According to market research, the global swimming pool market size was valued at $21.52 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach a value of $36.70 billion by 2028. In other words, swimming pools - and the need to service them - aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
As the industry continues to grow, it's becoming increasingly important for pool service businesses to find ways to streamline their operations, improve their efficiency, and provide better service to their customers. One way that service professionals can achieve these goals is by using pool cleaning software.
With the right software, businesses can:
- Manage their schedules
- Dispatch technicians
- Track installed parts and products
- And communicate with customers more effectively
But with so many pool cleaning software options available, how do you know which one is right for your business? In this blog post, you'll learn:
- The key features to look out for when selecting pool cleaning software
- An overview of different types of pool cleaning software systems
- And how they can benefit your business
Furthermore, we will explain how Skimmer, a leading pool cleaning software, can help take your pool business to the next level. By the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of what to look for in pool cleaning software and how Skimmer can help you optimize your pool service business.
Let's jump in!
What is pool cleaning software?
Pool business software is a type of software designed to help pool service businesses manage their daily operations, improve their efficiency, and increase their profitability. The software provides businesses with a centralized platform that enables them to manage things like:
- Pool tech routing
- Dispatching
- Invoicing
- Customer management
- Parts and product management
- Reporting and analytics
Pool cleaning software is designed specifically for businesses that offer pool cleaning and maintenance services, and it includes features that are tailored to the unique needs of this industry. One of the major benefits of pool service software is that it enables businesses to automate many of their daily tasks. Additionally, pool service software provides businesses with real-time insights into their operations and performance, which can help them make informed decisions and improve their profitability.
Let's look at some of the specific ways pool service software can benefit your business.
How can software benefit your pool service business?
Increased efficiency
Pool cleaning software can help businesses automate many of their daily tasks, such as scheduling, dispatching, invoicing, and parts and product management. This automation can save time and reduce errors, allowing businesses to focus on providing high-quality service to their customers.
Improved customer management
Pool service software can help businesses manage customer data more efficiently, enabling them to provide better service to their customers. This includes keeping track of customer communication, service history, and feedback - all of which improve customer satisfaction and retention.
Real-time insights
Pool service software can provide businesses with real-time insights into their operations and performance, enabling them to make informed decisions and improve their profitability. Reporting and analytics features can help businesses track key performance indicators, such as revenue, equipment costs, customer satisfaction, and technician productivity.
Enhanced technician management
Pool service software can help businesses manage their technicians more effectively, enabling them to optimize their resources and improve their service quality. Features like work checklists and time-stamped proof-of-service images can help businesses monitor their technicians' progress, identify areas for improvement, and provide support as needed.
Better financial management
Pool service software can help businesses manage their financial data more efficiently, enabling them to reduce the risk of errors and stay on top of their finances. Features such as billing and invoicing, chemical dosage and parts tracking, and accounting software integration can help businesses automate their financial management and keep their data organized and up-to-date.
Challenges faced by pool cleaning businesses (and how software can help)
Service companies often have tight budgets and thin margins, making it essential to ensure a positive ROI before investing in new tools or software. This means figuring out if the revenue and growth you'll experience will exceed the pool cleaning software cost.
A big part of that is assessing the challenges you face as a pool service business owner. By the way, that’s why we price Skimmer on a variable basis — meaning, you don’t pay for the amount of users in your Skimmer account, but how many locations are serviced per month. That way, the software is aligned with your revenue growth.
Here are the most common challenges (and how software can help):
Difficulty managing schedules and dispatching technicians
Pool service companies often have multiple appointments in a day, and manually managing schedules and dispatching technicians can be a challenge. Pool service management software can help by automating scheduling and dispatching, allowing managers to efficiently assign tasks to technicians based on their location, availability, and skillset.
Inefficient and time-consuming billing and invoicing processes
Billing and invoicing can be a time-consuming task, particularly if the business is still using paper-based methods. Pool cleaning software can help streamline this process by automating the creation and delivery of invoices, reducing the amount of time spent on administrative tasks.
It’s important to remember that every minute spent on billing is cutting into your cash conversion cycle. Automating these tasks — while using a platform that accepts all modern payment methods — can accelerate your cash conversion and help prevent overdue payments or slow cash flow.
Poor customer management and communication
A successful pool service company needs to maintain seamless communication with its customers to build trust and loyalty. However, manually managing customer data can be time-consuming and prone to errors (especially when handled manually).
Pool cleaning software can help by centralizing customer data and automating communication tasks such as appointment reminders, follow-ups, and customer feedback requests.
