Wintac business software. Anyone try it?

[Right Touch]

Currently I use Groundskeeper for my business software but it's a little "juvenile" for lack of a better work. I only use it for ease of entering charges and printing bills. I use Quick Books for my construction proposals and invoices and for my banking. Obviously to combine the two would be great. Havent found a good program to do both- or have I? Anyone ever try this Wintac Software?? http://www.intacinternational.com/features.htm
feedback would be great.

[jdiller]

qxpress.com

[AztlanLC]

I wanted to try this software couple years ago and what they call a demo is just a cd full with screen shots of the program nothing you can interact and use, also it seems the program hasn't being updated ever since that is my major concern

[jdiller]

think of this software as either a 2, 5, or 10 year solution. do you really want an application running your business that isnt nimble enough to change as your improve your practices. get qxpress.

wintac is sam bowie. qxpress is jordan. dont be the trailblazers.

[Right Touch]

i just got the demo and you are right- nothing to interact with just screen shots... I looked up that qxpress software and its def not as all encompassing of a program as I am looking for. The wintac seems like it will do the trick but hard to really tell without being able to enter at least a couple customers in.

[Right Touch]

although i must admit i didnt look in to the qxpress software too much

[bohiaa]

yea I looked at it and wans't impressed. now using lawnpro and have been for 3 yrs. it too is a bit "juvenile" for lack of a better work. it will interact with Quick books.
However I would NOT recomand it.

there has to be a better mouse trap out there

[Right Touch]

There's gotta be something good out there specifically designed for our industry that is all encompassing. I'm tired of doing lawn billing in groundskeeper, having 20 spreadsheets of customer info for pricing and mail merge, then using quickbooks to reconcile everything for my accountant, but so far that seems like both the easiest way for me. For my accountant, and for my customers. I'm a "research a lot before you buy" kinda guy n just am not that impressed with what's out there. I was able to look at a bid from another company in my area that's considered well established n his bid was in spreadsheet format! I almost hit the floor when I saw how unprofessional it looked- he even had words spelled wrong. And I think this approach wasd acceptable for the past 10 years but it seems nowadays people are really looking at details more. So I'm trying to go into next year revamped and more organized with a new system but maybe its like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow- maybe its just not there...
Posted via Mobile Device

[Right Touch]

i just talked with a manager of a fairly successful fertilizer company that I worked for a few years back. they have a software that seems to work really well. He said it is not specifically designed for fertilizer companies, but for the entire industry, and that I should check it out. Here is the link:

http://www.realgreen.com/

I have never heard of anyone on this site referring to this software. Could this be it?

It worked really good when I worked there and the owner of this company is one of the most organized guys I have ever known.

[LushGreenLawn]

Real green is the best software out there, but do you really want to spend 9000 on software plus a yearly fee?

There has to be a decent solution for under $1000.

So far, I can't find anything that will work with my fertilizer program. All I need to do is be able to schedule a customer, and have the software automatically schedule the next servicing 6 weeks after the work is completed. Any ideas?
Posted via Mobile Device

[lawncaremn]

Has anyone tried Gopher software?

[Right Touch]

$9000!? Is that just for one user or a network? I didn't realize it was that expensive. I guess the search continues
Posted via Mobile Device

[Right Touch]

Send the link to the gopher site. I haven't tried it but have heard it mentioned. Ill look into it
Posted via Mobile Device

[lawncaremn]

www.gophersoftware.com

[LushGreenLawn]

The base price I was quoted for Real Green was $9000. I don't know if it will allow multiple users, I stopped asking questions after I was told the price.

I use gopher right now. It works well, and is supposed to have the function to work with my fertilizer program, but it does not work very well for that. I starting using a spreadsheet for scheduleing my fert program, and adding the treatments manually to the invoices.

Its perfect for everything else though. It looks a little outdated, but is simple and does the job for scheduling and billing.

[Right Touch]

Can it do accounting n check writing and mail merge?

The base price I was quoted for Real Green was $9000. I don't know if it will allow multiple users, I stopped asking questions after I was told the price.

I use gopher right now. It works well, and is supposed to have the function to work with my fertilizer program, but it does not work very well for that. I starting using a spreadsheet for scheduleing my fert program, and adding the treatments manually to the invoices.

