Triple Play!

FMC Corporation recently introduced three new software packages designed to help PCOs manage their business more effectively. The three software products — SMARTRAK®, PowerRoute® 2000 and Integrated SMARTRAK/PowerRoute — are designed to increase a PCO’s productivity and profitability, according to the manufacturer. "We see great value in combining our experience in the pest control industry with our software technology to address key business issues facing the pest control operator," said Dan Rosenbaum, business manager of FMC’s Software Solutions Center. "These new offerings also show FMC’s commitment to a continually evolving pest control industry." A brief review of each software package follows.

1. SMARTRAK. Combined with the other elements of FMC’s Systematic Termite Control® product offerings — including FirstLine® GT Plus Termite Bait Stations, SMARTDISC Locator and Monitoring Stations and Talstar Termiticide/Insecticide — SMARTRAK will help PCOs build a more profitable business, the company said. "The availability of hand-held units, along with features such as barcoding and remote communication, extend the power of these tools directly to the PCO in the field," Rosenbaum said.

"SMARTRAK was developed as a business management tool to help PCOs maximize the relationship they have with their customers," said Neil DeStefano, director of marketing for FMC’s Specialty Products Business. "It’s a business tool designed to help PCOs manage and monitor every termite baiting job and our newest addition to the Systematic Termite Control System." The product is available in both desktop and hand-held versions and features five major functions:

• Scheduling. SMARTRAK automatically identifies needed appointments so PCOs always know when to monitor a job or visit a site. PCOs can view appointments by route, day, week and month.

• Routing. SMARTRAK enables managers to easily map out the most efficient routes to reduce travel time between jobs.

• Diagramming and Graphing. SMARTRAK allows PCOs to quickly diagram a house, including coded icons, to record services performed.

• Tracking. SMARTRAK provides a complete history of every service call, allowing PCOs to print reports for homeowners or state regulators quickly and easily.

• Reporting. SMARTRAK creates a full array of reports, including products used, which helps office staff with job pricing and inventory control.

Further, there are no periodic usage fees or a need to report information back to FMC with the SMARTRAK system, the company reports.

2. POWERROUTE. PowerRoute is a financial management tool that offers many of the features of SMARTRAK, along with some enhanced financial tracking and record-keeping capabilities. Features include sales tracking, daily operations, invoice generation, inventory tracking and billing/payment history. "You will quickly discover that this software will help bring your company to a new level of business performance," De-Stefano said. Additional features include:

• Automatic generation of invoices from services.

• On-screen customer aging and collection history.

• Aged trial balance reports.

• Automatic billing.

• Accounts receivable reports.

• Printing of statements.

• Business reporting and historical tracking.

3. INTEGRATED PACKAGE. According to FMC, the company’s Integrated Package combines the features of SMARTRAK and PowerRoute, providing a comprehensive software package to meet virtually any PCO’s needs. "Since SMARTRAK and PowerRoute are fully integrated, you don’t have to go back and forth between systems or worry about software compatibility issues," DeStefano said.

In addition to these software packages, FMC is continuing its development of new technologies and services in order to meet its goal of becoming the leading solutions provider to the pest control industry, the company said. "As the Internet, e-business and software play an increasingly critical role in every successful business, FMC will be able to offer a fully integrated system of bait, chemical, software and hardware solutions to the pest control operator," Rosenbaum said.

HARDWARE. FMC also provides guidance and specifications for computer hardware and network communications. Hand-held computers, along with add-on devices such as barcode wands, are available from the company. FMC also sells PCO business forms that can be ordered by registered users directly on its website.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT. In addition to its software packages, the company offers comprehensive support and training through the FMC Software Solutions Center at 800/874-7594. The support program includes:

Toll-Free Support: The FMC Software Solutions Center is staffed with a trained technical support team that has both software and pest control knowledge. The company’s technical team caters exclusively to its SMARTRAK and PowerRoute clients.

Modem Support: The company uses pcAnywhere® and online modem support to provide training, send updates and diagnose and fix problems when they occur. Through a modem and a regular dial-up phone line, or through an Internet connection, FMC representatives are able to connect to a PCO’s computer, view the screen and "show" the PCO how to solve the problem.

Training/Classes: FMC provides several types of training options from telephone consultation to on-site, customized training programs. In addition, the company offers regional training seminars where 20 to 50 clients assemble at one site to be trained. The firm also offers in-house training at its Phoenix office.

Internet Support: FMC also provides support via e-mail and other user support forums. Updates and product enhancements can be downloaded from the company’s Internet site at www.fmc-apgspec.com.

SMARTRAK, PowerRoute and FMC’s Integrated Package are Windows-based software, compatible with Windows 95/98/NT or 2000 operating systems.