CE Pro December 2023 - 32

BUSINESS RESOURCES
cloud-based software now, a whopping change from the
53% noted in 2021.
With so many options in the industry, addressing various
business-related activities, it's no surprise that a
decent-sized portion of dealers continue to explore and
implement/beta test the latest end-to-end or purpose-built
products. Looking at a more extended time frame for acquiring
new software, 87% of integrators have done so in the
past five years, down from 92% in our 2021 survey results.
In fact, figuring out the most compatible fit with the rest of
integrators' business operations tops the list of their criteria
when selecting new solutions.
Second was mobile
device accessibility. Those
criteria ranked fourth and
sixth, respectively, in our
2021 Deep Dive. Meanwhile,
price ranked No. 1 back then,
but has now fallen to fourth
on the list.
Companies
are overwhelmingly
much
more comfortof
Software Used
able working with
cloud-based
solutions compared
with two
years ago; 78%
say they prefer
cloud-based
software now, a
whopping change
from the 53%
noted in 2021.
Preferred Type of Software
Benefits of Buying In to
Business Resources
There are myriad aspects of
your business that present
reasons for investing
in new software, whether
it's a turnkey solution that
addresses most or all areas
that need help or employing
a few pieces that concentrate
on specific functionalities.
Nearly two-thirds (31%) now rely on turnkey software.
CE Pro asked about these main operational areas: accounting/billing;
design/CAD; proposals; CRM/marketing;
spreadsheets; internal communications; project management;
remote monitoring/management; cybersecurity; field
labor/tech check-in; inventory management; scheduling;
timekeeping; and vehicle tracking.
In this year's survey, accounting/billing was by far the
biggest function served by software, mentioned by 85% of
dealers compared with just 68% two years ago. Meanwhile,
the impact of remotely monitoring and troubleshooting
systems - which help save on truck rolls and score more
customer service points - skyrocketed in usage from 33%
in 2021 to 59% this year.
Interestingly, when asked how much of a profit boost
impact implementing new software, most of the responses
stayed around the same level as two years ago. Based on
32 | CE Pro December 2023
Types of Software Used
Accounting/billing
Spreadsheets
Remote management
Internal communications
Design/CAD
Proposal
CRM
Project management
Timekeeping
Cybersecurity protection
Vehicle monitoring/tracking
Scheduling
Inventory management
85%
76%
59%
56%
55%
55%
45%
34%
28%
21%
21%
17%
13%
Remote monitoring/management made large gains from
two years ago, when just 33% of dealers indicated its use.
Overall, 31% report enlisting turnkey solutions, up from
only 14% in 2021.
Software Effect on Profits
Software Effect on Profits
51%+ boost
6%
31% to 50%
boost
7%
21% to
30% boost
13%
16% to 20%
boost
16%
1% to 5%
boost
17%
6% to 10%
boost
18%
11% to 15%
boost
16%
These figures remain largely unchanged from 2021;
however, those who say software provides a 51%+ lift
saw an uptick of 2%.
Zero 14%
1-3 61%
4-7 20%
8+ 5%
cepro.com
No effect
6%
Num
Aba
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CE Pro December 2023

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