What Shop Floor Automations does

Shop Floor Automations (SFA) is a privately-held Manufacturing System Integrator founded in 1998 and headquartered in La Mesa, California. The company specializes in CNC machine connectivity, machine monitoring, and shop floor automation, serving manufacturers across the United States, Mexico, Canada, Europe, and Asia. SFA's core business model is multi-channel: it resells third-party software (notably Predator Software's DNC, MDC, PDM, and CNC Editor product lines, and Scytec DataXchange for machine monitoring), distributes connectivity hardware (RS232 serial, USB, Ethernet, wireless, and floppy drive emulators for legacy CNC machines), and provides per-diem professional services for on-site installation and integration. Pricing is largely quote-based, with a freemium entry point via free 30-day DNC software trials and a free CNC Editor download, alongside Net 30 terms for qualified customers and per-diem technician rates of $80/day plus mileage.

Technically, SFA operates as a system integrator rather than an original software developer for its flagship products. Its differentiator is interoperability: the company supports multiple CNC communication protocols (MTConnect, Fanuc FOCAS, OPC UA) and works with any brand, connection type, or machine age — including obsolete hardware such as floppy drives, PCMCIA cards, and tape readers. Recent product evolution has moved the portfolio up-stack, including VERICUT CNC Machine Connectivity for digital twin verification (via partnership with CGTech), AWS GovCloud-secure Scytec DataXchange deployment for defense and aerospace customers, and the USB-LAN Connect with FTPS hardware upgrade for CMMC 2.0 cybersecurity compliance. The customer base spans CNC machine shops (primary segment), aerospace and defense contractors requiring CMMC 2.0 compliance, and general manufacturing facilities needing equipment monitoring. Named enterprise customers include Regal Rexnord Mexico, Gilmore, Wheel Pros, OMNI, Hunting, Honeywell Aerospace, and Hyperloop One. Go-to-market combines enterprise field sales, trade show presence at IMTS and FABTECH, multi-channel content marketing, and self-serve e-commerce and download channels for the SMB long tail. Leadership comprises President Greg Mercurio; the company is founder-led with no disclosed institutional investors, parent company, or external funding rounds.

Name

Shop Floor Automations

Legal name

Shop Floor Automations

Website

https://shopfloorautomations.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Shop Floor Automations is a privately-held Manufacturing System Integrator founded in 1998 that resells CNC connectivity software (Predator, Scytec DataXchange), distributes connectivity hardware for legacy and modern CNC machines, and provides integration services to manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, and general manufacturing across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Manufacturing Automation Systems

NAICS

Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (33411)

SIC

General Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Nec (3569), Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590), Wholesale-Electronic Parts & Equipment, Nec (5065)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Automation Software (SCADA, HMI, MES, Historian) (IMAHAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG), Control System Integration & Engineering Services (Design, Commissioning, Retrofits) (IMAGABAK), Process Automation Instrumentation & Control (DCS, Valves, Actuators, Analyzers) (IMAHAHAM)

Keywords

• CNC automation software
• Machine monitoring solutions
• DNC software
• Manufacturing system integration
• Industrial connectivity hardware

Headquarters

HQ city

La Mesa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Software Resale: Resells third-party software including Predator Software (DNC, MDC, PDM, CNC Editor, etc.) and Scytec DataXchange machine monitoring solutions. Revenue from software licenses and subscriptions.
2. Hardware Sales: Sells connectivity hardware including RS232 serial cables, USB connectors, floppy drive emulators, wireless adapters, Ethernet converters, and LAN connectivity devices for CNC machines.
3. Professional Services: On-site installation, integration, and technical support services. Bills per diem rates for technicians, travel expenses, and hourly service time.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Shop Floor Automations is a Manufacturing System Integrator that resells and integrates CNC machine connectivity software (Predator DNC, Predator MDC, Scytec DataXchange) and industrial connectivity hardware (Ethernet, USB, wireless, floppy drive emulators, RS232). The company combines these software and hardware products with on-site installation, integration, and technical support services to help manufacturers modernize legacy CNC equipment, capture real-time OEE data, and achieve CMMC 2.0 cybersecurity compliance.

