Interview Insights: Boosting Enterprise Efficiency via Software Solutions
Chatting with Tim Bigoness, D-Tools VP of Sales and CMO:
Query 1: How long have you been with this company, and what are your responsibilities?
A: I've been with D-Tools since 2005, except for a brief stint of around nine months in another industry about 15 years ago. At D-Tools, I juggle multiple roles, acting as the VP of sales and the chief marketing officer. My primary focus is driving sales across all our software products, while simultaneously shaping the vision and direction of our marketing efforts.
Query 2: Why should an integrator use project management software?
A: Efficiency and organization are vital for any integration company. Project management software, like D-Tools, streamlines manual tasks, provides a higher level of organization, and boosts productivity and improves communication with customers. For field management, it empowers mobile, office, and field technicians to deliver projects smoothly from the initial contract to the final service. Combined with estimation and design solutions, the synergy helps companies execute flawless installations and ongoing service, ensuring increased profit, customer satisfaction, and employee engagement.
[Under New Management]
Query 3: How long has D-Tools System Integrator (SI) software been in the market, and what's the secret to its success?
A: D-Tools System Integrator has been around for 26 years, and it's a robust software solution designed to handle critical end-to-end business processes for larger projects, from estimating to system design, documentation, installation, and field service management. Our latest release, SI v22, is a testament to our commitment to helping integrators run better businesses. As our software is dynamic, not static, we continually incorporate feedback from the industry into constant improvement and new features, keeping it in sync with evolving market demands.
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Query 4: Design or proposal tools? Which is more popular among your customers?
A: In essence, SI is the only solution that integrates design and proposal for a truly seamless workflow. The SI software includes comprehensive design and documentation of projects, incorporating detailed engineering drawings that allow for precise designs using Visio and AutoCAD. Integrators can upload floorplans and insert product icons simultaneously generate a bill of materials, as well as use single-line system drawings, floor plan layouts, rack elevations, and wiring diagrams to ensure clear communication with the installation team, client, and other project stakeholders.
However, the proposal-creation aspect of the software leads the industry. With our SI software, integrators can quickly develop detailed proposals with high accuracy, encompassing labor calculations, accessories, packages, and more. Proposals are built using the D-Tools Integrated Product Library containing over 1 million products and packages, with dealer-level pricing sourced from more than 25 years of direct relationships with top manufacturers and distributors.
Query 5: What inspired the introduction of D-Tools Cloud, your web-based project management solution?
A: We launched D-Tools Cloud in 2018 as an economical, multi-OS, web-accessible alternative to our flagship on-premises solution System Integrator (SI), which provides sophisticated design and engineering tools such as Visio and AutoCAD for larger, complex projects. The primary focus of D-Tools Cloud initially was on the pre-sales design and quoting process, but it has since evolved to deliver an end-to-end solution that includes project and field service management, procurement, inventory management, and embedded payments. It is a scalable, web-based solution that enables a connected workflow and collaborative environment for internal and external stakeholders.
*[Editorial: The 'Old Days' Really Weren't That Long Ago]***
Query 6: Our product portfolio seems to span beyond Pro AV. Could you clarify?
A: D-Tools isn't limited to Pro AV and residential smart home integration. We also cater to other trades in the commercial security, HVAC, and IT/MSP sectors. In addition, we have users in the higher ed and government sectors who utilize the software to design facilities prior to creating bid specifications. In total, over 8,000 entities employ our software across more than 90 countries worldwide.
*[9 New Enhancements to D-Tools System Integrator]***
Query 7: How does our partnership with Simpro benefit Pro AV customers?
A: Simpro is used by trade contractors in the HVAC, electrical, and integration industries for business management, while many of these customers utilize D-Tools SI for system design and proposals due to the extensive D-Tools Integrated Product Library. This collaboration enables these integrators to move their project proposals and designs from D-Tools to Simpro for job management, job costing, and invoicing.
Query 8: What role does AI play in D-Tools products?
A: As we move forward, AI and machine learning will be integral to our mission of developing solutions tailored to electronic system contractors. AI will form the foundation of our software, working alongside our users rather than replacing them. To achieve a full deployment of AI capabilities, we are investing in the necessary infrastructure, talent, and innovative tools that will drive our next-generation capabilities.
*[Executive Q&A: Time for Transformation]***
Query 9: What's next for D-Tools?
A: In 2025, D-Tools will continue to focus on empowering integrators to run better businesses with new innovations. Our 2025 product roadmap includes new modules for inventory management and job costing, along with deeper design integrations for D-Tools Cloud. These advancements build on the momentum from 2024, which saw the release of System Integrator (SI) v22 and the launch of the revolutionary D-Tools Payments solution.
- In the business realm, D-Tools caters not only to Pro AV and residential smart home integration but also extends its services to commercial security, HVAC, IT/MSP sectors, higher ed, and government sectors.
- The partnership between D-Tools and Simpro benefits Pro AV customers by allowing them to seamlessly move their project proposals and designs from D-Tools to Simpro for job management, job costing, and invoicing.
- AI and machine learning will play a significant role in D-Tools' future, as the company invests in the necessary infrastructure, talent, and innovative tools to develop solutions that complement, rather than replace, electronic system contractors.
