JMS leads to 20% increase in sales

Finding quoting time consuming and not always accurate Simon Phillips of Oakleigh Joinery investigated Joinerysoft’s Joinery Management Software(JMS). Not sure initially whether the software could cope with his complex joinery Simon hesitated to purchase. The deciding factor came when he began to lose orders to a competitor who wasn’t cheaper but customers had more confidence in his ability to do the job simply because of the professional looking detailed quotations. Simon soon discovered the competitor was using JMS!

Simon Phillips returned to joinery seven and a half years ago after an eight year gap working as a civil engineer. He started Oakleigh Joinery in 2009 working from his garage with just a combination machine. He now occupies a workshop of over 2000 sq ft, employs two joiners and has an impressive set of machines and tooling. Oakleigh Joinery manufacture a wide range of bespoke timber joinery such as windows, doors, staircases, screens and gates. Not limited to traditional joinery, Simon has made all sort of custom orders for clients including an oak bed.

Realising that he was missing out by not having JMS, Simon booked a demo and was convinced. Not only can JMS cope with the complex joinery that Simon produces it also provides accurate costing of each item with true scale illustrations on the quotation, so the customer knows exactly what they are getting. Simon’s previous trial and error method of costing and typed, wordy quotations couldn’t compete with the professional and accurate quotations generated by JMS.

Purchasing JMS just 3 months ago, Simon has noticed a big difference already. Investing time to set up the system has given Simon the confidence to know that his prices are accurate. He says, “Now if a customer says he can get an item manufactured cheaper from a competitor I can easily go back to JMS and check my costs and mark-up. If it isn’t possible for me to make it cheaper I can go back to the customer and ask them to check that the competitor is providing a comparable product because I don’t know how he can do it at that price!” Simon adds, “That has happened to me and I still got the order despite being more expensive. JMS gives the customer confidence that I know what I’m talking about.”

The proof is the 20% increase in quote to order conversion since having JMS. Simon confirms, “I won the first three jobs quoted on JMS.”

Specialising in high performance windows, Simon has a regular customer who requires his windows to have as low a u-value as possible. Utilising the JMS Automatic U-Value Calculator built into the software Simon is able to adjust the window specification at the design stage until it meets the customer requirement. This allows him to tweak the glass and frame to get the best possible value. JMS’ u-value certificates and detailed reports also provide the customer with all the evidence they need that the windows or doors comply with the correct standards.

Providing more than just quoting, there are time and cost savings throughout the business. Simon says, “With JMS cutting lists the bench joiners can scan the job and then go straight to the wood pile. I have far less interruptions and questions. All the information they need is contained in the cutting list.” Jobs are completed quicker now because the joiners can get straight into production and productivity is monitored more easily with each job having a target time for production.

Simon utilises all aspects of the JMS Joinery Management Software. Once the job has been designed all reports are generated automatically within JMS reducing duplication of effort and reducing mistakes. Simon has seen a reduction in wastage by faxing the cutting list directly to the Sawmill. For a recent job that required a ton of Douglas Fir there was no wastage at all! As a result of receiving the detailed glass reports from JMS the glazier is able to deliver the glass all nicely labelled so that the joiners know exactly which piece of glass is for which item in the job further saving time.

Simon concludes, “I was missing out before I purchased JMS. I like the speed and efficiency and versatility of the software. Now when a customer changes their mind it isn’t a problem. I can quickly change the glass or timber for the item or whole job, or even just the cill. The price is recalculated automatically and new cutting sheets produced instantly. Production isn’t delayed at all.” He adds, “The software works brilliantly for my high performance windows and I don’t know how I would supply u-values without JMS.”

Oakleigh Joinery

Tel: 01453 731710

info@oakleighjoinery.co.uk

www.oakleighjoinery.co.uk