Every pool service business owner faces many day-to-day challenges. From overseeing technicians to nurturing customer relationships, responsibilities can quickly turn into a juggling act. As your pool service company grows, so does the complexity of tasks like:
- Managing both pool and spa maintenance
- Organizing schedules
- Streamlining invoicing
- And ensuring top-notch organizational practices
But here's the good news: field service management software can help. And the segment has evolved to create software just for pool and spa professionals. These pool service software systems handle day-to-day operations and optimize them for maximum efficiency and growth.
In this post, you will:
- Discover the transformative features that the best pool service software offers.
- Understand how leveraging pool management software can lead to increased profits and happier customers.
- Gain insights into streamlining your pool service jobs for enhanced operational excellence.
Let's jump right in!
The importance of specialized software in pool and spa service
In today's competitive landscape, delivering top-tier pool and spa services isn't just about the quality of work on the job site; it's equally about managing the multifaceted dimensions of a pool service business with precision.
Whether it's:
- Meticulous appointment scheduling
- Strategic equipment management
- Prompt technician dispatching
- Or fostering long-lasting customer relationships
These are the everyday challenges that pool service companies grapple with. As modern pool professionals broaden their clientele, onboard more technicians, and integrate additional service offerings, the old-school manual methods or one-size-fits-all business software solutions no longer cut it.
Such outdated approaches often lead to missed opportunities, mismanaged resources, and regrettable errors. This is where the magic of software tailor-made for the pool and spa industry comes into play. More general field service software accommodates the needs of home service contractors, electricians, roofers, and half-a-dozen other field service companies.
Specialized pool service software built for the pool business comes out of the box with features specifically tailored to pool services. This reduces your onboarding time and ensures you're not paying for "bloat" -- extra software features you don't need.
Let's look at some of those specific features in the next section.
Key features to look for in pool and spa service software
Pool service software helps pool and spa businesses successfully manage core operations. Here are some of the essential features to look for in a solution:
Route scheduling and optimization for pool techs
Every pool service company knows the key to a productive day starts with a detailed plan. "Fail to plan, and you plan to fail," after all.
In pool service, where a single day can involve multiple stops spanning a wide area, route optimization becomes paramount. Route optimization ensures each technician can reduce the time spent traveling between stops.
When you're looking to schedule jobs, integrated calendar features also play an important role. Calendar integration that permits the creation of regular service visit slots can make a significant difference in keeping things organized.
Choose software that seamlessly combines scheduling and route optimization to reduce windshield time and make more money.
Skimmer’s route optimization helps facilitate these principles. Not only does it help in organizing routes, but it also aids in preventing schedule conflicts.
This ensures that every technician’s day is smooth, efficient, and conflict-free, ultimately driving more profitability and satisfaction for your business and your customers.
Real-world impact: A Skimmer success story
Here’s a concrete example of the results Skimmer's route optimization tools can produce, demonstrated by a "route audit" performed by a Skimmer pro:
This particular Skimmer pro had two team members: Arturo and Chuck. With Skimmer, Arturo reduced his daily miles from 9 to 6.1, saving a total of 2.9 miles per day. Chuck reduced his daily miles from 14.5 to 10.1, saving a total of 4.4 miles daily.
How did they achieve this? Here's a simplified breakdown of their process (and how Skimmer helps facilitate these time savings):
- Set up your pins in Route Assignments: In the Skimmer Route Assignments interface, they assigned different colors for each team member and each day of the week.
- Make note of mileage: They reviewed Skimmer’s Route Dashboard to identify routes and mileage ripe for improvement.
- Visualize routes: By selecting just one day at a time to populate the map, they could visually identify where route stops cluster and where potential "swaps" could be made between team members.
- Reassign route stops to appropriate team members: For example, they noticed that Arturo (green pins) was working two locations right next to Chuck (orange pins) on Mondays. They reassigned one stop from Chuck to Arturo to make the routes more efficient.
In essence, route optimization helps streamline each workday, allowing your technicians to focus more on the job at hand and less on the logistics of getting there.
