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If you’ve ever downloaded an app and went on to say how did I ever live without this, I feel you.
I have quite a few handy apps on my phone that have completely changed the way I do mundane, everyday things. Some alleviate stress I didn’t even realize I had in my pre-app days. Now I have apps to watch my spending habits, translate the stock market into a language I actually understand, remind me when to call my mother, and even share my grocery list with roommates. There is literally an app for everything, your HVAC business included.
In an effort to make sure you know what’s out there, I’ve gathered a list of apps that will change the way you think about running your business. Download these, and your smartphone can become an indispensable hub from which you can control every aspect of your company. So without further ado, check out the seven apps that will boost your HVAC business’ potential and productivity.
1. iFleet
HVAC Powerhouse
Let's start with the crown jewel. Developed by Smart Service, iFleet acts as a mobile extension of the best HVAC business software on the market. iFleet gives your technicians access to schedule updates, detailed job information including customer contact info, service history, job notes, equipment records, any and all company forms, and much more.
With the easy communication, effortless connection with Smart Service, intuitive customer management, and options for GPS tracking, iFleet combines the best aspects of several of the other business apps on this list. Rather than downloading five different apps for HVAC service, use iFleet as an all-in-one HVAC powerhouse. When partnered with Smart Service, this app becomes a skeleton key for unlocking productivity. Want a guided tour? Request a demo today.
Let us take a closer look at all of the benefits that the mobile app iFleet provides, and why many prefer it over other industry HVAC apps.
Job Notes
Need to add a door code or mean dog warning to a work order? Tap in a quick job note and your techs will be on the lookout! Keep everyone prepared with iFleet.
Pictures
Adding a picture to a work order is easy. Simply, point, shoot, and save. Mark your job progress and impress your customers with some nifty before/after breakdowns.
Navigation
An iFleet crew never has to wonder about what they’re doing next or how to get to a job site. A simple tap pulls up GPS directions when things look bleak.
Service Histories
When determining how to fix a customer’s problem, it’s often handy to consult iFleet for a look at the past services your company has performed.
Equipment Tracking
Ever shown up for repairs only to discover you don’t have the right tools to get the job done? The equipment information housed in iFleet renders this frustration obsolete.
Time Tracking
Do you need to track employee time for billing or payroll purposes? iFleet does that! Worker timestamps can even be corroborated with GPS breadcrumbs.
Purchase Orders
In the hectic course of the workday, purchase orders often fall through the cracks. Track them in iFleet, and you’ll never let a part go unbilled again!
Workforce Tracking
Managers work hard to track their team’s locations and job progress. iFleet makes this once-painful process a breeze by giving bosses real time reports.
Job Notifications
With iFleet job notifications, your customers always know you’re headed their way. Order work months in advance, and watch as reminders get sent out automatically.
2. QuickBooks
Accounting
If you are a small business interested in QuickBooks Online, there’s really no reason not to get the app! QuickBooks is the premier accounting software on the market, and now it fits right in your pocket. As a bonus, the aforementioned Smart Service HVAC business software integrates directly with QuickBooks to revolutionize the way your company does business.
Say goodbye to double data entry! Smart Service and QuickBooks make the perfect team. Smart Service imports your existing customer, employee, product, and service information from QuickBooks, letting you schedule work for your customers in a matter of minutes. Complete, out-of-the-box QuickBooks integration makes Smart Service the best field service scheduling software on the market. Start scheduling work for your QuickBooks customers!
If you aren’t actually sure which version of QuickBooks is going to be right for you (it is pretty confusing), I have your back. Check out my guide that breaks down your QuickBooks options.
3. HVAC Check & Charge (iOS, Android)
HVAC Reference
If you’re on the job and need an on-site refrigerant charge calculator, look no further than HVAC Check & Charge. This handy reference app allows contractors to easily calculate correct system refrigerant charge for R-22, R-410A, R-32, R-407C, and R-134a. Technicians can also choose subcooling, superheat, or airflow calculators. Once you open the calculator, you enter some key information, determine the right charge, and get any system up and running without wasting time. If you struggle with HVAC formulas, this app could help out, big time.
4. Slack
Workforce Communication
Slack is a communication app that can streamline the way you and your team talk. You can organize your team’s communications into public or private channels, as well as direct messages. Slack also makes sharing images, files, PDF’s, and anything else a breeze. According to a 2015 company survey, Slack users held 25.1% fewer meetings and sent 48.6% fewer internal emails after installing and using the app, leading to an overall 32.4% increase in productivity. Another 80% said Slack improved transparency and office culture. Slack is a premier communication platform that lets you organize how and who you talk to within your business.
5. Evernote
Notes
Take notes for your business, not just yourself. Evernote makes it so that you’ll never again have to worry about attempting to access notes taken on your desktop from your mobile phone, or vice versa. Sync your notes automatically across multiple devices with Evernote and then share them with employees. This app comes with a number of different packages to meet your specific needs, including a business plan that includes additional team and administrative features.
6. Dropbox
Data Storage
If you aren’t backing up your data and files on the cloud, you are asking for trouble. What happens when you drop that phone in a puddle and it dies on you? Or when your hard drive fails? Don’t lose weeks, months, or even years of important documents and files. Nowadays most people know that they should backup their data, but fewer know exactly how they need to go about it. Dropbox allows you to easily backup all of your important data and documents to the cloud for safekeeping. As an added bonus, you can access these documents from any device you wish. The process is a snap and will leave you wondering why you hadn’t tried it already.
6. HVAC Buddy (iOS, Android)
HVAC Calculator
Remember how some math teachers wouldn’t let you use graphing calculators on tests because it made the work too easy? This is the HVAC equivalent, except I’m not your teacher and I actually want you to do your job as easily as possible. HVAC Buddy is an all-in-one job site assistant that will keep you safe and working efficiently. HVAC Buddy ranked second in ContractingBusiness.com reader’s choice of Top 10 Contracting Apps and includes various calculations and tables. This HVAC app updates temperatures in real time so you know how effective the changes you're making actually are.
Conclusion
These apps are amazing for upping certain aspects of your productivity, and just reading about them can help you identify places in your business where you didn’t even know you could improve efficiency. Of course, if you think you might want less of an app and more of an all-inclusive HVAC software solution, Smart Service can help.
Smart Service takes many of the benefits of these apps and puts them into one QuickBooks-integrated software solution. You can increase profits and efficiency more with Smart Service than with any other HVAC software on the market. Schedule a free demo of Smart Service today and see for yourself!
