What Tooling Software Technology does

TST Tooling Software Technology, LLC is a privately held software company founded in 2001 and headquartered in Clarkston, Michigan. The company serves the made-to-order tooling industry with an integrated stack spanning computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing, computer-aided engineering, and enterprise resource planning. TST operates as the master distributor of VISI CAD/CAM in North America under license from Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, and as an authorized distributor of Dynaform die-simulation software from ETA, Inc. The firm develops and sells its own proprietary TSTracker ERP system, which it describes as the only ERP built specifically for mold and die shops, covering job scheduling, estimating and quoting, contributed-margin analysis, cash flow management, work-in-progress cost tracking, and QuickBooks integration. Primary verticals are mold shops and die shops serving plastics, automotive, aerospace, appliance, and stamping customers; CNC machining operations and educational institutions (e.g., Penn State Behrend) are secondary segments.

The company's core proprietary technology is TSTracker, augmented by an integrated component-library ecosystem: 10,000+ SelfLube precision components, 7,000+ Progressive Components SKUs, and AQM aluminum mold bases are embedded directly inside VISI CAD, enabling automated bill-of-materials generation and faster mold/die design. Dynaform, built on ANSYS LS-DYNA, supports blank size engineering, formability simulation, die evaluation, and die system analysis for stamping workflows. The portfolio also includes FactoryWiz CNC machine monitoring, Machining Strategist high-speed machining software, Kreon Ace Skyline 3D measuring arms, and PEPS laser cutting software, sold either as a reseller or as a master distributor depending on the line.

TST's revenue model combines enterprise software licensing (quote-based, annual billing for VISI, Dynaform, and TSTracker), professional services and training (paid classes at $1,500 per participant for VISI Modeling and VISI Machining, plus a free online VISI Basics course), and recurring technical support available Monday through Saturday. Distribution is direct-enterprise sales supported by channel-partner resale arrangements, with sales leadership including President Jim Kesteloot and VP of Sales Eric Bragg. Customer references span enterprise accounts such as Herman Miller, Atlantic Tool & Die (650 associates), and RCO Engineering (~600 employees), alongside mid-market and small mold/die shops such as Viking Tool, Pioneer Die Sets, Dajaco Industries, Batesville Tool & Die, DeCore Tool & Manufacturing, and Upstate Simulations. The company has been organically funded since inception, with no disclosed external investment.

Name

Tooling Software Technology

Legal name

TST Tooling Software Technology, LLC

Website

https://tst-software.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TST Tooling Software Technology is a privately held CAD/CAM and ERP software firm serving North American mold and die shops. As master distributor of VISI CAD and developer of the proprietary TSTracker ERP, it serves made-to-order tooling manufacturers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

CAD/CAM and ERP Software for Tooling

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (8112)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Testing, Inspection, Certification & Commissioning (TICx) Technical Services (BPAHAIAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Tool & Die Making (EDAOAGAC)

Keywords

• CAD/CAM software
• Tooling ERP systems
• Die simulation software
• Mold design software
• CNC monitoring software

Headquarters

HQ city

Clarkston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Software Licensing and Resale: TST generates revenue primarily through the sale, licensing, and resale of CAD/CAM/CAE software including VISI CAD/CAM, DYNAFORM die simulation, TSTracker ERP, FactoryWiz CNC monitoring, Machining STRATEGIST, and PEPS laser software. Software is sold as enterprise licenses to tool shops, mold makers, die makers, and machining companies.
2. Professional Services and Training: TST provides paid training classes including VISI Modeling (3-5 days, $1,500), VISI Machining (3-5 days, $1,500), and free VISI Basics classes. Onsite installation, implementation, and custom training services are also provided as part of customer onboarding.
3. Technical Support and Maintenance: World-class support team available Monday-Saturday 8AM-8PM EST, providing phone and email support. Support is provided as part of ongoing customer relationships for licensed software users.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

TST Tooling Software Technology develops, distributes, and supports CAD/CAM/CAE and ERP software for the made-to-order tooling industry. Its proprietary offering is TSTracker, an ERP system purpose-built for mold and die shops covering RFQ-to-invoice workflows. As master distributor of VISI CAD/CAM in North America and authorized distributor of Dynaform, TST bundles software licensing, training, and support services for mold shops, die shops, and CNC machining operations.

