labs@atheron:~/industries/field-services$ dispatch --jobs --vans --quickbooks

Software for trades

Every job tracked from the call to the paid invoice.

Your jobs start as a phone call, live on a whiteboard and end as a paper work order, so the invoice goes out late. We build a board for the office and an app for the van, and the invoice is in QuickBooks Online before your technician is back on the road.

Start a project See the example projects

// what you are up against

The problems we hear most.

Dispatch on a whiteboard

Jobs are booked on a shared calendar, technicians are sent by text, and when an emergency call comes in, nobody knows who is closest.

Paper work orders and late invoices

Technicians write up the job on paper or in a notes app, the office types it into QuickBooks days later, and parts used are forgotten.

Van stock nobody can count

Parts move between the supplier, the shop and a dozen vans, and the truck that needs a part is never the one that has it.

Quotes that take a week

Quotes are written at night from photos and notes, prices come from memory, and the customer has called someone else by the time it arrives.

// example projects

Systems we could build for you.

Each one is hypothetical, labelled as such, and priced live from our rate card. Open any of them in the estimator and make it yours.

Example projectWeb appMobile app

Dispatch board and technician app

Hypothetical. Not a client, not a result.

// The problem

An HVAC company with twenty technicians books jobs on a shared calendar, sends them by text, and invoices from paper work orders a week later.

// What we would build

A web dispatch board with live technician locations and an iOS and Android app technicians use offline in basements and crawl spaces to see the job, record work, parts, photos and the customer's signature, with invoices and payments synced both ways with QuickBooks Online, built on the QuickBooks Online API.

// What is in it

Drag-and-drop dispatch board with technician locations and skills
Job details, history and equipment on the phone, offline
Work notes, parts used, photos and the customer's signature
Job costing from labour, parts and travel against the quote
Invoices and payments synced both ways with QuickBooks Online

// Stack

Next.js
React Native
PostgreSQL
QuickBooks Online API
Mapping API
DigitalOcean

// estimate

Build: ≈ US$157,000 to US$240,000, delivered within 36 weeksCAD 223,400 to 341,700
Hosting: ≈ US$344 a monthCAD 490 a month
Support: ≈ US$2,500 a monthCAD 3,565 a month

Prices in your currency are estimates from today's Bank of Canada rate. All invoicing is in CAD or USD.

Timeline by milestone

Discovery: 2.9 to 3.4 weeks
Data mapping and sandbox connection: 0.4 weeks
Design approved: 7.9 to 13.9 weeks
Core features: 1.9 to 2.9 weeks
Full build: 0.9 to 1.9 weeks
First build on devices: 3.4 to 5.9 weeks
Sync built and reconciled in sandbox: 1.9 to 3.4 weeks
Testing and fixes: 0.9 weeks
Store submission: 0.9 to 1.9 weeks
Launch: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Live cutover: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Hypercare: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks

Outside our hands, and added to the calendar

App store review: 1 week

How it is paid

Deposit 20%: CAD 44,680 to 68,340
Discovery 7%: CAD 15,638 to 23,919
Data mapping and sandbox connection 2.8%: CAD 6,255.20 to 9,567.60
Design approved 7%: CAD 15,638 to 23,919
Core features 5.7%: CAD 12,733.80 to 19,476.90
Full build 3.8%: CAD 8,489.20 to 12,984.60
First build on devices 15.2%: CAD 33,956.80 to 51,938.40
Sync built and reconciled in sandbox 8.5%: CAD 18,989.00 to 29,044.50
Testing and fixes 1.9%: CAD 4,244.60 to 6,492.30
Store submission 5%: CAD 11,170 to 17,085
Launch 7%: CAD 15,638 to 23,919
Live cutover 2.8%: CAD 6,255.20 to 9,567.60
Hypercare 3.3%: CAD 7,372.20 to 11,276.10
Holdback, 30 days after launch (10%): CAD 22,340 to 34,170

Start from this example

Example projectWeb appMobile appMaterials tracking

Van stock and materials tracking

Hypothetical. Not a client, not a result.

