Just the right fit: SashWise Ltd share the truth behind implementing Integrate software

For those thinking of investing in window and door software, it’s important to know what to expect, and once it’s in place, you need to be confident of being supported in order to make it work for both yourself and customers in the desired way. 

There’s no doubt that the right window and door software will help your business: it’ll save time, money, as well as preparing you for growth.

EndtoEnd IT has seen this time and again when businesses choose its Integrate software. Quoting, pricing, designing, invoicing and CRM processes are brought together in one place, doing away with multiple spreadsheets and paper notes.

However, it’s important for customers to see Integrate in action, and one such business owner who’s recently implemented this system is Dan Johnston, Managing Director at SashWise Ltd. Having installed Integrate across the business, he was happy to share his experience of what it’s really like to work with EndtoEnd. After all, transparency matters in the window and door industry.

SashWise Ltd

SashWise is a specialist timber joinery and glazing business,  based in London and established 20 years ago.

The company provides beautifully crafted timber doors and sash windows for homeowners and heritage properties. Like many specialist craftspeople, Dan and the SashWise team pride themselves on the quality of their work and service. “Customers come to us because they know we’ll meet their specific requirements,” Dan explains.

The need for window & door software

With a growing number of customer enquiries and quotes, SashWise needed a more streamlined way to manage leads and track jobs.

“There’s a tipping point where growth becomes tricky if you’re always reaching for different folders, using multiple spreadsheets, or relying on just one or two people to know your processes. So, we spoke to EndtoEnd about whether their window and door software could help us – and that’s where Integrate came in.”

SashWise & Integrate software 

Initially, the company started looking at IntegrateCONNECT – which seemed to fit the bill – but Dan then decided to add IntegrateCRM and FIT. “That’s the beauty of it: the software can cover all your business processes, some of them, or more of them over time.”

At this point, Dan and the team are only recently “over the line” with the software. Their systems have now all been moved to the Integrate modules, and time has been spent trying to navigate the changes. “You’re getting a proper picture of what it’s like at the beginning,” Dan explains.

Progress so far

Overall, SashWise find the software to be user-friendly, and importantly, it’s simplified their work.

Comparing it to the last CRM system used – Joinerysoft – Dan is sure that other companies in the window and door industry will relate. “Previously, we had loads of different bits of information to fill in for each lead or client – half of them weren’t relevant, but you still had to go through the process.”

Integrate is more streamlined and straightforward. The main benefit has been getting the quoting system populated, so we can automatically pull out stored pricing information and generate the numbers our customers (and the people in accounts) need to see.

Software setup support 

Although software might be good in theory, the real question is whether it works in reality. It’s also inevitable – and right – to experience hiccups as well as needing to ask questions or get clarification.

When Dan met EndtoEnd’s Director, Gareth O’Brien, it was obvious he understood specialist companies like SashWise. “We were confident the system would be tailored for our timber manufacturing and installation.”

During the onboarding process, the support received from EndtoEnd was exemplary. Not only were the team quick to respond, but they were also understanding in terms of being asked to tweak different parts of the costing templates.

“There’s never been a sense of ‘one and done’ – it’s more like a partnership. Customers want to get it right, and that takes time, so they support you as promised.”

Delivering feedback

According to Dan, the communication has been excellent. As mentioned, the team have been happy to update pricing and costing templates as things have been tweaked during the setup.

One area of discussion involves the email system and whether a preview pane, similar to Outlook, can be implemented.

Another suggestion has been adding an easy filter for viewing completed jobs. This feedback has been welcomed, and Dan is looking forward to seeing his ideas incorporated. The software team deliver regular updates, which is the benefit of having bespoke industry software rather than an off-the-shelf option.

A difference for customers

As it’s still early days, it’s unlikely that customers will comment on the quotes themselves, as they care more about the service and price.

“In some ways, you could say it’s impressive that we’ve had a major system change and our customers haven’t noticed. Everything is where it should be. But from our side, it’s made a noticeable difference, and I have no doubt it’ll also help us make the right first impressions with new customers,” Dan comments.

Advice for others

In terms of giving advice to other companies considering Integrate, Dan says that time spent getting to grips with the software is 100% beneficial. “Don’t be scared of it – take the plunge.”

A major piece of advice is to plan time to dedicate from the outset. The initial period of transferring information to the new system, particularly quoting and past leads, is in-depth, but time invested is entirely worth it.

Dan also advises to act now and don’t delay: “We reached a point where we’d grown and needed better software. Some companies will choose Integrate from the very early days and will massively benefit.”

Being in the window and door industry, Dan had heard a lot about Integrate, read customer case studies and carried out his homework. As he already knew what the software was required to do, in some ways this made it harder to tick all the boxes, but he’s pleased to report that Integrate is doing exactly what’s needed.

Gareth O’Brien, Director at EndtoEnd, thanked Dan for the great feedback and commented on the positive working relationship. “Dan’s right: at EndtoEnd, we know our industry, and working with our customers is like a partnership.”

Dan mentioned two common situations similar businesses might find themselves in:

                1.            Starting out and considering investing in software.

                2.            Having experienced growth and weighing up whether to invest ‘now’ or ‘later.’

To discover more about Integrate software, see www.endtoendit.com.