Behind the curtain

With the business world being so technology-focused, the days of keeping your back office in order with pen and paper are becoming obsolete. Many companies offer programs and software to help keep your business running smoothly, but with so many out there, use the following pages to find the best fit for your company and staff.
 

Arborgold

Cost: A one-time set up and training cost, and subscriptions start at $99/month. Support and upgrades are included.

Website: Arborgold.com

How it helps you: Arborgold is a cloud-based customer and job management program, designed to help tree, lawn and landscape companies manage their workflow. With a phone message center, all phone calls and appointments are managed and dispatched to the outside sales team. Using the MobileEstimator app, salespeople can instantly retrieve messages and appointments, look up customer history and create new proposals to print or email. Arborgold also offers scheduling, routing and crew management. Crews can access job information as well as update job time and resources using the MobileCrew app. The built-in marketing features include automated email marketing, renewals and voice broadcast to customers. The mobile apps work for both IOS and android devices.

Training: Arborgold offers a five-part training/on-boarding process that includes a combination of online classroom training and one-one coaching. It also offers ongoing weekly training webinars at no charge, plus an extensive online searchable help system with training videos.

Aspire Mobile Landscape Business System

Cost: Monthly subscription standard in Cloud based software (like Microsoft 365 or Google). The subscription is based on a percentage of monthly revenue.

Website: Youraspire.com

How it helps you: Aspire is a complete integrated software system: contact/customer management (CRM), company calendar/email, estimating, sales reporting, scheduling, routing, mobile field time keeping, purchasing, payroll, invoicing, accounting and “real time” job and financial reporting. The system was designed by long-time landscape industry professionals. It runs on any phone, tablet, laptop or desktop linking everyone in a company “real time” to everyone else eliminating miscommunication and duplication of data management.

Training: The software is packaged with a complete installation and support program. Installation includes (1) conversion of current system data into the Aspire system, (2) set-up of critical customer, pricing and reporting practices inside the Aspire system, (3) on-site training by Aspire product specialists and (4) unlimited online and phone technical support.

BOSS landscape management system

Cost: A small percentage of client’s revenue

Website: bosslm.com

What it is: BOSS enables communication between your prospects, employees, clients and subcontractors from the time a prospect is entered until you’re cashing the check. BOSS provides actionable intelligence by giving you near unlimited access to the events that drive your business. Whether you want to examine profitability by service, performance by account rep, how quickly managers resolve client issues, it’s all there. BOSS is a cloud-based system that’s constantly being improved, one that enables field functions over mobile devices and drives accountability throughout your organization. It works in all seasons and is intentionally designed to help you outperform your competition.

Training: Monthly face-to-face new user training classes, monthly Deep Dives (live webinar training), quarterly BOSS University classes (face-to-face training for the experienced users), video training materials available anytime, annual BOSS Client Conference with break-out training and requirements sessions, and on client site custom training.

CLIP Software

Cost: There are three plans: The Basic plan is free and includes one username and 100 customers. The Plus plan is $50/month and includes two users and 400 customers. The Enterprise plan is $80/month and includes four users and unlimited customers.

Website: CLIP.com

How it helps you: CLIP is designed to streamline processes in your company and provide in-depth job costing and reporting. With mobile apps, a customer portal and marketing capabilities, the system is designed to be simple and easy to run on a daily basis.

Training: Unlimited support is included. An online help desk is available for users. It has tutorials and manuals you can search by keyword. There are also “Playlists” for new users on how to setup their account.

Epicor Eagle N Series

Cost: Epicor representatives complete a comprehensive business review to provide price quotes on software solutions.

Website: Epicor.com

How it helps you: Epicor Eagle N Series lawn and garden business management software is designed to give independent businesses and retailers the information required to improve results, outservice the competition and run their business efficiently. It takes business intelligence functions and blends them into a manager’s workflow as real-time, in-context embedded applications.

Training: Users have access to a fully integrated Support Bar that delivers quick answers via Online Help, Training on Demand, Advice Line Chat and Eagle Community Assistance. Training on Demand offers online, personalized training. The Advice Line Chat feature gives employees a quick, direct connection to support team members, and is good for quick questions or requests. The Eagle Community is a moderated forum for customers to share ideas and best practices.

Gopher Software

Cost: Gopher Basic - $99.95, Gopher Plus - $149.95, Gopher Pro - $199.95

Website: Gophersoftware.com

How it helps you: Gopher Software is a Windows-based billing and scheduling program. You can schedule recurring and one-time jobs, along with any required materials. It comes in three packages: Gopher Basic handles the scheduling needs of most companies. Gopher Plus has more advanced scheduling options and allows you to track expenses and export invoices and payments to QuickBooks Pro. In addition to the features in Gopher Basic and Plus, Gopher Pro can also track chemical applications, help track equipment maintenance and usage and manage employees.

Training: The company provides free email-based support and training.

HindSite Solution

Cost: A startup fee of $795. Then, $99/mo. each for the first two licenses, $49.50/mo. for each additional license.

Website: HindSiteSoftware.com

How it helps you: The HindSite Solution is designed to be a completely paperless back office software solution that makes it easier for landscape contractors to manage their business. Contractors can manage their customer database, schedule quickly, collect accurate information immediately in the field and invoice faster. The software is designed to eliminate paper both in the office and in the field.

Training: HindSite has a structured, five-day training program designed to get contractors up and running quickly. Using a combination of on-demand videos, live webinars and one-on-one training, the goal is to ensure new customers can hit the ground running. Once they’re trained, HindSite offer unlimited live support, which is available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Monday through Friday.

LawnStarter Pro

Cost: Free

Website: Lawnstarter.com

What it is: The software provides schedule management, automatic billing and a unique customer login. To keep track of a schedule, enter your jobs and what type of recurring schedule you'd like, and check them off as you complete them. Additionally, your customers are notified each time a job is rescheduled. With LawnStarter Pro, you can opt to either send an email invoice or have a customer's card charged automatically after each job is completed. All of your customers will receive a unique login where they can update payment information, view upcoming services and request specialty services. To push upsells, fill in a price, and customers will have the option to order the service on their dashboard.

Training: LawnStarter offers a personal demo to each business owner who downloads it. These usually last about an hour, consisting of a Q&A and a live-action demonstration. The company also gives users the CTO's direct line, so they can ask technical questions at any time. Monthly webinars are offered, and customers are sent a few instructional documents on how to use the software, such as quick guides and FAQs.

Include Software Asset

Cost: Asset base software is $5,000, plus a fee per concurrent network license. Packages are tailored to each company’s needs. Initial purchase encompasses data conversion and a structured and comprehensive one-on-one training program.

Website: Include.com

What it is: Asset is a landscape service industry software designed to bring every aspect of your business together: sales and estimating, accounting and administration, production and operations and executive reporting. Asset replaces independent software programs and gives landscape service companies a single software system. Add iCREWtek, Include’s mobile app that integrates seamlessly with Asset, to provide a real-time connection from field to office for ultimate command and control.

Training: Includes unlimited technical support from the Client Care Team.

Service Assistant

Cost: A business consultant will complete a comprehensive business evaluation to determine specific requirements. One-time setup and monthly access fee applies.

Website: RealGreen.com

What it is: Manage your business anytime, anywhere with Service Assistant. Manage marketing outreach, monitor calls, process invoices, schedule routes, handle receivables and more. All other Real Green Systems software products integrate with Service Assistant.

Training: 4 days of online training, training videos and online support available