.gif)
.jpg)
.gif)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.gif)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpeg)
Solar Energy To Power Long-Term Sustainability
John Fredericks has completed the installation of a state-of-the-art solar panel system on the roof of its window fabrication facilities, marking a...
Read Full Article
A Bit Of A Touch
Most fabricators rely on customised or even bespoke software solutions from Business Micros writes Nick Bailey. That could all change with the TOUCH portal which works universally for all users.
Those users include not just fabricators but also installers who access the system via their fabricator or have their own-branded version.
Evolution
Our in-house programmers have become experts at adapting the manufacturing and pricing modules in our processing software Evolution and even writing dedicated modules in our business management software EvoNET to suit the specific needs of individual customers.
That’s because, to an extent, fabricators have looked to use their software to create USPs and distinguish their offering from those of their competitors who might be fabricating and supplying in the same system.
That’s all starting to change though – partly with the advent of our BM TOUCH online quoting, ordering and lead generation platform. This has been deliberately created as a universal platform with standard features and options intended to work for everyone.
Big shift
It is a big shift in mindset for many, yet we are starting to see a definite move away from bespoke to standard BM software solutions, as fabricators come to appreciate the very significant benefits that come from that.
Simpler support
It is quicker and easier to access support on a standard product rather than on a bespoke one. A simple call or online chat with any of our fully trained support team will answer the vast majority of queries on TOUCH or on Evolution and EvoNET, as they are all likely to be things the team have come across before.
Increased knowledge sharing
As the number of TOUCH users increases to the levels we already see on our other products, so will system knowledge and experience across the industry. In the future, it will be even easier for users to share knowledge with others.
Easier training and recruitment
By keeping TOUCH universal, we can ensure that anyone who is trained to use TOUCH at one company will be able to use it just as effectively at another. It doesn’t just reduce the amount of initial training required, it also makes for more easily transferrable skills when people change roles or jobs. And that applies to all our other software as well. If you use a standard version of Evolution or EvoNET, then it will be significantly easier for you to recruit and onboard fabrication or processing staff.
Better value
Our aim with TOUCH was always to build a system which would work for the whole sector. In order to do that, it had to have mass appeal and be affordable. The only way that we can guarantee that now and in the future is if we use our programming and operational resources as efficiently as possible.
Semi-bespoke
BM TOUCH is a universal platform, yet that doesn’t mean that every fabricator’s version of BM TOUCH is the same. The key strength of the software is that it is populated using real time product and pricing data – and that obviously depends on which systems and products are being manufactured.
From Business Micros’ perspective, the focus for our programming teams – for Evolution and EvoNET as well as TOUCH is maintaining the databases for all the different window and door systems and ensuring that each fabricator’s TOUCH system talks directly to their Evolution and EvoNET systems.
Still evolving
As we continue rolling out TOUCH to more customers – we’re at 30+ TOUCH Portal users now – we are obviously listening closely to all the feedback we’re getting about what users like about the current TOUCH features and functionality and what they would like to see added in the future.
Our team is responding to that feedback but on a much broader basis than previously. We are looking at engineering-in features where the benefits are for the majority of TOUCH users rather than just one and where the cost of engineering those features still represents good value for all our users.
I am very encouraged by how positively customers are embracing that – particularly as it means prices will remain competitive.
Picture: The are over 30 BM TOUCH fabricator users. That figure is growing fast.
Article written by Nick Bailey, Business Micros
09th February 2025