The installation industry is digitalizing – will you keep up or drop out?

The installation industry is doing well, but that success brings new challenges. Think of staff shortages, increasing work pressure, and ever-growing customer expectations. The consequence? Efficiency is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. Digitizing an installation company plays a key role in this. However, we at Bluace notice that many installation companies struggle with the question: where do you start? And especially: what does it yield?

Digitization: not a hype, but a logical step

Digitization is often seen as something ‘new’ or ‘complex’. But in reality, it is nothing more than implementing standards in your organization, just like industrialization once did. For example, container transport forever changed shipping: you can transport anything as long as it fits. The same goes for processes: the more you standardize, the more efficient you work. Therefore, anyone who wants to digitize their installation company should start with standardization, which is the key to success.

The benefits of digitizing your installation company

At Bluace, we see the positive effects of digitization daily among our clients in the installation sector:

• Fewer manual actions;
• Fewer errors and credit notes;
• Fewer customer inquiries and quicker responses to questions;
• Better internal collaboration and insight;
• And perhaps most importantly: peace in your organization.

Start small, think big

Many installation companies believe they must immediately invest in new software to digitize their installation business. This is not necessary. We recommend first getting your current processes in order. Are they clear and logically structured? Then, automation will proceed much more smoothly and faster. A handy tip: turn your processes upside down. Don’t start with marketing, but look at what you’re selling, why, and where the margins are. Make choices for your entire business operations based on that. This leads to less noise and more profit, both literally and figuratively.

6 pitfalls to avoid (and how to prevent them)

1. Wanting to do everything = doing nothing well
   Focus on what is truly important for your business.
2. Not doing everything at once
   Digitalization in the installation sector is a process, not a sprint.
3. Involve stakeholders, but stay on course
   Listen carefully, but prevent endless discussions.
4. Make the benefits visible
   They will be more willing when you take people along in the ‘why’.
5. Work consistently and coherently
   Inconsistency leads to confusion and delays.
6. Dare to say goodbye
   To old habits, systems, or even suppliers that hinder change.

Digitizing installation companies = change = letting go

Every digitization step also means changing behavior, collaboration, and habits. Therefore, ensure repetition, coaching, and possibly refresher courses. Only then will the new working method stick.

Why Bluace?

At Bluace, we believe in innovation through standardization. With innovative, proven solutions based on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, we help installation companies optimize their processes. Do you want to digitize your installation company? Then we offer no unnecessary custom software but stable cloud solutions that deliver quick results. We provide solutions that work — in the office, at the customer, and on the go — and always at the pace that fits your organization.