Evaluation Guide

Although you have 30-day free trial period for the evaluation, the time goes by quickly. Follow these steps to assess whether Tapigo is the right product for your branch/company. If it is, then there are also resources to assist you in delivering business justification and a presentation template to get approval and the entire team excited.

Define Goals

Before beginning any software evaluation, it is best to enumerate the list of goals that you're hoping to achieve by implementing the software. No one on the team is going to be immediately excited about having to learn new software or update their existing processes, so focusing first on goals that will benefit your customers, organization, and team will not only make sure the solution is right, but also will help you sell the idea back to them.

If you're having trouble getting started, write three section headings for Customer, Organization, and Team on a blank sheet of paper and then list the problems that currently exist under each. Identifying problems first makes it easier to identify your goals.

Initial Setup

Registration

If you haven't already done so, you should first register yourself and your organization/branch by going to http://apps.tapigo.com/#/register and complete this form.

Organization

When you registered, your Organization was setup with minimal information. You can add your contact and branding information by going to http://apps.tapigo.com/#/configure/organization and editing the form. If you have a logo, you can upload it and select your branding color (instructions). If you're having trouble, we're happy to help. Just email us at support@tapigo.com.

Properties

You'll want to establish at least one property to begin with. We recommend starting with a small property first - perhaps your house or your office. Once you have gotten comfortable with the solution, then you will want to move to try a larger, more complex property. To add a property, go to http://apps.tapigo.com/#/configure/properties and complete the form after clicking "Add". Tapigo utilizes Google maps, so be sure that the address for each property is accurate - cross streets can be used too (e.g. E Oltorf St & S Pleasant Valley Rd).

When you're ready, we have import scripts that we can use to load all of your properties from a spreadsheet for you.

Play Around

Mobile Applications

If you haven't already done so, you can download the Survey (desktop, Apple, Android) and Inspect (desktop, Apple, Android) applications on to your mobile device. Each Tapigo application is available either as a mobile or desktop application. You will definitely want to use the mobile application during the evaluation so that you can benefit from the available Global Positioning System (GPS).

Assets

In Tapigo, an asset is a component in an irrigation system (e.g. controller, valve). The assets are represented in a 3-level hierarchy:

Property - The highest-level assets (Backflow Preventer, Controller, Main Line, Master Valve, Pump, and Water Meter) are tied to the property as its "parent".
Controller - The next level assets (Zones, Weather Sensor, and Gate Valve) are tied to a controller as its "parent".
Zone - The lowest level assets (Drip Line, Lateral Line, Sprinkler Head, and Valve) are tied to a zone as its "parent".

Assets are identified and mapped using the Survey application. Now it's your turn! Add some assets to your first property using both the mobile and desktop application. At a minimum, map the location of the Controller and draw (or walk) a Zone. Then, generate an as-built report.

When you're ready, we have import scripts that we can use to load all of your controllers and zones from a spreadsheet for you.

Inspections

Although it is not necessary to identify and map irrigation assets before you begin performing inspections, it does make the inspection process faster. Inspections are performed using the Inspect application. Now it's your turn! Cycle through the each Zone you defined and document each issue that you identify (don't forget to capture pictures). Then, generate a branded inspection proposal.

Initial Assessment (Go/No-Go)

Now that you've gone through a basic inspection life cycle, you should review and update your goals with what you've learned. You should also identify any questions that you should get answered in order to feel confident with your decision. If enough of your goals are being met so far, then continue your evaluation.

If your goals aren't being met, then please drop us a line to let us know what we can do in the future to win your business at feedback@tapigo.com - your trial will expire and no further action is needed. Thank you!

Broaden Team

Price Sheets

Some Tapigo customers create more than one price sheet to account for price differences between their categories of customers (e.g. residential, commercial, sports, etc.). Each Organization is provided a default price sheet that is intended to be updated to meet your existing price sheet. To modify your price sheet, go to http://apps.tapigo.com/#/configure/pricingGroups/, click "Copy" at the bottom of the page, update the name to be meaningful for your branch/company, and click "Save". You can then modify the new price sheet to match your own and apply the new default price sheet or to specific properties.

Users

Now it is time to get another member of the team involved in the evaluation. It is best to select a combination of someone from branch/company leadership as well as from the irrigation team who will be using the solution every day. Once you've selected the one or two others who will assist you in the evaluation, go to http://apps.tapigo.com/#/configure/users and click "Add" to invite them to join. You may also add another Property or two that you know they are familiar with and that you believe will be good "early adopter" customers. Ask the new user(s) to map at least the Controllers and Zones (Survey) to a Property and conduct at least a partial inspection (Inspect).

