Is STSX the Right Barcode Tracking Software for Your Shop?

How does STSX Compare?

See how STSX stacks up across the capabilities that matter most to structural steel fabricators.

Not All Barcoding Software Is Built for Structural Steel

Structural steel fabrication has specific demands that generic barcoding solutions were not designed to meet. The software you use needs to connect with your existing detailing systems, survive a lost internet connection, and scale across every role on your shop floor — from Fit and Weld to QC and Paint.

STSX was built specifically for structural steel fabricators. The comparison below shows where STSX stands relative to the other software options your team may encounter.

How STSX Compares: Feature by Feature

P2 Programs recommends verifying the competitor columns with your sales contact before making purchasing decisions. Feature availability may vary by version or configuration.

Why Platform Compatibility Matters

Most structural steel fabricators use a myriad of applications to manage their shop. These include Tekla PowerFab, Tekla Structures, Strumis, SDS/2 by Design Data, EJE Structural Material Manager, etc. The barcoding software you choose needs to work with the system already running your shop — not force you to switch.

STSX integrates with most of these applications. Our competitors only integrate with Tekla PowerFab. STSX is currently the only purpose-built structural steel barcoding solution that works with files from other applications besides Tekla PowerFab.

You Own It. No Subscriptions, No Lock-In.

STSX is not sold as a SaaS subscription. It does not stop working if you choose not to renew your annual maintenance agreement.

You are also not required to sign a long-term contract. P2 Programs earns your continued business through service and results — not contract terms that make it difficult to leave.

Your Shop Keeps Running — Even Without Internet

STSX can be installed on your local server. It is not a cloud-hosted application on a server not controlled by you. If your internet connection goes down, your shop floor operations continue without interruption. For fabricators in locations with unreliable connectivity, or simply for operations where uptime is critical, this is a meaningful advantage over cloud-dependent systems.

Implementation Support That Goes Beyond Software

P2 Programs supplies everything your shop needs to go live with STSX — including scanners, printers, and labels. We also support and repair the hardware we sell, including mobile computers.

Most software vendors hand you a license and step back. P2 stays engaged throughout implementation and beyond. Our team brings over 100 years of combined structural steel industry experience, and we typically respond to support requests within 24 hours — with after-hours availability for urgent issues.

Built for Fabricators of Every Size

Enterprise barcoding solutions are often priced and scoped for large operations. STSX is designed to be accessible at any scale — from independent shops running lean to larger fabricators with complex workflow requirements.

Multi-employee transaction support — tracking up to 5 employees per transaction across processes like Fit, Weld, QC, Paint, etc. — gives larger operations the granularity they need. Straightforward pricing gives smaller shops a practical entry point.

Multilingual Support for Diverse Workforces

STSX is currently available in English and Spanish, with additional languages available on request. Labels can be printed in multiple languages and fully customized in format and layout. For shops with diverse workforces or international operations, this removes a barrier that most barcoding software does not address.