// The problem

A plumbing and electrical contractor loses track of parts across its shop and thirty vans, reorders what it already has, and cannot say where its larger tools are.

// What we would build

Barcoded bins in the shop and the vans, scanning from the technician's phone or a cordless scanner, GPS trackers on vans and larger equipment, minimum levels per van with restock lists, and parts used posted to the job and to QuickBooks Online.

// What is in it

Shop and van stock by bin, scanned in and out from the phone
Minimum levels per van, with a restock list each evening
GPS trackers on vans and larger equipment, with location history
Parts used posted to the job and to QuickBooks Online
Trackers, scanners, label printers and labels listed by quantity

// Stack

Next.js
React Native
PostgreSQL
GPS trackers with cellular data
QuickBooks Online API
DigitalOcean

// estimate

Build: ≈ US$156,000 to US$239,000, delivered within 38 weeksCAD 222,700 to 340,600
Hosting: ≈ US$249 a monthCAD 355 a month
Support: ≈ US$2,500 a monthCAD 3,565 a month
Hardware: ≈ US$11,100CAD 15,780

Prices in your currency are estimates from today's Bank of Canada rate. All invoicing is in CAD or USD.

Timeline by milestone

Discovery: 2.9 to 3.4 weeks
Data mapping and sandbox connection: 0.4 weeks
Discovery and site walk-through: 0.4 weeks
Design approved: 5.4 to 8.9 weeks
Core features: 1.4 to 2.4 weeks
Full build: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
First build on devices: 2.4 to 3.9 weeks
Sync built and reconciled in sandbox: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Stock, receiving and transfers: 2.4 to 4.4 weeks
Tracking and devices working: 1.9 to 2.9 weeks
Testing and fixes: 0.4 weeks
Store submission: 0.4 weeks
Pilot site live: 2.9 to 3.4 weeks
Launch: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Live cutover: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Hypercare: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Rollout: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks

Outside our hands, and added to the calendar

App store review: 1 week
Hardware delivery, after it is ordered: 2 to 6 weeks

How it is paid

Deposit 20%: CAD 44,540 to 68,120
Discovery 4.4%: CAD 9,798.80 to 14,986.40
Data mapping and sandbox connection 0.9%: CAD 2,004.30 to 3,065.40
Discovery and site walk-through 3.4%: CAD 7,571.80 to 11,580.40
Design approved 7.8%: CAD 17,370.60 to 26,566.80
Core features 3.6%: CAD 8,017.20 to 12,261.60
Full build 2.4%: CAD 5,344.80 to 8,174.40
First build on devices 9.6%: CAD 21,379.20 to 32,697.60
Sync built and reconciled in sandbox 2.7%: CAD 6,012.90 to 9,196.20
Stock, receiving and transfers 10.3%: CAD 22,938.10 to 35,081.80
Tracking and devices working 6.8%: CAD 15,143.60 to 23,160.80
Testing and fixes 1.2%: CAD 2,672.40 to 4,087.20
Store submission 3.2%: CAD 7,126.40 to 10,899.20
Pilot site live 3.4%: CAD 7,571.80 to 11,580.40
Launch 4.4%: CAD 9,798.80 to 14,986.40
Live cutover 0.9%: CAD 2,004.30 to 3,065.40
Hypercare 0.9%: CAD 2,004.30 to 3,065.40
Rollout 4.1%: CAD 9,130.70 to 13,964.60
Holdback, 30 days after launch (10%): CAD 22,270 to 34,060
Battery GPS tracker x 30: CAD 9,820. Billed up front, at cost, outside the milestones
Cordless barcode scanner x 4: CAD 1,820. Billed up front, at cost, outside the milestones
Desktop label printer x 2: CAD 1,740. Billed up front, at cost, outside the milestones
Labels and ribbons, starter stock x 6: CAD 1,800. Billed up front, at cost, outside the milestones
Corded barcode scanner, for our build and testing: CAD 290. Billed up front, at cost, outside the milestones
Cellular GPS development kit, for our build and testing: CAD 310. Billed up front, at cost, outside the milestones

Start from this example

Example projectWeb app

Customer portal for service plans

Hypothetical. Not a client, not a result.

