Facing the Fear - Buying & Customizing Software for Your Business Without Losing (Too Much) Sleep

Change is scary—especially when it involves replacing the software that your business has relied on for years. Whether you’re tracking production on paper, using spreadsheets, managing it all through a patchwork of programs that kind of talk to each other, or combining personal/employee knowledge with QuickBooks, making the leap to a new, customizable software solution can feel overwhelming. But here’s the truth: fear doesn’t mean it’s the wrong decision. It just means you care about getting it right!

Every business is unique. Even if you fabricate the same products as the shop down the street, you probably don’t do it in quite the same way. Your people, your workflows, your culture—they all add up to a company identity that’s unlike anyone else’s; it’s yours! That’s why off-the-shelf software often falls short. It might work “well enough,” but it rarely feels like a perfect fit. And in our industry, “well enough” usually means hours lost to workarounds, errors, and frustration.

Custom-configured software, which A+W offers, is a different story. It’s designed to bend to your processes, not the other way around. You don’t have to change how your team works—you just have to be willing to take a closer look at what’s working, what’s not working, and where software can help you be more efficient, transparent, and scalable.

But even with all the benefits laid out, that lingering fear still shows up: What if our team can’t adapt? What if the software is too complicated? What if we lose data? What if the downtime hurts us? What if this isn’t the right software after all? What if it causes customers to leave? What if…

Those are truly valid concerns/questions. Fear of change isn’t weakness—it’s a sign of responsibility. You’re trying to protect your people, your production, and your reputation. This presents you with an opportunity to answer these concerns/questions and then move forward.

So, how do you manage the fear of change?

1. Choose a partner, not just a product
   The right software provider isn’t just selling you a system—they’re walking beside you through implementation, training, and beyond. Look for a team that speaks your language (bonus points if they know the glass, window, or door world) like A+W's people do, listens to your concerns, and doesn’t rush you. A solid partner will help you configure the software to match your current needs, with room to grow into future improvements.
2. Get buy-in early and often
   Involve your team from the beginning. Ask operators, managers, and office staff (key stakeholders and influencers) where their pain points/bottlenecks are and invite them to test and provide feedback on the new system. When people feel heard and included, they’re more likely to support the change—and help others get on board, too.
3. Take it step by step
   Don’t try to implement everything at once. A good rollout plan will break the process into manageable phases. You might start with the server installation, move to data input, then production tracking, scheduling, inventory, or delivery, etc. Your business is unique as are the installation phases. Engage in honest conversation with your software provider. This gradual approach reduces pressure and lets everyone adapt at a sustainable pace.
4. Expect a learning curve—and plan for it
   Yes, there will be hiccups. And yes, someone will accidentally enter the wrong order. That’s normal. Make sure training is thorough, support is easily accessible, and expectations are realistic. Remind your team—and yourself—that short-term discomfort leads to long-term gains.
5. Focus on what you’re gaining
   Whether it’s better inventory accuracy, fewer remakes, relieving bottlenecks, or real-time visibility/tracking into your shopfloor activities, keep your eyes on the prize. Talk openly about the wins as they happen and celebrate the people making those improvements possible.

Customizing your software doesn’t mean turning your company upside down—it means building a stronger foundation under what already works. The fear might never disappear entirely, but with the right mindset, partner, and plan, it becomes something you can manage, not something that holds you back.

Change is hard. Staying stuck is harder.

Let’s get unstuck—together.

Reach out to Josh Rudd at josh.rudd@a-w.com, so he can help you find the appropriate software to meet your needs.