Scheduling App Connects Contractors to Crane Service
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February 15, 2017 - Contractors who need to schedule a lift with a crane service company can face a number of challenges. Contractors new to crane work don’t know which companies to call or the equipment to order, and other are plagued by back-and-forth phone calls and messages about scheduling, delayed deliveries, cranes in need of repair, and unavailable equipment. Crane sales veteran Scott Walden thought the process could be simplified and began drawing up ideas for contractors to use their smartphones to order crane services.
“My first idea for resolving some of these challenges was to give contractors marketing materials containing a QR code (shown on a stress ball shaped like a crane) that they could scan to access a web page and type in the information I needed to follow up and schedule a lift,” he said. “I quickly learned, however, that a QR code was not appropriate for placing orders or scheduling services, and I changed my business plan to use a mobile app instead.”
Still in the development stages, the crane industry app LiftitWorks will help contractors get the crane services they need, while crane company owners increase their client base and profits.
“The obvious appeal for using mobile app solutions is immediate revenue,” Walden said, noting that mobile apps accounted for more than $41.1 billion in revenue in 2015 and is predicted to grow to $101 billion by 2020. The global crane market is expected to grow to more than $43 billion in revenue by 2019.
Walden plans for the app to work by contractors completing their basic registration, including company name, owners name, email, phone number, and credit card. They then select a crane company from the LiftitWorks list of service providers that meets the desired pricing and availability criteria. The day before the crane will be delivered to the project site, the contractor will receive a text reminder to confirm that the crane is still needed. The contractor also will receive a final text reminder the day of the scheduled lift. When the lift has been completed, the contractor’s credit card will be billed, invoices will be emailed to the contractor, and the crane company will be notified.
The startup company is currently seeking partners/investors to help get the app developed.