// The problem

A landscaping company sends quotes as PDFs, chases approvals by phone, and keeps recurring maintenance customers in a spreadsheet.

// What we would build

A branded customer portal where homeowners and property managers approve quotes, sign up for recurring service plans, book visits and pay, with routes planned for each crew's day and invoices and payments synced with QuickBooks Online.

// What is in it

Quotes approved online with options and a signature
Recurring service plans with automatic scheduling and billing
Visit history with photos for each property
Card and pre-authorised debit payments through a processor's hosted checkout
Routes planned per crew and day, and invoices synced with QuickBooks Online

// Stack

Next.js
PostgreSQL
QuickBooks Online API
Payment processor's hosted checkout
DigitalOcean

// estimate

Build: ≈ US$98,900 to US$151,000, delivered within 26 weeksCAD 140,800 to 215,300
Hosting: ≈ US$176 a monthCAD 250 a month
Support: ≈ US$2,500 a monthCAD 3,565 a month

Prices in your currency are estimates from today's Bank of Canada rate. All invoicing is in CAD or USD.

Timeline by milestone

Discovery: 2.9 to 3.4 weeks
Data mapping and sandbox connection: 0.4 weeks
Design approved: 6.4 to 10.4 weeks
Core features: 1.9 to 2.9 weeks
Full build: 0.9 to 1.9 weeks
Sync built and reconciled in sandbox: 1.9 to 3.4 weeks
Testing and fixes: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Launch: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Live cutover: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Hypercare: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks

How it is paid

Deposit 20%: CAD 28,160 to 43,060
Discovery 3.9%: CAD 5,491.20 to 8,396.70
Data mapping and sandbox connection 5.7%: CAD 8,025.60 to 12,272.10
Design approved 3.9%: CAD 5,491.20 to 8,396.70
Core features 11.7%: CAD 16,473.60 to 25,190.10
Full build 7.8%: CAD 10,982.40 to 16,793.40
Sync built and reconciled in sandbox 17.3%: CAD 24,358.40 to 37,246.90
Testing and fixes 3.9%: CAD 5,491.20 to 8,396.70
Launch 3.9%: CAD 5,491.20 to 8,396.70
Live cutover 5.7%: CAD 8,025.60 to 12,272.10
Hypercare 6.2%: CAD 8,729.60 to 13,348.60
Holdback, 30 days after launch (10%): CAD 14,080 to 21,530

Start from this example

Example projectWeb appAIFrontier model

Quoting assistant from site photos

Hypothetical. Not a client, not a result.

// The problem

Estimators write quotes at night from site photos and voice notes, looking up prices from memory, and quotes go out days late.

// What we would build

An assistant that reads the site photos and notes, proposes quote lines from the company's own price book with the reasons, and leaves the estimator to adjust and send. It uses a frontier model through its API, the fastest start, since quotes carry little sensitive data.

// What is in it

Photos and voice notes from the site visit, uploaded from the phone
Proposed quote lines from your own price book, with the reason for each
The estimator adjusts, approves and sends; nothing goes out on its own
An evaluation set of past jobs and their final quotes, run before every change

// Stack

Frontier model API
Python
Next.js
PostgreSQL
DigitalOcean

// estimate

Build: ≈ US$85,000 to US$130,000, delivered within 21 weeksCAD 121,000 to 185,100
Hosting: ≈ US$218 a monthCAD 310 a month
Support: ≈ US$1,000 a monthCAD 1,425 a month

Prices in your currency are estimates from today's Bank of Canada rate. All invoicing is in CAD or USD.

