Often imitated, never bettered
It has never been more important for installers to equip themselves with advanced software solutions, including a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system that can help run their business more efficiently. AB Initio’s managing director, Rhonda Ridge, explains how AdminBase, the result of 30 years’ worth of industry experience, can deliver installers a competitive advantage.
The phrase ‘often imitated, never duplicated’ was originally coined almost 100 years ago, in 1927, as a slogan for Traub Manufacturing Company’s Orange Blossom wedding rings.
It was a brilliant marketing slogan, highlighting that while others could copy Traub’s product, they would never be as good as the original and in a modern world where it’s often easier to replicate than to innovate, it still holds true today.
Take our AdminBase CRM for example, which is one of the original glazing industry Customer Relationship Management systems that has been developed with 30 years’ worth of experience behind it.
In a market that has become increasingly saturated with software solutions, from lead generation portals, to online door configurators and other CRM platforms, AdminBase stands apart not just because it has been helping installers to make the most of their businesses for three decades, but because it is built upon a deep understanding of how an installation firm runs and the complexities of the entire supply chain it operates in.
That’s because I have personal experience in how a window company is run, so that knowledge of operational process, from lead capture all the way to manufacturing, installation and after sales, is uniquely reflected in how the software has been developed.
It’s also because, at Ab Initio, we understand the importance of customer service, which means listening to what our customers need, being transparent and flexible in how we work together and implementing that ethos to create long-term working relationships.
Collaboration is key
A well-developed CRM is vital for busy installers as it consolidates customer and prospect information, including contact details, purchase history and interaction logs into one system. It should also be able to automate routine tasks in sales and marketing, streamline sales, marketing and customer service activities and also provide valuable insights, identifying opportunities for growth.
This in turn will help to improve customer relationships, improve operational efficiencies and sales and optimise profitability.
AdminBase does all this as standard but because we work so closely with our customers, we’ve also incorporated numerous outstanding features – thanks to collaborations with other likeminded software providers – that are designed to give them even more of an advantage over their competitors.
In 2022, for example, we partnered with PricePoint, the sales, survey and quoting app and since then we’ve also integrated WhatsApp – centralising all communications sent and received via the messaging service.
AdminBase users can now also take advantage of popular quotation platform Tommy Trinder. Documents are automatically attached to leads held in the system, and by accessing information from multiple suppliers installers can produce professional quotes, easily and efficiently. They can even amend product and design choices for homeowners, to help get sales over the line.
That’s in addition to Windowlink, another familiar industry brand, that provides 3D design, quoting, ordering and automated pricing, that can be accessed seamlessly via AdminBase without having to jump out of one system and into another.
What3words, the location technology that’s perfect for more rural locations or for jobs with complex access is another brilliant tool that our customers can now access with AdminBase, without having to open the application on another device.
Combined with the features we have developed over the years, that give unrivalled insight on leads, sales performance, order processing, financial, after sales and even our Campaigns feature that has been designed specifically for window companies to maximise targeted, low-cost email marketing campaigns, we have given our customers everything they need to succeed.
With trading conditions remaining challenging for installers, CRMs and digital tools that can improve efficiencies and win sales are more important than ever. We’ve put 30 years into perfecting ours, fine-tuned through long term partnerships and an intimate knowledge of what’s important for a window business.
Not many other software providers can say the same.