The key to efficient growth is scalability. A major player in this game who has adapted and thrived is Home Depot. With over 15% of sales occurring online or in the app, the stores have become pre-established fulfillment centers for residential contractors that need fast access to parts.
Shoppers trust the brand to cross residential and commercial capacity, to deliver on time, and to be nationally consistent and competitive in cost. This is exactly what HVAC contractors want for their brands as well. Since the 1980’s, Home Depot has opened over 2,000 locations globally. Through virtual warehousing, they are now able to provide over one million products on their website. Store sales physically cannot scale to this speed. With online sales through their app, Home Depot has scaled over 30% in revenue year over year since 2019 alone, selling more items every year without having to build more stores.
How do they sell more parts without having to store more parts? Is the shipping and virtual component really a game changer? YES.
Manufacturers and distributors that use Bidtracer are taking this exact model and going beyond just materials savings. We created the ability to sell entire construction projects faster and more accurately than ever before, by using the Bidtracer app – with project estimating, engineering, and a virtual warehouse component integrated in the same program.
HVAC giants like Carrier and Johnson Controls are using Bidtracer for their virtual warehouse solution. Instead of developing their own app, they utilize Bidtracer to manage projects and parts sales around the world, without having to invest in physical space to store parts or build their own regional distribution centers, that may end up having inconsistent local needs.
By using Bidtracer, you get access to pricing and parts availability around the clock. Client integrations allow facility managers to place orders and automate order frequency, directly from their preferred distributor. Field techs have rapid access to parts availability and the proposal generating tool, to seamlessly submit a quote to clients in minutes while on site. Several other benefits stand out for contractors and distributors:
Lower Overhead: Contractors don’t need large physical spaces to store parts when using Bidtracer – their sales teams, field technicians, and clients can all access parts selection in real time through the app, which can significantly cut costs related to rent, utilities, and insurance.
Efficient Reordering: Automatic reordering based on usage data helps maintain optimal stock levels without manual orders from your clients, minimizing downtime due to part shortages.
Rapid Parts Access: The Bidtracer Virtual Warehouse has integrations with local suppliers across the country, enabling contractors to quickly obtain parts and avoid waiting for deliveries from distant warehouses.
Just-in-Time Availability: Contractors can access parts as they need them, improving response times for urgent repairs or installations and enhancing customer satisfaction with every early completion.
Minimized Obsolescence: Virtual warehousing with the Bidtracer app limits the need for contractors to store parts that may become obsolete, as parts are only ordered as needed. As a facility owner, full client history of ordering and installation would never be in one place without Bidtracer, as facilities maintenance parts history transfers to procurement or property management, forever disconnecting from the original installation data provided by the contractor. With Bidtracer, this information lives together forever in one app, allowing our users the ability to view parts order history as well as parts used within specific installations, and what may be left over all in real time. Excellent customer service is key to retention and Bidtracer goes above and beyond.
Digital Recordkeeping: Contractors benefit from digital invoices, estimates, order histories, and inventory tracking within Bidtracer, which will forever reduce paperwork and simplify auditing.
Easier Returns and Replacements: Even parts returns are easily facilitated with our virtual inventory system, as parts can be returned to a central supplier rather than a contractor’s physical space.
Seasonal Adjustments: Bidtracer virtual warehouses allow contractors to adapt to seasonal fluctuations, stocking up only when certain parts are in high demand, such as during peak heating or cooling seasons.
Lower Capital Requirement: Contractors can avoid large upfront investments in inventory, freeing up cash for other business operations. Improved cashflow is always top of mind in Q4, and our live chat can answer any questions you have nearly instantly: get connected with Bidtracer.
