Category: Service

MSCA’s Popular Plumbing Service 101, Third Webinar is June 13th and Registration is Now Open!

This third webinar in the MSCA original series, Plumbing Service 101, Finding and Developing Great Plumbing Service Technicians, will provide an overview of where and how to find talented individuals and how best to train them. During this webinar you will learn about the important traits to look for in your recruiting efforts and the skills needed for success.

It’s our pleasure to announce that for this webinar, Tom Bigley, UA Director of Plumbing Services, will be sharing relevant information on UA Plumbing Service Training Programs.

The webinar is scheduled for June 13 at 1:00 pm EDT, sign up today!

REGISTER HERE

Now Access MSCA’s Plumbing Service 101 Webinars

If you missed the February and April Plumbing Service 101 webinars, no worries, you can now access the first and second modules of Plumbing Service 101 in both MSCA’s Resource Center and in Archived Webinars.

The first program module, Plumbing Service Business Basics, provides you with essential information on the value of adding plumbing services to your product offerings.

Plumbing Service Markets, the second module, will provide you with essential information on identifying and creating your specific niche market, growing your plumbing service client base and differentiating your company from your competitors.

Each module consists of a 60-minute webinar and corresponding workbook. Webinars and workbooks are free to MSCA/MCAA members.

Access the webinar in Archived Webinars

MSCA’s Plumbing Service 101 Webinar Now Available

If you missed the February webinar of Plumbing Service 101, Plumbing Service Business Basics, don’t worry, you can now access the first module webinar of Plumbing Service 101 in both MSCA’s Resource Center and in Archived Webinars.

The first program module, Plumbing Service Business Basics, provides you with essential information on the value of adding plumbing services to your product offerings. Three successful plumbing service contractors discuss the opportunities and decision factors to consider when thinking about plumbing service for your company. They also review the initial resource and investment requirements needed before delving into this venture.

Each module consists of a 60-minute webinar and corresponding workbook. Webinars and workbooks are free to MSCA/MCAA members.

Access the webinar in Archived Webinars

The next webinar, Plumbing Service Markets, is scheduled for April 25, 2017 at 1:00 pm EDT.

Register for April 25th webinar here

Now Available! MSCA’s Insights into Field Service Software Webinar

The Insights into Field Service Software webinar is now available to members for access. This webinar featured a discussion of the recent findings of the MSCA Field Service Software Report and its analysis of the current state of service software.

Technology expert Kelly Doyle with JBKnowledge helped participants gain a better understanding of how to identify and evaluate service software functionality — which provides the best fit for your company. MSCA past-chairman Scott Berger, Arista Air Conditioning, Long Island City, NY, facilitated the program.

The MSCA Field Service Software Report, part of the MCAA Construction Technology Research Series and the Insights into Field Service Software webinar are both available below.

Access here

MSCA Introduces Plumbing Service 101 Webinar Series and Workbooks

Mechanical Service Contractors of America is pleased to announce its much anticipated Plumbing Service 101 webinar series and workbooks!

Each webinar and workbook module will focus on a key facet of operating a successful plumbing service business. Each module consists of a 60-minute webinar and corresponding workbook. Webinars and workbooks are free to MSCA/MCAA members.

The first program module, Plumbing Service Business Basics, is scheduled for February 28th at 1:00 pm EST and will provide you with essential information on the value of adding plumbing services to your product offerings. Three successful plumbing service contractors will discuss the opportunities and decision factors to consider when thinking about plumbing service for your company. They will also review the initial resource and investment requirements needed before delving into this venture.

Registration is now open for this exciting, new webinar series so register below today. Prior to the webinar, make sure to download the Plumbing Service Business Basics Workbook available as a free download to MCAA/MSCA members.

Register for Feb. 28th webinar here

Download workbook here

HVACR Manufacturer Training Classes for 2017

New HVACR chiller training courses are now being offered by the United Association Training Department in conjunction with Carrier Corporation and Johnson Controls through the 2017 Regional Training System.

These courses will be taught by authorized factory instructors, incorporating manufacturer specific curriculum, and have limited availability. Admittance into each course is subject to registration policies by each participating manufacturer.

These classes are open to all UA technicians and are being offered at NO charge to attendees – registration fees will be covered by the International Training Fund (ITF). Employers will only be responsible for wages and all travel costs. Class size is limited and these classes fill up quickly. Priority is given to UA instructors. For additional information and to register for these classes, please contact your local UA training coordinator. If you have any questions, or need additional information, contact Richard Benkowski, UA Training Specialist at 412-525-0044 or richb@uanet.org.

