D-Tools System Integrator v23: Foundational features for all
D-Tools System Integrator v23 offers foundational features like the Business Analytics module, enabling users to quickly access and customize real-time data dashboards on leads, projects, purchase orders, tasks, and service orders—facilitating efficient sales tracking, bid margin analysis, and data export for enhanced decision-making and preparation for the upcoming v24 release.
As we eagerly await the release of v24 — which may already be live by the time you read this — it’s worth revisiting aspects of SI that keep teams ready for future progress and success within our platform.
While best practices can vary from team to team, there are core aspects of SI that consistently drive strong results. Here's a look at the features and workflows that will serve you well now, and carry you confidently into v24.
For those of you who are ready to upgrade your prior version of SI, please reach out to our Customer Success team. For those still considering the acquisition of D-Tools SI software, please reach out to our Account Management team.
Business Analytics (Dashboards)
When it comes to data-driven insights, Business Analytics is one of SI’s most powerful tools.
With it properly configured, you can access critical information — leads, projects, POs, tasks, and service orders — in seconds rather than minutes.
Whether you pin your dashboards to the SI home page or pull them up as needed, a well-structured setup delivers the right data at the right time.
For high-priority data, the area of sales creates a tremendous opportunity for estimators in SI to stay on top of their leads and bids from inception to completion. To get started:
- 1.Open the Business Analytics module within SI.
- 2.Identify the source of the analytics you wish to create.
- 3.Use the Client option to access your leads and prospects.
- 4.Based on your chosen filters, you may see real-time data related to the active leads and prospects you or your team are currently working.
- 5.Once your bid is an active Project in SI, use the Projects section to review related data there.
- 6.You can analyze your overall bid margin on jobs that are not yet closed.
- 7.Analytics dashboards can display data in column, bar, pie, or table formats.
The data can be easily exported to Excel for further analysis, which is helpful when reviewing values such as potential sales totals and/or profits.
With SI’s Business Analytics fully built out, you and your team can gain insight into data, client activity, project bids, procurement, deployment, and service. This mechanism gives users the data they need, when they need it.
Notifications via Workflow Rules
Nothing delivers data quickly in SI like Workflow Rule notifications. These in-app presentations offer a lot of information at a quick glance, but the email version provides even better details to keep all team members aligned.
Using the Insert Field function, your team can pull specific project or event details directly into the notification, ensuring recipients get the context they need without extra back-and-forth. Project custom fields and a range of other data points can be included in the notification.
Workflow Rule notifications are available for projects, purchase orders, tasks, service orders, and service plans. Each has its own criteria and data sets respective to their application within SI.
It is strongly recommended to use this mechanism so that SI can deliver essential data at critical junctures of your team’s efforts.
Time Sheets - Tracking Your Team's Efforts
No project’s data can be truly complete without the inclusion of time incurred by your office team and field techs as they bring the project to life.
SI’s Time Sheets enable teams to record time incurred by their staff working on any aspect of a project. Time Sheets can be used solely for recording work effort while on project tasks or to record all time incurred every day for any aspect of work for the company.
Any time recorded from project tasks that have been approved will then apply against the project’s estimated labor to produce the actual labor that is seen in the Job Cost Report.
This is highly critical for a complete understanding of how your labor budgets make or break your overall effort. When fully utilized, these tools will have your team successfully prepared for the new release of v24.
Looking Ahead: SI V23 and Beyond
The last few years have seen tremendous updates and enhancements to the System Integrator platform. With each successive development and addition, D-Tools has shown itself to be fully engaged in bringing to market one of the most effective software platforms available.
The updates in v24 (and prior recent releases) reflect a commitment to addressing the real-world challenges faced by system integrators. D-Tools System Integrator v23 is more than just a software update—it’s a strategic partner for AV integrators navigating a complex and hectic industry landscape. By combining robust multi-office settings with seamless data synchronization, v23 empowers businesses to operate with unprecedented efficiency and offers the flexibility most teams need to craft a custom software environment to suit their needs.
Are you ready to experience SI v23? Visit the D-Tools website to request a demonstration of these features or explore the full range of utilization with the PSG training and implementation team. With V23 as your ally, your business will be poised for a brighter and more profitable future.
Be sure to tune back in for future installments on SI’s v23 and beyond. The team is continually evaluating ways to improve and enhance your team’s usage of and experience with the SI platform. Explore these and other features by securing time with the Professional Services Group of SI and integration industry veterans to maximize your team’s ability to succeed with the software.
For more information on these and other features of SI, see the D-Tools v23 resource center, support documentation, and upcoming webinars. The team is here to ensure your success with the product. Check back for more on v23!
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