Executive Hire News › Archives › December 2008 › Market Report : Latest products

Market Report : Latest products

Keep track with Iris

Iris Field Services’ scalable and modular Hiremate System is designed to be used by equipment hirers or organisations that simply require the ability to track on-site or hired-in assets. Targeted at all businesses, from single-user to multi-depot organisations, the alert driven application allows companies to be more responsive and efficient, and to reduce costs. Alerts cover issues like exceeded credit limits, overdue collections or service requirements, eliminating many manual processes, resulting in increased efficiency and a more pro-active approach, says the company.

Hiremate can manage core processes such as asset management, contract maintenance, invoicing, historical enquiries, workshop, test certificates, advanced bookings and purchase order processing. Recent features include the ability to link Microsoft Mappoint to print location maps and routes, and digital image capture so that customers’ photographs can be taken at the counter and stored against the contract.

Standard reports supplied include asset register, profitability, usage, earnings, status, scheduled maintenance, contract summary and work in progress, while various user-definable documents, reports and charging parameters allow Hiremate to be tailored to individual requirements.

0151 709 0022
www.iris.co.uk/hire


Higher Concept offers flexibility

Syrinx, from Higher Concept Software, covers all aspects of hire and sales, from initial prospect and customer quotations, to contract amendments, exchanges, partial off-hires, and loss/damage charging incorporating digital photographs. It manages the service history of the hire fleet plus customer owned items, and has a stock purchasing module of customer sales orders and spare parts. Flexible invoicing enables invoices to be tailored to individual customers’ needs. Consolidation invoicing can be by site, order number, or all hires. Syrinx integrates with Sage 50, Sage 200, Access Accounts and other accounts packages.

CRM capabilities combine contact management with a database of prospective customers. Entries can be upgraded quickly to an account or cash customer. Customers that have not hired or purchased equipment since a specific date can also be monitored. The Customer ID feature produces credit card style identity cards for authorised clients to use when ordering by phone or in person. This ensures the correct account is selected and heightens security. The Web Solution option lets customers access information such as equipment on hire or invoice reprints, saving their time and that of hirers’ staff.

0118 947 6669
www.higherconcept.co.uk

inspHire maximises opportunities

inspHire’s hire software links to more than 40 accounting solutions, so customers can use the option that suits them best, and a preview facility enables inaccuracies to be spotted before the final invoice run. The Route Planning feature helps business owners cover transport costs, or to at least be aware of overheads they are absorbing, while the Mobile Working option enables deliveries to be confirmed immediately, as well as capturing signatures and noting any damages on return, avoiding unnecessary back office processing.

A range of interactive management reports help maximise business opportunities. These can highlight when a customer suddenly stops ordering, which otherwise might be difficult to detect. The software can also help generate sales of consumables: if a client hires a machine like a disc cutter, counter staff can be automatically reminded to offer appropriate diamond blades.

inspHire CRM helps ensure customers are contacted regularly and quotations followed up. If staff hear of a customer starting a new project, a note can be made for a salesman to call. The WebPortal function allows customers to obtain invoice information and on-hire lists themselves, increasing efficiency, and the software has a bright new, user-friendly look.

0115 979 3377
www.insphire.com

Customise with JCL

J Computer Logic (JCL) offers a variety of hire software products, including Ignition starter systems for new companies or those for which hire is not the main business, Hire-Kit with configurable off-the-shelf options, and Tailored Systems that can be customised with additional programs to meet special requirements.

Other packages include Trac-It for monitoring in-house hire items, and Contracts Manager for hires of scaffolding and fencing and similar organisations making deliveries and collections to many sites with a statement-like invoice-cum-assets-list to send customers.

01981 251359
www.Hire-Kit.com

Fully integrated with MCS

MCS offers a fully integrated hire software solution, with no need for third party functionality, and including centralised customer and product data, plus the ability to access this from any module such as financials, CRM, Business Intelligence and Extranet. The company has also added ISO 9001:2000 accreditation to its Microsoft Gold Partnership status.

One area of functionality that is helping hirers combat the current economic downturn is the scanning of proof of delivery (POD) documents and the ability to incorporate photos of damaged equipment. Instead of printing out delivery or collection notes, obtaining customer signatures and storing them in a paper based file, MCS-rm’s POD system enables hirers to scan, upload and electronically store POD documents with the relevant contract or equipment items within the MCS-rm database. Documents can be easily viewed and retrieved, printed, e-mailed, faxed or viewed online via MCS-rm Extranet.

Documents, previously printed with a bar code, are batched and placed in the scanner. The software interprets the bar code which details contract number, document type and version number. Documents can be viewed by an operator and added to or deleted. Digital photographs and PDFs can be imported and uploaded to the relevant contract of equipment code in MCS-rm. The system boosts efficiency by improving cash flow, resolving queries quickly and reducing administration time.

01628 828000
www.mcs.co.uk

Paper-free with POD Father

The POD Father proof-of-delivery system is designed to enable the hire industry to adopt a paperless approach to hire contract and delivery transactions. Customers can electronically sign for goods collected from the hire desk, and delivery drivers can capture signatures from customers irrespective of their location, facilitating invoice processing.

Alastair Broom, Managing Director of developer Valley Technology, says, “The fundamental issue is cost effectiveness: with no expensive tied-in contracts, users just pay for each signature captured. Moreover, it only requires standard hand-held PDA devices that can be interfaced with the office broadband internet connection.”

0131 553 0400
www.valleyt.co.uk

Enhance efficiency with Orion

Sirius Pro from Orion Software offers 150 business reports, equipment reservations management, lost hire tracking, transaction history, periodic billing, fleet management, and real-time multi-branch functionality. Recently introduced features include a web module enabling hirers to post on their web site pictures and extended descriptions of fleet items, and to receive requests for quotes and reservations from customers.

Scenario Management allows users to create subsets of products based on specific usage. Users can create scenarios based on locations, type of usage, budget, or other factors influencing the selection process. The Electronic Signature function can eliminate paper contracts and send signed copies of contracts by fax or email. Staff at remote locations have instant access to the signed documents, which are kept in an archive.

0208 123 3203
www.orion-soft.com