Trying Out "MyOnlineToolbox.com"

rbsremodeling

Jesse

Have you seen a update yet. I got a email today and noticed the website was update a bit

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fez-head

I have been fooling around with the new version today. Right now it is taking quite a while for me to get used to it. Once all of my contacts and cost items are entered I believe it will be much easier to work with. Data entry is just not one of my strong points

If things go well we will start training the secretary on it this week and my guys next week. Wish me luck.


Jesse

Sarah9910

I got a request to look into this, as a software consultant, let me know how you like it and if it's user friendly enough that you can do it yourself. If it's as good as they see, I don't see that there would be a demand for training. Would be interested in your opinions

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Sarah Keiser, Business Consultant for Contractors
Success In-Formation LLC
Leading the Way in Software Education
www.successif.biz

Double-A

You haven't met my brother-in-law yet, have you?

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"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

Fla Air Temp

Hey everyone,
I am new to this forum as well as trying my online toolbox. The guys at toolbox told me I should try this so here I am. I have to say that all the toolbox stuff is pretty cool. Sorry my type isnt good. Only thing I did not know was that I needed to upgrade my computers becuase it ran so slow and I couldn't access everything. The machines I have are 7 to 8 years old and I didnt have reason to update until now. I will check out the HVAC items next since that is what I do.
Greg

Double-A

Hello Greg,

I encourage you to make a post in our Introductions section and tell us about yourself and your company.

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"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

fez-head

Well my Secretary seems to be picking up on it pretty well. Once more of the features are ready we will start using it full time instead of the Google Apps.

Fla Air Temp

Thanks Double A - I took your advice & posted on the introduction area - Again thanks for the input
Greg

Sarah9910

Are you kidding double A or does your bro in law work for my online toolbox? I still haven't had time to look at it, I'm doing an implementation from DOS to Windows in Chicago this week. Quite a challange.

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Sarah Keiser, Business Consultant for Contractors
Success In-Formation LLC
Leading the Way in Software Education
www.successif.biz

Double-A

Naw, he doesn't work for them. He's just so hopelessly computer illiterate. If he can't remember how to shut down his computer, he calls someone. When they tell him to press the Start button at the bottom of his screen, he always winds up turning off his monitor.

I've given up. When he tells me the screen went black but the box is still making noise, I just tell him that is the snoring noise all computers make when they are 'asleep'.

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"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

Nathan

BTW, I think www.MyOnlineToolbox.com officially launched last week. Check it out when you get a chance. It may be a good solution for some companies.

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Nathan

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

fez-head

The guys at MyOnlineToolbox have posted some tutorials - the videos are fuzzy - they said it was an issue with the upload to YouTube that they are working on. These videos give a better idea of the look & feel and it made it a lot easier for me to grasp the process.

[YOUTUBE]www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjGFqRVbR8w[/YOUTUBE]

[YOUTUBE]www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_5PdaxClYE[/YOUTUBE]

[YOUTUBE]www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdvWtd-qF4I[/YOUTUBE]

rbsremodeling

Jesse

You had to manually enter all you labor and material info?? nothing comes preformated or templated?? I have thousands of entries in my system is there not away to import them in?

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fez-head

Yes for now I am. I was told that soon the ToolBox will "talk" to other programs which is a must have for me.

Instead of waiting for the program to catch up I am having my secretary enter past customers when she has nothing else to do. This is to handy of a system for me to let sit idle until every option is added. There are a lot of things that I did not even know existed out there until I saw it in the ToolBox. Technology is pretty cool.

Like this address verification feature that also shows a map...I had no idea this kind of stuff was out there

rbsremodeling

I saw that feature when I looked at the new videos. That really is a nice function. If they added a feature to import estimating data and sync with outlook. Maybe also some templates of common jobs, bath, kitchen, basement remodels etc. I think the software will have a really good shot at the big leagues.

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fez-head

I love the fact that they keep adding functions that the contractors are requesting without us having to buy new software to get those add ons...eemmm.."QuickBooks"...

I have a Love/HATE relationship with QuickBooks BUT did just buy the 2008 QuickBooks Accountant Premier edition on Amazon for just $269 after a $50 promotion code and free shipping and after the 3rd try with QB Online I am giving up on it forever The ToolBox will more than fill in where the QB desktop is lacking.

I agree with you that if they stay on this track they will one day be a major player. I wonder how far they will advance with technology and just how much easyer things are going to be around here because of it.

PMI

Hey all,
Obviously I am a supporter of the Toolbox. Dell sponsors an award for Small Business Excellence and Innovation. The guys were just awarded a Top 10 Finalist today. Dell's VP said "These companies are applying technology in innovative ways to break new ground and raise the bar." They told me that their biggest challenge was competition with more advanced industries. They were asked if contractors understand technology. Dell was guided to this ContractorTalk forum to show that we do understand and even challenge each others opinions pretty strongly. I heard that DELL was surprised this forum existed. Finally people are giving us the respect we deserve! Thanks Nathan for getting the community started. The full story is on the MyOnlineToolbox.com website. You will see the DELL logo. Good luck in the field everyone.
Phil

PS. RBS, they noticed your April 20 post and wanted to tell you they are in the final stages of the template feature for common jobs and it will be out in a few weeks. The guys noticed your post which was similar to other requests from me and some others. They asked me to say thanks for your comment whenever I posted again.

rbsremodeling

No problem. Like I said before I think they have a really good idea and a rapidly improving product. I think the only three things they should add and they will be a major force in this business is

a) Job templates for kitchen, baths, basements etc.

b) Job costing/database. or the ability to import labor and material cost. Having to manually imput them will be tough for remodelers and contractors. Maybe use an existing database product like hometech or remodelmax for contractors and remodelers that get up dated quaterly with the ability to modify cost if possible

C)Contracts, proposals and product selection/allowance area

Contracts and proposals to be printed or modified in the field and product selections so you can track allowance costs and differences based on the actual selection amounts and keep track of selection Item #'s

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fez-head

I agree. especially about importing labor and material costs/ man hours that we can manipulate for our own needs.

silvertree

I'm getting an Online toolbox demo this coming Saturday. Will report back on this next week.

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