Business as usual for Ab Initio’s 30th year
Rhonda Ridge, creator of the AdminBase installer management system, starts the year as she originally started the company 30 years ago – listening to her customers and integrating a raft of new product updates as a result.
1995 was a pivotal year in the window industry’s software sector – a year in which Rhonda Ridge’s inhouse custom built CRM system was working so well for the family run double glazing installation company she wrote it for, that she felt confident enough to launch it to the open market.
This was the birth of AdminBase, a management system software tool bespoke to the window industry – a tool that has helped hundreds of installation companies streamline their administrative processes from lead generation through to aftersales, and service calls.
Now, as the company enters into its 30th year of trading, the initial policy of always listening to its customers’ suggestions continues to drive Ab Initio’s dedication to ongoing product improvement and innovation.
“Over those 30 years we have had a seemingly infinite number of improvements and updates, and this January is no different,” said Rhonda. “This two way conversation has helped us to stay ahead of the competition, and has equally helped our customers to stay ahead of theirs! We do have a few plans up our sleeve to celebrate this 30th milestone later in the year, but as we enter 2025 it is business as usual, which includes some exciting new features designed to facilitate the flow of communication and information.”
One particular area of improvement which is designed to save companies significant time in terms of tracking communications with a client is AdminBase’s new Notes Design, eliminating the need to swap backwards and forwards between different pages.
“Being able to access all important information on a single screen overview is crucial to responding to client needs swiftly, confidently and competently,” added Rhonda. “On a single page you will be able to track every form of communication with an individual customer, including any notes and documentation that were sent over, emails and SMS conversations and notifications, to give the fullest picture possible.”
Equally, these notes can also be shown across the bottom of the leads browser, to save companies having to open up a lead or contract if they just need to quickly check on the order status. The notes will be displayed across the bottom of the browser, making viewing of notes made by other team members far quicker.
As an extension to this, AdminBase now gives window companies the ability to create Flash Notes on a contract caption, reminding them of specific details about a client. These details can help build rapport and cement a relationship with a potential client, such as if they have any special needs to be aware of, installation instructions or if they are going on holiday.
Such details can be essential in knowing when best to follow up on a contact, saves them having to repeat important information, and most importantly makes the customer feel listened to and nurtured. The more familiarity and greater sense of security that can be established with potential customers, the higher the overall conversion and referral rate.
“Automating customer communication is a fine balance between speed, fostering a strong relationship, and creating an efficient system in which the quality of service has a strong foundation,” said Rhonda. “Today’s customer is more demanding than ever – more than 80% expect issues to be resolved or dealt with within three hours.
“Achieving that helps you to build confidence in your relationship. And doing that in a way that is personal, professional and goes beyond the AI chatbot framework is what can set one window company head and shoulders above another.”
Full integration with other existing software providers is also essential to ensure all sales and marketing initiatives are optimised and on track to achieve cost effective conversion rates. As one of the more popular quotation apps in the industry, Ab Initio recently struck a deal with Tommy Trinder, whereby its quote documents can attach automatically to AdminBase leads.
“2025 is going to be a tough year for many window companies, and the smoother, and more frictionless, we can make the entire user journey, the more efficiently they can perform this outreach part of the sales process,” concluded Rhonda.