Software & Technology
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Software and Technology for the Fenestration Industry
The story of technology in recent history has been amazing . The last year has seen the entire US stock market lifted almost exclusively by seven technology giants . The fenestration industry in the UK can benefit significantly from technology in various ways . For the smaller installer who has a team , the biggest benefit may simply be to have everything in one place , easily accessible and easily searchable . Sometimes the simplest things have the biggest impact .
HOME INSTALLATION
While the home installation market does feature a few giants , the majority of market participants are small businesses . This article will address the benefits that apps can bring to such businesses , with a smaller section on design and manufacturing and smart doors and windows at the end .
MOBILE APPS FOR ON-SITE MEASUREMENTS
Mobile applications equipped with measurement tools have become invaluable for small fenestration installers working on-site . These apps allow for precise measurements using smartphones or tablets , eliminating the need for manual tools . This speeds up the measurement process and reduces errors . All good .
SOLVING THE PAPERWORK CONUNDRUM
Until your business grows to the size where you can have a full-time administrator , paperwork is a real headache .
Technology can help . UK window and door businesses face some of the most onerous regulations around . It ’ s not just the competent person ’ s scheme . It ’ s the Construction Industry Scheme . It ’ s Health and Safety rules , then there ’ s VAT registration and DRC . Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self-Assessment ( MTD for ITSA ) is only two years away .
QUOTING AND ESTIMATING SOFTWARE
Apps can help small fenestration installers to produce quotes and invoices much faster with less effort . CIS , VAT , DRC and MTD for ITSA should all be covered , reducing the amount that you need to know .
OTHER BENEFITS
The competent person scheme should be supported along with health and safety related forms as required .
For businesses with staff , you would also expect to use the app for invoicing and quoting . But in addition , you would hope that staff could be :
• Easily scheduled
• Share a common diary integrated in with job and customer management
• Tracked in real time with their locations and job locations available on a map
• Have time sheets automatically compiled
• Have a chat and notification system to keep everyone in touch at all times
• Have all staff records kept including qualifications , right to work ( if relevant ), holidays and sickness
For both sole-traders and businesses with staff , we should expect the app to work off-line in the field , so if no signal is present you don ’ t have to revert to paper and pencil .
EASE OF USE
Of course , the app should be easy to use making it quick and easy to get information in , with as many short-cuts as possible like postcode lookup for addresses , automatically remembering previous entries and single click invoicing from quotes .
The app should also have all functionality available not only on a desktop computer but also on mobile . Then smaller business owners could keep track of everything when they want to on the tools or even on holiday .
SMART DOORS AND WINDOWS
The ongoing march of technology has made things like remote window operation , automated climate control and enhanced security with real-time monitoring much cheaper . It is likely that this will continue to become lower cost and more reliable with control by Alexa , Google Assistant and Siri provided as standard .
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we should expect the app to work off-line in the field , so if no signal is present you don ’ t have to revert to paper and pencil
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DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING
Computer-Aided Design ( CAD ) is now pretty prevalent and Building Information Modelling ( BIM ) has been a boon on larger projects . CAD can provide visualisation of designs in a realistic environment , which helps to avoid misunderstandings .
For manufacturing Computer Numerical Control ( CNC ) machines and robotic systems , replacing traditional manual methods , have the continuing potential to increase quality and reduce costs while delivering faster .
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Benjamin Dyer is the CEO of app software supplier Powered Now . Powered Now aims to take the strain out of running your own fenestration business by making paperwork easy . It helps whether you are a sole trader or employ other people .
www . powerednow . com
14 FEBRUARY 2024 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM