Columbia Pool and Spa in Missouri is a full-service pool company offering retail sales, maintenance services, and construction. They needed a comprehensive solution to manage their diverse business operations and found success with RB’s integrated software. We recently interviewed Columbia to understand how the software has helped them run their business with ease and provide the best possible customer experience.
Challenge
Before adopting RB, Columbia Pool and Spa faced common challenges in the pool service industry: paper-based processes, disconnected systems for different business functions, and manual inventory management. They needed a solution that connected their retail, service, and construction operations while providing better inventory control and customer service capabilities.
Solution
Columbia is currently getting the most out of these features:
- Point of Sale (POS) for retail operations
- Inventory management
- Service scheduling & management
- Mobile Live
Thanks to the platform’s intuitive design, getting the software up and running and training new team members has been simple. Field technicians not used to the technology may experience an initial adjustment period but ultimately welcome the transition away from messy and error-ridden paper-based documentation.
Results
1. Tracking customer purchase history has made it easier to provide top-notch customer service.
Columbia’s staff can quickly access previous purchase records to help returning customers who may not remember their past purchases or maintenance details. This is especially helpful in areas of the country where customers may have their pools closed for several months and forget which items they need to purchase in the summer. It’s also helpful for seasonal employees who may not have the training to guide customers to the right products.
2. The integration between the POS system and inventory management has streamlined operations.
When items are sold, the inventory automatically updates, making it easier to maintain accurate stock levels without manual intervention — including when technicians sell or use items in the field during service calls. Despite initial adaptation periods for some technicians, the mobile functionality has improved field operations efficiency. The digital system has reduced paper-based processes and enhanced tracking capabilities for the shop’s management team.
3. The service module has enhanced scheduling efficiency and data management.
The ability to generate reports from service data has provided valuable business insights, and the importing process for service-related information has been simplified through system integration.
4. Columbia Pool and Spa is currently expanding their use of the platform by implementing the construction module.
This addition will address their current challenge of manual inventory adjustments during construction projects, as the system will automatically update inventory counts throughout the project lifecycle rather than only at completion. They also plan to use the platform’s marketing capabilities more in the future.
Need to Connect All Aspects of Your Business Operations?
Choosing RB has helped Columbia Pool and Spa streamline its operations across retail, service, and construction divisions. The integrated platform has improved customer service, inventory management, and field operations while providing a foundation for future growth and efficiency improvements. That’s because our software is designed specifically for your business and is continuously updated using feedback from our clients from across the country.
RB completely manages retail and service in a single system, and our customizable add-ons provide everything you need to maintain excellent customer relationships and boost your bottom line. Find out how our software integrates with popular water testing equipment and other industry vendors – view our virtual demos on demand or contact us today for a no-obligation demo.
