Across a range of industries, we have a number of recommendations and strategies for different types of business to consider, using technology to help streamline their processes. Here are a couple of case studies to illustrate some of the ways in which we have helped our clients through the use of cloud technology.
Amobile car mechanic
Our client, a new business for a mobile mechanic, wanted our support in using integrated technology for interactions with customers, and has benefited from it ever since. The systems we introduced not only bring greater speed and efficiency to their work, but also, certainty and ease of payments, both of which are crucial to the ongoing success of the business. Quotes, invoicing and administration are three big obstacles to securing, and completing, work for small companies, particularly those working remotely at customers’ homes, as in the case of our client. By using a cloud accounting and invoice system, they are able to quickly arrange an invoice on site, as soon as the work is completed. We helped set up default items for repeat products and services which are fundamental to the work undertaken, so invoices can be produced much faster than manually adding items and quantities, and calculating VAT and cost totals. Getting the money quickly for the work was equally important to the company, to enable new and replacement parts to be purchased for the next jobs. Under the systemwe recommended, the invoice can be emailed immediately to the client, who can then follow steps on the digital invoice to pay by card, on the spot. Given the improved audit trail, should a client not pay right away, they will automatically receive email reminders to settle the invoice. This helps our client reduce bad debt and avoid the issues of disputes and lost paperwork. Then, once a month, they can analyse their performance and maybe, adjust pricing based on recognised trends, or experiment with how they can price their products and services to maximise value to their customers. Aside from the direct customer interaction, the automated system also gives further benefits in how we work with the client on their accounting and tax requirements – issues that many new companies find hard to deal with. The invoices and other bank transactions the client completes are automatically connected to the accounting app, with the correct VAT treatment already applied. The efficiency of this process means we can see live records for the client’s business and provide our guidance quickly and accurately, whenever required. By digitally capturing receipts as well, our client was able to minimise their year-end responsibilities and save a huge amount of time for both us and themselves, by avoiding a ‘shoebox’ full of receipts and the manual entry of a range of payments and data. This level of accuracy and record keeping means our own costs to the client are never unnecessary and always appropriate.
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