CE Pro December 2023 - 29

Number of Software Solutions in Use
(e.g., ERP, CRM, HR, PM, design, time-tracking, etc.)
Number of Software Solutions in Use
(e.g., ERP, CRM, HR, PM, design,
time-tracking, etc.)
9-12
4%
6-8
18%
1-3
42%
4-5
31%
2-5 years
44%
Every
4%
Number of Software Solutions in Use
(e.g., ERP, CRM, HR, PM, design,
time-tracking, etc.)
New Software Purchase Frequency
9+ years
3%
Every
6-8 years
11%
Every
Multiple
times
per year
13%
Once
per year
30%
New Software Purchase Frequency Preferred Purpose
New Software Purchase Frequency
Preferred P
Integrators appear to be streamlining their software
solutions. Compared with 2021's data when only 17%
utilized 1-3 pieces, that number jumped 25%, while the
amount of dealers enlisting 6 or more was essentially halved
from 46% to just 22%.
Dealers are still adding or swapping out software
fairly frequently. Roughly 43% add pieces every year
or multiple times in a year.
*PERCENTAGES MAY NOT ADD UP TO 100 DUE TO ROUNDING
Top 7 Software Selection Criteria
1. Compatibility
2. Mobile Device Accessibility
3. Data Secureness
4. Price
5. Support
6. Speed
7. Supplier Reputation
By far the biggest attraction to new software is compatibility
with existing software, which came in fourth in our 2021
survey. Interestingly, price fell to the middle of the pack here
as dealers are willing to pay for solutions " that just work " -
it ranked first in our previous survey.
D-Tools: How Software Solutions Enable Integrators to 'Live Long and Prosper'
In Star Trek, Captain Kirk and the
crew of the Enterprise are driven
by the Prime Directive never to
interfere in the natural development
of planets. Well, for 25 years,
business-management software
provider D-Tools has been similarly
driven by its own Prime Directive: to
help integrators run their businesses
more efficiently, while not altering
the natural operation of their
companies. In other words, D-Tools'
award-winning, end-to-end System
Integrator (SI) and Cloud solutions
fit a dealer's business versus changing
the business to accommodate
the software.
How does D-Tools fulfill that
vaunted mission? Both the SI and
Cloud software solutions enable infor
the installation, and it can create a
purchase order when the proposal is
approved.
At the installation phase, D-Tools
tegrators to streamline their business
operations through the sales, system
design/documentation, installation,
and service phases.
For example, at the proposal stage,
the software automatically attaches a
labor calculation to every product in
the quote, making for more accurate
labor costs. It also generates an
itemized list of products necessary
software allows dealers to build a list
of specific tasks, create a project plan,
filter them by location and attach
individual products from the quote
directly to the task. When technicians
arrive on the jobsite, they can access
the tasks assigned to the appointment,
see the list of products needed
and mark each product as " installed "
once complete.
The results are more accurate
proposals, more efficient projects
and service, and higher profits. As
Mr. Spock might say, D-Tools enables
dealers' businesses to " live long and
prosper. " For more, visit D-Tools.com.
cepro.com
December 2023 CE Pro | 29
COURTESY OF D-TOOLS
http://www.D-Tools.com http://www.cepro.com
CE Pro December 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CE Pro December 2023