Product overview

Shop Floor Automations is a Manufacturing System Integrator offering a comprehensive portfolio of software and hardware solutions for CNC machine connectivity and shop floor automation. The software portfolio includes Predator DNC (core DNC software for CNC networking), Predator MDC (machine monitoring with OEE analytics), Predator PDM (production data management), Predator CNC Editor, and Scytec DataXchange (machine monitoring solution available on-premise and cloud including AWS GovCloud). Hardware offerings include connectivity devices for adding USB, Ethernet, and wireless capabilities to CNC machines, floppy drive emulators for legacy machines, and serial/RS232 solutions. The company also supports MTConnect and OPC UA protocols for universal machine communication.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Predator DNC Direct Numerical Control (DNC) software for CNC networking, enabling secure Ethernet transfers, program management, and CNC revision control for any brand, connection type, or age of CNC machine. Targets CNC machine shops and manufacturers.
• Predator MDC Machine monitoring and data collection software providing real-time analytics and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) metrics from CNC machines and other manufacturing equipment. Targets manufacturers seeking production visibility.
• Scytec DataXchange Real-time IIoT machine monitoring solution delivering OEE metrics, manufacturing dashboards, and equipment analytics. Available on-premise and cloud-based, with AWS GovCloud deployment option for regulated industries. Targets manufacturers across CNC, fabrication, and general equipment.
• Predator CNC Editor CNC editing software for creating and editing CNC programs. Targets CNC programmers and machinists in manufacturing environments.
• Predator PDM Production Data Management software for revision control and document management to meet ISO standards. Targets manufacturers needing document control.
• Predator Secure DNC Enhanced security version of DNC software for secure CNC networking. Targets defense contractors and manufacturers handling sensitive program data.
• Predator Touch HMI Touch-based human machine interface for shop floor operations. Targets manufacturers deploying operator interfaces on the shop floor.
• Predator Tracker Production tracking software for manufacturing operations. Targets manufacturers needing job and production tracking on the shop floor.
• MTConnect Universal communication protocol for machine tool connectivity enabling factory floor communication across disparate CNC machines and equipment. Targets manufacturers seeking standardized machine data exchange.
• Ascendant eXtremeDNC DNC software solution from Ascendant Technologies resold by Shop Floor Automations. Targets manufacturers seeking alternative DNC solutions.
• Ascendant XYZPRO32 EditPlus CNC editing software from Ascendant Technologies resold by Shop Floor Automations. Targets CNC programmers seeking alternative CNC editing tools.
• Ethernet Connect Hardware solution for adding Ethernet connectivity to CNC machines, enabling network integration. Targets manufacturers modernizing legacy CNC equipment.
• Wireless Connect Wireless connectivity hardware for CNC machines enabling wireless program transfers and shop floor networking. Targets manufacturers deploying wireless CNC networks.
• USB Connect USB connectivity hardware for adding USB ports to CNC machines to simplify program transfers. Targets manufacturers with legacy CNC controls lacking USB ports.
• USB-LAN Connect with FTPS Combined USB and Ethernet connectivity device with FTPS security for secure CNC data transmission. Targets defense contractors and regulated manufacturers needing secure CNC file transfer.
• Floppy Drive Emulator Floppy disk drive replacement for CNC machines, available for Haas, Mazak, Okuma, and custom configurations. Targets manufacturers running legacy CNC controls with floppy drives.
• Serial Connect (RS232) Serial connectivity hardware and cables for CNC communication, including RS232 cables and CNC compatibility lists. Targets manufacturers needing reliable serial CNC connections.
• Tape Reader Connect Replacement hardware for legacy tape readers on CNC machines. Targets manufacturers with aging CNC equipment still using tape-based program loading.
• Professional Installation and Integration Services On-site installation, integration, and technical support services billed at per diem rates of $80.00 per technician per day, plus mileage ($0.72 per mile from SFA offices) and travel expenses at actual cost. Targets manufacturers purchasing SFA software and hardware solutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 62.5% decrease in machine time as a result of time-saving alerts (MOGAS case study)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and minor.

