How to Break Into Commercial Roofing: The Importance of Technology

By Evelyn Witterholt, RCS Reporter. 

Megan Ellsworth talks with Jackie Hart about using and incorporating new technology into your business. 

RCS Podcast Producer Megan Ellsworth recently sat down with Jackie Hart, regional sales manager at Estimating Edge, to discuss how companies can best approach the constantly changing world of technology. 

Jackie states that one of the most beneficial aspects of technology is that it helps commercial roofing companies work faster and more efficiently. But a hidden benefit companies might not know about is how using newer technology can attract a younger workforce. 

“Younger people were born with technology in their hands,” Jackie said. “They know if you're in the dinosaur ages of technology and they're not going to be as efficient as they could be, which means they're not going to be as successful as they could potentially be.” Which might mean, they won’t want to work for you without advanced technologies. 

The Estimating Edge software is a great example of technology that a commercial roofing business can incorporate into their entire organization largely in part because of its permission role-based system. This means that whoever in your company is using the software has certain software permissions tied to their role. The accounting team is not going to be able to have all the same accessibilities as the estimators, i.e. read only access. This can help roofing companies streamline their organizational processes and work more efficiently since they are all using the same software. 

Jackie recommends that companies closely examine how their hardware is holding up. Using the newest software is all fine and good, but if your hardware is old, then that software won’t work as well. It’s also worth looking at the specifications the software company posts so that you know you are using their products the correct way.  

If you are looking to integrate new technology into your business, Jackie suggests outlining your goals and objectives for using said new technology. She says, “You bring in any piece of technology, CRM, payroll time tracking, a scheduling program, an estimating program, new accounting software. It has an impact, a ripple effect on everyone.” 

Consider the needs of your employees and how any different software will impact them. If a little training is the only setback, then it’s worth taking a step into the future of new technology. 

Learn more about Estimating Edge in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.estimatingedge.com.