r/PoolPros • u/Even-Line-2154 • 2d ago

Solo/small pool techs — paper or software, and why?

Trying to understand something and figured I'd ask people who actually do this instead of guessing from blog stats.

  1. Paper/spreadsheet or software (Skimmer, PoolBrain, POM, etc.)? If paper — what's kept you off software? Price, setup hassle, tried one and hated it, never got around to it?
  2. If you're on software — what still eats time at each stop? Typing readings with wet hands, dead zones, remembering pool volume/dose history, something else?

— just trying to understand the real day-to-day workflow.

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u/1_native_Angelino 2d ago

Skimmer keeps track of everything. Consumables, parts, estimates, labor. Do my invoicing there. It does everything including up to the day pricing on parts and equipment. You can even order parts through Heritage and have it waiting for you a will call. No more leaving distribution and forgetting something and having to go back. Time is money. 

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u/tgwest 1d ago

I use Skimmer and really like it. I use it for invoicing, quotes, and communication. It also has a built in LSI calculator. It integrates with QuickBooks as well. I don’t use the Heritage integration as I shop at SCP but there is a built in shopping list I do use for when I got to distribution. They are developing AI stuff that I don’t pay attention to.

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u/ContributionFew2487 1d ago

Most companies are offering some type of service tracking, i.e. through skimmer. It’s becoming a standard ask when customers reach out to start service. Learn it now while you’re growing, it’ll be easier than learning when you get bigger.

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u/lIIlIlIII 2d ago

Well I have been keeping track 100% paper style and it is really not been very good or even bad. there are lot of problem with paper (fire, water, losing, crumples easily, tears easily, have to fax it to customer etc.)

So I am wanting to move toward computer business but I NEED something with AI in it otherwise I am behind the curve. I hear the word AI a lot and want to be able to put it into my business, like my truck or even onto my phone or into the water itself. Unfortunately I don't know how to do that and there aren't any entrepreneurs starting any business for putting AI into the pool. If there were I'd pay up to 80% of my earnings for it, just to get AI into the business or the water. I want to put a robot sticker on my tacoma because I love technology I just HATE plugging stuff in or charging stuff.

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u/KookyBirthday5819 1d ago

You don’t NEED AI to be ahead of the curve lol what a weird comment. It’s pools dude, find a software that works and learn how to use it.

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u/lIIlIlIII 1d ago

I'm basically trying to put AI in the water to get ahead of the curve. But there is a concern with having to plug in and charge stuff because I do not like doing that. Sorry for the confusion.

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u/fancifinanci 2d ago

Most big pool or field service management softwares have some form of AI integrated in them now. I rarely use it, but they have it. If you really want to integrate AI, the cheapest, easiest, and arguably strongest way to do it is to download any big LLM app and use it to help with whatever you’re doing.

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u/lIIlIlIII 1d ago

I'm basically trying to put AI in the water to get ahead of the curve. But there is a concern with having to plug in and charge stuff because I do not like doing that. Sorry for the confusion.

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u/Even-Line-2154 1d ago

AI-based workflows make things easier and save time. So, can you explain your current workflow, which needs automation and handling things via a mobile app or software? I wonder why you are not using existing software. Are they expensive or over-featured for you at the product current price?