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Modern fleet management: is your rental company ready?

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Fleet management can be especially daunting for international equipment rental organizations. You may be running multiple depots across countries and even continents. As a result, situating equipment becomes complex. You’re also under continuous pressure to “work out the differences” across diverse locations.

You need to optimize utilization rates while sustaining healthy margins across all locations, and reduce added transport expense. Finally, you want to fulfil your organization’s commitment to meeting present and future fleet management needs for all depots. It’s a lot to handle, but you want all depots to realize success for equipment fleet rentals and sales.


Image 1: Your commitments and decisions are easier to manage and more profitable

The goal needs to be a healthy and sustainable balance, not a juggling act

It seems easy to decide to purchase and move equipment around the world. But what is necessary to make that decision work? You need a solution that offers a full overview and detailed information. You can start with giving location-specific answers to these questions:

    • Do you know the utilization rate of the requested equipment?
    • What are the statistics from the quotation pipeline for rental and sales?
    • Is the required equipment is available at another depot?
    • Is the request within the depot’s budget?
    • What is prediction based on historic data?

Now you are ready to make an informed decision to purchase and/or move equipment. The next step is to start the entire intercompany equipment lifecycle process. This includes logistics for moving the equipment from one country to another.


Image 2: Meet current and local standards, as well as global and future standards

Here’s where modern fleet management makes your commitment and decisions more manageable and profitable.

To start, modern fleet management situates all rental fleet financials within one company and allocates operational usage to various other companies. This makes it easier to monitor what’s happening across all depots. Modern fleet management gives you more control and insight. As a result, your commitments and decisions are easier to manage and more profitable. Modern fleet management meets current and local standards, as well as global and future standards.

Interested in learning more or do you also want a tailored demonstration? Visit www.highsoftware.com to learn about DynaRent or contact us at info@highsoftware.com 


The importance of easy-to-use rental search forms for your rental company

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In an ideal world, communicating with a rental company is very simple. For example, let’s say you want to terminate your rental. You open the Rental Companies app and terminate the equipment yourself. No problem arises and you can do this without involvement of the rental company itself. Easy enough, right?


Image 1: How can your rental company make renting easier for you?

Most of the time, the reality is quite different. You probably still need to call the rental company. Have you experienced the following scenario? You call a rental company to off-hire some equipment, and introduce yourself by saying your name. In most cases the rental clerk also asks the following:

  • Company name
  • Rental contract
  • Fleet number
  • Off-hire date

There are several reasons why this scenario isn’t efficient. First, maybe the rental company has a complex, not-user-friendly ERP system in place. As a result, such systems might require this information. The ERP system might also make it difficult for multiple departments to gain an adequate overview of all the information. Finally, the rental company simply may not have a streamlined, well-prioritized process for handling your situation.


Image 2: In an ideal world, communicating with a rental company is very simple

How can your rental company make renting easier for you?

Most of the rental information is already in the system and needs to be connecting and combining. With the right technology, this happens instantly. For instance, with just the fleet number you can gather all the other information via a simple lookup. The same holds true if the customer name is a starting point. Everything is related, especially in the world of ERP.  But when the system does not connect the dots, having more information is not going to help your rental department. They need an easy way of working with the data.

A rental company should have a system with centralized cockpits that can be used by every rental department. Depending on role, the cockpit view might be different, but all rental information can be filtered through a friendly user interface. When talking to a customer, users can easily filter on any kind of information and in just seconds all the information is displayed. Users can execute actions like rental contract termination immediately.

Download our factsheet to see how the DynaRent solution adds value to your business across every departement.

How to financially structure and monitor your bulk equipment

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Every company within the equipment industry works with two categories of equipment. They work with serialized equipment and non-serialized equipment, also called bulk equipment. The advantages of serialized equipment are of course that the equipment is uniquely identifiable. This makes it much easier to keep track of equipment, especially for transport or maintenance and service. Financial departments can also gather information about serialized equipment easily, for example about a specific piece of equipment or its rental history.

Bulk equipment does not have these advantages for several reasons. The high volume can make it almost impossible to serialize everything. It takes up a lot of manpower, so reducing costs can also be a reason to keep the equipment not serialized. And if there is no obligation to track equipment separately, why should you waste your money and manpower? This does not mean that there are no requirements regarding bulk equipment. It is also rented out. So, there must be a system that keeps track of your equipment. How else do you know which equipment needs service or transport?

How can you monitor your bulk equipment within your company?

Every company has different needs regarding the financial aspects of bulk equipment. There are many different flavors you can choose:

  • When purchased directly take bulk equipment as costs;
  • When purchased, activate as fixed assets;
  • Do a combination of both depending on the items;

Different business decisions can result in different processes. DynaRent in Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations gives you great flexibility for monitoring bulk equipment. DynaRent lets you configure per equipment how you want to monitor this equipment financially. You can decide to create a fixed asset with multiple child assets, enabling complete financial monitoring and depreciation for all pieces of equipment. You can define the needs yourself within DynaRent. When you configure any of these options, it will not impact the other related processes that are very important for high volume products:

  • Availability overview
  • Rental
  • Transportation
  • Service and Maintenance
  • Quality inspection

Curious about our DynaRent Solution Suite? We are more than happy to provide you with a tailored demonstration. Please contact to discuss at info@highsoftware.com, or visit www.highsoftware.com and see what we are doing!

Download our factsheet to see how the DynaRent solution adds value to your business across every departement.

Graphical planning: When you increase flexibility, you increase profit margins

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Crane rental companies that allocate equipment and resources for short-term projects deal with challenges. These challenges are not friendly to last minute planning and execution. In this article, we would like to look at a few of those challenges. How can you handle them with ease and efficiency? Using the rich graphical planning dashboards built into DynaRent for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Operations (and Microsoft Dynamics AX).