AI route: Frontier model
Model running cost: ≈ US$42 a monthCAD 60 a month

Timeline by milestone

Discovery: 2.9 to 3.4 weeks
Specification and evaluation plan: 0.4 weeks
Design approved: 2.4 to 3.4 weeks
Core features: 1.4 to 1.9 weeks
Full build: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Working pilot: 3.9 to 6.4 weeks
Testing and fixes: 0.9 to 1.9 weeks
Launch: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Production: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks

How it is paid

Deposit 20%: CAD 24,200 to 37,020
Discovery 2%: CAD 2,420 to 3,702
Specification and evaluation plan 10.2%: CAD 12,342.00 to 18,880.20
Design approved 2%: CAD 2,420 to 3,702
Core features 6.2%: CAD 7,502.00 to 11,476.20
Full build 4.1%: CAD 4,961.00 to 7,589.10
Working pilot 30.7%: CAD 37,147.00 to 56,825.70
Testing and fixes 2%: CAD 2,420 to 3,702
Launch 2%: CAD 2,420 to 3,702
Production 10.8%: CAD 13,068.00 to 19,990.80
Holdback, 30 days after launch (10%): CAD 12,100 to 18,510

Start from this example

Example projectWeb appBlockchain

Shared equipment warranty registry

Hypothetical. Not a client, not a result.

// The problem

An equipment maker, its distributors and the contractors who install its furnaces and heat pumps each keep their own install and service records, and warranty claims stall over who did what and when.

// What we would build

A warranty registry where installers record each unit's serial number, install date and service visits, on a private permissioned ledger the maker and its main distributors each run a node of, so the record a claim depends on cannot be changed later. If the maker's own database is trusted by everyone, it is cheaper, and we will say so.

// What is in it

Installers scan the unit's serial and record the install with photos
Service visits added to the unit's record by any authorised contractor
Homeowners see their unit's history and warranty status
Claims checked against the record, with nothing editable after the fact
A node for the maker and each main distributor

// Stack

Next.js
Hyperledger Besu (private, permissioned)
PostgreSQL
AWS

// estimate

Build: ≈ US$119,000 to US$182,000, delivered within 24 weeksCAD 169,100 to 258,700
Hosting: ≈ US$176 a monthCAD 250 a month
Support: ≈ US$2,500 a monthCAD 3,565 a month

Prices in your currency are estimates from today's Bank of Canada rate. All invoicing is in CAD or USD.

Timeline by milestone

Discovery: 2.9 to 3.4 weeks
Architecture: 0.4 weeks
Design approved: 2.9 to 4.9 weeks
Core features: 1.4 to 2.4 weeks
Full build: 0.9 to 1.9 weeks
Devnet: 2.9 to 4.9 weeks
Testing and fixes: 0.4 weeks
Testnet: 2.9 to 3.4 weeks
Launch: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Mainnet: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks

How it is paid

Deposit 20%: CAD 33,820 to 51,740
Discovery 2.5%: CAD 4,227.50 to 6,467.50
Architecture 6.7%: CAD 11,329.70 to 17,332.90
Design approved 2.5%: CAD 4,227.50 to 6,467.50
Core features 7.5%: CAD 12,682.50 to 19,402.50
Full build 5%: CAD 8,455 to 12,935
Devnet 20.2%: CAD 34,158.20 to 52,257.40
Testing and fixes 2.5%: CAD 4,227.50 to 6,467.50
Testnet 13.4%: CAD 22,659.40 to 34,665.80
Launch 2.5%: CAD 4,227.50 to 6,467.50
Mainnet 7.2%: CAD 12,175.20 to 18,626.40
Holdback, 30 days after launch (10%): CAD 16,910 to 25,870

Start from this example

Example projectWeb appMobile app

Customer booking app, redesigned

Hypothetical. Not a client, not a result.

// The problem

A home services company's customers book through a form that asks for everything up front, and many leave halfway or call the office to finish.

