AdminBase Frees Up Time For Business

The cost-of-living crisis has led to homeowners becoming increasingly strapped for cash, so installation businesses are having to work even harder to get enquiries, convert leads and look after existing customers. They need more hours in a day to get it all done. Which is possible, according to Ab Initio’s Rhonda Ridge, creator of AdminBase.

Running a company means time is always in short supply as you juggle priorities to keep stakeholders happy and the business profitable. Technology has rescued us to a certain extent by revolutionising the way we manage our work. We’ve got mobile phones to stay in touch, online banking to save lengthy trips to the high street, and of course computers to speed up some of our day-to-day tasks. But technology doesn’t stand still, so it’s important to stay ahead of the latest developments to ensure you don’t get left behind. Imagine if your competitors were sending e-mails and you still had to rely on the postal service. You simply wouldn’t be able to compete. According to Rhonda Ridge of AdminBase, home improvement companies are being left behind right now because they haven’t upgraded to the latest automated admin.

“What would you give to gain an extra hour in your day, or even more?” asks Rhonda. “Time is such a precious commodity when you run an installation business. There are often simply not enough hours in the day to get through all the marketing, lead generation, sales visits, reporting, installation, managing accounts, dealing with problems, and offering after sales care. But the reason a lot of these day-to-day tasks take so much time is because of the admin that accompanies them. The form filling required can often be lengthy, but it is also not uncommon for there to be a mismatch of admin methods used across an installation business, which further slows the process. That is why a centralised system is not only useful, but necessary.

“AdminBase is an all-encompassing installer management system that allows for one time data entry, which is then updated across all areas of the business. The system is live, so the information stored is always up to date and accessible should a customer call with a query. Having said that, the system’s SMS feature allowing communication via logged text messages, and the customer portal feature allowing remote access for homeowners who want to check on their order 24/7, means fewer incoming calls anyway.

Automatic visibility

“In addition to saving time, workflow visibility is also improved in a number of ways including: a barcoding app that keeps track of products entering and leaving the warehouse or factory so fitters know when everything is in stock for any given project; a My AdminBase Diary app to give on site personnel access to their appointments and any associated documents; a Fitting app that holds all current information about an installation including surveys and customer sign-offs; and our latest addition of the PricepointTM app that lets installation businesses download their catalogue of products and create quotes in the home as part of a professional sales presentation.

“This level of automation across the business saves personnel a lot of time. It also reduces the chance of human error. In addition, the collation of data in one place allows installation companies to immediately assess what’s working well and what needs improvement, so if anything is holding them back, they can make changes immediately.

“Many installation businesses are already reaping the rewards of switching to this new way of working as automated admin fast becomes the norm,” concludes Rhonda. “In the same way that it is normal to e-mail rather than post, or to manage your finances online rather than make the trip to the bank, it will soon be unheard of to manage a business without one integrated management system. Any installation business that hasn’t already acted, should think about doing so soon.”

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