Its perfect for everything else though. It looks a little outdated, but is simple and does the job for scheduling and billing.
Posted via Mobile Device

[mikey.hill]

There's gotta be something good out there specifically designed for our industry that is all encompassing. I'm tired of doing lawn billing in groundskeeper, having 20 spreadsheets of customer info for pricing and mail merge, then using quickbooks to reconcile everything for my accountant, but so far that seems like both the easiest way for me. For my accountant, and for my customers. I'm a "research a lot before you buy" kinda guy n just am not that impressed with what's out there. I was able to look at a bid from another company in my area that's considered well established n his bid was in spreadsheet format! I almost hit the floor when I saw how unprofessional it looked- he even had words spelled wrong. And I think this approach wasd acceptable for the past 10 years but it seems nowadays people are really looking at details more. So I'm trying to go into next year revamped and more organized with a new system but maybe its like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow- maybe its just not there...
Posted via Mobile Device

I'm building something very oriented to the industry, but have run into a few snags lately (mainly time and lack of documentation of ACH transactions). I know a few of the guys on here have heard me rant on about this before so I'll spare you, but it's not designed like any product that's existing. I'm really hoping to have a version rolled out before the first of the year, however it may be somewhat crippled w/ regards to accepting payments until I can negotiate a fair price with a CC processing company. I really wanted to have that included initially but I am having difficulty getting pricing that will be both fair to the users as well as able to accomplish and grow with the software.

[mikey.hill]

The base price I was quoted for Real Green was $9000. I don't know if it will allow multiple users, I stopped asking questions after I was told the price.


I agree, that is an insane price. I'm a programmer and is no lack of excellent project mgmt, invoicing/billing and CRM tools made specifically for my industry. It shocks me to hear how much people are paying for things like real green and another one that slips my mind right now (however, it was like 100/month for each user if anyon knows which one i'm thinking of).

[AztlanLC]

hope to hear more news of your software soon specially way before spring.

[Beautiful Lawns]

We've been using Wintac for a few years now and love it. I remember before we bought it, we did a live web demo of the software so we could see it in action. I'm sure if you contact them, they will set that up for you. Also, we just upgraded to their new 2010 release and it is the best. The whole user interface has been redesigned. HTH, Janet.

[Josh.S]

The Real Green pricing is as follows;

Standard version: $2500 (less than 500 customers)
Full version: $5000 (over 500 customers)

Then there are add on things like Mapping, Handheld, Mutliple user support... that is where you guys get into the $9000 figures.

Just for standard Real Green with less than 500 active customers you are looking at $2500.

The support is $50-70 (cant remember) for either regular or full version. You do not have to have support if you don't want it. With support you get free upgrades and if a new version comes out you get it free. Just recently they added in software so you can text employees from Real Green. They add little stuff like that and fix bugs and such every so often.

Basically every large company uses Real Green and never looks back. Like all the scott's and trugreen franchises, weed man, ect... Honestly I can't imagine running my business without Real Green.

[TMlawncare]

There's gotta be something good out there specifically designed for our industry that is all encompassing. I'm tired of doing lawn billing in groundskeeper, having 20 spreadsheets of customer info for pricing and mail merge, then using quickbooks to reconcile everything for my accountant, but so far that seems like both the easiest way for me. For my accountant, and for my customers. I'm a "research a lot before you buy" kinda guy n just am not that impressed with what's out there. I was able to look at a bid from another company in my area that's considered well established n his bid was in spreadsheet format! I almost hit the floor when I saw how unprofessional it looked- he even had words spelled wrong. And I think this approach wasd acceptable for the past 10 years but it seems nowadays people are really looking at details more. So I'm trying to go into next year revamped and more organized with a new system but maybe its like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow- maybe its just not there...
Posted via Mobile Device


Why don't you give Quickbooks Pro/ Qxpress Platinum a try. There is almost nothing this software combo will not do. Do you need a mobile device, it lets you bring the full version out in the field. We have been very satisfied with it for the 2009 season.

[TMlawncare]

Real green is the best software out there, but do you really want to spend 9000 on software plus a yearly fee?

There has to be a decent solution for under $1000.

So far, I can't find anything that will work with my fertilizer program. All I need to do is be able to schedule a customer, and have the software automatically schedule the next servicing 6 weeks after the work is completed. Any ideas?
Posted via Mobile Device

Yes, Qxpress Platinum will do this. It is called Zone scheduling.

