Case Study: How We Helped Lewis Sheet Metal Upgrade Their Tech Stack
Learn how Lewis Sheet Metal streamlined its installation and manufacturing operations, minimized security risks, and increased customer satisfaction — with a little help from the construction technology experts and business consultants at The Net Effect (TNE).
Objectives
Implement efficient software solutions for better project and resource management
Consolidate and integrate existing information systems and technology solutions
Improve customer satisfaction and enhance the customer experience
Generate more sales leads and streamline the sales process
Minimize data security risks and increase data protection
About Lewis Sheet Metal
Lewis Sheet Metal is a sheet metal fabrication and installation company specializing in commercial projects.
Based in Victoria, BC, the company operates in three divisions: construction, manufacturing, and sheet metal sales.
Founded by Keir Lewis in 1994, the company has 29 full-time employees, including 7 office staff and 22 field staff.
Like many companies in full expansion mode, Lewis Sheet Metal (LSM) needed to level up its tech stack. As the business grew, they realized they needed to explore new digital solutions that would allow them to manage projects and resources more efficiently, turn more leads into clients, and improve customer satisfaction.
Approach
Lewis Sheet Metal had its hands full with installation projects and managing its manufacturing division. They wanted expert guidance and a turnkey solution, so their team could hit the ground running. The Net Effect (TNE), a leading construction consulting firm serving small to medium-sized construction and service businesses, had the experience and expertise they needed to make that happen.
"Working with The Net Effect was really eye-opening. We realized we had software that was required to grow our business, but we were not using them to their fullest potential yet. Working with The Net Effect, we realized this and began taking the right steps in the right direction."
To ensure successful implementation, the Net Effect began by clearly defining each stage of the project’s execution, starting with an in-depth assessment of Lewis Sheet Metal’s existing digital footprint, business strategy, opportunities and constraints.
Based on this analysis, our business consultants:
Identified digital solutions that would align the digital technology plan with current and future operational requirements and user preferences.
Created a roadmap to adopting the tools and systems that will provide better control of financial and project management, improve profit margins, and improve transparency.
Set up the technology structure and provided training to management and staff on how to use the technology to its full potential.
Finally, TNE provided ongoing support to ensure the system worked as expected and that problems were solved quickly, with minimal impact on operations.
Why They Chose The Net Effect Construction Consulting
First-hand experience navigating construction challenges
Our team has decades of experience working in the construction industry, and we know your frustrations and pain points better than anyone. Our construction consulting services are catered to the specific needs of construction business owners and operators.
Diversity of skills and expertise
Our business consultants have a wide range of expertise, so whether you're seeking guidance on construction technology, online marketing strategy, data security, or other, Net Effect technology consultants can help you position your company for success and growth.
Support tailored to your needs and current set-up
We get to know your team and your business — including its strengths and weaknesses, pain points, constraints, and goals — so we can provide complete, custom-made construction solutions that will help you take your business to the next level.
Proficient with the best construction technology on the market
Our technology consultants have tested and compared hundreds of ConTech solutions to identify the best ones for construction SMEs. Our software partners produce the best digital tools on the market, and we help you choose the right ones for your needs, taking into account infrastructure and software requirements, budget, security and regulatory requirements, and more.
Results
Increased manufacturing productivity and efficiency
Our business consultants worked closely with Lewis Sheet Metal to understand their needs. We analyzed their existing tech solutions, how they were using them, and compared them to other solutions on the market. Ultimately, our construction technology experts realized that LSM wasn’t using their current system to its full potential and that by optimizing their use of PractiCAM, as opposed to implementing new software, LSM could reduce implementation costs and training time.
By taking advantage of PractiCAM features, such as automatic nesting and tool path generation, LSM can increase productivity and efficiency, reduce material waste and production costs, and streamline manufacturing processes.
Simplified financial management and reporting
In order to improve financial management and bookkeeping, our technology consultants recommended that Lewis Sheet Metal switch to QuickBooks accounting software. With QuickBooks, LSM can streamline its financial processes, monitor income and expenses, automate invoicing and payroll, and make high-level, data-driven decisions using QuickBooks’ advanced financial reporting and analytics.
By integrating QuickBooks with its other software solutions, such as PractiCAM and CRM tools, LSM will be able to create a seamless flow of financial data throughout the organization and simplify payroll and invoicing processes.
Better customer service and lead management
Managing customer relationships is essential to building and maintaining a successful business. As one of the objectives was to improve customer satisfaction and the customer experience, our experts recommended the implementation of Hubspot, a CRM tool that would allow Lewis Sheet Metal to monitor customer interactions, better manage leads, and streamline the sales process.
With this CRM solution, LSM can improve their client relationships, increase visibility, and automate customer communications for a better overall customer experience. They can also ensure that leads are being handled properly and don’t fall through the cracks, thus turning more leads into customers.
Stronger cyber security and data protection
As former contractors, we know the most common cybersecurity risks general contractors and tradesmen face. To reduce cyber threats, such as malware, phishing and ransomware, we helped Lewis Sheet Metal create an action plan, including Developing an Incident Response Plan; Activating Security Software; Enabling Multi-factor Authentication; Employee Training; Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN); and Implementing Backups and Data Recovery.
With continuous data protection and data security protocols in place, LMS can protect itself and its customers from theft, extortion, and other catastrophic consequences of a serious data breach.
“We probably wouldn’t have realized what we could have been doing better without help from The Net Effect."
By optimizing its existing software solutions and implementing new tools to improve its operations and customer management, Lewis Sheet Metal has improved productivity and efficiency, minimized cyber security and data risks, and delivered exceptional value to its clients to stay competitive.
Results at a Glance
Better project and resource management
More efficient processes and workflows
Improved finance management and reporting
Increased customer satisfaction
Ability to make high-level, data-driven decisions
Enhanced lead generation and management
ConTech to the Rescue
The construction industry is long overdue for a digital transformation, and it’s happening now. Unsurprisingly, more than 4,000 new ConTech startups have sprung up in the past decade alone. The global construction industry is set to boost productivity by up to 40 percent with the help of ConTech solutions. Stragglers who refuse to adapt to the new reality will struggle to compete with leaner, meaner competitors.
Fortunately, thanks to significant advancements in construction technology, user-friendly and affordable ConTech software solutions have become accessible to even small contractors. Of course, with more choices than ever before, choosing the right solution can be overwhelming and time-consuming. Time being a luxury for many, do yourself a favour and enlist the services of a technology consultant for the best results.
