Being an arborist, one thing is clear, the smell of freshly cut sawdust and the sight of a well-shaped tree is probably something that cannot be compared to anything else. However, when it comes to the management side, well, if I may put it, that’s another animal altogether. There are appointments to be booked, crews to be tracked, invoices to be prepared and dispatched, and customers to follow up. Things can get prettу gnarly. That is why ArboStar was created. It is that everything you need – arborist scheduling software that aims to simplify your tree care so that it is just as easy to handle the management of a tree care business as that of a perfectly cut stump.
Yet just like any other tool available on earth, this ArboStar is not one hundred percent towards perfection although it comes very close. Let’s dig into the pros — and a few friendly cons — of this powerful platform to help you decide if it’s right for your business.
The Pros of Using ArboStar.
Easy Scheduling
Let’s start with one of the most celebrated features: an arborist scheduling software that is almost self-surveying. Whether it is organizing your clients or designating tasks for your team, all that information is well captured in ArboStar. It’s goodbye to hopscotch between appointment books, post-it notes, and different diary pages. In a few clicks, your week can be controlled, locations and sightings of your crews are known and worst of all, no task will be missed for any reason whatsoever.
And let’s face it, fewer hours used on scheduling will lead to more hours spent on climbing trees. That is the point after all, isn’t it?
Enhanced Crew Performance
Ever get the feeling that your team is doing more driving than trimming? ArboStar offers GPS tracking and job maps which allow you to track your crews on the ground in real-time. This improves productivity as there is little to no downtime, and tasks are carried out in the shortest time possible. Also, they do know you are watching them and so nobody walks away from lunch breaks for too long.
Strong Business Intelligence Systems
Let’s be honest, you can make rough estimates of the situation of your business, yes. Love analytics? You’ll love this! ArboStar’s business intelligence module enables you to monitor your operational processes, namely, the productivity of your crews, marketing, and the satisfaction of your clients. Without utilizing data itself, you will have poor business development and power through trial and error, instead of formulating strategies and results—any arborist will tell you if you can measure it you can manage it.
Integrated CRM
In tree care, customer relationships are at the forefront and with the integrated CRM system of ArboStar, it is easy to cultivate such relationships. It houses every bit of the customer’s information, follows up with calls and emails, and even helps in customizing your marketing. For example, this tool can help you maintain order and stay one step ahead in tracking clients and even sending reminders to Mrs. Thompson about her annual pruning. Gone are the days of rushing about trying to ascertain who needs what; it is provided in the system.
Smooth Invoicing and Payments
If sending invoices isn’t exactly your favorite part of the job, don’t worry, ArboStar is there for help. With the invoicing system, you can do estimates, invoice clients and send it to them all in a few minutes. It integrates into such platforms of payment that makes it convenient to the clients making them pay fast, because who won’t love being paid faster?
The Cons of Using ArboStar
Let us take so-called, “cons” and see them in their true light; which is, they are not that bad after all.
A Bit of a Learning Curve
All the features and functions present in ArboStar indeed provide a lot of power. Of course, this means learning something new. But then again, what good thing comes without a hassle? There is a learning curve when learning to operate new machinery. In this case, there are new technologies that may require you to struggle a bit to be second nature, as well. And a few more levels of ‘what is this’ wait because the support team of ArboStar is there to explain all this, and after a few of these, you will wonder how you learned to maneuver.
Cost
Sure, ArboStar isn’t free software but here is the deal: you are using your money to acquire a good quality tool that will cut down costs quite considerably. This alone warrants doing all by itself, aside from lowering the percentage level of errors; other features maximize cost-effectiveness. And the pricing does vary about the size and the requirements of the particular business, for instance, a one-man show or full workforce coordination. You should think of it as a positive investment in the future looks of your business and not a very expensive one for that matter.
Might Not Be Necessary for Very Small Businesses
If you are beginning your business operations and are on the smaller side of things, you might consider that some of the more sophisticated solutions that ArboStar has to offer are not necessarily useful for your case at the present time. But here’s the bright side: ArboStar can expand hand in hand with you. Whenever your business develops, there are high chance that you already have a structure that can accommodate growth. So, even if you’ll place the whistles and bells for a rainy day and not utilize them immediately, at least you’ll know that all is well and those whistles and bells are there and they get put to rest when needed.
Conclusion: Is ArboStar a Software Solution You Can Work With?
With good reason, ArboStar has become number one in the line of arborist scheduling software. It is made bearing in mind the tree care specialists and here you have everything from scheduling and billing to business intelligence and CRM systems. If you have a desire to make your crew’s productivity better improve the effectiveness of your organization for workflows, or want to cut down the hassle on the business side of things ArboStar is the answer.
Of course, there is a learning curve and it comes at a cost, however, this is a great investment considering the value that comes with it. And let’s not forget: it’s a tool that can scale along with you and provide you with more as your business grows. So, if you are ready to take the tree care business to the next, perhaps ArboStar is the reliable vendor you have been looking for.
