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D-Tools System Integrator 5 Automates Best Practices
Editor's Pick: SI5.5 allows dealers to create more efficient designs, proposals, reports and even labels, resulting in increased profit.
In today's business environment, integrators need every edge they can get. That's why D-Tools' System Integrator 5 software (SI505) is a no brainer.
The SI5.5 allows dealers to create more efficient designs, proposals, reports and even labels, resulting in increased profit.
"At our core, we are really just a database," says Seth Rubenstein, director of sales. "From that strong database, integrators are able to output proposals, drawings, reports and graphic documentation. Using SI5.5 is like implementing a best practice workflow."
The D-Tools data is derived in various ways, including 140 manufacturer partners and integrators, and it covers tens of thousands of items.
Dealers can create pre-configured packages using the system, helping dealers to make sure nothing is forgotten (from components to connectors) when designing a system.
The system is rather simple. It's just a 10-step process -- from starting a system design all the way through creating contracts and schedules.
Enhancements in SI5.5 include:
According to many integrators, small operations can't afford the investment ($4,499), but dealers like Gary Miller of August Systems in Columbia, Mo. report increased net profits of 30 percent and reduced expenses of 80 percent with D-Tools.
SI5.5 is also backed by live training and a recorded online forum.
Dealer Cost: $4,499 (payment plan available)
The SI5.5 allows dealers to create more efficient designs, proposals, reports and even labels, resulting in increased profit.
"At our core, we are really just a database," says Seth Rubenstein, director of sales. "From that strong database, integrators are able to output proposals, drawings, reports and graphic documentation. Using SI5.5 is like implementing a best practice workflow."
The D-Tools data is derived in various ways, including 140 manufacturer partners and integrators, and it covers tens of thousands of items.
Dealers can create pre-configured packages using the system, helping dealers to make sure nothing is forgotten (from components to connectors) when designing a system.
The system is rather simple. It's just a 10-step process -- from starting a system design all the way through creating contracts and schedules.
Enhancements in SI5.5 include:
- a new Navigator user interface
- the ability to export into Excel
- integration with Microsoft Outlook
- a line item summary view that allows for complete review of quantity, costs and price per job
According to many integrators, small operations can't afford the investment ($4,499), but dealers like Gary Miller of August Systems in Columbia, Mo. report increased net profits of 30 percent and reduced expenses of 80 percent with D-Tools.
SI5.5 is also backed by live training and a recorded online forum.
Dealer Cost: $4,499 (payment plan available)
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About the Author
Jason Knott, Editor, CE Pro
Jason has covered low-voltage electronics as an editor since 1990. He joined EH Publishing in 2000, and before that served as publisher and editor of Security Sales, a leading magazine for the security industry. He served as chairman of the Security Industry Association’s Education Committee from 2000-2004 and sat on the board of that association from 1998-2002. He is also a former board member of the Alarm Industry Research and Educational Foundation. He is currently a member of the CEDIA Education Action Team for Electronic Systems Business. Jason graduated from the University of Southern California.
2 Comments (displayed in order by date/time)
D-Drools is great if you want to spend hours and hours on the d-tools forums and tech support trying to solve issues of buggy software.
Page 1 of 1 comment pages
this is a great article, err, advertisement for dTools. Those of us who used this system can agree it makes creating proposals and designs a lot quicker and more precise.
The main issue with dTools is that after the design is done and the project is sold, there is little back office accounting in the software. Yes it ties with Quickbooks, but the sync is spotty and downright crap when dealing with change orders.
A better bet for most of the people out there is get Simply Reliable Software. It’s a “older” looking software based on FileMaker, but the system works for designs, proposals, review processes, reports, POs, Invoices, Work Orders, Change Order tracking and cost analysis.
Whereas with dTools you can make more money by being more accurate on the front end, think of the money you can make when you are more accurate on the front AND back end of your business.