Inventory management: Keeping tabs on chemicals and equipment
Chemicals, replacement parts, and equipment are the lifeline of every pool service company. It’s not just about having these supplies but ensuring that you have them when and where you need them. Here, specialized pool service software helps businesses maintain a delicate balance between demand and supply.
Real-time visibility is vital. As a pool service business owner, your software should allow you insights into your inventory levels anytime, anywhere, and across multiple storage locations. But it’s not only about knowing what you have; it’s about accessing that information on the go. As technicians work on diverse job sites, sometimes in remote areas, checking supplies and placing orders becomes crucial.
Robust mobile apps have made this a reality. No matter where they are, technicians can dive into inventory data and place orders with just a few clicks. This ensures that they are always equipped to meet service requirements without delays.
While not offering a full-fledged inventory system, Skimmer recognizes the importance of keeping track of necessary items. It facilitates this via its innovative checklists and shopping lists. So, if a technician identifies a need while on the job, they can quickly add it to the shopping list, ensuring it's accounted for during the next procurement cycle.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
For pool and spa businesses, strong customer relationships can be the difference between one-off service agreements or lifetime customers (and referrals). A good Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system helps achieve this. It's more than just a database—it's a tool that gives you everything you need to achieve maximum customer satisfaction. This includes equipment details, chemical needs, service history, and unique customer preferences.
With a CRM, technicians can quickly know important details about each customer. For example, they can learn about a customer's favorite cleaning product or preferred service time. This personal touch shows customers they're valued.
A CRM also tracks how often services are provided, helping businesses plan better. Managers can spot trends and areas for improvement. Plus, reminders in the CRM can prompt regular check-ins or maintenance offers, ensuring pool pros always engage with their customers. In short, a CRM is crucial for pool and spa businesses aiming for top-notch customer service.
Invoicing and billing
Managing invoices and payments is one of the most time-consuming tasks for pool and spa service businesses. It may not feel like a big time commitment to write up an invoice from scratch every time you service a customer, but those minutes (and the mental load of having to keep all that information in your head) compound over time.
Next thing you know, you put off your invoicing and billing until the end of the month, and you’re stuck with a pile of unpaid invoices. You don’t remember how you serviced customers (and when), and you have to pull an all-nighter just to settle your accounts.
Streamlining your invoicing and billing is one of the simplest ways to buy back your time. Efficient billing also helps maintain cash flow, minimizes administrative workload, and presents a more professional image to customers.
Skimmer Billing addresses this specific need. It creates professional, branded invoices -- automatically populated with customer-specific service information -- in just a few clicks. And this isn’t limited to just one-off jobs. Skimmer’s recurring billing feature alleviates the burden of generating a new invoice for customers with routinely scheduled services every cycle.
Moreover, invoicing isn't just about requesting payment — it's also about making it convenient for customers to settle their accounts. Skimmer Billing's integrated payment processing accepts major credit cards and ACH, streamlining the payment process for your business and your customers.
And thanks to Skimmer's financial dashboards, businesses can clearly understand their financial health. Real-time cash flow oversight, coupled with detailed income reporting, allows for informed decisions and offers insights into areas of improvement. It’s not just about keeping track—it’s about understanding the financial health of your business operations.
Mobile accessibility
Look around you. Everyone is staring at their phone. Offering a mobile app is not a nice-to-have; it’s table stakes for competing in the pool service space. For field technicians and managers, having the entire gamut of operational tools and data at their fingertips is essential for delivering optimal service. Pool and spa service professionals need 24/7 mobile access for on-site visits, especially as customer expectations increase.
With the Skimmer mobile app, you can work in any condition, regardless of your internet connection. Whether you're servicing pools in the heart of the city or the outskirts with limited internet connectivity, Skimmer has you covered.
Work uninterrupted: Skimmer for iOS and Android is designed to function consistently, whether you're online or offline. This means you can service your pools, check details, and complete tasks even when you're out of your internet service range.
