Transformational Innovation in the Pool Industry
We are well into an age where we have become reliant on technology. There has been a huge transformation over the past three centuries starting with the Industrial Revolution (1760-1840), where humans began to utilise the power of machines to create goods as an alternative to using their hands. Just a century later in the mid-1970s, the world had the first mass-market computers, and then in 2007, the famous tech trailblazer Steve Jobs unveiled Apple’s first iPhone. 15 years later to 2022, innovation in technology is a crucial element in the advancement of business processes, improving all the desirable aspects of a successful business – efficiency, productivity, profitability, and sustainability.
The swimming pool and spa industry is benefiting from innovation in products, materials, and services. Water treatment, heating, cleaning, lights, pumps, digital controllers, finishes, and construction methods are all changing to suit modern technology. The SPLASH! Pool & Spa Trade Show 2022 is an event we are anticipating to witness the pioneering advancements in our industry. It’s exciting to see a continuation of investment into research and development to improve and transform innovative thought into reality.
The demand from consumers seeking innovation is loud and clear. Consumers looking to put a pool or spa in their backyards are one of the driving forces demanding these advancements so they can reduce their maintenance time, running costs and operate the pool remotely and easily. Gone are the days when you had to go to the filter box to turn on the pool cleaner, lights, and other accessories. Consumers are also more in-tune and knowledgeable around the impact of the products and services they are buying, making sustainability an important aspect to be considered by innovators.
Software development in the pool and spa industry has expanded from product innovation to business processes. Today, SaaS (Software-as-a Service) platforms are common across most industries, and the pool and spa industry in particular has transformed since the first cloud-based solution in the 1960s.
However, it has only been within the last few years that there is an emergence of software solutions focused on streamlining sales processes within the pool and spa industry. The world’s first fully-integrated sales software specifically developed for Pool Builders is Pool Site Quote (PSQ). PSQ has been developed by Pool Professionals for Pool Professionals, meaning that experienced members of the industry have had complete control over the creation and implementation of the software.
PSQ is entirely focused on streamlining the sales process specifically for pool and spa builders. It’s very vertically focused on pool builders, but this SaaS innovation means that the outcomes are far more beneficial and specific for pool builders and consumers. Other software for the construction industry is developed for all different types of builders so as a result there are limitations in functionality as they try to create a general package solution for
house builders, pool builders, landscapers and other trades. PSQ-focused innovation is the pool builders’ and consumers’ preferred choice.
What was the common quoting process for pools and spas before PSQ? Prior to PSQ, pools and spas were quoted manually. When meeting a customer onsite, I took notes on the brief and then went back to the office to draw a design and type up a quote. I used a calculator and spreadsheet to work out calculations vital to generate a quote like perimeter, interior area and excavation volumes relative to natural ground levels. Then, I manually checked those calculations again to make sure they were correct. Some sales executives even rely on administration staff resources to type up the quotes for them. It’s a time-consuming process to generate a manual design and quote. When the quote is finally ready, sales executives often arrange a second meeting with the customer to present the quote – another car trip spending more time and money. The process usually doesn’t wrap up there, clients may request amendments to the quote sending the builder back to the first few steps. In this iteration, the sales process is inherently time-consuming and actively prevents productivity.
PSQ offers you all the tools in the palm of your hand to design, quote, and contract a pool while you are at your first meeting with a customer on-site. PSQ is cloud-based and accessed on any device. No need for calculators, no need for admin resources to type up your quotes and waste paper printing. It’s the ultimate time-saver. Time spent quoting is a cost and we all value our time. PSQ offers the ultimate solution to streamline your sales process, cutting your pool quote time in half, and dramatically improving efficiency and productivity by a minimum of 50%, and up to 90%.
In a competitive market, technology is like running on a treadmill and you are always trying to keep up as the treadmill increases in speed. You have to decide – do you get left behind or embrace innovation to keep up with consumer demands and advantages in technology?
Our talented team at PSQ are creative innovators and will never stop finding ‘a way to do it better’, working with the pool/spa industry to continue our mandate to innovate. We lead to review, create and share our technology. The future is bright as we have more exciting innovations on the way.
Try PSQ for free and see how we can innovate your business at https://www.poolsitequote.com.
Julian Brady
PSQ FOUNDER & CEO