Crane scheduling software company, Visual Dispatch has been acquired by United States-based RapidWorks. While the product and team at Visual Dispatch remains the same, the new ownership will add to the momentum of increased sales and foster customer care.
After acquiring the crane scheduling software company in July of 2024, RapidWorks, a heavy equipment solutions provider, will support the Visual Dispatch team in managing the growing demand for its product.
Daniel McBride, Visual Dispatch Australia and New Zealand Cranes Manager, said keeping the brand current and agile is important in the crane services software market. RapidWorks will assist the company with creative consulting and communications support.
Visual Dispatch is a one-stop-shop developed specifically for the crane hire industry. The software optimises quoting processes, crane and support equipment scheduling, dispatch workflow and invoicing systems.
The company has grown from 20 customers in the early 2000s to now helping about 135 companies – an estimated 5000 users – in Australia and New Zealand realise their fleet systemisation potential.
“The leadership team and I identified that our customer base was growing exponentially,” Daniel said.
“In light of the positive trend, we decided it would be beneficial to join forces with a company that has experience in this space.”
RapidWorks’ services include, Rapid Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Telematics Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Rapid On-the-Go mobile applications.
The applications enable companies to dispatch and manage the complex requirements for crane services dispatch, construction work involving concrete pumping, hydrovac excavation, and other types of heavy construction jobs.
Daniel said RapidWorks will assist the team in developing the Visual Dispatch software interface, upgrade branding (including a revamped logo and graphics) and external communication processes and employ more staff. One hundred per cent of Visual Dispatch’s staff were retained in the acquisition.
Visual Dispatch’s story could be considered a symbiotic journey with the crane and rental industry. It was founded in the mid-1990s to address the flood of paperwork that crane hire companies were confronted with.
“Before the turn of the century, crane company operators were attempting to manage a surge in demand for machinery and the paperwork associated with that demand, including scheduling, timesheets and monitoring machine usage,” Daniel said.
“Visual Dispatch emerged to provide a solution for many crane companies.”
Since 2002, Visual Dispatch has been servicing Australian and New Zealand customers, helping them improve productivity, reduce costs, optimise workflows and increase customer service.
Visual Dispatch allows companies to manage resources from a single screen with a drag and drop functionality on a computer, tablet or smartphone. New jobs can be allocated to equipment and employee schedules. Shared resources between company branches means any changes are instantly communicated between field and office personnel via email and text.
The software also tracks employee certifications ensuring qualified staff are operating the right machinery on job sites.
“Our customers love how easy it is to use the Visual Dispatch software solution, particularly for getting job dockets signed at the start and end of shifts,” Daniel said.
“Timesheets are easily input too, as the Visual Dispatch system’s easy-to-navigate interface allows users to quickly and accurately confirm their hours worked with only a couple of clicks.”
Fleet safety is one of the key features of the software. Regularly generated reports identify any heavy equipment due for servicing or major inspections.
“In this instance, staff using Visual Dispatch will receive a notification, so that no worker steps foot in a crane that is deemed to be unsafe due to equipment non-compliance,” Daniel said.
“Visual Dispatch also notifies the company and crane managers when any heavy lifting equipment linked to the software is compliant. It essentially records in real-time when each piece of equipment or vehicle has passed its compliance testing phase.”
Quoting is another advantage Visual Dispatch brings to a job site.
Daniel and the Visual Dispatch team are working to optimise and grow the product. He believes the software will be suitable for a wide range of customers across the globe.
“After seeing the rapid growth of Visual Dispatch, I feel that the sky’s the limit.” Daniel said. “One day I’d like every crane yard in Australia and New Zealand using our product; that would make me happy.
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