September Snap Rap: How D-Tools Helps Customers Run Better Businesses

Business

This month, we’re turning Snap Rap over to Randy Stearns, CEO of D-Tools and former CEDIA Chairman of the Board. He explains why D-Tools extended their product offering beyond the successful System Integrator software to a new cloud platform, and how it can help all integrators run better businesses, whether you work in residential AV, commercial, IT, or corporate spaces. 

Why did you create D-Tools Cloud?

Helping customers run better businesses has been part of our DNA from the beginning. Our mission is to help system integrators organize their work, sell more product and labor, and improve communication between all of the different people involved in an installation, from technician to client.

D-Tools’ flagship product, System Integrator, was designed to help with estimating, designing and managing work flow. And while that mission was successful for a lot of people, there were still customers who couldn’t benefit from our unique solution due to a lack of access.

 

How did you solve this accessibility problem?

Currently, our desktop solution uses Windows OS and is tied to desktop drawing applications like Visio and AutoCAD. Although over 6,000 integrators use and love SI, I believe many other companies could benefit from D-Tools software.

Cloud technology has a broader reach. D-Tools Cloud has allowed us to transfer 20 years of knowledge about the industry’s wants and needs into a versatile and engaging platform that’s accessible to more people.

This will help us continue to serve our existing customer base, but will also bring the power of D-Tools to a broader range of companies, who may not have been able to purchase and implement System Integrator into their business before.

 

How is D-Tools Cloud different from other design or sales tools?

There’s a reason we believe D-Tools Cloud is best-in-class.

It’s the only solution that incorporates system design/engineering as a core capability. By utilizing product specifications built-in to our comprehensive product library, it can auto-generate drawings and a wide variety of useful reports. Most importantly, it’s the best way to manage your sales pipeline and create detailed, accurate proposals that protect your bottom line.

Today, D-Tools Cloud helps system integrators streamline their sales, design, and procurement processes, and will soon be able to help manage installs and service components, as well.

 

What does that mean for SnapAV dealers?

When you enter your SnapAV S-Code and zip code into D-Tools Cloud, you gain immediate access to a curated library of SnapAV products – complete with your specific dealer pricing – so you can start generating quotes with the most up-to-date product information available.

The unique browser-based design capabilities allow you to upload photos and floorplans and drag in devices to start building your quote. Add products, mark product placement and/or dimensions, make comments, and share key information about the design with others without the need for an additional desktop drawing program.

Plus, our CRM tool helps you manage your sales pipeline and track progress all the way from the initial client conversation through the completed sale.

 

What’s the number one question you were asked about D-Tools Cloud?

“How is this different from System Integrator?”

Really, I like to describe the difference between D-Tools SI and D-Tools Cloud as being similar to the difference between QuickBooks Enterprise and QuickBooks Online.

On one hand, you have the enterprise-level products. QuickBooks Enterprise and D-Tools SI are both on-premises, full-featured, mature software solutions that are suited to mid-sized companies.

On the other hand, you have more streamlined tools such as QuickBooks Online and D-Tools Cloud. These are lighter-weight products, designed initially to be more intuitive and accessible for smaller companies or even individuals with less advanced requirements.

Both versions of D-Tools are valuable and important to integrators. But having a lightweight product that provides many of the same convenient features as the enterprise-grade software will really speak to some integrators and installers who may not have needed the power and complexity of the desktop version…or perhaps wanted web-based access to a scalable and simple to adopt solution.

By giving you more options, we’re creating a suite of products that can cater to a wider variety of business and project needs.

 

How long does an average setup of D-Tools Cloud take?

Start-up is a snap – pun intended!

We designed D-Tools Cloud so users could start working in minutes. New users will simply need to answer a few basic questions about their business, and D-Tools Cloud will configure their account, catalogs, templates, and base systems.

This makes it easy for you to build accurate quotes through an intuitive interface – kickstarting your overall productivity and reducing time to sale.

Can you tell us what’s next for D-Tools Cloud? What can we expect to see from you in the future?

Right now, we are working to get the features of our cloud platform on par with D-Tools SI, with an ultimate goal of becoming an end-to-end software solution for the industry.

This roadmap includes adding more project management capabilities (such as scheduling, resource planning, work orders, installation reports, and GPS tracking); service management features (like service contracts, a ticketing system, and case management), and adding a variety of third-party software integrations.

We also have other cool capabilities we’re developing using machine learning and AI. But we are keeping those under wraps for now, so stay tuned…

 

Sounds cool! So, when you’re not in the office, what do you do for fun?

I love travel and have always made time to explore the world. Recently, I went scuba diving in Palau, in Micronesia. It was amazing! Further exploration of South America is on my list next. I also enjoy a lot of outdoor sports – skiing, water skiing and wakeboarding, tennis, golf, running – and meeting up with friends for drinks/dinner or other activities.

These days, I’m loving hanging out with my 9-month old daughter, Sloane. Now, instead of working late or going to meet friends for a drink, I rush home to see the little darling.

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AlexMomentum
Alex is a SnapAV Tech Support Specialist and one of the forum designers of this site. Alex is well versed in all Snap categories and is a great resource of information.

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