Image 1: Graphical planning for crane rental companies

To start, lets set up a scenario that requires a single crane for a one-day job. It will show how even a straightforward job can be packed with complex planning and execution needs. Issues that often show up:

  • Moving the crane to a job site requires not just transport. But extra trucks that bring equipment needed to build up the crane on the job site.
  • You want your resources assigned to operate the crane has the right skills. That is why you need to link multiple potential operators and riggers to the actual equipment.
  • You can require planners for weather, equipment service needs, and resource availability. This way you can re-allocate or even reschedule a job within a tight time frame.
  • Executing work orders needs to conserve time and cost if you are to protect your margins.

Image 2: Object availability graphical planning

Instant, complete overviews for all equipment, recources and job requirements.

Graphical planning for crane rental projects dashboards in DynaRent offer planners instant, complete overviews for all equipment and resources. Furthermore don't forget about the job requirements along with drill-back into granular details. Working in one window and a single process, they can access full, real-time insight. Additionally they can implement changes on the last moment. And send work orders and communications to the right people at the right time.

  • Quick planning intervention is part of the dashboards design. If, for example, a crane operator calls in sick on the day of the job. Now planners can immediately access all resources qualified to operate the crane, along with their schedules
  • They can quickly assign the job to another operators schedule using drag-and-drop functionality. All information related to the job and equipment transfer automatically. And updates are instantly reflected in DynaRent and the ERP system. Resource schedules also re-align automatically.
  • Planners can quickly assess any variable impacting job execution from the dashboard. They can also reschedule the job if needed for another day. When they reschedule, all information move automatically to the new date/time.
  • Planners can create new jobs directly from the planning overview. By using an efficient process that ensures all information is complete and accurate. When you are creating multiple jobs within a day this standardized efficiency is essential.
  • Planners can maximize usage for all your assets while protecting quality and accuracy. Because they have a complete overview of cranes, equipment, resources, and transport. For example, they can handle complex transport logistics. Because they will have all insight at hand about requirements and availability. They have overview of trucks and equipment needed to move. They can also set up a crane, without need to send mails, make calls, or go into other applications.

Image 3: Graphical planning on the transport planboard

Ensuring nothing falls trough the cracks

Agile planning and execution for short-term crane projects can also include the ability to generate work orders. They include step-by step instructions and all communications and invoices. Work orders land directly on resource’s devices via DynaRent Mobile. Crane operators and truck drivers can execute all tasks and even send communications and invoices to customers. All information stays seamlessly connected with DynaRent and Dynamics AX in a continuous, 360-feedback loop.
Graphical planning boards for crane rental projects can ensure that nothing falls through the cracks even in the face of unexpected changes—indeed, DynaRent makes managing change an essential part of planning. That flexibility, combined with an intuitive dashboard that makes it easy to work with information from all areas of your business, gives you the control you need to ensure profits, satisfaction, and growth.

Curious about our DynaRent Solution Suite? We are more than happy to provide you with a tailored demonstration. Please contact to discuss at info@highsoftware.com, or visit www.highsoftware.com and see what we are doing!

Equip your planning department and truck drivers to work together in real time

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Equipment-driven companies look at a huge scope when they consider what they want from advanced transportation management software. Less-than-load shipments, multi-mode channels for equipment delivery, shipper/carrier collaboration what do you need to cover?

That is in addition to capabilities that let planners connect with warehouse departments, drivers, order processing, and other depots. Market trends always start with the customer, and the customers expects great delivery service that meets all requirements. You need to meet that challenge while dealing with equipment, spare parts, resources, and transport vehicles. The good news is that you can meet both internal and customer-facing demands with DynaRent.

Transportation management software that smoothly organizes transport requests 

Whether you are transporting customer, third-party, or your own equipment, DynaRent Transport Management enables equipment industries to smoothly organize transport requests into efficient task planning and scheduling. You can collaborate with logistics and warehouses for efficient picking, packing, and shipment allocation. The same goes for working with your front office to handle unpredictable order flows efficiently. DynaRent also enables you to build stable third-party shipper/carrier interfaces. Transport orders and directions can be sent to resources anywhere via mobile devices, and with TomTom integration. As a result, you have 24/7 communication and route optimization at hand. Your transport planning and scheduling is graphical and intuitive, with assurance of automatic records capture and update in DynaRent and Microsoft Dynamics.

 

What drives transport management for equipment rental, leasing and services industries? What do you need from your transportation management software?

  • Give planning departments complete overviews of trucks across depots
  • Gain agility for complex routing, multi-channel orders, and partial shipments
  • Manage complex freight and transport costs and invoicing with a single process
  • Equip planners to schedule transport and send work orders from a single window
  • Enable robust collaboration with third-party shippers and carriers
  • Keep customers informed about delivery status and issues

 

Curious about possibilities, challenges, and solutions? Please do contact us at info@highsoftware.com or visit www.highsoftware.com and see what we are doing!

Fast – growing trend: renting vs. buying equipment

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Purchasing equipment as a company often involves large down payments. On top of that, every purchase comes with extra costs, such as insurances, taxes, licenses, maintenance etc. This means that you need some solid capital.

Especially for start-ups and small to midsize companies, the purchase process can be both costly and time-consuming. All financial, legal, and logistical details must be covered submitting a final bid. Companies are increasingly turning to equipment rental as a simpler, less expensive alternative.

 


Image 1: Save a lot of bureaucratic "red tape".

When renting, you pay only for the tools you need, and when and how long you need it. Rental contracts are simple, making it very easy for every kind of company to move efficiently through the rental process. You do not need big investments and you havedelivery at the right time and location. Furthermore, because everything is pre-arranged, you and your company save a lot of bureaucratic "red tape".