Tapigo has three roles that can be applied to each User:

Administrator - An administrator has full access to all applications and capabilities, including billing, branding, and user permissions.
Account Manager - An account manager has full access to all applications and capabilities, including service pricing.
Technician - A technician (designated by not checking either Admin or Account Manager) has full access to all applications and capabilities except will not see service pricing (only expected hours).

Tapigo has multiple applications whose access can be controlled for each User. Configure is only available to Users designated as Administrators and allows them to manage the organization's profile, billing, users, and other information. Survey allows account managers or technicians to map irrigation assets and generate an as-built report. Inspect allows account managers or technicians to identify irrigation issues and generate a branded proposal. Approve allows account managers to identify which irrigation issues have been approved by the customer. Work allows technicians to present approved issues for the technician to repair and to capture actual time and materials. And Invoice allows office managers to determine the actual time and materials for each issue so that it can be properly reflected on the invoice that is sent to the customer.

Analyze Impact

Pricing

Tapigo charges each month based on the number of users and how they use the system throughout the billing period. To calculate your expected charges, begin by defining who you would like to have access to the system - generally an office administrator, account managers, and irrigation technicians. Each of these users will be charged $10/user/month. Next, determine who among these users will be performing inspections in a given month. Each of these users will be charged an additional $20/user/mo.

Our pricing model is intended to align with your revenue model. It costs us each month just to keep the system running which is why we charge a base price. For users who perform inspections and identify revenue opportunities for needed repairs, we charge an additional amount. This model does not charge customers who only want to use Survey or who do not perform inspections every month of the year.

Workflow

Every branch/company uses Tapigo a little differently based on their existing software, personnel, contractual requirements, and customer communication policies. Some only use Configure and Survey. Others Configure, Survey, and Inspect while others leverage all Tapigo applications through Invoice. Briefly document the workflow that you think will work best for you.

Business Case

Before presenting Tapigo to a broader audience, it is best to come up with a compelling business case to justify your suggestion. In addition to the general solution benefits (here), you can highlight the following business benefits:

Reduced Administration Cost - If you already have a paper-based process, you can determine the administrative cost savings by using this benefit calculator (XSLX).
Increased Revenue - With Tapigo, it is common for branches/companies to be able to complete the irrigation inspection/work cycle for all of their properties on a monthly basis. For some, this represents new revenue opportunities as manual processes have prevented some properties from benefiting. If applicable, calculate what you believe the lost revenue is from these properties.
Increased Retention - With Tapigo, it is common for branch/company customers to comment on their appreciation of the transparency that this new tool introduces - particularly the clarity in each issue accompanied with photos. If applicable, calculate what you believe the improved retention rate (and associated growth) you believe will come from this level of communication and transparency.
Reduced Staff Turnover Impact - With Tapigo, it is common for branches/companies to experience less disruption when key employees that possess specific proerty knowledge leave the company. If applicable, calculate what you believe the cost savings will be in training new employees when they can benefit from the irrigation assets being retained for each property.

Validation

If you have surveyed and inspected a Property that you feel comfortable sharing with the customer, you should reach out to the customer and walk them through the branded proposal to get their feedback.

Final Assessment (Go/No-Go)

By now, you probably have a pretty good idea as to whether you want to move forward with Tapigo. For completeness, you should take another pass and refine your goals with what you've learned. You should also review the questions that you wanted to get answered. If you have any remaining questions, please contact us at info@tapigo.com and we'll be happy to assist.

If enough of your goals are being met, then you're ready to present your findings to a broader group and request approval.

Get Approval

Meeting

When recommending any new solution, it is best to get all of the stakeholders (and users) together to present all of the relevant information that will align their understanding, confidence, and excitement with your own. Remember that others in your company may be reluctant to change or skeptical of your diligence process. Holding a meeting where you present your findings, make your recommendation, and answer their questions together as a group will increase the likelihood of success for both the approval and of the overall program.

In preparation, you can customize a presentation by using this template (PPTX). You may choose to hold two meetings where your objective for the first meeting is to get approval (only with key stakeholders) and the second meeting to get alignment (with all stakeholders and users).

Activate

Congratulations on your success and thank you for going through this evaluation together. Now that you have approval, go to http://apps.tapigo.com/#/configure/organization, scroll down to the billing section, and click "Update Credit Card" to input your billing information. When you're ready, you can begin the onboarding process here.

Page updated

Report abuse