The success of any trades business largely depends on creating a productive and efficient team. Rigorous staff training plays a significant role in doing this, but implementing the right systems is also crucial. After all, you can’t expect to increase tradie output by relying on spreadsheets and manual processes.
The ultimate system can streamline administrative processes, eliminate tedious tasks, and coordinate teams. Job management software like WorkBuddy is designed for this very purpose, and it does so with the following features.
Dynamic scheduling
Scheduling work for tradies is a gruelling task. Planners have to manually process work orders, dispatch the right tradies, and arrange schedules throughout the week. These schedules can change at a drop of a hat if tradies are out sick or if there’s an emergency.
Using real-time data analytics and automation, dynamic scheduling handles all the planning variables that go into a job. Tradies simply need to input their expertise and how much time they want to work, and the rest is taken care of. When an appointment is booked, job management software instantly looks for the most qualified and available tradie in your roster. It even uses built-in GPS tracking to search for tradies near the worksite and estimate their time of arrival. This means all a tradie needs to worry about is turning up and doing their job.
Seamless payment systems
A common challenge for tradies is reducing the time it takes to invoice customers and process payments after a job. It can take days for accounting staff to calculate the costs associated with the job and issue the invoice. If there are any errors during this process, payments are delayed even further.
Job management software speeds up the payment cycle. On-field billing features automatically track job costs and generate invoices upon job completion. Invoices display detailed information and simply need to be signed electronically to be approved.
Job management software also integrates with accounting systems with electronic payment methods like Xero, QuickBooks, and MYOB Online. Payments are then logged into the company database so tradies don’t have to waste time on manual data entry. If payments can’t be done on-site, the software can automatically remind tradies to follow up on outstanding invoices after a few days.
Financial management dashboard
Beyond payments, job management software lets you monitor your company’s financial health at any time. Centralised dashboards track everything from profits to completion rates so you can see which jobs are making a profit or loss.
It’s also possible to analyse financial trends and produce cash flow forecasts with job management software. You’ll be able to predict cash shortages and surpluses, which will inform your decision-making. An expected cash shortage, for instance, prompts managers to hold off on large purchases and spend their budget efficiently.
Job tracking
Job management software makes sure tradies follow best practices and procedures. It enables you to create checklists that determine how tradies should approach each job. You can then track your team’s progress in an operational dashboard, identify bottlenecks, and hold people accountable.
Meanwhile, tradies can show their progress with geocoded and timestamped photos, videos, and notes. Every call and customer interaction is also tracked, allowing you to check the status of the job and whether tradies are following standard protocols.
Collaboration tools
Another major efficiency booster is the host of collaboration features available in job management software. For starters, it usually comes with an instant messaging service and calling options. Contractor and technician portals enable users to view job schedules and progress so they can better coordinate with their teammates. Plus, since most job management software is hosted in the cloud, sharing files with coworkers is a cinch.
Health and safety compliance
Under Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations, trade businesses must eliminate workplace risks. This involves completing a series of health and safety checks to protect workers and the public from serious incidents and injury. There are specific procedures for testing the safety of machinery, structures, and facilities. Worksites must be thoroughly checked for asbestos and other hazards. Licenses and certifications for high-risk work need to be verified. Tradies must monitor their health and follow safe work practices.
Fortunately, job management software simplifies this process. When a technician arrives at a worksite, the system prompts them to complete relevant pre-established procedures. This may include step-by-step site assessment guides, safe work method statements, and compliance checklists. Work-related tasks can’t be marked as completed unless tradies have met all health and safety requirements. This saves you from having to pay thousands of dollars in non-compliance penalties and ensures a smooth-running business in the long term.
Building an efficient trades business should come easy when you have high-quality tools. WorkBuddy is a job management software that many Australian businesses rely on, and for good reason. It’s chock-full of useful features designed for the modern tradie. Book a free demo or call us today to see for yourself.