If business slows down, you can simply return your rented equipment

When you own your tools and machinery you need to take care of everything. You arrange the transportation and periodic maintenance. It's your responsibility to make sure pre- and post-delivery inspections are complete. Plus, your business model must incorporate best practices for all these activities.

If you rent your equipment you do not have to worry at all about this. The rental company makes sure your equipment is ready to use and will transport it whenever you need it. Finally,you have the latest tools and machinery available, because rental companies upgrade their inventory frequently. This fast-growing trend is important for every company that is using equipment and also for equipment dealers. Rental offers your business a major opportunity to ensure you offer the latest models to your customers.

Download our factsheet to see how the DynaRent solution adds value to your business across every departement. Curious about our DynaRent Solution Suite? We are more than happy to provide you with a tailored demonstration. Please contact to discuss at info@highsoftware.com, or visit www.highsoftware.com and see what we are doing!

What fuels profitable field service?

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Equipment-driven rental/leasing companies are driven themselves by field service requirements. Therefore ERP mobility has become essential to working with remote employees. There are many areas to explore in mobile apps for field service. As a result,we focus on the importance of choosing an app. For example you will need workflows that guide employees precisely through service processes. How important is it to choose an app that lets you configure those workflows for everything?

 

ERP Mobility: While mobile apps integrate with ERP abound, they can function as an extension of ERP. Forcing users to work through ERP forms on their mobile device. A smarter approach is an app that lets you configure how and when users view information from ERP. An app that lets you select which information they see. In addition it will ensure they complete all steps that may differ widely by role and scenario.

How does configurable workflow "work"

Let's take the roles of service engineer and truck driver as examples. They'll follow different process steps for any service task. Due to the industry and business specifics you need to factor in variables and dependencies.

With an ISV solution that can connect a flexible mobile platform to ERP, you can give mobile staff what they need and your back office what it needs.

Using a workflow configurator in the mobility platform, you can leverage building blocks and standard templates to tailor existing workflows and create new ones. You'll give users screens, prompts, and relevant information that fit device and role, and guides them through process steps.

Let's dive in

So to start, you can tailor basic workflows for your service engineers and truck drivers, with required steps that may include:

Service task: [Planning Overview > Start Task Equipment Information> Item Registration > Hour Registration > Task Overview > Signature > Close Task]

Transport task: [Planning Overview > Start Task > Graphical Map > Hour Registration > Close Task]

  • At all times, the mobile app and device is connected to back-office planning in ERP.
  • Planners can initiate workflows and all task and customer information auto-populate the mobile devices and user views for engineer and driver.
  • If issues or changes require users to go down a different path, the workflow takes care of that, for each scenario.
  • Planners can make updates in ERP and that information is reflected in the workflow. No confusion about tasks, and lots of automation that minimizes manual input, errors, and delays.

 

As a result, field staff can work predictably and efficiently, even for complex tasks. Workflow can even fit with technologies such as augmented reality so that a field tech can receive remote but "hands on help from another tech without disrupting task execution.

Intrigued? We encourage you to have a look at DynaRent Mobile and contact us at info@highsoftware.com for discussion or a demo.

Navigate delivery excellence using DynaRent’s TomTom Webfleet integration

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Customer satisfaction disappears if you can't deliver the right goods and services within increasingly tight timeframes. At the same time, you need to juggle costs, resources, vehicles, and locations that are literally all over the map. As a result, communication between your planning department and drivers is critical. What helps resolve these issues? A seamless Webfleet integration.

Image 1: Webfleet integration

DynaRents TomTom Webfleet integration

Since TomTom and Webfleet make up the worlds leading navigation software. Therefore, it made good sense, simply put, for HiGH Software to build integrations for these solutions and DynaRent. You can choose when and how you want to implement the complete DynaRent Integration with TomTom and Webfleet. You will also find that Dynarent capabilities combine effortlessly with this leading navigation software. That is essential for equipment-driven companies focused on equipment rental and services here are some reasons why.

Some of today's most common challenges in the transport industry are:

  • Quickly adjust schedules and locations without confusing drivers
  • Allocate deliveries with insight using complete overviews of fleet activity
  • Keep customers updated about delivery status
  • Monitor driving conditions and redirect drivers on the spot
  • Connect planners and drivers 24/7

Image 2: DynaRent's TomTom and Webfleet intergration

DynaRent combines with TomTom and Webfleet to ensure accurate coordination and execution for all your delivery tasks. As a result, planners can coordinate and generate end-to-end orders that land directly on drivers mobile devices. In addition, your back office and drivers can work collaboratively in real time, thanks to full integration across DynaRent, Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations (and Dynamics AX), and Webfleet. From route optimization to analyzing fuel usage, you will improve efficiency, performance, and customer and employee satisfaction.

Curious about our DynaRent Solution Suite? We are more than happy to provide you with a tailored demonstration. Please contact to discuss at info@highsoftware.com or visit www.highsoftware.com and see what we are doing!


DynaRent Task Guide Experience – how to optimize the user experience

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Making life easy for DynaRent users is always the highest priority for HiGH Software. Therefore, is user experience one of the most important aspects of every solution. It is also the aspect that needs the most “custom fit” solutions.

That’s why the latest version of DynaRent for Dynamics 365 for Operations takes full advantage of the new Dynamics LCS Task Guides. (Task Guides are part of Dynamics Lifecycle Services). By leveraging Task Guides, HiGH Software can create tailored solutions guidance for every industry we serve.

A modulair solution for every industry

Industries can differ, but DynaRent’s modular design ensures our solution matches your specific needs. Our solution works as part of Dynamics 365 for Operations, which takes the Dynamics LCS task guides to a new level. It’s much more than a standard tool. It is not a tool that just simply “shows” customers how to work with processes. Tasks guides can do abundantly more, optimizing user experience in the process.
Task recordings can be:

  • played as fully interactive task guides.
  • displayed as procedural steps in the Help pane.
  • saved to a business process model in Dynamics Lifecycle Services.
  • saved as Word documents.

