design features over the years. According to GlobalNewswire, the U.S. glass shower door market size is projected to reach $4,514 million by 2026. Not only are they beautiful and durable, but they also help increase a property’s value, along with other high-end finishes.
Due to their popularity, manufacturers must balance customization and precision with tight lead times during manufacturing. Since every order is unique, designs require everything from specific dimensions and hardware placement to edge treatments and glazing options. Each spec must be translated from design to production without error.
But when CNC machines and other shop floor equipment aren’t connected to your ERP system, it can create gaps that slow production, increase scrap, and introduce costly mistakes.
The Problem: Disconnected Systems and Lost Efficiency
Without CNC integration, manufacturers often rely on manual data entry or spreadsheets to move product specifications from CAD design software to production. Each manual touchpoint increases the risk of errors. That means an incorrect dimension, missing part detail, or out-of-date drawing can quickly lead to costly rework or scrapped materials.
Scheduling production batches becomes more complicated when machine capacities aren’t connected to ERP data. Shop floor operators may not see real-time updates to orders, and production managers can’t always balance workloads effectively. The result is longer lead times, wasted material, and unnecessary downtime, all of which cut into margins and limit growth potential.
The Solution: ERP CNC Integration for Seamless Manufacturing
Frontier ERP with CNC integration brings the entire process into one connected workflow. By linking CAD software like Frontier CADFlow, ERP data, and CNC equipment, manufacturers gain greater control, accuracy, and automation.
Here’s how:
1. CAD to ERP Mapping for Precision Product Specifications
CADFlow allows product designs created in CAD to map directly into the ERP system. This eliminates redundant data entry while ensuring that dimensions, hole placements, and edge treatments are exact. Every product specification is automatically tied to the right job order, bill of materials (BOM), and routing instructions for precise production.
2. ERP to CNC: Automated Cut Part Processing
Once a job is released, the ERP system can send production data directly to CNC cutting tables and other machinery. Instead of manually programming each cut, the CNC receives exact parameters automatically, increasing throughput and reducing the chance of costly mistakes.
3. Real-Time Feedback for Production Efficiency
Integrated feedback loops between CNC machines and ERP systems provide live production data such as machine status, completed cuts, and material usage. Managers gain real-time insight into work-in-progress, and schedulers can adjust workloads dynamically based on machine availability or order changes.
This continuous data exchange keeps your entire operation connected, from sales and engineering to production and delivery.
4. Easier Batch Manufacturing Scheduling
Integrated ERP systems facilitate grouping jobs with similar requirements, such as thickness, glass type, or edging profiles, for more efficient batching. Automated scheduling tools can sequence jobs based on real-time availability of materials and machines, helping optimize production flow and minimize waste.
5. Automated Processes and Greater Visibility
Automation reduces manual intervention across the entire workflow. From quoting and order entry to production and shipping, each process feeds accurate, real-time data back into the ERP. Production managers can track job progress, monitor machine utilization, and make quick adjustments, ensuring every glass shower enclosure is produced efficiently and to spec.
Why Integrated ERP Matters for Glass Manufacturers
For manufacturers of glass shower enclosures, Frontier ERP integration is more than a technology upgrade, it’s a competitive advantage. It allows you to:
- Reduce lead times by streamlining order-to-production processes
- Improve product accuracy with a single source of truth for dimensions and tolerances
- Enhance scheduling and forecasting using real-time production data
- Increase throughput by minimizing downtime and setup changes
When your ERP and CNC systems work together, every part of your business operates with precision and confidence.
Build Efficiency and Accuracy Into Every Enclosure
By connecting your Frontier ERP with your CNC equipment, you move beyond manual processes toward a smarter, more responsive production environment. Whether you’re cutting glass panels, drilling holes for hardware, or managing complex custom orders, ERP CNC integration ensures that every detail flows accurately from design to delivery.
For glass manufacturers seeking efficiency, accuracy, and scalability, Frontier ERP provides the tools to make every project smoother, faster, and more profitable.
Frontier ERP at GlassBuild America 2025
At Friedman Corporation, we understand the challenges glass manufacturers face, and Frontier ERP is built to help you overcome them. We’re excited to showcase Frontier ERP at GlassBuild America, taking place November 4–6 in Orlando, Florida, at the Orange County Convention Center, South Building, Booth #12041.
As the largest annual gathering for commercial and residential glass professionals, GlassBuild America is your opportunity to connect, collaborate, and innovate. Whether you’re a contractor, fabricator, manufacturer, supplier, distributor, or installer, this is the one event that ensures you’re ready for what’s next. Meet with the experts, discover cutting-edge products, and walk away with the knowledge and tools to thrive — even in uncertain times.
Stop by our booth to see how Frontier ERP with CNC integration can help your business cut smarter, work faster, and deliver higher-quality glass shower enclosures every time. Can’t make the show? Contact us for more details today!
