Within four weeks of installing the Business Micros EvoWeb on-line pricing and ordering software, Chelmsford based trade fabricator Chester Windows has already signed up more than 40 of its installers to the system.

Managing Director Paul Foyle introduced the new software because he believed a large proportion of his customer base would welcome the option of being able to prepare their own quotes and orders online at a time convenient to them, and he has already been proved correct.

He says: “In a tough market, trade fabricators have to look at every aspect of the service they offer to their installers and constantly ask themselves how they can improve. We see software provided free to our installers as a potentially powerful way of differentiating our service offering from our competitors and the response so far has been overwhelmingly positive.

“EvoWeb gives installers the option to visit a job during the day and then when they are at home in the evening to access prices and sizes online and prepare their own quote almost instantly. They can provide a much faster, more efficient service to their potential customer rather than having to fax in sizes for us to prepare the quote on their behalf, and can give themselves an important competitive edge.”

Paul says that the simplicity and ease of operation of EvoWeb is part of the reason it is proving so popular. Chester Windows is also using the same software which Business Micros itself uses to enable its customer service team to dial in directly to a customer’s account as they are setting up EvoWeb and give them what is essentially an on screen, real time tutorial. Any problems can be resolved instantly and installers have the reassurance of knowing that the first few quotes they prepare are monitored and checked on their behalf.

As well as adding a new dimension to its customer support package, Chester Windows says that a significant benefit of the new software is the time savings it has delivered for the fabricator, which has already been able to redeploy two members of its order processing team to other tasks.

Paul adds: “The payback on EvoWeb just in terms of in-house efficiencies is huge. Our in-house department is probably preparing just 20% of the volume of quotes for customers which it was doing when we introduced the software yet, at the same time, we are providing a better service to those customers who want to take greater ownership of that part of their business.”

In line with its continual improvement policy, Chester Windows plans to invest in a new server shortly which will enable it to host Business Micros’ EvoSatellite online ordering system for customers using EvoWeb, and is also offering customers the EvoCite order tracking software which enables them to view and schedule delivery dates and times.

Chester Windows produces around 700 frames per week and plans to increase capacity to 1400 frames shortly with the installation of a new machining centre to meet strong, ongoing demand. It has been a Business Micros customer since 2003.