Image: Taking user experience to a new level

How DynaRent Task Guides optimize your user experience

Here’s an illustration and brief overview of how truly helpful a step-by-step, interactive task guide can be. This brief product video shows how this task guide makes life easier for users working with DynaRent in Dynamics 365 for Operations. HiGH Software showcases the Dynamics Lifecycle Services Business Process Modeler. You’ll see how you can work with DynaRent task guides to improve the quality of your implementation, while reducing time and effort. Please note that you’ll need a basic knowledge of the Microsoft Business Process Modeler to fully appreciate this product video. Watch our webinar on demand here

Curious about our DynaRent Solution Suite? We’re more than happy to provide you with a tailored demonstration. Please contact to discuss at info@highsoftware.com or visit www.highsoftware.com and see what we’re doing!

Why make IoT part of your equipment-driven asset management strategy?

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The Internet of Things may not yet be part of your equipment-driven company’s IT infrastructure and equipment-driven asset management strategy.

There’s a good chance that it will be over the coming years. Here’s a quick look at how data from IoT sensors can mix with business and customer data. This way you can work more effectively with equipment assets used for rental, leasing, and services, including:

  • Getting continuous status about virtually any aspect of equipment usage and scenario
  • Optimizing maintenance schedules based on early warnings
  • Avoiding unplanned downtime
  • Minimizing unnecessary repairs
  • Identifying economic outcomes and risks for utilization and maintenance

Image 1: PowerBI Asset Management Strategy Cockpit that fully leverages equipment sensors

Equipment-driven Asset Management Strategy and Predictive Maintenance

Let’s focus on how IoT can literally pre-empt predictive maintenance schedules. And consequently reduce the number of routine service calls for your equipment-driven asset management strategy. Companies seek to standardize scheduling for equipment maintenance—it’s impossible to have a dedicated resource monitoring assets information 24/7. When your predictive maintenance errs on the side of unneeded maintenance. Especially if you want to protect your reputation for equipment performance and service availability. As a result this will gnaw at already-tight profit margins.

By leveraging an IoT platform with predictive maintenance capabilities, you can transform your approach to a equipment-driven asset management strategy. IoT sensors can gather data about equipment, operations, weather conditions and more 24/7. And therefore feed it real-time to mobile devices or even directly to your ERP system. That data can align with asset history, customers, financials, service planning, spare parts suppliers, regulations. It does not matter what is impacted by or impacts asset management. Solutions are available that give planners rich visual insight into actual maintenance needs. In addition it is built on IoT data combined with other information.

Results

The result is that companies can make smarter assessments of service needs. As a result the can anticipate problems based on very granular, context-specific information. IoT data lets you know what’s actually happening with the equipment. That input, when combined with other information, can help you ensure best equipment performance and best approach to maintenance. You get both 24/7 monitoring for your equipment and automated formulas for maintenance. Those formulas are “real world.” Consequently, you can count on more accurate predictive forecasts and ability to anticipate breakdowns or issues.

So what’s important to realize is that the Internet of Things is part of a complete view of equipment assets. And what’s amazing is that companies can work with such complex, real, and strategic data with such ease, thanks to technology innovations.

Prepare your company and embrace changes in a volatile rental industry

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The future’s now with DynaRent for equipment-driven rental companies. HiGH Software’s Rental Management Solution for Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations is a complete multi-industry solution. As a result, you can create quotations orders and/or work orders in seconds.

You can work directly within a graphical equipment overview that shows availability of your bulk and serialized equipment. Furthermore, you can handle the end-to-end rental process with advanced warehouse management through finalization of transportation management. That includes route optimization and mobile field connectivity.


Image 1: One of the many industies that can benefit of our multi-industry solution

A complete, multi-industry solution

DynaRent in Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations offers just about everything you need for simple to complex rental management. Therefore it has intuitive graphical planning tools for the workshop that include workflow-driven mobile field services. Most important, DynaRent integrates seamlessly with Dynamics 365 for Operations. Consequently, that means all teams and departments work with a fully connected system.

Result? A complete, multi-industry solution that also aligns with the latest innovations:

  •          A cloud based solution running on the Azure platform
  •          A new browser-based interface, which will replace the current Windows Client
  •          Superior user experience based on HTML5 technology
  •          Ability to run with Dynamics 365 for Operations and AX 7 on any mobile device
  •          Complete graphical planning tools for your planning departments
  •          Powerful industry-specific BI tools tailored to users’ workspaces

Image 2: Additionally our solutions package fits seamlessly into Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations and Microsoft Dynamics AX

The ideal ISV solution for equipment-driven industries

We offer the ideal ISV solution for equipment-driven industries in a multi-channel, international marketplace. DynaRent spans straightforward rentals to complex management of transport, resources, services, third-party collaborations–and more. Additionally our solutions package fits seamlessly into Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations and Microsoft Dynamics AX with a modular design, the latest technologies, and multi industry expertise. Since 2006, we’ve worked closely with customers and colleagues to stand firm as Dynamics’ most innovative ISV solution. DynaRent gives equipment-driven companies what they need most to keep pace with changing trends for rental, leasing, and services. As a result, it has proven capabilities and flexibility to adapt to new ways of working.

Curious about possibilities, challenges, and solutions? Please do contact us at info@highsoftware.com or visit www.highsoftware.com and see what we are doing! 

How to increase rental process efficiency for your employees

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Efficiency is important wherever you work and no matter what you do. It’s always a great topic for discussion. Therefore we are going to focus on rental process efficiency in the on-demand webinar below.