Inaccurate inventory management leads to wasted resources and stockouts
Pool service businesses need to have accurate inventory records to ensure they have the right supplies on hand when they need them. Pool cleaning software can help by automating inventory management, including tracking stock levels, reordering supplies when they run low, and generating alerts when stock levels are critically low.
Lack of actionable insights and data for informed decision-making
Pool service businesses need to be able to make informed decisions based on accurate data. However, manually tracking data can be time-consuming and prone to errors. Pool cleaning software can help by automating data collection, providing businesses with real-time insights into their operations and performance.
Limited marketing automation and customer engagement tools to drive business growth
Pool service businesses need to be able to market their services effectively to drive growth. Pool cleaning software can help by providing marketing automation and customer engagement tools, such as email marketing, social media management, and customer loyalty programs.
Compliance issues with local regulations and safety standards
Pool service businesses need to comply with local regulations and safety standards to ensure they are operating legally and safely. Pool cleaning software can help by automating compliance tasks, such as tracking certifications and licenses, monitoring safety protocols, and generating compliance reports.
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Different types of pool cleaning software systems
Pool cleaning software systems can be broadly categorized into three different types based on their functionality and the needs they serve. These three types are:
Basic pool cleaning software systems
These software systems are designed to automate the core processes involved in pool cleaning operations, such as scheduling appointments, dispatching technicians, and managing inventory. They typically provide basic features such as invoicing and customer management and are suitable for small to medium-sized pool cleaning businesses.
Integrated pool service software systems
These software systems are designed to integrate and automate all aspects of pool service operations, including pool cleaning, repairs, and maintenance. They offer a range of features such as scheduling, dispatching, billing, inventory management, and customer relationship management (CRM) tools. These software systems are suitable for larger pool service businesses that offer a wide range of services and need to manage a larger customer base.
Mobile pool cleaning software systems
These software systems are designed for mobile devices and are optimized for use in the field. They offer features such as digital checklists, job tracking, and mobile payments, and are suitable for pool cleaning technicians who work on the go.
They are also useful for businesses that need to manage remote teams and monitor job progress in real-time. It's important to note that while some field service management software may fall under one specific category, many of them offer a range of features and can be customized to meet the unique needs of different pool service businesses.
For example, Skimmer offers all of the above features, with built-in tools for customer management, tech management, routing, and mobile app support.
Key features to look for in pool cleaning software
These are the best important things to look out for when evaluating pool service software platforms. You may not currently require these features, but if you want your business to scale, you'll likely need these features to accommodate growth.
These are the best important things to look out for when evaluating pool service software platforms. You may not currently require these features, but if you want your business to scale, you'll likely need these features to accommodate growth.
Scheduling, dispatching, and route management
Scheduling and dispatching features in pool cleaning software enable businesses to efficiently manage their technicians' schedules and dispatch them to appointments. This includes features such as real-time scheduling, appointment reminders, and optimized routing to save time and increase efficiency.
Skimmer has a built-in scheduling and dispatching system that allows pool service businesses to easily assign appointments to their technicians. The Skimmer Route Builder feature includes the "Optimize Route" function, which automatically rearranges the order of service requests and routes to minimize travel time and distance.
The Skimmer Route Builder feature also allows managers to view the technician's schedules and assign or reschedule service requests on the fly. This feature includes a drag-and-drop functionality, which makes it easy to reorganize the schedule and conveniently manage routes for your pool service pros.
Skimmer also offers an appointment reminder feature that notifies customers and techs of upcoming appointments, reducing the number of missed appointments and improving customer satisfaction.
Billing and invoicing features built for pool service pros
Billing and invoicing features in pool cleaning software automate the invoicing and payment processes, which can save time and reduce errors. These features can generate invoices, accept payments online, and manage billing history.
Skimmer's billing and invoicing feature automates the invoicing process, allowing businesses to create and send invoices quickly and easily. You can set Skimmer to bill specifically for your pool and spa service “operating cadence,” not necessarily on a set timetable. Charge per stop or per recurring service. (This is often where other non-pool-specific payment processing tools fall short.)
Skimmer also provides businesses with a billing history, enabling them to track payments and view outstanding balances. The Skimmer Invoice Generator completely automates the invoicing process for pool service businesses, allowing businesses to create and send invoices quickly and easily.
With the Skimmer Invoice Generator, businesses can customize their invoices with their logo, business information, and customer details. They can also add services and products, including descriptions, quantities, and prices.
