Bringing Fitters into the Fold

Rhonda Ridge, creator of the AdminBase installer management system, looks at some of the typical problems faced when remote working and explains how the right software can bring teams together.

Managing a remote team, or indeed, being part of a remote team, isn’t always easy. Installation teams that are out on site all day can suffer from a lack of face-to-face contact with office-based staff, struggle to share and receive information with the rest of the business, and experience poor communication from day to day. Managers of remote teams have had to learn ways to cope with these challenges over the years. 

Some of the things that can help in these circumstances include better communication of the big picture objectives and day-to-day matters like a change to the schedule; established rules of engagement up front, so everyone understands the preferred communication methods and how information should be shared between all team members; the provision of plenty of information to the remote team so they don’t feel isolated and have everything they need to do a good job; and a focus on teamwork so everyone feels like they are working towards the same goal. It requires the right culture and, of course, the necessary technology to connect everyone in a business. 

Supporting Installation Managers and their Teams

“Having worked in an installation business myself, I could see there was a better way of bringing processes and people together,” says Rhonda. “The entire AdminBase system is designed to bring all facets of an installation business together, but the My AdminBase Diary app is a fantastic tool to support installation managers and their teams. And it’s just had an upgrade to make it even better. 

“My AdminBase Diary is a free diary app that can be linked to the main body of the comprehensive AdminBase management system. Installers can attach PDFs, pictures, videos, voice recordings, spreadsheets, and any other useful information to each lead or contract record. This allows everyone to see the very latest data on any job at any time. It simplifies the process of passing relevant appointment details from AdminBase to on-site personnel and vice versa to encourage teamwork, communication, and greater efficiency. The app is slick, quick, and easy to use, which means installers have access to all the information they need at their fingertips, on or off site. 

“At this year’s FIT Show, we launched a significant upgrade to this already useful tool, which will now see the My AdminBase Diary app’s flexibility extended so that it can be used by all types of installation businesses, not just window companies, as well as offer the glazing sector even more functionality. 

Increased Visibility and Streamlined Data

“The update makes it easy for managers to see the appointments assigned to their team members as well as their own,” continues Rhonda. “So, for example, an installation manager can view the appointments assigned to fitters and add their own photos to the job to feed back into the contract in AdminBase. This makes it easier for the manager to carry out site visits without the need for a specific appointment in AdminBase. The upgrade further streamlines data, increases visibility for relevant users, and offers installation managers and fitting teams alike more control and improved feedback when changes are made to appointments or projects. The app makes it easy to send copies of quotes or surveyor paperwork relevant to a project for immediate use onsite.  

“AdminBase in its entirety is designed to bring installation businesses together,” concludes Rhonda. “To allow remote teams and office staff to have access to the same information at the same time. However, we appreciate that there are so many nuances in how teams operate that we need to keep the system under constant review and continuous improvement. This is the latest of many upgrades to AdminBase and will by no means be the last as we continue to listen to feedback from customers and make sure the system constantly evolves in a way that is helpful to their business.”

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