by Rachael Pritz, RB Retail & Service Solutions

Summer is over and the intensity of the pool industry’s busy season is done. Now is the time to ask: How did we do? And in particular, how did our business software support our business?

If you think your company could have been more successful with a different business software solution, now is the time to join the many pool and spa businesses that are making the switch to pool industry software.

Designed for pool and spa retailers, service professionals and builders, pool industry software provides an all-in-one solution that integrates with vendors and distributors, and is designed to manage inventory right down to what’s in the service truck. It also oversees water-testing data for customers if your software isn’t doing any of these things, it’s time to take the plunge with industry-specific software and be ready to increase your revenues in 2020.

The cost of new software
When looking at the cost of purchasing new software, don’t be intimidated by price. Rather than focusing on the software’s price, make a list of all the areas where you could generate more revenue if your employees had 20 additional hours a week to follow up on sales leads, make additional service calls or attend to customers in the store during peak hours in the season. Ask the software provider to tell you if their solution will help you take advantage of the revenue opportunities you are currently missing.

Selecting a software solution
Implementing a pool industry software will immediately help reduce or eliminate stressors that are currently inhibiting business growth. The best industry-specific software should offer:

Pool industry integration eliminates duplicate purchase ordering and input of inventory. Pool industry software directly integrates with pool and spa vendors and distributors with pre-programmed SKUs. Save time with automatic pricing and inventory imports.

Water testing station integration connects business software with industry water testing software.

Mobile access in real time allows you to access employee schedules and inventory information, such as quantity and location, from anywhere at any time.

Electronic payment option provides customers with the convenience of paying online or from their mobile device.

Route optimization for service departments lowers fuel usage and helps do more jobs in a day, generating more revenue.

Builder job costing tracks ongoing costs of construction work and actual job progress. It tracks subcontractor costs along with labor, inventory and expenses.

Time is money
Quickly recoup the initial software investment by choosing a pool industry software that immediately helps you generate additional revenue, saves you time, allows you to improve business operations and take advantage of market opportunities. Don’t wait. Get started while this past season is still fresh in your mind. Get a new system and be ready to knock it out of the ballpark in 2020!

About the author: Rachael Pritz
Rachael Pritz has been active in the pool industry for more than 20 years. With her technical skills and industry knowledge, she joined the launch of RB Retail & Service Solutions in Pittsburgh in 2003. She can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].