Great responses/information everyone. Thanks for the replies.
I still think there is a better way to handle customer communication at make-to-order manufacturers (job shops) than emailing. Emails are often specific to a particular job or a quote - and keeping track of what belongs where can be...
I'm thinking of starting a website with a colleague of mine tailored to small 1-5 man machine shops. The goal is to streamline the process of receiving drawings/models that your customers would like quoted. Right now, the process for getting a quote from a company involves a lot of emails, phone...