Graham White

Your Choice Fire and Security (YCFS) are nationwide experts with over 200 years of combined experience in fire safety management and security detection and prevention, covering everything from Brighton to Inverness.

Recently, we sat down with the YCFS Group team to learn how Uptick, their new job management software, has become a game changer since they made the switch last year.

Why YCFS chose Uptick

Graham, the Managing Director of YCFS, highlights that choosing Uptick came down to one major feature: asset tagging.

“Asset tagging for me… was huge. We think it’s massively important for proving compliance to customers." Graham White - Managing Director

With Uptick's fire safety inspection software, YCFS Group can attach photos of each tested device, adding a layer of transparency that customers love.

“They like that they can receive a report… [with] a picture of every device that’s been tested." Graham White - Managing Director

Growing their service and maintenance division with ease

YCFS made the switch to Uptick to help with their expansion into service and maintenance contracts, which is a big change from their prior project-based model.

Head of Sales, Tom Batty, highlights how crucial Uptick has been in tackling the challenges that come with new contracts:

“Uptick was the main reason we went with them in the first place. It gives us visibility. We can set routines. It minimises the amount of administration needed to manage service contracts." Tom Batty - Head of Sales

Saving time with faster invoicing

Before Uptick, Your Choice Fire and Security's Finance Assistant Breeanne Tolsen noted that the invoicing process was lengthy and manual.

“You’d have to write all your descriptions out… it would take about 10 to 15, even 20 minutes per invoice, says Breeanne.

Now, thanks to Uptick, the invoicing process takes about one minute per invoice. This change has freed up time for both day-to-day tasks and her professional development.

“It gives me time to do more stuff like [study for my Level 4 certification]." Breeanne Tolsen - Finance Assistant

Smarter scheduling with fire inspection software

Rik Firth, Head of Operations, highlights how Uptick provides him with more visibility on the operations side of the business.

“It gives us a more accurate picture of the amount of work our engineers are actually producing and the amount of time they’re spending on-site.” Rik Firth - Head of Operations

With real-time data, YCFS Group has been able to work smarter with their scheduling, and it’s working:

“Our engineers now spend more time on site than they do in their vehicles." Rik Firth - Head of Operations

Faster turnaround of remedial quotes

Uptick’s defect quoting system has significantly streamlined how YCFS Group manages service visits and follow-up requests. Graham explains:

“From a service visit… [we’re] able to raise a defect quote, get that quote to the customer with an approval link, and get it back to us quickly.” Graham White - Managing Director

This quicker process not only enhances customer service but also helps maintain compliance, leading to a higher quote conversion rate for YCFS Group.

“We’ve seen a massive increase in our quote conversion based on defect quotes,” Graham adds, noting how this feature has directly contributed to their bottom line.

Advice for other businesses

Switching CRMs is no small decision, and Graham admits he was initially hesitant:

“I was nervous about making the decision… the last thing I wanted to do was invest in the wrong CRM and have the business go backwards.” Graham White - Managing Director

But Uptick proved to be the right choice, helping YCFS grow, streamline operations, and better serve their clients.

“We took the plunge… and it’s improved our business.” Graham White - Managing Director

Wrapping up

Your Choice Fire and Security's experience with Uptick showcases how the right platform can make a world of difference.

From saving time and managing growth to enhancing customer service, Uptick has become an essential part of their business strategy. As Graham concludes:

"It was the best decision for the business moving forward.” Graham White - Managing Director

With Uptick, Your Choice Fire and Security can continue to cover fire safety and security needs across the UK, delivering exceptional service and keeping their clients properties safe.