• CGTech (VERICUT)strategicTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Partnership to offer VERICUT CNC Machine Connectivity with Scytec DataXchange. Enables digital twin simulation integration with live production data through Postcheck feature.
• Scytec Consulting Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2010Authorized reseller of Scytec DataXchange machine monitoring software. Partnership enables delivery of real-time OEE monitoring and equipment analytics solutions.
• Predator SoftwarecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1998Primary reseller partnership since 1998. SFA has been ranked #1 in Predator Software Sales, Service, and Support for over 20 consecutive years since 2004. Resells full suite including DNC, MDC, PDM, CNC Editor, and other solutions.
• Ascendant TechnologiesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReseller of Ascendant software products including eXtremeDNC and XYZPRO32 EditPlus for CNC editing and DNC solutions.
• AMT (Association for Manufacturing Technology)minorOthersIndustry association membership providing access to manufacturing technology resources and industry standards participation.
• MTConnect InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStandards committee member contributing to development of MTConnect interoperability standard for manufacturing equipment communication.
• AWS (Amazon Web Services)strategicTechnology or IntegrationLeverages AWS GovCloud for secure cloud-based Scytec DataXchange machine monitoring for defense and regulated industries requiring high-security environments.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Siemens Digital Industries: Siemens provides SINUMERIK CNC controls plus the Opcenter / MindSphere MES and analytics suite. As a vertically integrated OEM-software player, it is a broad incumbent competitor to SFA's machine monitoring and DNC solutions.
• FANUC America: FANUC is the world's largest CNC manufacturer and embeds MTConnect and FOCAS connectivity into its controls. Its native monitoring and analytics features compete with the Predator/Scytec stack SFA resells.
• CGTech (VERICUT): CGTech is a long-established CNC simulation and verification software vendor. Its VERICUT platform competes with parts of SFA's stack (program verification, Postcheck) and is a strategic integration partner.
• Rockwell Automation: Rockwell Automation is a major industrial automation incumbent offering FactoryTalk MES, analytics, and CNC connectivity that competes with SFA's DNC and monitoring stack, especially in larger discrete manufacturers.
• Heidenhain: Heidenhain is a leading CNC control manufacturer whose StateMonitor and DNC connectivity features compete with third-party offerings like those SFA resells, especially in European and high-precision manufacturing.

Direct peers

• Predator Software: Predator Software develops the DNC, MDC, PDM, and CNC Editor products that SFA resells. It is both SFA's closest peer (DNC/MDC software for CNC shops) and its primary supplier, making it the most direct comparable.
• Applied Manufacturing Technologies: Applied Manufacturing Technologies is a manufacturing systems integrator specializing in robotics, controls, and CNC integration for industrial customers — directly comparable to SFA as a peer integrator in the same target market.
• Scytec Consulting Inc. Scytec builds the DataXchange machine monitoring and OEE platform that SFA resells. It is a direct peer in CNC machine monitoring and a strategic technology partner via AWS GovCloud.

Emerging players

• MachineMetrics: MachineMetrics is a well-funded IIoT/machine monitoring platform for CNC and discrete manufacturing. It competes directly with Scytec DataXchange and Predator MDC in the OEE and machine monitoring category.
• Memex Solutions: Memex (now part of Industrial Internet Consortium ecosystem) provides MERLIN machine monitoring and OEE software for CNC shops, directly competing with SFA's resold MDC and DataXchange offerings.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sfa_inc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/shopfloorautomations
• Facebookfacebook.com/shopfloorautomations
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shop-floor-automations-inc.
• Instagraminstagram.com/shopfloorautomations/?hl=en

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shop Floor Automations