[mikey.hill]

Yes, Qxpress Platinum will do this. It is called Zone scheduling.

and with quickbooks how much does that cost?

[Beautiful Lawns]

We spent around $600 for Wintac Green. We do all of our accounting right in Wintac so that we only need one program, but I know there is a link to QuickBooks also.

[TMlawncare]

and with quickbooks how much does that cost?


You can get Quickbooks Pro for around $150. Qxpress Platinum will run about $1200. Mapping adds about $500 but a lot of times they will cut you a deal if you buy both. Yes it is expensive, but its a one time charge. There is no monthly fees. We were going to go with Clip or Realgreen but both charge around $70-80 per month in service charges. Thats another $900 every year. I just can't justify that.

We tried Clip, Gopher, Groundskeeper Pro and looked into several others. Most were to basic. Clip was too complicated and seemed to have a few glitches, but was feature packed. Qxpress could do everything Clip could but it was much easier to setup and use plus it was less expensive in the long run. Qxpress intergrates so well with Quickbooks is seems like they wrote the program together. Customer supports is excellent but they do seem a little understaffed at times. At Expo I looked at many new programs getting ready to launch and I still couldn't find many advantages over Qxpress.

[Right Touch]

Why don't you give Quickbooks Pro/ Qxpress Platinum a try. There is almost nothing this software combo will not do. Do you need a mobile device, it lets you bring the full version out in the field. We have been very satisfied with it for the 2009 season.

i have quickbooks pro and is a great accounting program but, I dunno, I dont feel it is designed around a service business.

[americanlawn]

Real Green wanted nearly $10,000. We plan to rent QXpress to make sure it works for us (monthly rent is under $70, and you can apply up to the 1st three months of rent toward purchase). Purchase price is under $1300. QXpress offers "add on's".....one of which we will need (MapPoint).

With QXpress, we'll pay less than 20% of what Real Green "wants from us" >>>> IMO, that's a slap in the face we do not appreciate.

[TMlawncare]

Real Green wanted nearly $10,000. We plan to rent QXpress to make sure it works for us (monthly rent is under $70, and you can apply up to the 1st three months of rent toward purchase). Purchase price is under $1300. QXpress offers "add on's".....one of which we will need (MapPoint).

With QXpress, we'll pay less than 20% of what Real Green "wants from us" >>>> IMO, that's a slap in the face we do not appreciate.

When you call them up make sure you ask if they have any bundle specials. We bought Qxpress Platinum and they offered us 1/2 of mapping. That was a $250-300 saving right off the bat. All you have to do is ask.

Just one more point. When you first go to set the program up make sure you take the extra time to cover all aspects of your business. The program is adaptable so things like weed/fert services are setup and schedules a little different the just maintenance jobs. They have very good tutorials that cover all these little aspects. Watch them a few times over before you go to set yours up. Just a tip.

[Doug1966]

We use QXpress for our fert crews and for our maintenance crews and for our irrigation crews. 3 completely ways of scheduling - it's like three different programs in one - so, yeah, do the movie tutorials. Powerful software.

[TMlawncare]

We use QXpress for our fert crews and for our maintenance crews and for our irrigation crews. 3 completely ways of scheduling - it's like three different programs in one - so, yeah, do the movie tutorials. Powerful software.

Exactly, take your time during the setup. This software can do things many different ways.

[Peerless Lawn Care]

The Real Green pricing is as follows;

Standard version: $2500 (less than 500 customers)
Full version: $5000 (over 500 customers)

Then there are add on things like Mapping, Handheld, Mutliple user support... that is where you guys get into the $9000 figures.

Just for standard Real Green with less than 500 active customers you are looking at $2500.

The support is $50-70 (cant remember) for either regular or full version. You do not have to have support if you don't want it. With support you get free upgrades and if a new version comes out you get it free. Just recently they added in software so you can text employees from Real Green. They add little stuff like that and fix bugs and such every so often.

Basically every large company uses Real Green and never looks back. Like all the scott's and trugreen franchises, weed man, ect... Honestly I can't imagine running my business without Real Green.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Peerless Lawn Care]

Josh you seem to know what you are talking about. I would like to speak with you about real green in depth.
Posted via Mobile Device

[walker-talker]

I like Lawn Monkey. I've been using it for 7 years with no problems.