Product overview

TST Tooling Software Technology offers a portfolio of CAD/CAM/CAE and ERP software solutions specifically designed for the made-to-order tooling industry, specializing in mold shops and die shops. The core product portfolio includes TSTracker (ERP system with embedded TST Estimator for job tracking, scheduling, and quoting), Dynaform (die system simulation software with modules for blank size engineering, formability simulation, die evaluation, die system analysis, and optimization), and VISI CAD/CAM (comprehensive CAD/CAM solution with modules including VISI Mold for mold design, VISI Machining for CNC programming, and VISI Flow for mold simulation). TST also resells and supports complementary products including FactoryWiz (CNC monitoring), Kreon 3D measuring arms, Machining Strategist (high-speed machining software), and PEPS laser software. The company operates as master distributor of VISI products in North America and as authorized distributor of Dynaform, FactoryWiz, and Kreon products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TSTracker: ERP system developed specifically for mold and die shops, providing job tracking, quoting, scheduling, and shop floor management capabilities.
• TSTracker Enterprise Edition
• TST Estimator
• TSTracker PRO
• FactoryWiz

Products and services

• TSTracker ERP ERP software solution developed and sold by TST specifically for mold shops and die shops in the made-to-order tooling industry; covers job scheduling, task tracking, estimating and quoting, contributed margin analysis, cash flow management, WIP cost tracking, mobile charts/reports, BOM management, and QuickBooks integration.
• VISI CAD/CAM Comprehensive CAD/CAM software solution for mold and die industries, offering fully integrated surface and solid modeling, 3D tool design, plastic flow analysis, and multi-axis milling strategies. TST is the master distributor in North America, distributing the software originally developed by Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence (Vero Software).
• Dynaform Die Simulation Software ANSYS LS-DYNA based die system simulation software distributed by TST for automotive, electrical, stamping, and tool & die industries; modules include Blank Size Engineering (BSE), Formability Simulation (FS), Die Evaluation (D-Eval), Die System Analysis (DSA), and Optimization Platform.
• FactoryWiz CNC Monitoring Software CNC communications and machine monitoring software by Refresh Your Memory Inc., resold and supported by TST in North America. Web-based interface displays live and historical production data on dashboards, PCs, tablets, and smartphones with onsite (non-cloud) deployment, capturing machine performance, idle time, setups, programming, and quality checks.
• Machining Strategist High-speed machining (HSM) toolpath software from Vero International distributed by TST, supporting spindle speeds up to 24,000 RPM and feed rates up to 1,200 inches per minute with multi-tasking support on standard hardware.
• Kreon Ace Skyline 3D Measuring Arm Portable 3D measuring arm with Skyline Wide scanner distributed by TST for metrology, inspection, and reverse engineering in metrology rooms and workshops; supports dense point cloud comparison with CAD files, bore diameter/position checks, and bend angle measurements.
• PEPS Laser Software Laser cutting software (Pentacut and Tubecut) by Vero International Software, distributed by TST for 2-axis and multi-axis laser cutting machine programming with automatic collision checking, simulation, and circular interpolation NC code output.

