Simplicity 4 Business continues to help clients effectively quote

Friday, 3 July 2009

The need for businesses to maintain close client relationships and reduce costs is greater than ever in today’s tough economic climate. Mobile and handheld technology can be used by surveyors to cut down on the time spent on paperwork in the office and offer them greater visibility on projects in front of clients. 

Although the technology may have been around for a while, the inexpensive cost of handheld devices means investment is now quickly recouped – through money saved by controlling costs whilst estimating, and time savings in effective staff and project management and streamlined processes such as invoicing. 

Simplicity 4 Business and Simplicity Cloud 4 Business are remote software packages which clients can adapt to their needs allowing them to streamline and remotely access the estimating process, and all business functions which lead from it. 

The software enables clients to cost projects using their own pricing rules or import industry standard schedules. Anytime during the estimating process, companies can select items to be added to the quote, add quantities, adjust prices and extend pricing.  What’s more information can be entered and read in real-time from any location. 

Surveyors are able to use the system to import bill of materials, and output from job costing applications and schedule of rates. They can also assess the profitability whilst onsite and optimise competitive quotes with profit contribution. Then they can go on to get costs and apply adjustments to materials required and use their own rate schedules. Also, companies can save time by using previous similar quotes and amending details and applying composite costing for repetitive tasks.

Using a handheld device also enables companies to eliminate disputes by processing accurate and professional estimates as information is recorded live using real costs and company stationary templates. Businesses are able to capture all costs and variations and bill for every penny.

Estimating using remote software also enables surveyors to ensure health and safety and CP12 regulations are met as compliance rules are entered into the system and automated. The simplicity system also offers automated updates when changes are made to the rules. 

Once tenders have been won, through one click of a button quotes can be used to generate contracts, job schedules and invoices. All information can be stored in one place giving project managers detailed real-time status reports and allowing them to effectively manage staff, vehicles, hire equipment and all other resources. 

All documents can be stored and accessed through the software. Office staff can reduce the need to print-out, photocopy, post and file paper documents such as staff/project schedules, supplier order forms and health and safety records.

Accounting processes are simplified allowing staff to manage timesheets, payslips and Inland Revenue documents, link subcontractor quotes and generate accurate invoices. 

“Devices are more economical than in previous years so investment in handheld technology is quickly met by cost savings. Workers are able to access information quickly, in real-time, without having to return to the office,” says Jean O’Connor, MD of award-winning software company Simplicity 4 Business. “Clients who have bought the system find the time saving functions leave them free to devote resources to winning business and managing profitability from existing projects. As well as enjoying substantial time and money savings, they find the system easy to use as it is adaptable to work with existing software such as Sage.”

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