DENVER — Suppliers are coming to CEDIA Expo with tools to help installers run their business.
BidMagic, for example, is showing a new project-management solution, and Eclipse Marketing is unveiling a new line of marketing tools for installers.
BidMagic, the Westlake Village, Calif., supplier of proposal software, is demonstrating a Web-based project-management calendar that lets project managers and dispatchers create work orders, schedule installs, and dispatch service. Projects and tasks can be assigned and tracked on a shared calendar, which enables individual to collaborate on projects from any browser-equipped PC without requiring the purchase and installation of expensive server solutions, the company said. It also features customer-relations-management features for lead and sales-pipeline tracking.
The solution can be used in conjunction with the company’s Proposal Software for computers. The software sends work orders to the Web-based project calendar, which is targeted for late-September availability.
BidMagic’s new Project Calendar system comes in two parts. The first is a Project Calendar application that runs inside the company’s proposal software. It costs $499 per user and contains group calendars and project timelines in which project managers and dispatchers schedule work orders that are pushed from the proposal software. It also contains complete management of sales pipeline, leads, opportunities and tasks for the sales force.
The second part is Web-based and enables project managers, installers and service techs to see their projects, calendars and tasks remotely. The subscription costs $25/month per user.
For its part, marketing and public relations company Eclipse Marketing is rolling out new dealer marketing tools at CEDIA’s member benefits station. New tools from the Laguna Niguel, Calif., company include online marketing tools such as electronic newsletters and Web sites. The tools come with complete content but can be customized for individual dealers. Other tools are designed to help residential installers break into the commercial market.