It’s always a great topic for discussion, and in the on-demand webinar below, we are going to focus on rental process efficiency. The DynaRent Solutions Suite provides tools that increase rental process efficiency for your employees. Indeed, with best practices and our software, you’ll find that they can execute their work much more quickly and accurately.


Image: At the same time, increasing rental process efficiency usually leads to increased profitability

Increase rental process efficiency with the DynaRent Solution Suite

Tools in the DynaRent Solution Suite let you set up the most efficient foundation for your company’s situation. Increasing efficiency is the perfect way to increase workflow within every department. This will make work of every employee much easier.  At the same time, increasing rental process efficiency usually leads to increased profitability.

What will we discuss today?

We will start with a focus on equipment availability. Also we will talk about the end-to-end rental procedure that needs to be completed. In addition, we will emphasize the tools that help to increase rental process efficiency. Finally we will conclude by talking about how companies can increase their utilization rates and revenue streams. Our webinar looks at a car rental department as a great example scenario. Customers use different ways to get in contact with their car rental company. Because they might use the telephone, or visit a physical location. Or they will rent their car online. Every company might need a different solution. We’d like to show you how DynaRent can be configured to work with any or all of these channels for equipment rental. Watch our webinar on demand here.

Curious about our DynaRent Solution Suite? We are more than happy to provide you with a tailored demonstration. Please contact to discuss at info@highsoftware.com or visit www.highsoftware.com and see what we are doing!

Four Pillars of a Solid eCommerce Customer Experience

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You’ve got the products. You’ve got the logistics. You’ve got the store. Now how do you keep your eCommerce clients coming back for more?

Customer experience.

Think of what makes good offline shopping stand out: easy-to-find product placement throughout the store; clear and simple pricing and return policies; friendly, helpful staff on hand to answer questions and take your order. If you’re a regular, they let you know about new items that might interest you, as well as specials on products you like.

The principles of a winning eCommerce customer experience are pretty much the same.

Make It Quick

Your clients should always be able to find what they’re looking for in as few clicks as possible. Obviously, high-quality product images are crucial… but they’re not enough.

Detailed product specs and attributes can tell the customer far more than a picture and a simple description. This is especially true for B2B, where products can be extremely detailed and complex.

As such, your web store needs refined search tools that can guide the client directly to what they want. Being able to search products not only by name but by category, attribute and even brand will help clients find and compare products with precision.

Make It Easy

If your customer has a good experience the first time, chances are they’ll be back. Keep your clients’ past purchases visible from the moment they log in so they can re-order right away.

Better yet, offer them an automatic re-order option so that they can schedule future purchases without having to think about it.

On the flip side, if your customer needs to return a product, make the process as simple as possible by letting them manage the return request online.

Make It Personal

Client accounts are where the customer experience really starts getting personal.

As your B2B customer relationships grow, you can create personalized catalogs based on clients’ purchase profiles, offer them special pricing and exclusive web promotions.

This personal touch can make all the difference between you and the impersonal competition. It strengthens your customer relationships because it is more than just a convenience: it makes them feel appreciated and builds loyalty in the long term.

Make It Helpful

You might not be able to provide your clients with virtual store clerks to assist with purchases. But you can come pretty close by giving them multiple ways of reaching you.

A phone number with office hours, contact address and email are generally considered the minimum. Most web stores also offer an on-site question and comment page and link to the company’s social media touchpoints.

But you can take your clients’ customer experience to the next level with an online chat service. This not only adds a human touch but makes you and your support staff available to help the instant your client needs anything.

At the end of the day, building a positive customer experience is detail work. So splurge on the details.

k-eCommerce is an innovative B2B and B2C eCommerce platform that integrates to Microsoft Dynamics. It allows you simplify and accelerate your organization’s ability to sell online by pulling pricing, inventory, product information and more from your ERP and displaying it on your online store. k-eCommerce serves organizations in the manufacturing, wholesale and distribution, and retail industries. Contact us today and discover how our eCommerce solutions can help your business grow.

 

Big data solution checklist: Finding the perfect system for your rental company

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At the moment, the term “big data” is everywhere. Every business owner is aware that this is an important development. The possibilities of big data are exciting and frightening at the same time. We worry that our systems cannot process the data. And do not forget that it scares our customers too, they fear for their privacy.

Even Wikipedia’s definition of big data sounds ominous:

“Big data is a term for data sets that are so largest or complex that traditional data processingapplication software is inadequate to deal with them."

So, what your company needs is the right big data solution. One that is built on a modern platform to ensure you are prepared for the future.


Image 1: Handeling huge data sets is a challenge for every company

A burst of insight

With big data, we see a major trend for the equipment rental industry. But without control or an overview, all this data is useless. In addition, when data is not structured or analyzed, it can give the wrong impression, sometimes with devastating results. But when you have a way of structuring your data. It can provide you and your employees with a burst of insight.

Big data can elevate your rental business in many different ways. For example, you can use data to improve customer satisfaction and optimize user experience. Furthermore, the day-to-day operations become smoother, and it diminishes the workload for employees. Big data can also prevent fraud and help optimize equipment rental utilization rates. In addition, it can help reduce equipment downtime.

But how can you structure this data? Who will analyze all this information? How can you polish this diamond in the rough and use it to elevate your business?


Image 2: Business intelligence solution that can handle all your current and historical data

The right big data solution, a checklist

With the right system in place, you don’t even have to do the polishing. This checklist will help you find the perfect big data solution.

The cloud

First and foremost, it has to be accessible from the cloud. This way, your employees will have access to the right information anywhere and anytime they need it.

Security

With so much data in the cloud, it is vital to make security a priority. Make sure to choose a solution with a high-quality data center and solid virtual system security.

Production readiness

A standard solution with a modular structure is ideal. This way, you know the system is ready. You know the basis is stable, and you can adjust it to your company’s demands. This means the system is agile, stable, and able to grow with your company.

