Cloud software for trades and service businesses

Plumbers, carpenters, builders and electricians can get a lot out of the cloud because cloud applications are inherently mobile. With a smartphone or tablet tradespeople can enter reports, check in for appointments and log travel times on the fly.

The most useful cloud app for tradies and contractors is the job scheduling or field management program. This tells each field worker where and when they need to be at each hour of the day. More complex, higher-end systems are sometimes called computerised maintenance management systems.

The below list is not intended to be exhaustive. If you have any suggestions please add to the comments at the bottom and I will update the list. Cloud accounting programs that integrate with the listed programs are included in brackets after the description. This means a job scheduling program can automatically send information such as invoices to the accounting program.

I’ve added a list of job scheduling apps that aren’t cloud-based (as far as I can determine). This should help reduce time checking out a program only to discover it’s not in the cloud.

Job/service scheduling

Connect2Field – job and customer management, inventory (Kashflow, MYOB, Quicken, Saasu, Xero)

GeoOp – job dispatch and workforce management, Android and iPhone apps (FreshBooks, Xero)

Microsoft CRM Dynamics Online – includes job scheduling engine

ProWorkflow – project management software, task and time tracking (Xero)

ScheduleFlow – Australia only, includes 200 SMS messages a month, free version up to 40 jobs

ServiceM8 – incl Pad/iPhone apps (MYOB)

SimPro – job management for trade contractors

WorkFlowMax – project management (Saasu, Xero)

Computerised maintenance management system (CMMS)

Loc8 – higher end, integrates with Xero, Saasu, MYOB, Quicken

Click Software – higher end, hosted software not designed for the internet

General ledger and invoicing

(see Cloud Accounting software: a buyer’s guide for more information on these programs)

FreshBooks – invoicing only

JCurve Solutions – powerful but expensive and complex

MYOB Live Accounts – lightweight, minimal features

Saasu – includes inventory, light CRM and payroll

Xero – market leader, great user interface

Office applications and Email

(see Office 365 vs Google Apps: buying advice for more information)

Google Apps – a fully cloud-based productivity suite (Saasu, Xero)

Microsoft Office 365 – used in conjunction with desktop software (Saasu, Xero)

Job scheduling software NOT CLOUD

Miracle Service

The Service Manager

ServiceCEO

Seratec Field Service Management

Field Power