FAQ

Steel Manager III (SM3) is a fully integrated cloud-based ERP software solution designed exclusively for the metals industry. Developed over nearly 40 years, SM3 is purpose-built for steel service centers, metal service centers, metal distributors, and metals distribution companies that require advanced steel management software, inventory management, accounting, production scheduling, barcoding, and traceability functionality.

SM3 is ideal for companies looking for ERP software for metal service centers, steel inventory management software, metals ERP software, and enterprise resource planning software specifically designed for the steel and metals industry.

SM3 is highly automated metal service center software that helps steel distributors and metal service centers:

• Improve operational efficiency 
• Reduce inventory and processing costs 
• Increase sales productivity 
• Improve customer satisfaction 
• Streamline warehouse and production operations 
• Reduce manual data entry and errors 
• Improve inventory accuracy and traceability 
• Gain real-time visibility into inventory, sales, processing, and accounting 

Our steel management software gives your team the tools needed to work faster, smarter, and more efficiently while improving profitability.

Steel Inventory Management & Inventory Control

SM3 includes advanced steel inventory management software and inventory control capabilities, including:

• Complete inventory control, including remnants 
• Full material traceability from receipt to shipment 
• Steel barcode software and barcode scanning for inventory tracking 
• Support for all units of measure (lbs/kg, ft/m, pieces, etc.) 
• Automated Mill Test Report (MTR) delivery 
• MTR tracking software and certification management 
• Heat number tracking and lot traceability 
• Ability to attach images of drops, materials, or parts to inventory records 
• Streamlined physical inventory counts and cycle counts 
• Warehouse inventory management for steel distributors 

Sales, Quoting & Customer Management

• Fast quote and sales order creation 
• Sophisticated pricing and price book management 
• Support for stock, custom, and configured products 
• One-click quote preview, email, and conversion 
• Automated customer communications and document delivery 
• Integrated eCommerce Customer Portal 
• Customer access to quotes, orders, invoices, proof of deliveries, and Mill Test Certifications 
• Shipping Manifest system for accurate and efficient deliveries 

Production Scheduling & Metal Processing

• Advanced production scheduling software 
• Inside and outside processing management 
• Integrated linear nesting 
• Plate nesting integration with SigmaNEST and ProNest 
• Full labor and processing cost tracking for margin visibility 
• Support for value-added metal processing operations 

Accounting, Reporting & ERP Automation

• Fully integrated steel accounting software 
• Complete enterprise resource planning (ERP) functionality 
• Over 350 pre-built reports for metal service centers 
• Custom reporting capabilities using Crystal Reports, Excel, and Power BI 
• Real-time management dashboards and KPIs 
• Task Manager for workflow tracking and communication 
• EDI integration 
• Secure remote access through your web browser 

Yes. SM3 is scalable ERP software for steel service centers and metal distributors of all sizes. Our customer base ranges from companies with 5 concurrent users to organizations with more than 600 concurrent users across North America and internationally.

Whether you are a small steel distributor or a large multi-location metals distribution company, SM3 provides the same advanced functionality, software updates, and dedicated support.

Absolutely. SM3 is enterprise software for steel service centers designed to support large metal companies with:

• Multiple stocking locations 
• Complex production workflows 
• Value-added processing 
• Multi-warehouse inventory management 
• Large-scale steel distribution operations 
• Advanced production scheduling requirements 

Many of our customers exceed 100 employees and operate multiple locations with sophisticated inside and outside processing operations.

SM3 is flexible metals software designed for virtually every type of metal service center operation, including:

• Bar 
• Tube & Pipe 
• Plate 
• Flat Rolled Products 
• Structural Steel 
• Specialty Steel 
• Tool Steel 
• Architectural Metals 
• Valves & Fittings 
• OCTG Products 
• Perforated & Expanded Metal 
• Wire Rope & Mesh 

Our metal industry software adapts to your products, workflows, inventory processes, and business requirements.

Steel Manager III is available as cloud-based ERP software. 

Our Cloud ERP Server Program provides:

• Secure and scalable hosting 
• Reduced IT infrastructure costs 
• Nightly backups 
• Improved accessibility 
• Scalable server performance 
• Optional hosting of MTRs, PODs, and related documents 

Benefits include:

1. Eliminates capital expenses for new servers 
2. Predictable monthly pricing 
3. Secure and reliable cloud infrastructure 
4. Scalable RAM, CPU, and storage resources 
5. Automated nightly backups 
6. Optional document hosting and backup services 

Our ERP implementation process includes:

• Onsite business assessments and workflow analysis 
• Data migration from legacy systems 
• Data cleansing, mapping, and validation 
• System setup and customization 
• Third-party software integrations 
• Onsite and remote staff training 
• Trial go-live testing with real data 
• Full go-live support and ongoing assistance 

Our implementation specialists come directly from the metals industry and understand steel service center operations firsthand.