Cost effectiveness

This is a big investment, so you need to make sure it is cost effective. Will it save your employees time? Will it diminish their workload? Does it leverage IT resources efficiently?

Image 3:  Rental equipment en service companies need the right solution to handle all the data

Data

Since data is the core of every big data solution. Make sure you check whether it can it handle all your current and historical data. The right solution must be ready for the future. Check the data accessibility. Look carefully at how will be delivered. Is the data infrastructure efficient and logical?

Capacity

The right big data solution has a large capacity. Because the system needs to be able to handle massive joins, merges, sorts, and transformations. Therefore, it will make your business more agile.

Speed

Another major point: is it fast enough? Does it increase speed of the processes? Is it adaptable? Can it handle multiple peak times?

When you invest in the right big data solution, the collected data will be a treasure trove. The data can be analyzed, structured, and used to optimize every aspect of your business. This way, it will help your rental company to become more strategic, agile, and proactive. A company that is ready for the future.

Are you curious how HiGH Software plays a proactive role to help customers handeling big data? Please contact to discuss at info@highsoftware.com

Future equipment maintenance features within DynaRent for Dynamics 365 for Operations and Financials Enterprise Edition

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With full focus on the digital revolution, data is becoming more and more important. Especially in the equipment-driven rental and service industry, there is an enormous amount of potential to unlock.

In this article, we’ll illustrate how the DynaRent Solution Suite for Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations helps you reach your business’s full potential.

Within DynaRent the service and maintenance module has already been available for many years. It is driven by work orders, tasks, and checklists. And in addition, it offers features including corrective and periodic maintenance for all equipment registered within the system. For example, your own equipment, external equipment, or leased equipment.

Once you create work order tasks, they will schedule on the graphical planning boards. This is available for both centralized or decentralized planning.


Image 1: Graphical service planboard

Work order creation for periodic and corrective maintenance is driven by automated batch functions or manual creation. Depending on the configuration of the system.

DynaRent also offers a future equipment maintenance feature that displays the entire list of upcoming maintenance cycles registered to the equipment. This will help you monitor and also maintain your maintenance cycles as efficiently as possible. The system automatically informs you about future equipment maintenance. Furthermore, you can add this to any existing or ad hoc maintenance work orders.


Image 2: Easy access to the future equipment maintenance for each piece of equipment With DynaRent. You have all the tools to  increase
especially work order planning and efficiency.

Addressing buzzwords such as “big data” and “predictive maintenance,” Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations now also offers the possibility to link historical transactional equipment maintenance data to upcoming maintenance cycles.

This will help you prepare your company to improve your level of service and fully focus on

  • Corrective maintenance
  • Periodic maintenance
  • Predictive maintenance

Curious about the possibilities of DynaRent for Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations? Please contact us for more information or a demonstration tailored to your needs. Please contact to discuss at info@highsoftware.com or visit www.highsoftware.com and see what we’re doing!


What makes mobile service apps so essential to the crane rental industry today?

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Critical challenges for companies focused on crane rental focus directly on service, in several ways

 

  • Profit margins thrive or dive depending on crane maintenance

In the world of heavy equipment, cranes are considered high-value and service-intensive assets. They’ve also become much more diverse and complex. At any given time, you have to track high volumes of operational elements and parts for a single crane. Accurate scheduling, allocation, and execution of maintenance for that one crane can involve different timelines. But also different technician skillsets, and quick communication about parts and machinery. In addition they can require special ordering.

  • Crane rental scenarios can require a lot of information from the jobsite

Industrial projects can start with need to deliver equipment and then monitor usage and maintenance across extended periods of time. Quite often, they also include operators and project management resources who work onsite. And therefore need efficient ways to register hours and communicate with your planning departments and customers.

  • Transitioning cranes from one project to the next can’t miss a beat

You might have several pieces of equipment and several resources at one long-term jobsite. And when they are required for only part of the project it is an opportunity. You need to orchestrate planning and execution between the back office and the jobsite. This way you can fill all requirements for one project. In addition you can transport equipment no longer needed smoothly to the next site.


Image 1: Mobile field service for crane rental solution from DynaRent

The broad strokes painted above are clear indictors for mobile apps that interface fully with rental and services solutions. Especially the ones that are in turn embedded in ERP. Here’s what to look for:

Field service software built on a mobility platform that’s connected to ERP

Ideally, look for ISV software that integrates with ERP. With a paper-free field service mobility solution and a built-in connector for the mobile platform and your system. In addition, your mobile app should be user-friendly for field users. And not simply a route to ERP screens. For example, both technicians and onsite project managers should work with UIs that give them relevant information and ways of working that are specific to their role.

Mobile platform flexibility that lets you define workflows

You can leverage building blocks and standard templates to tailor existing workflows and create new ones. By using a workflow configurator in the mobility platform. You will give users screens, prompts, and relevant information that fit device and role. Consequently it guides them through process steps. You will find that rich workflow for managing complex service and transport for crane rental is a must have. Especially once you see how broad and deep it can go.

Ability to cover all angles of field service from a mobile app

Crane operators and service technicians can unify processes and communications per task. Furthermore you can unify them across your business easily if they can use their mobile device for:

  • Time & Materials Registration
  • Electronic Signature capture
  • Formatted customer communications and invoices
  • Mobile scanning to auto-register information
  • Customer- and task-specific notes added by users

Complete, real-time integration with planning

Planners should be working with dashboards that give them full overviews and details for all crane rentals and projects. Part of that information comes from a central business system that covers everything. For example, all locations for depots, suppliers, carriers, customers, and the like. Part comes from the mobile apps and devices that people and even machines are utilizing in the field onsite. Planners can sync real-time insight into equipment. But also the customer requirements, resources, maintenance needs, transport and more. They can plan and execute rental projects efficiently, and send mobile users work orders that are “packed” with automated steps and all relevant communications.

