Location/Region: Chino, CA
Industry: Measurement systems services
Apps implemented: Sales, Inventory, Accounting, Project, CRM
Software
Replaced: SAP and Excel Spreadsheets
Company size: 10
Hosting type: Odoo Online
When a business is built on precision, you can’t afford clutter behind the scenes. That’s what A Tech Authority, Inc. (a machine tool service company based in Southern California, specializing in feedback, metrology, and calibration services) discovered after years of growth, paperwork, and scattered systems. Determined to improve efficiency and centralize information, Craig D’Ambrosio and his team found a surprising solution in Odoo. The result? Better workflows, stronger customer experiences, and a 22% increase in revenue in just one year.
But their story starts decades earlier, with a commitment to innovation and service. In 1979, Walt Martin founded Accurate Measurement Service (AMS) to bring precision technologies to Southern California’s growing manufacturing industry. Over a decade later, a young electronics engineer named Craig D’Ambrosio joined the company as a service technician. His deep technical knowledge and drive quickly expanded AMS’s reach into major aerospace clients like McDonnell Douglas and Northrop Grumman.
By the early 2000s, the economic downturn left AMS struggling. With only a few employees remaining, Craig and his wife, Laurie D’Ambrosio, saw both a challenge and an opportunity. In a bold move to secure the company’s future and support their growing family, they purchased the AMS service division, rebranding it as A Tech Authority, Inc
Since then, Craig and Laurie have built A Tech into a trusted provider of advanced feedback and calibration solutions, anchored in high standards, problem-solving, and a deep commitment to their customers. But as the company grew, so did the complexity of its operations.
The Hidden Costs of Growth
For years, Craig tried to find a digital solution that matched their technical sophistication in the field. He initially explored SAP, hoping it would provide the all-in-one infrastructure the company needed. But SAP proved to be too expensive and overwhelming for a small business. It was packed with features, yet lacked the flexibility and user-friendliness Craig wanted for his team.
"We were constantly chasing paper and Excel sheets. From customer quotes to service records and inventory, we were managing too much, in too many places. It became a drag on our efficiency, and it limited our ability to grow."
Craig stumbled upon Odoo through a software comparison search online. Intrigued by its modular structure, scalability, and clean user interface, he dove deeper. What stood out most was Odoo’s flexibility: it offered powerful tools without locking businesses into rigid systems or high costs. After watching several demo videos and learning how Odoo could be tailored, Craig reached out.
He was particularly drawn to the idea of aligning A Tech’s workflows (from quoting to fulfillment, inventory, invoicing, and even scheduling) within one platform. After trying out the free version and consulting with a few Odoo partners, he decided to implement it company-wide. "Within just a couple of months, we could already see the difference,” he said.
The Odoo transformation
The company adopted modules including CRM, Sales, Inventory, Project, and Accounting. Training was structured by department, using Odoo’s free online videos to onboard staff and encourage ownership. The impact was both cultural and operational.
- Field Operations: With technicians on the road for weeks at a time, mobile access to schedules, job information, and customer history improved both performance and accountability. No more calling the office for updates, everything was in the system.
- Seamless Internal Communication: The Chatter and Activities tool bridged time zones and departments. Sales team members in California and Missouri could view real-time updates on customer conversations, tasks, and next steps, no matter who was on vacation or traveling. “Those hiccups are gone now,” Craig said. “Customers don’t notice when someone’s out of office, because everything is already there.”
- Efficiency and Clarity: Perhaps the most striking change came in the day-to-day execution of processes. “With SAP, I had to jump through hoops (copying, pasting, rechecking fields). With Odoo, I can create a full order in 60 seconds. It pulls in all the relevant information automatically. That’s a huge time saver.” Also, the recent addition of analytic accounting gave Laurie, who leads the finance and operations side, deep visibility into departmental P&Ls for the first time.
- One source of knowledge: With Odoo, A Tech’s calibration department replaced three separate systems for scheduling, quoting, and reporting. This consolidation simplified operations, improved visibility, and boosted overall efficiency.
"The numbers speak volumes. After years of 3–5% annual growth, A Tech’s revenue jumped 22% in 2024. I can definitely attribute Odoo for our growth over the past year.”
Looking to the future
A Tech is now preparing to expand its service department, add live chat capabilities for quicker customer support, and grow its role as a technical partner to major equipment brands.
For Craig and Laurie, Odoo is more than a software tool: it’s a business partner. They continue to explore new modules and see opportunities to automate even more of the company’s processes in the coming years.
"What Odoo has done is give us the infrastructure we always needed to match the level of service we provide in the field. It’s helping us grow the business without sacrificing quality or burning out our team."
At A Tech, precision will always be the product. But now, the company’s internal operations are just as sharp. Thanks to a well-timed digital transformation, and a platform built to grow with them. Ready to streamline your business like A Tech? Discover what Odoo can do for you.