We provide comprehensive support and training for all SM3 users, including:

• Onsite training 
• Remote training sessions 
• Phone and email support 
• 24/7 emergency support 
• Online knowledge base and documentation 

Our team understands both the metals industry and the Steel Manager III platform.

Yes. SM3 integrates with many third-party systems and software platforms, including:

• Kasto ASRS 
• Toyota ASRS 
• SigmaNEST 
• ProNest 
• Romac Linear Nesting 
• Headlight 
• CRM systems 
• EDI platforms 
• Reporting and analytics tools 

Our Open Client Architecture supports integration and customization.

Steel Manager III is continuously updated and improved to ensure customers have access to industry-leading metal service center ERP software. Updates and enhancements are typically released several times each year.

Two major factors distinguish SM3 from generic ERP software:

1. Industry-Specific Automation

SM3 was designed specifically for steel service centers and metal distributors. Our highly automated steel management software eliminates manual tasks, improves operational efficiency, and reduces errors.

2. Metals Industry Expertise

Our implementation consultants come directly from the metals industry and understand steel distribution, inventory management, production scheduling, and processing workflows. This allows us to provide practical guidance and industry-specific best practices.

SM3 uses a subscription-based ERP pricing model that reduces upfront capital costs and provides predictable monthly pricing.

Benefits include:

• Lower startup costs 
• Transparent pricing 
• No hidden fees 
• Concurrent-user licensing 
• Flexible scalability as your business grows 

Additional licenses can typically be installed by the next business day.

The best way to evaluate our metal service center software is through a live online demonstration.

During the demo, we will walk you through:

• Steel inventory management 
• Quoting and sales processing 
• Production scheduling 
• Barcoding and traceability 
• Accounting and reporting 
• ERP automation capabilities 

We also offer onsite demonstrations for companies seeking a more in-depth evaluation.

Our cloud ERP platform is hosted on secure private cloud infrastructure using Linux servers and Oracle databases.

Security features include:

• HTTPS encrypted communications 
• SSH-restricted server access 
• User-level security permissions 
• Controlled access to sensitive business data 
• Secure cloud hosting and backups 

Yes. SM3 supports coil, slit, bundle, and other value-added metal processing operations while capturing all associated labor and processing costs at both the quote and sales order levels.

Orders requiring processing are automatically added to the Production Schedule, giving managers and sales staff complete visibility into production status and delivery timelines.

Absolutely. Most SM3 customers use our integrated steel barcode software and barcoding functionality for:

• Receiving material 
• Inventory movement 
• Bin transfers 
• Picking accuracy 
• Cut stock processing 
• Truck loading 
• Physical inventory counts 
• Inventory traceability and tracking 

Barcode scanning helps eliminate picking errors and improves warehouse efficiency.

Yes. SM3 includes more than 350 standard reports designed specifically for metal service centers and steel distributors.

We also provide:

• Sales dashboards 
• Production scheduling dashboards 
• KPI management dashboards 
• Data mining and analytics tools 
• Integration with Crystal Reports, Excel, and Power BI 

Our Oracle database structure allows complete reporting flexibility.

Yes. One of the greatest strengths of Steel Manager III is its fully integrated ERP architecture. All modules communicate in real time, including:

• Inventory Management 
• Purchasing 
• Sales 
• Accounting 
• Production Scheduling 
• Reporting 
• Barcoding 
• Shipping 
• Traceability 

This eliminates duplicate data entry and improves operational visibility across your organization.

SM3 supports migration of critical business data from legacy systems, including:

• Customers 
• Vendors 
• Products 
• Inventory 
• Accounts Payable 
• Accounts Receivable 
• Chart of Accounts 

Our implementation team manages data cleansing, validation, mapping, and import processes to ensure a smooth ERP transition.

4GL Solutions is part of the Jonas Software Group. Jonas Software is a leading acquirer of mission-critical vertical market software companies with over 20+ years of experience providing businesses with the tools and network to grow into successful companies.

Jonas owns software companies in 40+ vertical markets, with 185 companies in 30 countries, all the way from software for cattle auctions to steel distribution, and everything in-between.  The Jonas Software motto is “Software for Life”. They have never sold a software company they acquired, instead provide the knowledge and resources to allow companies to perform at the highest level.