Tools to Help Electricians Reduce Time Spent Managing Their Business

In today's competitive market, it's important for electrical contractors to spend more time on the job site and less on the administrative tasks required to run their business. Fortunately there are a number of software tools available that help contractors with tasks such as bidding jobs, scheduling both the people and materials needed on the project, tracking costs and, preparing and managing invoices, supplier payments and payroll. Many of these are available on both computers and mobile devices so they can be brought to the job site and updated in real time.

The general categories of the software electical contractors should have in their tool box are listed below with examples of some of the best-of-breed solutions. Each product includes a link to the provider's web site.

Job Bidding and Quoting

• JobFLEX Easy to use mobile app with modules for bidding jobs, presenting quotes to clients, scheduling resources for the job site and tracking the project. 
• Vision InfoSoft Similar to Job Flex but with a limited number of modules 

Technical Drawing and Schematic Creation

• SmartDraw ‎CAD results without the CAD hassles. Creates electrical designs within minutes. 
• Edraw Powerful but easy-to-use electrical drawing software to create professional looking wiring diagrams using pre-drawn templates and examples. 

Project Management

• FieldAware Top-Rated mobile filed services management software for scheduling and dispatching workers and assigning jobs. 
• TrackSmart Includes functions for scheduling, traking attendance and time clock. Allows for creating recurring work schedules which can be used over and over again. 

Accounting

• Quickbooks The leader in small business accounting software. Powerful, yet easy to set up and use. Available as an online application for easy access. 
• Zoho Easy to use online accounting software for small businesses to managed their finances and stay on top of their cash flow. 

Feel free to try out this list of tools and there's a good chance you'll spend less time managing your contracting business and more time growing it.