Woodshop Master Case Study: One Platform for the Whole Shop
A complex production shop ran quoting, cutlists, scheduling, inventory, plus delivery on separate tools, which bred delays and errors. PCG built Woodshop Master on the FireFlight framework: one subscription platform for the entire operation.
What kinds of shops does it serve?
Cabinet Maker
CNC
Furniture Maker
Intarsia
Laser Works
Milling
Pen Making
Refinishers
Scroll Saws
Wood Carving
Wood TurningWhat was slowing the shop down?
The shop ran on a patchwork. Quoting lived in one tool, cutlists in another, scheduling and depreciation in spreadsheets, plus inventory somewhere else. Every handoff between project planning, billing, plus fulfillment was a chance for a delay or an error.
Nothing was automated. Labor estimates, materials tracking, or cutlist creation were all done by hand, and there was no central oversight for training, certifications, plus documentation. Client communication and materials lived on separate islands with no shared data layer.
The result was slow quotes and lost detail. A cutlist that should take seconds took hours, and a number keyed in one place never reached another. The shop needed one core instead of a dozen tools.
How did FireFlight unify the workshop?
PCG built Woodshop Master on the FireFlight framework, a modular system organized by function. Project Management centralized task and milestone tracking with resource allocation, while Scheduling and Dispatch gave interactive calendar views for assigning teams and avoiding conflicts in real time. Work Orders logged every job.
On the production side, the Cutlist Manager generated optimized cut diagrams in seconds, Inventory Control tracked stock with reorder alerts and bin locations, plus Materials Management handled purchase orders and cost tracking. The Materials and Parts List auto-populated assemblies per job type.
Client and financial work joined the same core. CRM, Invoices and Quotes, Accounts and Transactions, plus Subscription Management run alongside Custom Reporting and AI Integration. Most deployments run in weeks, not months. Quoting, building, teaching, plus billing now share one system.
Which FireFlight modules power Woodshop Master?
Project ManagementCentralized task and milestone tracking. Resource allocation plus progress visualization for all projects.
Scheduling & DispatchInteractive calendar views for assigning teams. Manage job dates plus avoid conflicts in real time.
Work OrdersDetailed job logging with status updates. Field reports keep completion tracking accountable.
Cutlist ManagerAutomated generation of optimized cut diagrams. Material usage reports minimize waste.
Inventory ControlReal-time stock levels. Reorder alerts plus bin-location management prevent shortages.
Materials ManagementPurchase order workflows with supplier integration. Cost tracking covers receipts plus returns.
Materials & Parts ListPredefined assemblies and part lists. Auto-populated per job type for faster planning.
Estimation ToolLabor hours plus material costs. Markup is applied to produce accurate quotes.
CRM / Contact LogsUnified database of client contacts. Communication history plus account relationships in one place.
Invoices & QuotesAutomated proposals, quotes, plus invoices. Templates and approval workflows are configurable.
Accounts & TransactionsDetailed financial ledgers. Multi-entity support plus transaction import for bookkeeping.
Subscription ManagementTiered user access by plan. Feature gating follows the subscription.
Financial & BillingBudget tracking plus depreciation schedules. Billing consolidates across projects.
Custom & Ad-Hoc ReportingDashboards you build once. Filters plus scheduled reports track key indicators.
AI IntegrationPredictive analytics for demand forecasting. Maintenance scheduling plus operational recommendations follow.STL ViewerEmbedded 3D preview of design files. Pattern validation plus client review happen in place.
Manual LibraryCentral repository for SOPs. Repair guides plus training materials carry version control.
Custom ChecklistsDigital task lists with conditional logic. Sign-off fields keep the work compliant.
Documents & Notes HistoryAudit-proof record of uploads. Edits plus reviewer comments stay traceable.Email & SMS IntegrationAutomated notifications plus reminders. Bulk messaging reaches stakeholders and clients.CertificationsTrack employee training plus expiration dates. Renewal workflows run from the same record.Pattern LibrariesManage and version design patterns. Metadata plus usage history travel with each one.CommentsIn-context discussion threads. Feedback loops support collaborative decisions.What services does Woodshop Master cover?
