Software Products and Features FAQ's:
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Q: Does your software cater to residential markets as well as commercial?
A: Yes. Industrial too! Shafer's unique design is the result of over 35 years' experience in the service/contracting industry and we fully understand the need of any size or type of company.
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Q: Does Shafer's offer Flat Rate pricing?
A: Yes. Shafer's offers two forms of Flat Rate. A stand-alone module will allow you to create scenarios and print a professional flat rate pricing book. No more annual fees, or long waits for updated material or book reprints. You are in control of your books. Shafer's Digital Flat Rate solution integrates with Mobile Office and our billing and inventory modules in the back office.
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Q: What are the operating system software requirements for running Shafer's Field Service Software?
A: The minimum system requirements for Shafer's are: Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows NT.
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Q: Can I send dispatches directly to my field work force?
A: Yes. Shafer's has three different options for sending dispatches. Calls may be sent simply by using the voice option (by communicating with a cellular phone or two-way radio). The section way to send a dispatch to the technicians is by using the data option. With this option, Shafer's allows you to send an electronic data file to the technicians pager or cell phone similar to the way standard text messages are sent. The last way is by using Shafer's Mobile Office. When using this option, calls are forwarded directly from the dispatch board to a technicians handheld computer, where he may create the invoice, print it out and send it back completed to the back office. For more information on Shafer's Mobile Office or Dispatching, please use the links provided here.
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Q: How many field service technicians can Shafer's Mobile Office support?
A: Shafer's Mobile Office program can accommodate countless numbers of field service technicians. Our program is by far the most dependable, versatile field service technician management program available on the market today, providing constant communication between the field service technician and the back office.
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Q: Does Shafer's offer fleet management and vehicle tracking solutions?
A: Yes! Shafer's uses state-of-the-art GPS technology to track your vehicles. Our Map Link program integrates with our dispatch board and will allow you to track the location of each service vehicle. Not only will you be able to locate a technician at any given time, you'll be able to see where they've been, how long they stayed at a jobsite and even how fast they're traveling. Our GPS features are also integrated into our Mobile Office program giving technicians the ability to see a map of the customers location right on their handheld device.
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Q: Will Shafer's Field Service software really handle our company's scheduling and billing as well as help us manage our customer accounts, all in one program?
A: Absolutely! And that's not all, Shafer's seamlessly integrates all of this information, which will allow you the ability to display any portion of the data from almost anywhere in the program. This helps save you valuable time.
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Q: Does your system include Job Costing?
A: Yes! Shafer's Job Costing module provides complete labor and material cost tracking from the beginning of a job to its completion. This module integrates with Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Inventory, Purchase Orders and Payroll providing a number of different reporting options. For more information, please see our Job Cost section.
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Q: What makes Shafer's Field Service software better than other software solutions on the market today?
A: Every software package has some great features but only Shafer's combines them all into a fully-integrated system that was designed by people who have actually worked in the service/contracting industry for over 35 years! We've engineered our software with this powerful knowledge base which, in turn, allows our program to perform as a service/contracting business management program should.
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Q: Do I have to be a computer expert to install Shafer's programs?
A: No. Shafer's programs are easy to install. Simply load the disc into your CD drive, and follow the easy on-screen instructions.
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Q: Our company needs more than just an accounting software solution, what other management features does Shafer's provide?
A: Shafer's is a complete service/contracting business management suite. We offer everything from accounting to customer service history, inventory, job costing, dispatching, and more. For a full description of our software modules please visit our Products section.
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Q: Does your software include a Payroll module, or does your system just print checks?
A: Shafer's program is a complete office management suite, which includes a powerful Payroll module. Payroll accommodates hourly employees in addition to salaried or commissioned salespeople and technicians.
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Q: Will your software run on a network?
A: Yes. In fact, unless you only want a one-user license, it has to be able to run on a network. Our networked version will allow multiple users to access the dispatch board, billing, accounts payable, etc. whenever they wish. If you plan on accommodating multiple users in your office, our networked software will work for your company.
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Q: Will I be able to login to your Shafer's program from a remote location?
A: Yes. Using the internet and advanced windows 2000 software, you can login to the Shafer system from any remote location around the world.
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Q: How can our company use Shafer's Maintenance Agreement features to increase revenue?
A: Your field service technicians are the eyes and ears of your company when out in the field. Shafer's Maintenance Agreements program enables your technicians to up sell service calls and save customers money in the long run by offering them a maintenance agreement contract. This helps your company continue to stay busy, especially in slow periods, promoting a year round work flow.
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Q: Does Shafer's system have any limitations as to the number of customers, invoices, etc?
A: No. You are only limited to the space found on the hard drive of your computer/server.
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Q: How many users may I add to Shafer's program?
A: As many users as your network will allow. Shafer's offers multiple user packages. As users are added to your company, you can simply purchase additional licenses.
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Q: Do I need to use other software packages with Shafer's Field Service software?
A: Absolutely not! We pride ourselves on offering a COMPLETE, fully integrated service and accounting software package.
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