When purchasing or renting construction equipment, the service and support of a dealer is an important consideration. Working with a dealer partner that takes a vested interest in your success can help you avoid challenges during implementation and accelerate the return on your investment.
So how can you find the perfect dealer that provides outstanding support? Here are five tips to get you started.
1. Find and Vet Dealers Working in Your Area
When it comes to service and support, location is important. Consider where work will be performed and narrow your search to well-staffed dealerships in those areas. The dealership should be fully equipped to handle your business, which includes having a healthy inventory of replacement parts such as cables and antennas. A broader product line could also save you time if you currently order different products from multiple sources.
Ask prospective dealers about their experience with the heavy construction side of technology and their typical response times. It’s not unreasonable to expect someone to call you within 30 minutes of your request, so don’t hesitate to hold the dealer to a high standard.
2. Carefully Evaluate Technology Support from Iron Dealers
The skill sets needed to solve construction technology issues are completely different from those needed to solve issues with heavy construction equipment. Whenever a dealership is trying to do both, they tend to gravitate towards what’s easier and what they’re comfortable with. Sometimes that’s not going to be the technology that goes on the machine.
Technology dealers on the other hand, are more likely to have a GPS skill set. They also won’t be distracted by issues with construction equipment machinery.
If you want to work with a one-stop-shop for convenience or other reasons, make sure they have the right expertise on staff to support your needs.
3. Consider the Technology Platform As Well As the Hardware and Software
When purchasing machine control technology, you typically have the option of subscribing to an online platform that adds some important capabilities. For example, contractors that use Leica machine control value the subscription to the cloud collaboration platform Leica ConX. Technical issues can often be resolved faster because dealer support personnel can connect with machines online and troubleshoot issues. You can also get automatic firmware updates online. And instead of physically bringing files to your machines, you can send files directly to machines through the platform.
Look for a platform that is easy to use, robust in its capabilities, and allows you to quickly customize the data you send to your team.
4. Communicate Your Needs
Clear and effective communication is the cornerstone of any good business relationship, and it’s essential to give a dealer the information they need to support you in a way that works for your business. The dealer should be willing to tailor their service and support to what you actually need, whether that is help creating digital models, assisting with setting up a jobsite, or providing more advanced training.
Make sure to also communicate the response time you expect. Sometimes customer expectations don’t align with what a dealer can provide due to the location or the resources that would be required to provide the service. Clarifying your expectations upfront can help you identify potential issues before they become problems.
One communication strategy that has proven effective for many contractors is designating an internal technology champion. This person can streamline channels of communication between the dealer and your business and also become an internal source of support for your employees as you gain experience.
5. Put the Dealer to the Test
One way to experience the support capabilities of a dealer is through a construction technology rental. This is a relatively risk-free way to see how your dealer works with your crew and supports you throughout the job.
Selecting a technology dealer is an important decision that can have a significant impact on your business. Carefully evaluating the dealer and their capabilities can help you get the best support and the biggest ROI.
Your Leica dealer is ready to help you on your construction technology journey. More than anything, they want you to succeed. Contact us today to find the dealer that’s right for you.