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New Report Indicates 55% of Service Contractors Use Software for More Than 10 Years

While nobody likes constant change, there usually comes a time for your company when you feel like you have to make a decision to stay with the same software or make a break. It is never an easy decision or one that should be taken lightly. If you visited the tradeshow at the MSCA Conference or the MCAA Virtual Tradeshow, you see new features in service software that grab your attention and you think about how nicely your company could operate with that newer, shinier software package.

Service SoftwareThen you think about how much time and effort you have invested in what you are using. You think about the hard road ahead to shake up your operations and train staff to use it effectively. You think about how much time and money you have invested in the system you are using now, and if it is worth starting over with something else.

Let’s be clear, you are not married to your software. Nobody gets bonus points for loyalty to a line of code. It’s important to keep your eyes open if you want to stay competitive.

Still, most service contractors rarely act on those impulses to leave the software they know, and the company that produced it.

According to the new MSCA Field Service Software Report, released at the MSCA Conference as part of the ongoing MCAA Technology Series, researchers from JB Knowledge found that more than 55% of MSCA contractors have been using their current service software for more than 10 years. That’s an admirable level of dedication that exceeds most Hollywood marriages. What’s more amazing is that if you dig deeper in the numbers, you find that nearly 10% of those surveyed have been using their service software for more than 20 years!

But is this a bad thing? At first glance, you might say to yourself, ‘That is too long to be sticking with the same solution.’ This may or may not be true. Many functions of the software evaluated are very similar to each other. Most integrate with apps for tablets. Most tie into accounting software. The key is in the details. There are different levels of integration that require a varying amount of manipulation and oversight.

msca-field-service-software-report-coverFor example, if your software requires you to perform a daily export and then to import your field tickets into your accounting package, those are two extra steps. That not only means extra work, it means an extra chance for errors. Seamless integration into your accounting software saves steps, errors and headaches.

So, it might be well worth your time to take a look around. Read the report and see what each option has to offer. The report is a complimentary part of MSCA and MCAA membership.  If your current software is ticking all the boxes, you’ll have reinforced your decision with due diligence. But if you can save your company and your employees hours of frustration, you’ll be glad you did before another 10 years roll around.

Read the report

MSCA Releases Field Service Software Report

MSCA announces the release of the Field Service Software Report, fourth in the MCAA Technology Research Series, as developed by JBKnowledge. This report analyzes the current state of service software deployment and helps demystify the process for evaluating and implementing service software in an organization.

The report is based on data collected through a technology survey of MSCA members undertaken earlier this year. James Benham, president of JBKnowledge discussed the report results at a special session during the MSCA annual educational conference held in Scottsdale, AZ. The report explains features and functions members should expect to find in service software and evaluates currently available service software.

Members can download their free copy of the MSCA Field Service Software Report here.

Introducing MSCA CONNECT

MSCA is proud to announce a new era as MSCA CONNECT.  Only by building lasting relationship and key connections can your company grow and prosper.  MSCA Connect will be your “one-stop-shop” for resources and programs to enhance relationships at all levels.  Whether it be enhancing the skills of your employees to build a stronger, more qualified workforce; reaching out to other contractors across the country who face similar challenges; building long-term relationships with key industry vendors who are on the cutting edge of new technologies and products; connecting with students and training institutions to enhance recruiting of a talented future workforce or reaching beyond the business world to build meaningful relationships within your own local community, MSCA CONNECT will be there for you.

See what MSCA CONNECT can do for you!

PCA Plumbing Podcast Tackles Service Truck Inventory

If keeping your plumbing service trucks stocked with the right equipment for the right jobs has proven to be more challenging than it should, then check out this week’s Plumbing Pod podcast.

Ed Gormley of Gormley Plumbing & Heating (McMinnville, OR) shares tips for inventory management, standardized tools, and software that can be used to help service calls run more smoothly. Visit PCA’s homepage to download this and other podcasts.

Plumbing Podcast

Set-Up Your Service Supervisors for Success

MSCA’s Growing and Developing Service Supervisors program (April 28-29 – Brookfield, WI) will help supervisors understand how to coach, mentor, manage, and motivate their technicians.

Each attendee will receive a comprehensive manual containing more than 100 forms and worksheets to use for day-to-day responsibilities in areas such as safety, operations, training, tools, and vehicles.

Sorry, this event is over, but it will be repeated so check the calendar!