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How a Creative Service Business Streamlined Their Purchase Order Process

Streamlining Purchase Order Process with Laura Gray
Laura Gray, Digital Signage Resolutions CEO

I had the pleasure of chatting with CEO, Laura Gray to learn how her business and stress levels transformed with the adoption of Method:CRM for her company, Digital Signage Resolutions. In this blog post you’ll hear firsthand how Laura saved herself from double (sometimes triple) data entry by streamlining the purchase order process. You’ll also learn how Laura’s project management has been streamlined, so much so that she’s spending more time on her business, instead of drowning in it.   

I had the pleasure of chatting with CEO, Laura Gray to learn how her business and stress levels transformed with the adoption of Method:CRM for her company, Digital Signage Resolutions. In this blog post you’ll hear firsthand how Laura saved herself from double (sometimes triple) data entry by streamlining the purchase order process. You’ll also learn how Laura’s project management has been streamlined, so much so that she’s spending more time on her business, instead of drowning in it.   

Tell me about your business, Digital Signage Resolutions.

Sure! Digital Signage Resolutions is based in Las Vegas, and provides affordable and reliable digital signage products and services that make implementing and sustaining eye-catching digital signage easy.

What frustrations did you face that led you to Method:CRM?

Inefficient processes and so much double data entry, especially related to managing projects with my designers, creating purchase orders, and accepting customer payments.

What wasn’t working for you around purchase orders?

At the time there wasn’t an option in QuickBooks to convert an Estimate into a purchase order, so I’d create an Estimate and then individual purchase orders for designers who were assigned work. The process was inefficient and I found I was making errors with all the repeat entries.

So, how has the purchase order process improved with Method:CRM?

My Business Solution Specialist at Method, Phil Cote, helped me streamline purchase orders. We set up my account so each of my items is associated to a designer/vendor — that alone saves so much time for me. Now, when the Estimate is accepted, I click a “Create POs” button on the Estimate screen and purchase orders are automatically created from the items. All these purchase orders can then be found in my purchase order screen in my Method. And, anytime new items are added to a purchase Order, I simply click the ‘Update Purchase Order” button that automatically notifies the vendor of the changes via email.  

That sounds great! How did Method:CRM help with project management?

There is a great deal of project management involved in our daily processes. For example, designers are supplied with a purchase order, but all items within those purchase orders require separate review, approval, changes, and finalization. When you have over 40 ads being created at one time, it becomes difficult to track the status of any given ad as it moves through the production process.

How has Method helped with this?

Simply put, Phil listened to what functions I would want in a project management tool and created it in Method using Method’s Guest Pages. Now , when POS are created, they appear in a project dashboard that I use to track the progress of each ad in production. With Method acting as a project management tool, it means that I now have project management, CRM, and accounting all connected and talking to one another. No more double data entry.  It’s just great. I’m so happy and amazed at how it came together.

How did the customizable platform change your mind about adopting Method:CRM?

I signed up for the free hour of customization that came with my trial and everything changed. Phil understood exactly what I needed when we chatted about my process. Over the course of 1-2 months, he solved everything we needed and made me realize anything was possible with Method’s powerful tools. It was like a gift from the heavens! The customization costs paid for itself in the time it saved me on double data entry.

What is your favourite thing about Method?

The customization options — it allows you to centralize so many different business functions in one spot to create very efficient workflows.

How has the experience been working with a Business Solution Specialist at Method?

It’s been great. Beginning with the free hour, Phil understood what I wanted to accomplish. The results were practically immediate. It’s been an amazing experience — the tools, the software, the team. It’s just been a really great experience all around.

Would you recommend Method to other business owners?

Yes! I’ve worked with other companies who over promise and under deliver. When I use Method I feel relieved, excited, efficient, happy, informed! I can see everything that’s happening. I now have time to focus on the development of my products, services and sales strategies. I have more time to work with partners to develop channel sales strategies. I’m focused on building the business instead of chasing my tail all day getting purchase orders in place. I’m building my business instead of just keeping it running.

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