Since purchasing Oklahoma City-based Adams Window Tinting in 2003, owners David and Jeanne Kratz have been on a mission to grow the tint shop and put their own mark on this well-established business, which has been around since 1982. For David and Jeanne, this all came down to providing superior products with responsive customer service.
After representing other major film manufacturers in the industry for several years, David contacted Huper Optik about becoming a dealer for the Oklahoma City region; however, another dealer was already in the area. But that didn’t stop
David from trying, Jeanne says. David stayed in touch, and that persistence eventually paid off. When the other shop left the Huper Optik network, Huper Optik selected Adams Window Tinting as its new official dealer for the area.
“When we were offered the territory, we jumped at the chance,” Jeanne says. “Huper Optik’s products are top notch, and we discovered that the camaraderie among the Huper Optik network was a huge perk. Huper Optik dealers are so willing to help each other and treat each other like partners.”
Along with offering a high-quality product, Adams Window Tinting is dedicated to serving customers efficiently and professionally. However, Jeanne, who handles sales, saw room for improvement in the way she captured measurements during the estimating process, particularly on projects with multiple-story buildings. Jeanne recalls one project in which she had to measure windows for a seven-story building. Unfortunately, she couldn’t get into every room because people were working, so she stood outside and counted bricks for all seven stories. The experience was time-consuming and frustrating.
“It was a miserable, hot and windy day,” Jeanne says. “Every time I’d almost finish the measurements, my hair would blow in my face, and I’d have to start over because I’d lose track of where I was.”
Earlier this year, David and Jeanne attended the Huper Optik Dealer Meeting, where they discovered Spike by ike, a laser measurement solution for estimates and site surveys.
Jeanne tried multiple measuring apps in the past, but when she saw Spike in action at the convention, she knew it was different. Unlike typical measuring apps, Spike is a complete solution that uses a laser rangefinder, the Spike mobile app, the Spike Cloud, and a smartphone or tablet.
“I’d pay $4.99 for this app, $2.99 for this app and $9.99 for that app, but they didn’t work, so David was a little skeptical,” Jeanne says. “I knew there had to be a better way, though, and Spike is just what I had been looking for.”
To capture a window measurement, Jeanne simply attaches Spike to her iPad and snaps a photo safely from the ground. There’s no need for her to use a ladder, tape measure or wheel. All of the window’s dimension are recorded within the photo inside the Spike mobile app.
Spike by ike is especially helpful on those projects with large windows that would require a ladder to capture measurements, Jeanne says. Recently, Jeanne bid on a hotel project with 20-foot windows in the lobby. Rather than lugging a ladder through the chic lobby, Jeanne took a photo with Spike and had all of the measurements she needed. Jeanne even used Spike on a building as high as nine stories, and the accuracy on the top floor was within 1 ½ inches, which she verified with her tape measure.
As a bonus, Jeanne finds that Spike gives her professional image an instant boost. Clients are often impressed when they see Jeanne using the industry’s latest technology, which helps with establishing credibility. Jeanne also dresses in business clothing as opposed to the typical field gear because she doesn’t have to worry about climbing a ladder.
“You’re not rolling into a client visit wearing jeans and a T-shirt with a big ladder clunking through the house,” Jeanne says. “You get to present yourself more professionally, and in this industry, that sets you apart.”
Spike even comes in handy for installation planning, Jeanne says. Prior to going on-site for an installation, the installers often ask Jeanne if they need a ladder or scaffolding. Before using Spike, Jeanne would venture a guess, but with Spike’s Point-to-Point Measurement feature, Jeanne can look at her Spike photo and give the installers the measurement from the ground to the window. The installers can also use the Spike photo to see the type of window frame as well as the environment surrounding the installation area.
Since implementing Spike into the estimating process, Jeanne finds that she can work more efficiently, which directly affects Adams Window Tinting’s bottom line, she says. Previously, a typical estimating appointment would take an hour, but Spike has reduced that time to 20 to 30 minutes. Jeanne can tackle more appointments in a day for faster business turnaround times, and her time back at the office is more efficient.
Article courtesy of Spike by ike
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