Anyone run laptops in their vans?

[Scott S.]

Was thinking about getting this and doing the customer info and bill right in the van.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U1VJFQI...TF8&colid=1U9I703SLPDGZ&coliid=I26GPIYFVZ1BUH

 

[CanadianRuss]

I'm pretty sure @PrimaDonna does

 

[CanadianRuss]

I'm pretty sure @PrimaDonna does

I don't think that post worked. I quote primadonna

 

[PrimaDonna]

I don't think that post worked. I quote primadonna

you got me...yes, we do run them.

Have one for each van and a verizon jet pack for wifi. We use Service Monster.

What else do you want to know, @Scott S. ?

 

[Scott S.]

you got me...yes, we do run them.

Have one for each van and a verizon jet pack for wifi. We use Service Monster.

What else do you want to know, @Scott S. ?

everything,

What stand are you using in the van if you are using one, are you using just a net book or a full laptop? or tablets?

are you printing invoices for your customers in the van?

are you taking you laptop in each day or you store them in the vans?

any trouble with theft?

are you keeping them plugged in on the vans power or are you running off of battery?

 

[PrimaDonna]

everything,

What stand are you using in the van if you are using one, are you using just a net book or a full laptop? or tablets?

No stand. Keep them in a neoprene case. Guys use their phones for GPS and to access calendar for the job address and work order notes.

are you printing invoices for your customers in the van?

No. We show the customer the work order on the lap top and get approval before we start work. We add notes as we go and things come up. Customer is left with a 1/2 sheet with our precautions, any notes and the total and form of payment. They sign this. It's a carbon copy and we keep a copy. We email them detailed line item invoice (the one they saw and approved) from Service Monster at the end of the job.

are you taking you laptop in each day or you store them in the vans?

Laptops go in to the job. We create work order using the lap top. We do a walk though first (have a check off sheet), then sit down with customer and data process the areas in Service Monster. Review with them on the screen and get approval to start work.

any trouble with theft?

No, they are with us at all times.

are you keeping them plugged in on the vans power or are you running off of battery?

We plug in at the shop at the end of the night. Both vans have adapters for the lighter so we can charge on the road while driving if needed.

 

[Lee Stockwell]

Fifteen + years ago my son Jason ran a complete PC in the truck, including printer. Ran Cha-ching.

 

[hogjowl]

Fifteen + years ago my son Jason ran a complete PC in the truck, including printer. Ran Cha-ching.

Well, that was quite helpful.

 

[PrimaDonna]

Well, that was quite helpful.

You must be finished at the doctor now that you are being snarky on here.

 

[hogjowl]

That was posted during the prostate exam.

 

[Kellie Hiler]

Hahahahahah! Love it!
I've always wondered about using the laptop and getting cell service, because I don't like using other people's wifi.
I just recently stared going all mobile, but I am using the iPad Pro with QB online. I'm waiting for the mobile version of SM to come out. I like it because I can carry and type easily while doing the walk through and create my invoice in the process, take pics and notes and add them to the invoice, have the customer sign it and I get started. If any issues come up during the job I can add it into the invoice and when I am done they pay me and I email the invoice. So far so good!

 

[Scott S.]

Hahahahahah! Love it!
I've always wondered about using the laptop and getting cell service, because I don't like using other people's wifi.
I just recently stared going all mobile, but I am using the iPad Pro with QB online. I'm waiting for the mobile version of SM to come out. I like it because I can carry and type easily while doing the walk through and create my invoice in the process, take pics and notes and add them to the invoice, have the customer sign it and I get started. If any issues come up during the job I can add it into the invoice and when I am done they pay me and I email the invoice. So far so good!

your making the quote on quick books and having the customer sign the invoice on your tablet?? how, can you show us, im super interested in that.

 

[PrimaDonna]

your making the quote on quick books and having the customer sign the invoice on your tablet?? how, can you show us, im super interested in that.

You can do that in ServiceMonster on the mobile platform. Just have a touch screen laptop or use your iPhone.

 

[Lee Stockwell]

I've never needed a customer to sign anything.

 

[Kellie Hiler]

I've never needed a customer to sign anything.

The only time I've ever needed the customer signature was when a woman tried to dispute her credit card payment....long story short, she had a multi million dollar house and a few small dogs. We cleaned out multipl (50 +) spots and oxidized them, came out great. She told us she was going on vacation for a week. She calls us back and said that all the pee spots came back. We went and checked it out. They were all new spots (I had charted when we cleaned), she left her dogs locked in the house the whole time she was gone. She expected us to reclean her whole house for free...lol! We of course told her absolutely not. She called me up the next day and said she was going to dispute the charge to her card, I told her go ahead because we had her signature stating she was happy with the job completed and no refunds. Her husband calls me and asks what the deal was so I told him. He said I apologize for the misunderstanding.
This is a pic of our signature line.

