5 Questions to Ask When Evaluating Rental Software Companies
Arielle Cox
When it comes to choosing a rental software company, you need to have more than just a solid technology offering – you need a company that can truly partner with you to support your growth. It’s never a good thing when you have to switch vendors because the company behind the software just can’t meet your business’s needs. Switching can be such a headache and very time-consuming, as well – which makes it crucial to make the right choice from the get-go.
Rental software is rental software… right? In some cases, yes. Inventory tracking will be inventory tracking; invoices will be invoices; contracts will be contracts. But the key take-away here should be the HOW of it all. On the back end, you need business processes that are tailored to your workflows rather than being forced to mold to new, generic workflows – square peg in a round hole, if you will.
No switching.
No settling for less.
No “one-size-fits-all”.
So – how do you make sure this is what you’re getting from the very beginning?
The Questions You Should Ask Prospective Rental Software Companies:
1. Is your pricing model based on number of users, number of locations, or something else?
Charging by user can get expensive, especially as you grow. A pricing model that allows unlimited users at each location can let you bring as many people onto the system as you need at any time, without increasing your cost.
Similarly, getting all the functionality you need as part of one base package is crucial for avoiding unexpected upcharges if you’d like to start using additional features in the future.
2. What other systems do you integrate with?
Passing data back and forth between the systems you are already using vs. having to hunt down crucial data on multiple platforms can make a huge difference in how your time is spent. What programs/ platforms do you already work in that are mission-critical to your rental business, and can they pass data back to the rental software? Do they pass this data in real time, or do they only send it once or twice a day? (The latter means you’ll never truly know if you’re working with the most up-to-date information or not.)
3. What does the process of customizing a business workflow in your software look like?
While it’s great to have features that work for your business right out of the box, the
The reality is that every rental business is unique. What works for a small general/tool rental center may not work for a multi-location aerial rental business. Having the flexibility to tailor your software to your needs lets you keep your business flowing smoothly. Look for a rental software company that can tailor your system to your requirements instead of forcing you to work with one-size-fits-all features.
4. What support can you provide - both up front in terms of initial training but also down the line as we continue to grow?
Having powerful rental software at your fingertips is crucial – but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Even the best software is only as good as the support and the training behind it. That’s why it’s important to look for rental software companies that provide:
- Initial launch training for all your end users
- Online modules and self-serve guides that allow your team to quickly answer their questions or implement new processes
- In-person trainings that keep you up to date with the industry
- A community of other rental businesses using the same software who are willing to share their real-world tips and tricks
Ideally, the support team should also have spent time working in the rental industry. Having resources who have been at the counter, in sales/operations, in maintenance, etc… ensures that you’re talking to people who “get it” and have been in your shoes.
5. How are you investing in new solutions?
When it comes to rental software companies, growth should be evident. You want your vendor to be continuously developing new tools, fixing bugs, and enhancing current features so you don’t end up stagnating behind your competitors.
InTempo is actively driving changes in rental technology and helping users keep up with rapid changes in this industry. Keeping you ahead of the curve and forever improving your business and business processes is our goal.
We've helped multiple rental companies grow from one location to 10+ locations in a matter of a few years. We pride ourselves on delivering software that helps independent organizations successfully compete with and level the playing field with other large industry chains. With a Professional Services team that provides dedicated training; a Customer Care team that can answer any questions you have about using your software to the fullest; and a Development team that can help you customize processes and develop customer modifications; we give you everything you need to run your day-to-day business functions while growing for the future. You define growth and what success means to you, and we will meet you there.
To learn more, contact us or request a demo.
Want to read more about how InTempo can benefit your business?
Check out our “Enterprise At a Glance Feature Map”!