Inventory Management: materials, tools, plus equipment with reorder alerts.- Project Management: timelines, tasks, plus progress.
- CRM: customer info, history, plus quotes.
- Financial Tools: budgeting, invoicing, plus reporting.
- Order Management from quotation to delivery, with payment tracking.
- Supplier Management: suppliers, purchase orders, plus procurement.
- Equipment Maintenance Scheduler for machinery upkeep.
- Safety Compliance Tracker for inspections and incidents.
- Employee Management: records, schedules, plus payroll.
- Time Tracking for billing and productivity.
- Design and Blueprint Library for plans and templates.
- Task Automation for reordering and maintenance reminders.
- Customizable Dashboards for metrics and project status.
- Reporting and Analytics for sales and planning.
How is the shop's data kept together and safe?
Every module in Woodshop Master runs on one FireFlight core hosted by Phoenix Consultants Group, so quoting, inventory, plus client data share a single source rather than scattered tools. Documents and Notes History keep an audit-proof record of uploads, edits, plus reviewer comments.
Because access is tiered by subscription and role, each user sees the features and records their plan and role allow.
What does Woodshop Master give the shop?
- Automated cutlists with optimized diagrams and material reports.
- Accurate, shareable quotes and estimates.
- Real-time inventory linked directly to projects.
- Scheduling that avoids team conflicts.
- Training and certifications built into daily workflows.
- Tiered subscription access by plan.
- CRM, invoicing, plus billing on one core.
- AI forecasting for demand and maintenance.
The framework behind the product
Phoenix Consultants Group built and maintains FireFlight, the framework behind Woodshop Master. Since 1995 PCG has delivered more than 500 applications, and it hosts and supports every system it builds. Woodshop Master is FireFlight packaged as a subscription product.
AI Integration runs inside the platform. A shop owner can ask a plain-English question about demand for the next quarter or which machines are due for maintenance and get an answer from live data, with no canned report and no waiting on IT. Most deployments still run in weeks, not months.
What changed operationally after deployment?
- Cutlist generation runs in seconds, not hours.
- Quotes and estimates are accurate and shareable.
- Inventory data links live to each project.
- Training and certifications sit in daily work.
- Subscription tiers fit clients of every size.
Ikhana ties the modules together
With this many modules in one product, Ikhana keeps the shop oriented. As a user moves from a quote to a cutlist to an inventory check, she explains each screen, so a new hand works the whole platform without a manual.
Learn moreFrequently Asked Questions
What is Woodshop Master?
What is Woodshop Master?How fast is cutlist generation?
How fast is cutlist generation?Does inventory connect to projects?
Does inventory connect to projects?Can it handle quoting and billing too?
Can it handle quoting and billing too?What does the AI do?
What does the AI do?How does the subscription work?
How does the subscription work?
Phoenix Consultants Group. Founded 1995. FireFlight Data Systems is PCG's hosted platform. Woodshop Master is a subscription product built on FireFlight. Last updated June 2026.
Services
Track materials, tools, and equipment, including quantities, costs, and reorder alerts.
Project Management
Organize projects from start to finish, including timelines, task assignments, and progress tracking.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Manage customer information, communication history, and project quotes/orders.
Financial Tools
Budgeting, expense tracking, invoicing and financial reporting tailored for woodworking businesses.
Process customer orders, including invoicing and payment tracking, from quotation to delivery.
Supplier Management
Manage supplier information, purchase orders, and material procurement.
Equipment Maintenance Scheduler
Schedule and track maintenance for woodworking machinery to ensure optimal performance.
Safety Compliance Tracker
Maintain up-to-date records of safety inspections, incidents, and compliance with regulations.
Employee Management
Manage employee records, schedules, payroll, and task assignments.
Time Tracking
Track time spent on projects for billing and productivity analysis.
Task Automation
Automate repetitive tasks, like inventory reordering and maintenance reminders.
Customizable Dashboards
Personalized dashboards to monitor key metrics and project statuses at a glance.