Seamless synchronization: Skimmer effortlessly syncs all your offline work with the cloud once you're back in a connected area. There's no need for manual updates or data transfers. It's automatic and hassle-free.
In an age where every minute counts, mobile accessibility is the game-changer pool and spa service businesses need. And with solutions like Skimmer, businesses are more equipped than ever to meet the demands of the modern age.
Top pool and spa service software options
With numerous pool service software options available, businesses now have the luxury to cherry-pick a solution that aligns seamlessly with their operational requirements and budget. But not all are created equal. Here’s a deeper dive into some of the top software options for the industry:
Skimmer
Skimmer stands out as a tailored pool and spa software solution specifically designed to empower pool and spa service professionals. We built it to help pool service businesses save valuable time and enhance profitability, all while emphasizing customer and team satisfaction. It offers a slew of features loved by over 30,000 pool professionals and counting.
Key Features:
- Route Optimization: Optimize your routes efficiently, reducing driving time and fuel expenses.
- Invoicing, Quotes, and Payments: Swiftly generate, manage, and track invoices and job quotes, collect payments, and store payment information securely with Skimmer Billing.
- Service Reporting: Email comprehensive service reports to customers, showcasing details like chemical readings, dosages, and completed tasks.
- Mobile Functionality: A robust mobile app for both iOS and Android that works seamlessly, even without an internet connection.
- Customer Management: Skimmer’s built-in CRM helps you not only track customer information but service dates, chemical dosages, pool details, and future scheduled visits.
- Recurring Work Order: Automated tracking of regular tasks, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.
- Comprehensive Reports: Dive into details with reports on invoicing, chemical dosages and readings, profitability, labor, and more.
- Broadcast Emails: Easily communicate with your customers for reminders, promotions, or updates.
Best for:
Ideal for teams of all sizes in the pool and spa industry who want efficient route management, seamless invoicing, and top-notch customer service.
Pricing:
Starting from only $1.00 per serviced location/month . This includes unlimited visits, users, customers, service emails with photos, phone & email support, video training, and mobile apps for iPhone and Android. Try Skimmer for 30 days or your money-back guaranteed!
Service Pro
Service Pro is a holistic software solution crafted to enhance the capabilities of field service and repair professionals. Developed to transform field service operations digitally, this enterprise app is for the field service business that wants to streamline management activities, client communications, billing, and analytics.
Key Features:
- Visual Scheduler: A drag-and-drop visual scheduler to track technician location and status in real time, ensuring the best tech is appointed for every job.
- Service Work Order Management: Comprehensive suite for overseeing the entire service work order life cycle, enhancing service department productivity.
- Service Contracts: A comprehensive module for service contract management aiming to maximize recurring service revenue and strengthen ongoing customer relationships.
- Spare Parts/Inventory: Extensive inventory management capabilities for service management staff and technicians, ensuring an accurate measure of inventory/spare parts.
Best for:
Ideal for large-scale enterprises or SMBs that need efficient management of field service tasks and business processes.
Pricing:
Service Pro does not list pricing on its website and requires users to book a demo.
Pool Brain
Pool Brain offers an innovative software solution tailored for pool service companies, addressing their unique challenges and maximizing efficiency. Designed to bring automation and data-driven insights to the forefront of pool servicing, this software platform helps pool businesses manage all aspects of their organization.
Key Features:
- Quotes Creation: Quickly generate quotes with labels and images either in the field or online. Quotes auto-convert into jobs upon approval.
- Jobs & Route Management: Schedule, view, and manage jobs & route stops seamlessly, differentiating between their unique requirements.
- Invoicing & Payments: Handle all your billing needs directly within Pool Brain, supporting various payment models and methods.
- Technician Scorecards: Monitor and evaluate technician performance with comprehensive data-driven insights.
Best for:
Ideal for pool service companies of all sizes, Pool Brain offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to improve operational efficiency, enhance customer satisfaction, and ensure that teams remain connected and informed.
Pricing:
Base Plan: $10/Month (Provides access for Unlimited Office Users). Active Field Technicians: $195/Month for up to 5 technicians ($39 per tech).