Action Management that automates sending and receiving documentation

Configure triggers to auto-send documents via email to customers, suppliers, and third-party stakeholders. Including approvals, status, invoices, and notices for completions, delays, or requests. For example, when a service technician or project manager pushes a button that completes a task, action management can be defined. So that all job details and invoicing go to back office workers and even as emails to customers. Equipment-driven rental and leasing companies that combine mobile workflow with Action Management can sharply reduce errors and paper trails by minimizing manual input.


Image 2: Screenshots of the mobile field service solution from DynaRent for crane rental

Along with the foundation outlined above, the people who operate, service, and transport your cranes will want mobility that includes 24/7 communication with the back office and other mobile users. That can range from ad hoc communications with planners to full-on integration with TomTom for transport, visibility into spare parts and the warehouse, and quick access to technicians working at other sites.
The goal is to conserve time and cost while keeping very valuable assets running in peak condition, at maximum usage. It’s also to ensure that your resources feel they have a secure path to responding quickly and accurately to routine and complex issues.

Are you curious how HiGH Software plays a proactive role to help customers handeling big data? Please contact to discuss at info@highsoftware.com

Data visualization for rental companies: What makes a visual interface easy to use?

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Big data is growing every day. It is the challenge of the decade for many rental companies. One way to make sure your company is ready is by choosing a solution with a great visual interface. Data visualization makes it easier to see all important processes in one glance. This way, the huge piles of data are compiled and presented in an effective and efficient way. It is easy to consume and create reports.


Image 1: Our brains are not made to analyze enormous sets of data. This is where data vizualisation comes in

Why is data visualization important?

The fact is, our brains are not made to analyze enormous sets of data. Our short-term memory has its limits. This is where data visualization comes in: it allows the viewer to make quick analyses of how an issue in one area can impact the larger process. This can save time and money and creates agility.

The quicker your company collects, processes, and analyzes data, the greater the advantage over your competition will be. It also leads to happy employees. Employees who enjoy writing reports can generate them better and more insightfully. Even employees who dislike writing reports can make them more quickly and easily. So, if you are looking for a new system for your rental company, look for one with a great visual interface as well.

Image 2: Example of data vizualisation: BI Cockpit overview

Four things that build a great visual interface specifically for equipment rental and service companies

So how do you know if the rental system you desire has the perfect visual interface? Below, we will provide a few tips how on to recognize whether a visual interface will be an asset to your rental company.

  • Positioning People are very intuitive.

    For example, if you were taught to read from left to right and top to bottom, you will also read like this on the computer: your eyes are drawn to the upper left corner of the screen. So, you need to place the most important information here. This is also important for buttons and information. It might look prettier to place a button on the bottom right, but what if it takes users an extra minute to find it?  Are you sure you want to pay the price for putting the button in a beautiful but illogical place?

  • Consistency

    When visuals are designed consistently, everything seems to fit together. This will create harmony in the overall look and feel of the system. When a system looks chaotic and disorganized, it can even create distrust in the system. But if forms, for example, are consistent, usability improves. Employees learn how to use them more quickly, and it saves them time and energy.

     


    Image 3: When visuals are designed consistently, everything seems to fit together
  • Simplicity

    Of course, you can put every little detail on the dashboard, but this will not improve the workflow. It is much more efficient to group related elements together and keep the interface clean and simple. When you group elements logically and according to function or relationship, the system feels intuitive and easy to use.

  • Form follows function

    After reading our previous points, this seems quite logical. But sometimes this means subtle differences. We can understand this better if we take a look at the use of color. For example, you may love the idea of two buttons that are slightly different in color. But did you know that 8% of men are color-blind? So, it is very possible that some of your employees cannot see the difference in these two colors. This is why it is imperative to use contrasting colors, even if this might look less attractive. The reason behind the form is always more important than how beautiful a system looks. Make sure you choose a system that prioritizes function above form

Are you curious how HiGH Software plays a proactive role to help customers handeling big data? Please contact to discuss at info@highsoftware.com

 

A quick look at DynaRent’s rental fuel management solutions

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Rental fuel management for equipment is a process that companies frequently forget within a rental management solution. However, this is quite a crucial step for fuel-drive equipment because it allows you to ensure you are collecting the right amount of revenue! Therefore, we are proud to present an solution that embeds within DynaRent for each rental process.

Image 1: DynaRent offers an out-of-the-box Rental Fuel Management module

How is rental fuel management arranged within your current ERP system?

You can use rental fuel management at your equipment rental company for many different purposes during many different steps within the rental period. Below is a brief overview of when equipment needs to be fueled up during:

  • Delivery of the equipment
  • Return of the equipment
  • The rental period of the equipment

Furthermore, when you base the invoicing on the usage of fuel or directly on the number of gallons that you registerer for each piece of equipment. Different options require different validations and process flows to invoice the revenue accordingly and post the costs for each rental order.

As you can see, there are many moving parts. This is one of the many reasons DynaRent offers an out-of-the-box Rental Fuel Management module. Furthermore, this module gives you a complete overview configured for the fuel consumption of the available equipment. For each piece of equipment, you can execute different processes:

  • Register the fuel usage
  • Remove the fuel usage
  • Add an extra fuel usage (periodically)
  • Cancel fuel delivery based on a specific reason

This is a functionality within the Rental Management solution. Make this available and as a result you can reduce the workload and registration effort outside the system. In addition, you can even combine multiple handling for your rental department by combining this with DynaRent PowerApps.

Curious about the possibilities of DynaRent for Dynamics 365 for Operations? Please contact us at info@highsoftware.com for more information or a demonstration tailored to your needs.