This feature automatically calculates the total cost of services rendered and generates a professional-looking invoice that can be sent directly to the customer via email or print.
"At 150 accounts I was spending two hours a day trying to accurately track chemical usage and what services were completed. And in the back of my head, I’m concerned about over or undercharging. It gets frustrating looking at a paper slip and trying to read a scribbled number. Skimmer has given us more work-life balance and the confidence to continue to grow without having to outsource billing." -Kelsey Bobo, Mainland Pool Service
Customer management
Customer management features in pool cleaning software centralize customer data, enabling businesses to track and manage customer interactions. This includes features such as customer profiles, communication tools, and automated follow-ups to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Skimmer's customer management feature centralizes customer data, making it easy for businesses to manage customer interactions. This feature allows businesses to create and maintain customer profiles, manage communication with customers, and automate follow-up tasks such as customer feedback requests. Skimmer even allows you to upload details about each customer's pool, including a photo, so your pros can prepare for the job before it happens.
Inventory tracking
The most important inventory management feature for pool professionals is inventory tracking. Add parts, chemicals, or other items for your company or a customer with pick lists, or what Skimmer calls, Shopping Lists. Business owners can manage what’s on the truck accurately and never forget to bill for installed parts and items again. That means more money in their pocket and less on the table.
Reporting and analytics
Reporting and analytics features in pool cleaning software provide businesses with real-time insights into their operations and performance. These include features such as visual dashboards and historical data to help businesses make informed decisions and improve performance.
Skimmer's reporting and analytics tools provide businesses with real-time insights into their operations and performance. Users can export data to conduct trend analysis and track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as revenue, customer satisfaction, and technician productivity.
Customer communication and email marketing
Customer communication and email marketing features are crucial for pool service businesses, as they help businesses stay in touch with their customers, provide them with updates on their service, and drive customer engagement.
Features such as automated follow-up emails and personalized messaging can help businesses increase customer satisfaction, loyalty, and retention. Skimmer's customer communication and email marketing features allow businesses to automate and personalize their communication with customers.
Businesses can set up automated follow-up emails to ensure that customers receive updates on their service and stay informed about upcoming appointments.
In addition, you can configure Skimmer to send emails to business-critical situations, like:
- Emailing a customer on a specific route in case there’s a schedule change
- Emailing a customer with a particular type of filter (for example, customers with salt systems)
- Emailing customers who are on twice-weekly service only
- Emailing customers who are short-term rentals only
They can also send personalized messages to customers based on how their pools were serviced that day , which can help improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.
"The Service Report email increases the professionalism of my business. That helps get people talking about my business and helps me get referrals to the point that we're just walking from one yard to the next." - Camden Hardy, @ Hardy Hydro Solutions
Mobile app support
Mobile app support is absolutely essential for pool service businesses, as it enables technicians to manage their tasks, track their time and expenses, and communicate with customers from anywhere. Features such as offline access, and mobile payments can help businesses improve their efficiency, productivity, and customer service.
Skimmer's easy-to-use mobile app support provides technicians with real-time access to customer data, job notes, and schedules, enabling them to manage their tasks and track their progress while on the go, online or offline.
Skimmer's mobile app support also enables businesses to accept mobile payments, providing customers with a convenient and secure way to pay their bills. That way, you can ensure efficiency on every work order — whether or not the job site has good service.
Support for work checklists and to-do lists
The Skimmer checklist feature allows businesses to customize the order of tasks, as well as the name and response when the task is complete. This makes it ideal for more complicated workflows or necessary communications. For instance, businesses can create checklists that include tasks such as inspecting pool equipment, cleaning the pool walls and floors, and balancing the water chemistry.
Additionally, the Skimmer checklist feature enables businesses to track and manage the completion of tasks in real-time. Technicians can mark tasks as complete as they finish them, and managers can monitor job progress and make adjustments as necessary.
Skimmer: the best pool service software
In summary, selecting the right pool cleaning software can truly optimize your entire pool service business.
The key features to look out for when selecting pool cleaning software include:
- Scheduling and dispatching
- Billing and invoicing
- Customer management
- Inventory management
- And analytics reporting
Furthermore, Skimmer offers a range of features that can help pool service businesses optimize their operations, including:
- Customer communication and email marketing
- Mobile app support
- And support for work checklists and to-do lists
To learn more about Skimmer and its features, we encourage you to visit our features page. By taking advantage of these resources, you can see firsthand how Skimmer can benefit your pool service business and help you achieve your goals.
