Fergus > Case Studies > Streamlining Operations and Enhancing Efficiency: A Case Study of Niesar Painting

Streamlining Operations and Enhancing Efficiency: A Case Study of Niesar Painting

Technology Category

Sensors - GPS

Applicable Industries

Equipment & Machinery

Use Cases

Inventory Management

Services

Training

About The Customer

John Niesar is a seasoned painter with nearly 15 years of experience in the field. He started his apprenticeship at the age of 15 and has since grown into a successful business owner, running Niesar Painting. The company, which employs around 12 staff, has earned a stellar reputation as a Master Painter in and around Cairns. They handle a wide range of projects, from spec to high-quality homes and commercial projects. John's journey from a sole trader at the age of 21 to the owner of a thriving business is a testament to his hard work and dedication to his craft.

The Challenge

John Niesar, a qualified painter with 15 years of experience, faced significant challenges in managing his growing painting business, Niesar Painting. Initially, John was heavily involved in every job and relied on guesswork to manage the workload. However, as the business expanded and started winning big commercial tenders, this approach became increasingly difficult. John realized the need to leverage technology to streamline his operations. He invested $6K in a job management tool, hoping it would help him get a clear view of his team's activities and manage the workload more efficiently. Unfortunately, the tool proved to be clunky and failed to meet his needs, particularly in scheduling tasks.

The Solution

John turned to Fergus, a job management tool recommended by a fellow tradesman. He found Fergus to be intuitive and easy to use, with minimal training required. Fergus became an integral part of John's day-to-day operations, handling all his quotes and helping him cost jobs more accurately. The app provided valuable insights that improved his job costing process. John's favorite feature of Fergus was the calendar, which significantly improved his team management. He also heavily used the Status Board for job tracking and the reporting functionality within Fergus. The Financial Summary, Timesheet Summary, and Work-In-Progress report provided him with a comprehensive view of his business performance, job profitability, and team's pay. Additionally, the GPS, map, and added safety features of Fergus further enhanced its value for John and his team.

Operational Impact

The adoption of Fergus has brought about significant operational improvements for Niesar Painting. The tool has streamlined administrative tasks, reducing the time spent on paperwork and allowing John to focus more on strategic aspects of the business. The calendar feature has enhanced team management, enabling better scheduling and allocation of tasks. The Status Board and reporting functionality have improved job tracking and provided valuable insights into job profitability and business performance. The GPS, map, and safety features have added an extra layer of efficiency and safety to the operations. Overall, Fergus has taken the stress out of job tracking and team management for John, contributing to the continued growth and success of Niesar Painting.

Quantitative Benefit

John was able to cost jobs more accurately with the help of Fergus, leading to better pricing and profitability.
John's investment in Fergus was significantly less than the $6K he spent on the previous job management tool.
The use of Fergus's reporting functionality provided a comprehensive view of business performance, improving decision-making and strategic planning.