Using software in a countertops business can really make life easier. Although there might be problems with implementing it, they can help the processes in your shop run faster and with fewer interruptions or even properly charge customers for the work you’ve done for them.
To give you some examples of what we’re talking about: keep track of your inventory, manage customer orders, schedule jobs, and even automate tasks like sending quotes or handling billing. You’ll surely have fewer mistakes and save a lot of time! That way, you can focus more on growing your business. It also keeps processes, documents, and jobs organized and gives you a better view of how your shop is doing – they’re tools to ensure you make smarter decisions.
In every case, implementing a software may bring many challenges, and in this post, the SlabWare team has come up with some of them:
1. Working with what you already have
If your shop already operates with other systems for things like inventory, scheduling, or customer management, it can be hard to find a new software that can match the ones you’ve already use. Sometimes, the new software won’t fit right with what you have, so you might need to make adjustments or hire someone to help fix it.
SlabWare has an excellent team of people dedicated exclusively to Customer Success. They are here to help you extract the best of our system matching it with the ones you already have. Try talk to them and you’ll see they’re the best in the market when it comes to customer attention. We ensure you it makes a difference!
2. Moving your old data
Getting all your old data into the new software can be tricky and make you waste time. You need to make sure the new software can import the data you already have without major problems. That can be information about bundles, customers, jobs, documents, materials, or anything else that you might use the system for.
If something goes wrong, it could mess up how your business runs, or bring you a complicated problem to solve.
Be sure to check if the software you are looking into can easily import the data you need! With SlabWare, you can import your materials, bundles, customers, accounts, and much more data you have in your side system simply by filling up an Excel file we provide!
And more: if you’re buying material from a seller (distributor or exporter) who also uses SlabWare, he can generate a key code and you can use it to automatically insert ALL YOUR ORDERS directly from his system into yours.
And doing that is as easy as clicking on a button!
3. Training employees to use the system
When you start using new software, your employees will have to learn how to use it. Since old habits die hard, some of them can have a hard time learning, which could slow things down. You’ll need to give them enough training and support so they can get comfortable with the new system.
As said above, SlabWare’s Customer Success will ensure you and your workers who will operate the system can really do it as fast as possible. They will go through online tutorials, videos, training sessions and whatever they need to overcome the troubles. We’re always here to help!
4. Making the software fit your needs
You may buy a software that doesn’t fit the needs your shop has. Sometimes you’ll have to make changes, and sometimes the development team won’t even accept to make the changes you need to personalize it for your business – that usually happens in super big companies.
And guess what? It will also cost you time and money!
Be sure to get a tool that allows customization and that the development team accepts to make small changes to make the software best for what you need it to be – and for what you’re paying for!
5. Getting support when things go wrong
Even after the software is up and running, problems might pop up. Depending on how complex the software is, you might need help from outside experts or even hire someone full-time to handle any issues.
6. Keeping your data secure
It’s really important to protect your business and customers’ data from hackers. Setting up strong security for the software can be challenging, but it’s necessary. We had a case last year when a company in the stone market suffered such attacks and had client’s data stolen.
You also have to make sure you’re following any laws about data protection, which can make it more complex to follow if you’re not a lawyer or don’t want to waste your time with such studies.
For that reason, look for a software that ensures protection and that can give you a simple explanation about why your and your customer’s data will be safe – and no laws will be broken, or else you might get in trouble!
7. Managing the stone business’ costs
Getting new software can be expensive, and there are ongoing costs like updates and support. For small businesses, these costs can be relatively high, since they will consume a lot of the company’s profit.
If you’re interested in the topic, we’ve already presented this post with 5 simple tips to collect money from customers who won’t pay, and this one that lists 9 easy ways to use Instagram to increase your reach and get more customers, even during times of recession!
So it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough profit – increasing sales, cutting costs, or even saving time – from the software to make it worth the investment.
Consider a software with free updates and support, where you don’t have to pay for someone to help you solve your problems.
Conclusion: implementing software can be easier than it looks
Handling these challenges takes good planning and teamwork. By working closely with your software provider, IT experts, and your employees, you can tackle these issues and make sure the software works smoothly for your business.
In all the presented points, SlabWare is the obvious choice for your stone business. If you want to grow like our customers are doing in 20 countries around 5 continents, and in 40 out of 50 US states, send us a message and schedule a demo right now!
If you want, you can try the system for free. And don’t forget to let us know what we can do to improve your experience and increase your shop’s growth!