The construction sector has specific issues with data that cause delivery problems, communication issues and financial losses.
AFD Software has developed a comprehensive suite of data cleansing, validation and enhancement solutions that prevent these issues as well as increase efficiency, reduce risk, cut costs and improve customer service.
These are designed to work in all key industry systems including Intact iQ, Aptean Merlin, Sage 200 and key eCommerce platforms including BigCommerce and Adobe Commerce.
These systems are used throughout the building industry including in the timber, plumbing, aggregate, builders merchants segments.
Successful route planning and site delivery depend on the accuracy of the location data. Large construction sites and new build construction sites with multiple potential drop off points, farms and estates and built-up areas all present different challenges. The common cause is when delivery address or location data is wrong or imprecise. The consequence is time-wasted, delivery routes not completed, drivers under pressure and increased risks through unnecessary HGV manoeuvres – often in tight spaces.
At the trade counter or when ordering online the customer can provide a delivery address even if they don’t know the postcode. With precise ordnance survey map co-ordinates as a start point, the customer can drag and drop a pin to the exact preferred delivery point using visualisation from Google Maps, Street View or Google Earth. In addition, AFD solutions refer to special datasets such as Not Yet Built and Just Built which provide addresses not yet released on the standard Royal Mail and Ordnance Survey definitive address databases.
When ordering from the building site the user can click a “location” button to list addresses in nearest order. Again, a pin can be dragged to a precise delivery point.
Wrong mobile phone numbers or email addresses mean automated updates or customer service calls to customers are not possible. Lack of timely communication with customers can lead to rejection or non-delivery – especially where logistics plans must change unexpectedly. This leads to customer dissatisfaction which impacts loyalty, reputation, repeat business and therefore damages turnover and profitability.
The AFD Software suite for the construction sector will live validate all phone numbers and email addresses wherever they are entered to the ordering system. Instant feedback alerts the user to an error enabling them to correct the phone or email data immediately. Accurate mobile and landline numbers; and accurate email addresses ensure delivery, marketing and financial communications are received. This cuts costs, increases revenue, protects reputation and is a basis for excellent customer service and efficient administration.
AFD’s live Email Verification performs a live check on the email address entered to verify the email address and avoid vital communications not landing.
AFD’s live Phone Validation confirms the phone number is live and reachable via text or call.
Larger regular building trade customers will often have an account with transactions paid for on a weekly or monthly basis via Direct Debit. Trade suppliers will often be paid via bank transfer. In both cases it is essential to set up payments accurately. There is a misconception that banks carry out checks and that errors or fraud are refunded by the bank. This is not correct. Therefore, to prevent financial loss it is essential to be sure that details entered to financial and bank systems within the construction trade are accurate.
The AFD Software suite for the building trade will live validate bank details by cross checking the account type (residential or business) the precise account name, account number and sort code. Any mismatch is immediately highlighted at the point of data entry enabling correction and re-checking prior to use.
This approach prevents both human error and fraud. By doing so financial risk is avoided, revenue is protected, losses prevented. Errors of this type have a deep effect on margin and usually involve director time or legal professionals to resolve.
Sending irrelevant marketing email and post is a turn off to customers prospects. What’s needed is better segmentation. Part of the AFD suite for the construction industry enables segmentation of your customer base. This means each communication can be tailored to the likely customer needs.
Plumbers hear about bathrooms not gardens. Gardeners hear about new aggregate finishes not electrical supplies. Segmentation also enhances analytics enabling deeper insights into customers and identifying areas for growth and profitability.
We serve thousands of organisations and a network of hundreds of partners across multiple industry sectors, enabling them to have full confidence in their contact data.