Quantifiable outcome

• RCO Engineering reduced CNC machine idle time from 1,200-1,400 hours/month to approximately 400 hours/month using FactoryWiz monitoring.
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence (Vero Software)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTST Tooling Software Technology is the master distributor of VISI CAD/CAM/CAE software in North America (United States and Canada). VISI is a product of Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, based in Stockholm, Sweden, and is recognized as a leading CAD/CAM solution for the made-to-order tooling industry. TST manages all distribution, training, implementation, and support for VISI in its territory. The relationship involves TST distributing VISI products to customers throughout North America.
• ETA, Inc. (Engineering Technology Associates)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTST is an authorized distributor of DYNAFORM die system simulation software by ETA, Inc. in North America. ETA, founded in 1983, is an engineering and software innovator serving the automotive engineering community for 37+ years. DYNAFORM is an ANSYS LS-DYNA based stamping and die simulation solution. TST sells, supports, and promotes DYNAFORM alongside its VISI and TSTracker product lines.
• Refresh Your Memory Inc. (FactoryWiz)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTST Tooling Software recently became a reseller of FactoryWiz CNC monitoring software by Refresh Your Memory Inc. FactoryWiz is an innovative CNC communications and machine monitoring system. TST resells and supports FactoryWiz to its customer base in the tooling industry, helping shops monitor machine performance, utilization, and idle time.
• Progressive ComponentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgressive Components and TST announced an alliance bringing Progressive's library of parts to VISI CAD. TST integrated Progressive's mold components (7,000+ SKUs) directly into VISI CAD libraries. The partnership enables automated BOM generation and ordering information for purchasing standard mold components. Progressive has three stocking locations with inventory and teams in Germany, Portugal, and Singapore.
• American Quality Molds (AQM)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTST selected American Quality Molds (AQM) for an alliance bringing AQM's standard aluminum mold bases and Rapid Insert Dies (RIDs) to VISI CAD. AQM maintains sufficient stock to deliver completed mold bases in 2-3 days. Programming was completed to generate VISI CAD drawings of each of AQM's standard aluminum mold bases and RIDs. AQM was purchased by Shrader Enterprises in 2023 and has been in business since 1997.
• SelfLubesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelfLube and TST collaborated to integrate SelfLube's entire product line of precision mold and die components (10,000+ components) into the VISI CAD component library. SelfLube is the leading U.S. manufacturer of precision mold and die components, offering both conventional and self-lubricating components in inch and metric sizes. VISI users can now select and insert 3D models of SelfLube components directly in VISI.
• Burton Precision Inc.supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBurton Precision Inc. provides the Kreon Ace Skyline measuring arm with Skyline Wide 3D scanner to TST customers. Herman Miller's metal parts manufacturing plant acquired a 3.5m Kreon measuring arm with Skyline Wide scanner through Burton Precision Inc. for 3D inspection and reverse engineering applications.
• PEPS Software (Vero International)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTST distributes PEPS laser software (Pentacut and Tubecut) by Vero International Software. PEPS provides laser cutting programming for 2-axis and multi-axis laser cutting machines with automatic collision checking, simulation, and circular interpolation NC code output.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• JobBOSS (by ECI Software Solutions): ERP for small/mid-market job shops and contract manufacturers — competes with TSTracker for made-to-order tooling shops needing estimating, scheduling, and shop-floor control.
• GoEngineer: Large North American SolidWorks and Stratasys 3D printing VAR with deep training, implementation, and support services — directly comparable to TST's role as a CAD/CAM VAR plus training provider for the manufacturing vertical.
• E2 Shop System (Shoptech Software): ERP/MES system purpose-built for job shops and make-to-order manufacturers — directly competes with TSTracker for the same small/mid-market mold, die, and machine shop customer base.
• Global Shop Solutions: ERP system for job shops and make-to-order manufacturers with quoting, scheduling, and shop floor tracking — overlaps with TSTracker's RFQ-to-invoice positioning in the same customer base.
• DP Technology (ESPRIT CAM): CAM software for CNC milling, turning, and multi-axis machining — directly competes with VISI Machining and Machining STRATEGIST for the same mold, die, and production machining customers.
• BobCAD-CAM: Affordable CAD/CAM software for CNC machining and mold/die shops — competes with VISI on price-sensitive CAM seats in the same small and mid-market tool shops that TST serves.
• Mastercam (CNC Software): Leading PC-based CAM software platform for CNC machining, milling, turning, and wire EDM — competes directly with VISI Machining and TST's CAM distribution business for the same mold/die and machining shop customers.

Broad incumbents

• Siemens Digital Industries Software (NX): Major CAD/CAM/CAE platform (Siemens NX) competing broadly with VISI in mold, die, and high-end machining — and increasingly offering integrated manufacturing software stacks that overlap with TST's portfolio.
• Dassault Systèmes (SOLIDWORKS / DELMIAWorks): Broader portfolio incumbent with SOLIDWORKS (CAD) and DELMIAWorks (ERP/MES for manufacturing) — overlaps with VISI on CAD/CAM and with TSTracker on manufacturing ERP across overlapping customer segments.

Others

• Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence: Parent organization that owns VISI CAD and is TST's most important vendor partner — relevant as both ecosystem supplier and the single largest termination risk to TST's business model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TST_Software
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCp64CRFUkOAsNHKJWBRoVYQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/TSTToolingSoftware
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tst-tooling-software-llc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Tooling Software Technology