Why Does Mothernode Require a Minimum of 10 Users?

Why Does Mothernode Require a Minimum of 10 Users?

Short answer: Mothernode is not entry-level software. It is purpose-built for mid-sized to enterprise-level companies. The 10-user minimum is intentional, non-negotiable, and rooted in how the platform is architected.

Below is the final, plain-English explanation.

The Reality (No Spin)

  • Mothernode is role-based, not person-based
    The platform is designed around departments (Sales, Production, Installation, Accounting, Management), not individuals wearing multiple hats.
    Companies under ~10 users typically operate as people, not departments.

  • You cannot “just pay for 10” with fewer users
    Even if you pay for 10 licenses, the organizational complexity required to justify the platform still doesn’t exist in a 3–5 person company.
    The issue is not price — it’s operational fit.

  • Implementation overhead is real
    Mothernode requires:

    • Structured workflows

    • Defined responsibilities

    • Data discipline

    • Cross-department visibility

    Small teams simply don’t get ROI from that level of structure.

  • You will be paying for power you won’t use
    Job costing, production routing, install calendars, inventory controls, approvals, reporting, and analytics are overkill for very small teams — and they slow you down instead of helping.

  • Support is optimized for complex operations
    Our onboarding, training, and support assume:

    • Multiple stakeholders

    • Segregation of duties

    • Scaled processes

    That doesn’t align with micro-teams.

Who Mothernode Is Built For

Mothernode is a fit if you have:

  • 10+ users

  • Dedicated or emerging departments

  • Multiple active jobs at once

  • Production + field installation coordination

  • A need for real job costing, accountability, and reporting

If that’s you — Mothernode is a force multiplier.

Who Mothernode Is Not Built For

If you have fewer than 10 users, you will be better served by tools designed for small teams, such as:

  • ShopVox

  • Squarecoil

These platforms are designed for:

  • Small crews

  • Minimal role separation

  • Faster setup with fewer operational constraints

That’s not a downgrade — it’s the right tool for the stage you’re in.

Bottom Line

  • The 10-user minimum is by design

  • It is not flexible

  • It is not about money

  • It is about operational maturity and fit

Mothernode is built to scale companies — not to be everything to everyone.

This Policy Exists Because We’ve Learned the Hard Way

This requirement is not theoretical. It is based on years of real-world implementation experience.

  • Smaller companies consistently struggle with enterprise-grade systems
    We’ve seen it repeatedly: small shops underestimate the operational weight of larger platforms. What looks powerful in a demo becomes burdensome in daily use.

  • Mothernode requires commitment — by design
    Mothernode includes:

    • A 12-month term agreement

    • Upfront implementation costs

    • Structured onboarding and training

    These are investments intended for companies already operating at scale — not for experimentation.

  • Small shops often regret the mismatch
    When a company with fewer than 10 users attempts to stretch into a system like Mothernode:

    • The monthly minimum feels disproportionate

    • The implementation cost becomes stressful

    • The operational rigor feels restrictive

    • ROI becomes hard to justify

    The result is frustration — not success.

  • This policy prevents expensive mistakes
    We intentionally block companies that are not yet a fit because:

    • We don’t want customers locked into a 12-month agreement they later regret

    • We don’t want businesses paying for infrastructure they cannot operationalize

    • We don’t want to be responsible for a bad software decision

    Saying “no” early is the responsible move.

 

This Is About Timing — Not Capability

Many successful Mothernode customers started small — just not with Mothernode.

If you currently have:

  • Fewer than 10 users

  • Minimal role separation

  • A single production flow

  • Limited reporting needs

You are not doing anything wrong. You’re simply not there yet.

When to Revisit the Conversation

You should come back and talk to us when:

  • You’ve hit a growth ceiling

  • Roles are starting to formalize into departments

  • Visibility, accountability, and job costing are becoming painful

  • Lighter tools are starting to break down

At that point, Mothernode stops being “too much” and starts being exactly what you need.

Final Word

This article exists to protect smaller companies from making bigger mistakes.

When your operation reaches the minimum requirements —
that’s the right time to talk.

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