 

[Kellie Hiler]

your making the quote on quick books and having the customer sign the invoice on your tablet?? how, can you show us, im super interested in that.

I can't do it right now but later this afternoon I will video making one. It's very easy. You can also download the app and you get a free month trial. Are you Apple or Android?

 

[Kellie Hiler]

You can do that in ServiceMonster on the mobile platform. Just have a touch screen laptop or use your iPhone.

I'm not quite ready for SM yet. It is expensive for a one truck operation considering I want to do the scheduling myself. My hope is that by the time they come out with the true mobile version which I believe is this coming spring I will be more ready. But for now I just want a very simple online invoicing and customer database app.

 

[FB7777]

I've never needed a customer to sign anything.

We're dinosaurs Lee

We still use pre-printed invoice in the field and enter all invoices end of day

Heck, accepting credit cards a few years back was a major milestone for me

 

[hogjowl]

We're dinosaurs Lee

We still use pre-printed invoice in the field and enter all invoices end of day

Heck, accepting credit cards a few years back was a major milestone for me

I see how having a lap-top or tablet in the field is advantageous. I do that now. I DO NOT see any advantage of using electronic signatures. I can do that the way you do and I'm fine with it.

 

[Kellie Hiler]

A large majority of our jobs are signature free because no one is present when we do them.
They are certainly not vital, but I was glad to have that one signature that day. But it literally is the only time I've ever need it. It made her dispute attempt irrelevant. She is the only customer we've ever had that had any kind of issue and it was her fault, not ours.
But it is a feature that QB offers if you wish to use it.

 

[Scott S.]

I can't do it right now but later this afternoon I will video making one. It's very easy. You can also download the app and you get a free month trial. Are you Apple or Android?

I'm android, wife is apple.

 

[Mark Saiger]

I recently got a surface 3 tablet/Notebook through AT&T during a promotion...it does run currently windows 8.1 and have to say...I really like that little thing....

It is way easy to use, has some power to it....

It is just part of my other Tablet plans from AT&T...and the key board is nice and comes off easy too if needed...super light....

 

[Scott S.]

I was looking at those surface tablet/laptops today. I'm just trying to get everything figured out before spring comes and I don't have a lot of time to play around with the computer, and Darcie cant keep up sometimes when I'm doing non stop jobs.

 

[Kellie Hiler]

I used to be an Android proponent big time, but honestly now I prefer the simplicity and ease of Apple. I love the iPad Pro, and you can get a detachable keyboard and a pencil with it as well. I don't know anything about Android anymore, but I feel more secure with Apple by far.
I'm having a deep conversation with my daughter in bits and pieces right now, but will try to make that video of me making an invoice tonight and get it to you.
It's just so easy.....does @darcie smith have an iPad? If she does I would suggest downloading the QB online app for free and try it out. Enter a fake customer info and then make an invoice. You can add your own service items to a list and and add the rate for them and while making the invoice it automatically calculates the costs etc.

 

[darcie smith]

I used to be an Android proponent big time, but honestly now I prefer the simplicity and ease of Apple. I love the iPad Pro, and you can get a detachable keyboard and a pencil with it as well. I don't know anything about Android anymore, but I feel more secure with Apple by far.
I'm having a deep conversation with my daughter in bits and pieces right now, but will try to make that video of me making an invoice tonight and get it to you.
It's just so easy.....does @darcie smith have an iPad? If she does I would suggest downloading the QB online app for free and try it out. Enter a fake customer info and then make an invoice. You can add your own service items to a list and and add the rate for them and while making the invoice it automatically calculates the costs etc.

I have an iPad Air 2 and iPhone 6+. I will be happy to try out the QB online as soon as the boss gives the go ahead.

 

[Kellie Hiler]

Just do it! It's free...play with it for an hour and you'll have it all figured out and then he won't be able to resist! Then he will have a better idea of whether or not he wants to go with it. Can't make a decision till he tries it!

 

[Louis]

I have a I pad mini but I still use invoices most of the time. People are strange about their e mail here.

 

[Mark Saiger]

I have a I pad mini but I still use invoices most of the time. People are strange about their e mail here.

Same here...and we have terrible internet service in a lot of places...

 

[Papa John]

We use Android phone w SM.. didn't like the laptops-- 1 less thing to buy, damage, mantain or get stolen.

 

[GeneMiller]

Started with a sharp wizard organizer then went to a lap top. I carry it inside my bag into the house. I own the program so no need for wifi. Few want an invoice so I hand write if requested. I don't trust the cloud, everything crashes regardless of the companies size. Plus in 25 years imagine the profit that's in my pocket versus paying for extra cellular and a cloud based service. The money saved easily paid for the 870.