Every hour you spend fixing your own product database is an hour you are not quoting, installing or calling a client back. In a small integration business, nobody else is going to do it for you. So, the ability to get a few hours per week back by using an effective software platform is extremely valuable for a smart home integration company.
That’s what Easton Altree, owner of Altree Systems in Portland, Oregon, found out when he adopted D-Tools Cloud as his end-to-end business management software. Altree saves 6 hours per month just in database management time alone because he now relies on theD-Tools Integrated Product Library to build his proposals.
Transition from SI to D-Tools Cloud
Altree has been using D-Tools software for 23 years, starting with D-Tools System Integrator (SI) then eventually to D-Tools Cloud. His primary reason for the switch was time.
"I made the transition from SI to Cloud primarily because of the amount of time that I was having to spend managing my database. Having D-Tools Cloud where everything is kind of already pre-built really cuts down on my time spent doing things that don't benefit my business,” he says.
D-Tools Cloud is the Modern Integration Business Platform for growing integration businesses. Its Integrated Product Library holds 1.6M+ manufacturer-sourced items, and D-Tools manages it.
"I used to spend maybe 6 hours a month or more just managing my database where now I don't have to do that. -- Easton Altree, Altree Systems
For Altree, the Integrated Product Library is a big benefit. "I think my favorite portion of D-Tools Cloud modules would be the pre-built library and that is all managed by D-Tools. It's a huge timesaver. I used to spend maybe 6 hours a month or more just managing my database where now I don't have to do that,” he notes.
Those time savings occur even though Altree intentionally keeps his supplier list tight, noting, "I maintain probably 30 to 40 vendors in my catalog. I try to keep it as small as possible just from a business perspective anyway. And what's really nice is the vast majority of them already exist in the [D-Tools] library."
Nearly 100% Close Rate on Proposals
The D-Tools Cloud Integrated Product Library is the basis upon which a professional proposal is built in the platform. For Altree Systems, the accuracy and attractiveness of the proposal helps give a stronger first impression for clients. D-Tools Cloud also notifies Altree when the client has opened the proposal, which prompts him to follow up with the prospective customer. According to Altree, he has a nearly 100% close rate on his proposals created in D-Tools Cloud.
"It's been kind of a no-brainer to stick with it because it has 100% benefited my business." -- Easton Altree, Altree Systems
"The end result is that I can generate a proposal very quickly that is very professional looking. I can send it off to a client or multiple people and I get the metrics of knowing when they opened it, how many times they've looked at it, and I know, okay, it's been a few weeks. I've seen they've opened it a couple times, I should probably reach out and follow up because it looks like that they're kind of hemming and hawing and I know that I need to take action."
For a custom integrator, the proposal is often the first thing a client sees of your work. Altree says the result speaks for itself.
"I'm able to close almost everything. I mean, it's very rare that I am not able to close something. I think that's also just a part of experience over time. But having the ability to present something that looks so professional and clean and that is tailored for how I want it to look is very powerful,” he says.
D-Tools Support Team Is Helpful
Lastly, Altree says D-Tools’ experienced team gives him confidence in the company and the platform.
"D-Tools employs a lot of people who have extensive industry experience. They're the oldest game going and they know what they're doing. And for me, it's been kind of a no-brainer to stick with it because it has 100% benefited my business,” he explains.
Try D-Tools Cloud free and build your first proposal from the Integrated Product Library, or reach out for a demo. Questions along the way? Visit the D-Tools Help Center.
