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Tim Verwey:
Today, I’m with Annabel from CMC Marquees. I think it would be great if you could start by introducing yourself, the types of events you specialise in, and the equipment you rent out.
Annabel (CMC Marquees):
Sure! So, we provide marquee hire, specialising in A-frame clear-span structures. We mainly work on corporate events, TV and film productions, and some private parties and weddings—but we are more focused on the corporate and TV world.
I manage incoming enquiries, bookings, crewing, staffing, and a bit of everything really!
Tim Verwey:
I can’t quite remember—was CMC already using Marquee Tech when you joined, or did you move them over to us?
Annabel (CMC Marquees):
I started about seven years ago, and for the first few years, we were using our previous system. But then COVID hit, and everything had to change.
Before that, we weren’t set up for remote work at all. We were in the office Monday to Friday, and our system was server-based, so we couldn’t work from home. When COVID forced us to adapt, we found a way to access the system remotely, but it was far from ideal.
It was around that time that Marquee Tech reached out, and we realised we needed a cloud-based solution to allow more flexibility.
Tim Verwey:
So the main driver was needing cloud-based access so you weren’t stuck in the office?
Annabel (CMC Marquees):
Yes, exactly. And with that came a lot more flexibility. At the time, only Stuart and I had access to the system, so everything had to go through us, which wasn’t efficient. Moving to Marquee Tech made a huge difference.
Tim Verwey:
Aside from needing a cloud-based system, were there any other challenges that made you want to switch?
Annabel (CMC Marquees):
It was mainly about updating to a smoother, more modern system. The old system worked, but Marquee Tech was far more efficient and user-friendly.
Tim Verwey:
So it was about streamlining processes and having everything work more smoothly?
Annabel (CMC Marquees):
Exactly.
Tim Verwey:
Since you’ve been using Marquee Tech for about four to five years now, what are the main features your team relies on the most?
Annabel (CMC Marquees):
We use it for quoting and stock management, but one of the most valuable features is that the team in the yard can access job details and load lists. Instead of just getting a printed list, they can see everything in real time, making it much easier to manage.
Tim Verwey:
What’s been the biggest efficiency gain since switching to Marquee Tech?
Annabel (CMC Marquees):
The real-time updates are a game-changer. If I update a quote, the team in the yard sees that change immediately.
Previously, I had to create a site pack, print a load list, and if something changed, I’d have to redo it manually. There was a lot of back and forth, which was time-consuming. Now, everything updates instantly, which saves a huge amount of time.
Tim Verwey:
So, because everything is automated and connected, updating a quote or booking also updates the load list, stock availability, and invoices all at once?
Annabel (CMC Marquees):
Yes! Instead of manually checking everything, it’s all linked and automated, which has made things so much easier.
Tim Verwey:
How has the stock management feature helped?
Annabel (CMC Marquees):
It’s been really useful. As soon as I create a quote, the system checks stock availability in real time. Previously, we had to manually cross-check everything, which took extra time and could lead to mistakes.
Now, if there’s a stock issue, I see it immediately, and I can check whether it’s something critical or if we can proceed without it.
Tim Verwey:
Has Marquee Tech helped you win new clients or secure bookings faster?
Annabel (CMC Marquees):
It’s made everything faster and more efficient, which definitely helps with client relationships. Getting quotes out quickly and making updates in real time means clients get information faster, and we can focus on growing the business instead of spending all our time on admin.
Tim Verwey:
How does the system help you reduce costly mistakes?
Annabel (CMC Marquees):
The team in the yard uses tablets instead of paper load lists, so they can see updates instantly. That means fewer mistakes when picking and packing equipment.
Having everything digitally accessible reduces mis-picking errors and ensures the team always has the most up-to-date information.
Tim Verwey:
What do your customers think of Marquee Tech’s customer-facing features, like online quotes and dashboards?
Annabel (CMC Marquees):
We use both digital quotes and PDFs, depending on the client. Some prefer online quotes because they’re interactive, while others, especially agencies and event management companies, like PDFs so they can save a copy in their system.
Having both options gives us the flexibility to cater to all clients.
Tim Verwey:
Have you noticed any tangible results, such as higher revenue, better margins, or time savings?
Annabel (CMC Marquees):
The biggest benefit has been time savings. The less time I spend on admin, the more time I have to focus on growing the business and bringing in new work.
Tim Verwey:
If another rental business was considering switching to Marquee Tech, what would you say to them?
Annabel (CMC Marquees):
I’d definitely recommend it. At first, switching systems seemed daunting, but the transition was smoother than expected. It was also a great opportunity to do a full stock check, which helped us get organised.
A lot of companies stick with outdated systems because they fear the switch, but Marquee Tech made the process really easy.
Tim Verwey:
That’s great to hear! We’ve invested a lot in making the onboarding process faster—most businesses are now fully set up within a day or two.
Did you find the software easy to learn?
Annabel (CMC Marquees):
Yes! It’s very user-friendly. The quote-building process was the most important part for us, and it was super easy to pick up.
Also, your support team is fantastic—quick responses and always helpful!
Tim Verwey:
That’s great to hear. Thanks so much for your time, Annabel!
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