HouseCall Pro
HouseCall Pro is a cloud-based application tailored for service professionals to automate workflows, streamline technician dispatch, and digitize their operations. It caters to various industries like carpet cleaning, window cleaning, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and more.
Key Features:
- Mobile Field Service App: Accessible on Android and iOS devices, providing technicians with job details, invoicing, estimates, and communication tools.
- Digital Automation: Enables businesses to move away from paperwork, providing features like Quickbooks integration, real-time dispatching, automated receipts, and more.
- Online Booking: Clients can easily book services online, communicate through a centralized system, and make online payments.
- Real-time Customer Notifications: Instantly notify clients about the status of their services.
- Marketing Automation: Automated postcards and email marketing to stay connected with customers.
Best for:
Suitable for both SMBs and large-scale enterprises, especially those in the service industry, such as carpet cleaning, window cleaning, plumbing, and pool service. However, it is a "general-purpose" field service management software, meaning some of its features may not be very well-tailored to pool service businesses specifically.
Pricing:
BASIC PLAN: $49/month (billed annually) - 1 User. Features include scheduling, invoicing, estimates, real-time dispatching, mobile payment processing, Google Calendar integration, and more.
ESSENTIALS PLAN: $129/month (billed annually) - 1-5 Users. In addition to the BASIC PLAN features, it includes online booking, employee time tracking, unlimited email reminders, postcard marketing at $0.86/postcard, in-app company chat, and QuickBooks integration.
MAX PLAN: $279/month (billed annually) - 1-8 Users. Building on the ESSENTIALS PLAN, it offers customizable reports and employee GPS map tracking.
MAX+ PLAN: Pricing is available upon contact. Designed for 15+ Users, it offers all MAX PLAN features plus advanced reporting and a strategic account manager.
Jobber
Jobber is a cloud-based field service management solution crafted for small to midsize service businesses. It provides a collection of tools to streamline and digitize the various facets of field service operations.
Whether accessed via a mobile app or desktop dashboard, Jobber is designed to manage field staff, offer customer support, and expand business functionalities. It caters to over 50+ service industries, including pool service professionals.
Key Features:
- Mobile Field Service App: Available for iOS and Android devices. This application provides real-time updates on tasks, project progress, and more, ensuring managers have a clear view of their field personnel's activities.
- Integrated CRM: Tracks past client contact information and allows for the creation of custom fields, tags, attachments, and more. This is seamlessly linked with billing and work history.
- Real-time Scheduling & Dispatching: Enables users to update any job in real time, whether it's task completion or project progress. The system also supports setting up individual or recurring contracts and assigning multiple technicians to a single job.
- Self-service Client Hub: Clients can approve quotes, schedule work orders, pay invoices, and communicate directly with service teams, enhancing the overall client-business interaction.
Best for:
Jobber is ideal for SMBs and service businesses looking to digitally transform their operations, streamline their management activities, and adopt an integrated approach to field service, client communication, billing, and more.
Pricing:
14-Day Free Trial: Access all features without a credit card.
Core Plan - $49/mo or save $240 annually
Connect Plan - $129/mo or save $480 annually
Grow Plan - $249/mo or save $1200 annually
For pool and spa businesses striving for growth and operational excellence, choosing the right software isn't just a matter of convenience—it's a strategic imperative. By understanding the unique offerings of each software, businesses can make an informed decision that paves the way for increased efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Next steps
Everything we've discussed in this post is in service of helping you run a more efficient, customer-centric, and profitable pool service business. Whether you're a seasoned pool technician or just dipping your toes into the industry, having the right tools can make all the difference.
That's where Skimmer comes in. Our pool service software guarantees you get paid faster, improves tech accountability, and helps uphold the level of quality and professionalism your service business is known for, ensuring that your operations run smoothly and effectively.
If you're curious to see how Skimmer can transform your pool service business, don't take our word for it. Book a demo with one of our pool service experts and get started today!
