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For Auckland based Abri Architects, the key benefits of using WorkflowMax are:
- Data for planning
- Overview of the business at any given time
- Integrates smoothly with their current processes and workflow (no disruption)
- Xero integration
Find out more about how Abri Architects uses WorkflowMax to get more information about how they're tracking across the business so they can plan better, and work how it suits them!
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User Stories is a regular column on the WorkflowMax blog where we talk to businesses who are using WorkflowMax to manage their projects and improve workflows. We get a company to walk us through their workflow process and explain how they use different features. Every company is different, and every firm has different methods and processes for managing their projects. By taking a look at what others do, we hope to inspire you and help you gain an understanding of how WorkflowMax could work for your own business!
This week, we’re talking to John Durkin from Abri Architects. Welcome, John!
Tell us about your company. Who are you, and what do you do?
John: We are a medium sized architectural practice working in Auckland and throughout New Zealand. We’ve recently created a presence in Hamilton, and are looking to expand our work into the Waikato region. Our portfolio is quite broad and includes residential new homes, alterations, commercial and mixed use.
We enjoy advocating for people, collaborating with them as well as other consultants and contractors using a team approach to help them get the very best from their project. We understand that on the surface we are creating buildings, places and spaces, but beyond that, we are ultimately building futures for our clients, their families and the people that they associate with personally or in business.
What kind of clients do you work with?
John: We work with a wide range of clients, and fortunately most tend to be discerning, intelligent, and actually `give a toss' about quality and good design! They understand how design can enhance their personal life or their business environment and it makes our job a little easier!
What challenges were you facing when it came to your workflow?
John: Prior to WorkflowMax we were using a timesheet product that didn’t give us enough information about how we were tracking, so we couldn’t use it to help with our planning. Thanks to WorkflowMax however, this is becoming easier!
"We needed a project management software that would give us the ability to get a good overview of what was happening across the business at any one time." – John Durkin
What was the most important factor to you when choosing project management software?
John: For us the most important thing was the ability for the software to integrate easily with how we work as architects! We have a number of projects running concurrently, for several different clients, all at different stages. We needed a project management software that would give us the ability to get a good overview of what was happening across the business at any one time.
Apart from WorkflowMax, do you use any other software tools to manage your business?
John: Yes, we use Xero for our accounting platform.
Walk us through the life of a project at your company, from beginning to end. What are the steps in the process and how do you use WorkflowMax or other software at each step?
John: We use WorkflowMax throughout our process, from initial discussions with our clients and presentation of a services proposal to them, right through to planning or workload and timing for the design and ultimately construction of the project. This could run over a number of years in some cases.
What kind of reports are you creating with WorkflowMax?
John: We are still at an early stage with WorkflowMax and just starting to get the best from the package, which we know has a massive potential for us. Most of the reporting we are doing at this stage is monitoring time vs. costs, with some future planning work now being done too.
Did you use an IT setup partner to get started with WorkflowMax? If so, what did you find the most helpful?
John: We used Maisey Harris in Hamilton - they are accountants with a very full understanding of how WorkflowMax integrates with Xero and how it could be customised to suit us and our systems. Nathan Maisey in particular was a real guru in terms of everything WorkflowMax and helped make our transition to the software super smooth!
What do you love most about WorkflowMax?
“WorkflowMax seems to ‘get' how we work, and instead of trying to work around our systems, we can make our systems work best around us and how we like to operate.” – John Durkin
John: Architects work in a way that is similar for all their clients but never the same. WorkflowMax allows us to customise and create a project setup that suits the job and how the client will be dealt with. WorkflowMax seems to ‘get' how we work, and instead of trying to work around our systems, we can make our systems work best around us and how we like to operate.
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Thanks John for talking to us about how you use WorkflowMax!
If you’re running a company using WorkflowMax and want to talk workflow with us, then drop us an email – we’d love to hear from you.Just send an email to mallika.goel@xero.com and we’ll be in touch!
