VIDEO: Connected Manufacturing Software: How Reata Built a Technical Ecosystem That Works

A 20-year-old manufacturing leader demonstrates how integrated platforms are redefining shop performance, showing that the future is already here.

In a 32,000-square-foot shop in Englewood, CO, Reata Engineering and Machine Works is proving that the real competitive edge in manufacturing today isn’t just about the machines, it’s about how those machines connect to the rest of the business.

At the heart of this transformation is Adam Zaouague, a 20-year-old emerging leader who has already made his mark at Reata by building a connected manufacturing software ecosystem that delivers clarity, speed, and confidence to everyone in the company.

The Power of a Manufacturing Tech Stack

When Adam talks about technology like Datanomix, Paperless Parts, and Fulcrum, it’s not in isolation. He describes them as part of a larger manufacturing tech stack, a set of connected systems that function like building blocks, each contributing to a unified, data-driven workflow.

Through API connections, these platforms share information automatically:

• Datanomix provides real-time manufacturing data and detailed production monitoring directly from the machines.
• Fulcrum orchestrates job scheduling and order management.
• Paperless Parts streamlines quoting and documentation.

The result is a manufacturing software integration environment where the right data flows to the right place instantly, eliminating redundant manual entry and freeing the business to focus on making great parts.

“You can have all these software tools running separately, but the real magic happens when you start connecting them together.”

From Whiteboards to Real-Time Insight

Reata has ditched the whiteboard, but one still hangs in the office as a reminder of the old way of scheduling and the inefficiencies it carried. Back then, updates meant paperwork, delays, and guesswork.

Today, with Datanomix Production Monitoring in place, the team can answer in seconds:

• Are we making this part as efficiently as we quoted?
• Are we making money on this job?
• Are we running jobs in the right order to meet delivery promises?

That clarity is the difference between reacting to problems and preventing them altogether.

Gamifying Continuous Improvement

While the technology is impressive, Adam is quick to point out that it’s the people who make it powerful.

The average age of the Reata team on the shop floor ranges from mid-20s to early 30s, and the team embraces technology, insights, and change, even turning real-time visibility into a game. Operators track cycle times like athletes chasing personal records, tweaking programs to “beat the clock” and boost efficiency.

This gamification, supported by real-time manufacturing data, drives constant improvement, builds team engagement, and makes innovation second nature.

Why Connected Manufacturing Software Matters Now

For shops still hesitant to adopt integrated systems, Adam has a clear message:

“You’re either gonna be too late or you’re gonna be too early… It’s inevitable.”

The reality is that while machines continue to advance, the biggest untapped gains often lie in the front office, where specs, prints, and jobs are delivered to the floor faster, with fewer handoffs and less red tape.

That’s exactly what a connected manufacturing software ecosystem delivers:

• A single source of truth for job data
• Seamless flow of information between systems and departments
• Faster, smarter decision-making at every level
• A continuous improvement mindset based on actual production data and trends

And as Adam often says, the best way to understand it is to see it. He invites anyone to visit Reata, walk the floor, and watch the systems in action. When they do, they usually leave asking, “How can we do what you’re doing?”

Driving Shop-Wide Connectivity Through Datanomix

Reata’s approach is powered by more than just point-to-point integrations; it’s built on flexibility. Datanomix enables the integration of machine performance insights with a wide range of ERP systems and digital partners. Whether it’s linking to scheduling platforms like Fulcrum, quoting systems like Paperless Parts, or other shop management solutions, these integrations ensure every stakeholder has the same, accurate, real-time information to make smarter decisions.

Ready to see how connected manufacturing software and production monitoring can transform your shop? Book a Datanomix demo today and start building the technical ecosystem that will power your next decade of growth.