While the economy limps along, Chris Cunningham’s heating and air conditioning business in suburban Indianapolis is enjoying unprecedented success. Business at Service Plus Heating and Air Conditioning is up 40 percent since Cunningham passed out a new tool to his technicians earlier this year.

Moving much of his business to iPhones has transformed his operation, says Cunningham. “It has really set us apart locally, set us light years ahead of my competition,’’ Cunningham says. “It has changed everything. I’ve been able to hire two extra technicians.”… For businesses that move functions such as service orders and credit card processing to an iPhone at work sites, the benefits are readily apparent, says Cunningham. He notes these improvements:

• More efficient customer service. With the flick of a thumb, his technicians can show manufacturers’ websites with furnace specifications. On a standard proposal, each model number links back to the manufacturer’s site. Bills, pricing forms, and estimates are loaded and ready to go… “My guys can produce three or four estimates effortlessly,” Cunningham says.
• Quicker turnaround. Businesses that rely on writing orders in the field can particularly benefit from using iPhone apps. “We used to have to do a paper carbonless copy, and it would take a 24-hour turnaround,’’ says Cunningham. “Now, when a technician hits send, I know instantly what he’s done, what he’s charged.”
• Mitigating human error. Handwriting can be difficult to read. Workers without any great love for completing forms can be sloppy or forgetful. “We had a great office staff before, but the road block was always my technicians,’’ Cunningham says.

Despite the recession, sales at Service Plus Heating and Air Conditioning, Indianapolis, IN, are up more than 60% compared to last year.

Chris Cunningham started the business six years ago, as a one-truck operation. Now, he’s doing $1million-plus in sales with the help of five technicians. Cunningham credits the boost to improved efficiency and smarter use of technology and personnel.

One of his favorite techno-tools is an iPhone that includes a FormSpring template for business documents.

Cunningham and each of his technicians made the move to paperless invoicing about six months ago. FormSpring lets contractors capture and manage data online with a drag-and-drop system that allows them to build the templates without the support of an IT department… Field technicians use the templates to generate and email invoices to customers without going back to the office. The same system allows techs to generate up to three different quotes when a unit needs to be replaced.

“With FormSpring, we’ve automated much of our invoicing from the field, and we’re experiencing huge growth. There’s improved efficiency, and the IPhone application allows my technicians to sell more effectively… We see all of our pricing on one page, and it keeps it nice and tidy. Our field technicians don’t have to drop off tickets every 24-hour, and we know what’s going on with every job at all times.”