SnapCount Insights

You already know SnapCount is the best available lighting and energy retrofit software, and you’ve begun using it to audit, propose, and implement retrofit projects far more efficiently.

The question is: How can you keep moving in the direction of even more cost-effectiveness?

One way is to refine your day-to-day use of SnapCount by progressively implementing some of the best practices identified by the SnapCount Customer Success team, as well as those employed by power users across North America. With many of these users reporting productivity gains of up to 70%, we’re excited to share these ideas with you to help you become even better.

If you’re ready to level up your SnapCount, here’s where to start.

Just a few years ago, electric vehicle (EV) sightings on the highway were about as rare as those of antique roadsters. Fast forward to today, and it seems like every tenth car is whirring along silently under the power of an electric motor.

EV technology is improving and becoming more affordable. Auto manufacturers are electrifying their lineups. And consumers fed up with high gas prices and pollution are increasingly attracted to clean electric vehicles.

It won’t be long before fossil fuel-powered vehicles are the rarity, which raises a question: Where will all these EVs recharge their batteries?

The past few years have been a roller-coaster ride, to say the least, for the world economy as a whole. And energy retrofitters have been subject to many of the same dizzying swoops.

One day it seems like business is booming, and the next, demand bottoms out. Or demand skyrockets, but you can’t get the materials you need to complete your lighting projects on schedule.

The future looks to be more of the same.

Lighting retrofits are among the most promising opportunities for electrical contractors right now, which is great news for your business growth. But with margins tightening and clients expecting more work in less time, you can’t afford to make mistakes that eat into your profits.

Here are the most common mistakes contractors and their team members make while working on LED lighting retrofit projects—and some tips from an experienced electric contractor to help you avoid these mistakes.

“Safety First!” is an old motto, but it still rings true to experienced lighting and electrical auditors: You simply can’t afford to get hurt on the job.

Being safe during an electrical audit helps preserve your client relationships, maximizes your profit and most importantly, keeps you injury-free so you can continue working, growing your business and enjoying life.

Sounds great … but how do you optimize your safety processes when every job is in a different setting?

Electrical contractors know new doesn’t automatically mean better.

If a tool or technique works reasonably well, why risk the potential cost and disruption of switching to an unproven alternative, like energy retrofit software? Paper is cheap, and you already have an Excel license. Plus, any new software typically comes with a learning period (and maybe a little grumbling from employees.)

As it turns out though, energy retrofit software can quickly pay for itself, and then some—and in ways you might not have expected.

There were over 12 billion devices connected to the Internet of Things by 2021. By 2025, the IoT will have over 27 billion endpoints (according to IoT Analytics).

Lighting technology will account for a large percentage of those new IoT devices. Will your retrofit company have a hand in installing them?

In an industry where work is done in the field, for many energy and retrofit contractors, digital marketing isn’t top of mind. While an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach might work for some, retrofit companies that want to remain competitive have begun to embrace digital marketing to drive new sales and growth.

It’s no secret the construction industry has been experiencing a labor shortage for a while.

But now, it’s even worse. In 2020, more baby boomers retired than ever before. This wave of pandemic-motivated early retirements is expected to continue throughout 2022 and beyond.

The loss of the older generation of workers has hit the lighting and energy retrofit industry particularly hard. The wave of new generations of skilled workers is forcing businesses to prioritize sustainability & ESG initiatives as a way to attract top talent to their organiziation.

The LED lighting revolution has been excellent for retrofitters, building owners, and anyone who values energy efficiency — but there have been a few downsides for those tasked with product information management.

The pace of change in the commercial lighting market nearly matches the breakneck speed for which the microchip field is notorious. Lifecycles, efficacy, and performance are improving at such a rapid rate that the industry can barely absorb all the product information coming at it.

Many energy service companies (ESCOs) and contractors aren’t set up for this challenge. Simply maintaining a catalog and parts list almost requires a full-time person.