// What we would build

A redesign of booking for web and mobile, built from customer interviews and tests: choose the job, share a photo, pick a window, and follow the technician on the day, with a design system your team can reuse across the portal.

// What is in it

Interviews and usability tests with your customers
A short booking flow with photos and time windows
Technician on the way, with live updates
A design system for the rest of your customer portal

// Stack

Figma
Next.js
React Native
PostgreSQL
DigitalOcean

// estimate

Build: ≈ US$117,000 to US$180,000, delivered within 27 weeksCAD 167,200 to 255,700
Hosting: ≈ US$176 a monthCAD 250 a month
Support: ≈ US$1,000 a monthCAD 1,425 a month

Prices in your currency are estimates from today's Bank of Canada rate. All invoicing is in CAD or USD.

Timeline by milestone

Discovery: 2.9 to 3.4 weeks
Design approved: 7.4 to 12.9 weeks
Core features: 1.9 to 2.9 weeks
Full build: 0.9 to 1.9 weeks
First build on devices: 2.9 to 5.4 weeks
Testing and fixes: 0.4 to 0.9 weeks
Store submission: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks
Launch: 0.9 to 1.4 weeks

Outside our hands, and added to the calendar

App store review: 1 week

How it is paid

Deposit 20%: CAD 33,440 to 51,140
Discovery 9.2%: CAD 15,382.40 to 23,524.40
Design approved 9.2%: CAD 15,382.40 to 23,524.40
Core features 7.6%: CAD 12,707.20 to 19,433.20
Full build 5%: CAD 8,360 to 12,785
First build on devices 20.1%: CAD 33,607.20 to 51,395.70
Testing and fixes 2.5%: CAD 4,180.00 to 6,392.50
Store submission 6.7%: CAD 11,202.40 to 17,131.90
Launch 9.7%: CAD 16,218.40 to 24,802.90
Holdback, 30 days after launch (10%): CAD 16,720 to 25,570

Start from this example

// by service

Go deeper on one kind of work.

Pages for the services we have the most to say about in this industry.

~/apps

Field service software

Dispatch boards, offline technician apps with photos and signatures, van stock tracking and customer portals for trades companies, synced with QuickBooks Online through its API.

~/ai

AI quoting for trades

An assistant that reads site photos and notes, proposes quote lines from your own price book with its reasons, and leaves your estimator to adjust and send the quote.

~/chains

HVAC warranties

Install and service records for furnaces, heat pumps and other equipment, shared by makers, distributors and contractors on a private permissioned ledger, so warranty claims start from one record.

// questions

What buyers in this industry ask us.

Do you work outside British Columbia?

Yes. We work with companies anywhere; prices are in Canadian dollars.

Are you an Intuit partner?

No. We build on the QuickBooks Online API, which Intuit publishes for developers, and claim no partnership or certification.

How do payments work?

A deposit to start, then payments at agreed milestones, with 10% held until 30 days after launch. The deposit is a smaller share on larger projects.

Who owns the software?

You do, once the work is paid for, so there are no per-technician fees to us.

// other industries

Nearby industries.

~/construction

Construction

Site apps for daily logs and safety, specs assistants, progress claim and holdback ledgers, and bots for your crews.

See the examples

~/real-estate

Real estate and proptech

Resident apps for property managers, brokerage listing sites, building assistants and portable rental history credentials.

See the examples

~/equipment-rental

Equipment rental

Counter and yard systems with GPS and barcode tracking, booking portals with deposits for your customers, damage photo models, re-rent records shared between rental companies and off-rent bots, synced with QuickBooks Online.

See the examples

All industries

// where we work

Find your market.

We work from Kelowna with clients across Canada, the United States and further afield. Each market page covers working hours, hosting, the privacy law that applies, and prices in your currency.

Every market

// next

Not quite your project?

Tell us what you have in mind. We will come back to you with a range and the questions that would narrow it. Or book a call and talk it through.

Start a project Book a call