Why flexible automation and insight are so important to graphical planning dashboards

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If your company works with equipment-driven rental, leasing and services. You’re constantly balancing the need for speedy delivery with changing requirements and timelines. Customers expect you’ll fulfill demand for equipment, resources, and services whether you’re dealing with a simple drop-off or complex project.

There’s no difference in their minds between small tools and heavy equipment that requires manpower and regular maintenance. The same goes for special orders for spare parts, emergency service, and fulfillment from across multiple locations. This industry market trend puts great pressure on planners and their graphical planning dashboards. Even when they have great skills at juggling all angles to schedule and execute equipment driven rental, leasing, and service scenarios. They need tools that let them make the best use of their skills. But also protect them from having to make “monitoring” a full-time job.


Image 1: While planning graphical dashboards should be based on centralized data and standard processes, they should not turn planning into a robotics exercise.

Some examples

Graphical planning dashboards that integrate with ERP can bring innovation to traditional planning methods and software. For example, a robust visual planning dashboard can offer:

  • A single-screen visual overview that shows equipment and resource requirements for projects
  • Single-click insight into resource availability and capacity
  • Intuitive access to specific but ad-hoc information 24/7: can we execute the task? Do we have sufficient spare parts? Are qualified resources available?
  • Quick planning intervention that lets you change reservations and orders. While you keep all elements aligned for rental, leasing, and service scenarios
  • Real-time planning are processed directly within the dashboard. And ranges from coordinating logistics and transport to sending work orders to resources

Flexibility

What can make the capabilities just mentioned so valuable is flexibility. While planning dashboards should be based on centralized data and standard processes, they should not turn planning into a robotics exercise. What you’re looking for is “smart” automation. Planners can access, filter, and view complex information with full control and ease. Rather than chasing down information, they’re presented with options that let them make quick and smart decisions, and initiate workflow-driven processes. They can manage by exception. Thanks to alerts and visual cues that let them know if there’s an interruption or issue that requires manual attention. The best dashboards will be future-facing. They already have standard processes that make it easier to work with turbulent customer demand.

Key Takeaway: Planners benefits from graphical planning dashboards which get more from ERP

As we noted earlier, your goal shouldn’t be to rip and replace current project management tools that your planners may rely on for managing equipment-driven projects. Graphical planning tools enrich your ERP and project management platform by enabling employees to complete and execute planning more efficiently. Most important, this visual, yet data-rich approach to planning ensures people have real-time insight and cues. It lets them respond quickly to changing customer needs.

Curious about the possibilities of DynaRent for Dynamics 365 for Operations? Please contact info@highsoftware.com for more information or a demonstration tailored to your needs.

Digital challenges in the rental industry: Which should you tackle first?

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The internet has unleashed waves of innovation and transformed the way we do business. The changes in the rental market nowadays are stunning, especially if you compare this with around 10 years ago. Everything has changed, not just the way we communicate. For example, has the way your rental company keeps track stock changed? The way you analyze and structure your data? Your reporting systems?

The growing need for mobility is a deeply rooted force that accelerates the digital revolution even more. It can be hard for rental business owners to keep up with the digital transformation. So, which digital challenges do you tackle first? And how do you determine which opportunity will strengthen your business the most?


Image 1: Digital challenges for rental companies

When you read about digital transformation, you mostly see lists of all the novelties in the digital era. Or you get a description of all the digital challenges you face during your transition. But you want solutions, advice, or just some inspiration. In this article, we will give you a few tips to think about.

Stick to the plan of your rental company

The best starting point for your digital transformation is to go back to basics. You get the most out of every transformation when it is rooted in the core of your rental business. Look closely at your operation. What is your company’s vision? Where do you want to go? What do you want to give your customers? Just take a step back and consider what is most important for your company. Once you do this, your priorities become clear and you will be able to use the digital challenges to your advantage. You will make decisions with your customers and your employees in mind because they should be the reasons behind every choice you make.

Do your research

Nothing provides more insight than your customers and employees. You might think you already know what they want. But I can promise you, it will surprise you. Do keep in mind that your employees and customers may not always be upfront with you? Maybe they have their own agenda or are worried about their position. They can have many reasons for not being honest. Therefore, it can be worthwhile to let an independent company do the research. These companies are specialized and know how to prevent these kind of situations. Also, some of these research agencies have a huge network of possible candidates. This way, the research is done with a much larger target audience.


Image 2: which digital challenges does your rental company tackle first?

Don’t follow the buzz surrounding digital challenges

It is easy to get lost amid all the possible choices in your digital transition. There are so many digital challenges for rental companies. So many people saying they have the ideal solution. The buzz can be distracting or even misleading. This is exactly why many rental companies are delaying their transitions. Or why some companies dive in head first. Both decisions can have their drawbacks. If you wait too long, you might fall behind. But if you dive in immediately, you might spend too much money on unnecessary changes.

So don’t follow the buzz. And don’t let it scare you into doing nothing. Just make sure you know why you want this new solution or innovation. Does your company need it? Will it make your customers happy? What about your employees? Are you sure you are doing it for the right reason? Or are you just afraid to fall behind?

Are you afraid to fall behind?

Nothing good ever came from fear. Always carefully plan your transition. It’s easy to be tempted by the thought “But my competition is already doing it…” What your competition is doing is always interesting, but don’t let it lead you astray. It might be the right solution for them, but it might not be right for you. And don’t forget, your competition might be wrong.

The low-hanging fruit strategy for rental companies

When you don’t know where to begin, it might be a good strategy to start with the easily obtainable gains. Start your transition by taking stock of everything your rental company already has. Maybe you just have to make a few improvements to start your transition. Or just start with the solutions that are easy to implement and low-cost. This might give you clarity as to which additional solutions you need.

Are you curious how HiGH Software plays a proactive role to help customers handeling digital challenges? Please contact to discuss at info@highsoftware.com

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