Apex chooses to liaise directly with customers when developing new software. That’s because it gives a first-hand view of what could make their operations smoother and gives them inspiration for new software functions. Back in 2007, Hobbs Recovery was one of the first companies to trial Apex Software (hence the moniker ‘Customer Number One’). Today Mac Hobbs’ recovery and repair business has expanded to over 55 employees.
It was a chance meeting at the Tow Show that brought Mac and Apex together. Hobbs Recovery’s software was not delivering everything they needed, and they wanted a better solution. Mac gave Apex the opportunity to demonstrate the software they’d developed for the recovery sector, and was instantly curious. “We need a chat,” he said. “I’ll be in touch.” Before long, Hobbs was trialling elements of RMS software and sharing feedback that helped it progress to completion.
Hobbs was 100% pen and paper and telephones. Now, with Apex, a huge amount of time and energy is saved in the control room and there are no mistakes with incorrect locations. As it developed further they utilised the HR module, mapping and Fleet Management – all things that are significant to his business now. In fact, he remains impressed that Apex have developed innovative ideas that weren’t even on their radar, but that they definitely appreciate now. “If I have any criticism about Apex whatsoever,” he says, “is that they hide their light under a bushel.”
For Mac, the Apex mapping system is vital, and he’s happy to attest that it is “nearly perfect!” It gives his business that all important efficiency, and also increases accuracy because it avoids making costly crossovers with vehicles. “As every recovery business knows, dead miles is dead money,” he says. “We need maximum efficiency out of every vehicle every day. And Apex really helps.”
Everyone in the loop
For a recovery business, sending the right resource to the right breakdown is the only way to make each job pay. Mac describes this as a significant driver, especially during times of fuel cost rises. He views Pinpoint, which he has used for over 10 years, as Apex’s most significant development – and a big improvement on his previous system because the messaging between them and his suppliers is much better and accurate. “I can hover over a truck and it will tell me the progress of the job and how long it’s been on the scene,” he says. “Everyone in the loop is informed.”
Mac believes that without Apex, Hobbs Recovery would be a different company. Turnover has increased over 60% in the last 3 years, and whilst this is not all due to Apex, they definitely lean on its software more and more. They’ve also taken on more staff who are comfortable with the technology. Once it was hard to get his team to use Apex, now they are more likely to complain if they cannot. For example, if a job cannot come through the ANS system for some reason, just like in the old days the pen and paper comes out.
The future is Apex
As in most sectors, there’s a generation divide about using software. Mac is positive about his employees use of Apex. There are youngsters coming into the business now, who are very ‘tech savvy’ – and even their feedback is that its ‘ease of use’ is excellent. What’s more, technology has also completely altered how the Hobbs Recovery looks physically.
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