2021 CI Software Deep Dive

1. Which of the following types of software does your integration company use? (multiple responses permitted)

• Accounting / billing software (i.e., QuickBooks, Xero, AlarmBiller, Sedona Office, Solutions360)
• Design / CAD software (i.e., AutoCAD, Visio)
• Proposal software (i.e., D-Tools Cloud, Portal.io, JetBuilt, Solutions360, SRS)
• CRM/marketing automation software (i.e., WeSuite, Salesforce, Pipedrive, Zoho)
• Spreadsheet software (i.e., Excel)
• Internal communications software (i.e., Slack, MS Teams)
• Project management software (i.e., Trello, Basecamp, MS Projects, Solutions360, TigerPaw)
• End-to-end/turnkey business operations software (i.e., D-Tools SI, Solutions360, TigerPaw, iPoint, ProjX360, simPRO)
• Remote monitoring software (i.e., BOLD Group, OvrC, Domotz)
• Cybersecurity software
• Vehicle tracking / GPS software
• In-the-field labor/technician check-in software (i.e., Solutions360)
• Scheduling software (i.e., Solutions360)
• Inventory management software I..e, Tracknicity, Solutions360)
• None (we don't use software)
• Other - Write In Please enter an 'other' value for this selection.
• Takeoff Tool (i.e., System Surveyor)
• Timekeeping Software (i.e., T-Sheets)

2. How many pieces of software has your company purchased and then later abandoned?

• 0
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4-5
• 6-8
• 9-10
• 11-15
• 16+

3. What are the reasons your company abandons any piece of software? (please rank: 1= biggest reason; 11 = lowest reason) Note: for the following table each column is restricted to a single answer across all rows.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11
My company outgrew it	Rank My company outgrew it as 1 out of 11	Rank My company outgrew it as 2 out of 11	Rank My company outgrew it as 3 out of 11	Rank My company outgrew it as 4 out of 11	Rank My company outgrew it as 5 out of 11	Rank My company outgrew it as 6 out of 11	Rank My company outgrew it as 7 out of 11	Rank My company outgrew it as 8 out of 11	Rank My company outgrew it as 9 out of 11	Rank My company outgrew it as 10 out of 11	Rank My company outgrew it as 11 out of 11
It had too many bugs/didn't work well	Rank It had too many bugs/didn't work well as 1 out of 11	Rank It had too many bugs/didn't work well as 2 out of 11	Rank It had too many bugs/didn't work well as 3 out of 11	Rank It had too many bugs/didn't work well as 4 out of 11	Rank It had too many bugs/didn't work well as 5 out of 11	Rank It had too many bugs/didn't work well as 6 out of 11	Rank It had too many bugs/didn't work well as 7 out of 11	Rank It had too many bugs/didn't work well as 8 out of 11	Rank It had too many bugs/didn't work well as 9 out of 11	Rank It had too many bugs/didn't work well as 10 out of 11	Rank It had too many bugs/didn't work well as 11 out of 11
Too complicated/difficult for my team to run/operate	Rank Too complicated/difficult for my team to run/operate as 1 out of 11	Rank Too complicated/difficult for my team to run/operate as 2 out of 11	Rank Too complicated/difficult for my team to run/operate as 3 out of 11	Rank Too complicated/difficult for my team to run/operate as 4 out of 11	Rank Too complicated/difficult for my team to run/operate as 5 out of 11	Rank Too complicated/difficult for my team to run/operate as 6 out of 11	Rank Too complicated/difficult for my team to run/operate as 7 out of 11	Rank Too complicated/difficult for my team to run/operate as 8 out of 11	Rank Too complicated/difficult for my team to run/operate as 9 out of 11	Rank Too complicated/difficult for my team to run/operate as 10 out of 11	Rank Too complicated/difficult for my team to run/operate as 11 out of 11
It was not compatible with other pieces of software	Rank It was not compatible with other pieces of software as 1 out of 11	Rank It was not compatible with other pieces of software as 2 out of 11	Rank It was not compatible with other pieces of software as 3 out of 11	Rank It was not compatible with other pieces of software as 4 out of 11	Rank It was not compatible with other pieces of software as 5 out of 11	Rank It was not compatible with other pieces of software as 6 out of 11	Rank It was not compatible with other pieces of software as 7 out of 11	Rank It was not compatible with other pieces of software as 8 out of 11	Rank It was not compatible with other pieces of software as 9 out of 11	Rank It was not compatible with other pieces of software as 10 out of 11	Rank It was not compatible with other pieces of software as 11 out of 11
Too expensive	Rank Too expensive as 1 out of 11	Rank Too expensive as 2 out of 11	Rank Too expensive as 3 out of 11	Rank Too expensive as 4 out of 11	Rank Too expensive as 5 out of 11	Rank Too expensive as 6 out of 11	Rank Too expensive as 7 out of 11	Rank Too expensive as 8 out of 11	Rank Too expensive as 9 out of 11	Rank Too expensive as 10 out of 11	Rank Too expensive as 11 out of 11
Poor support/training from provider	Rank Poor support/training from provider as 1 out of 11	Rank Poor support/training from provider as 2 out of 11	Rank Poor support/training from provider as 3 out of 11	Rank Poor support/training from provider as 4 out of 11	Rank Poor support/training from provider as 5 out of 11	Rank Poor support/training from provider as 6 out of 11	Rank Poor support/training from provider as 7 out of 11	Rank Poor support/training from provider as 8 out of 11	Rank Poor support/training from provider as 9 out of 11	Rank Poor support/training from provider as 10 out of 11	Rank Poor support/training from provider as 11 out of 11
Required dedicated hardware that we could not accommodate	Rank Required dedicated hardware that we could not accommodate as 1 out of 11	Rank Required dedicated hardware that we could not accommodate as 2 out of 11	Rank Required dedicated hardware that we could not accommodate as 3 out of 11	Rank Required dedicated hardware that we could not accommodate as 4 out of 11	Rank Required dedicated hardware that we could not accommodate as 5 out of 11	Rank Required dedicated hardware that we could not accommodate as 6 out of 11	Rank Required dedicated hardware that we could not accommodate as 7 out of 11	Rank Required dedicated hardware that we could not accommodate as 8 out of 11	Rank Required dedicated hardware that we could not accommodate as 9 out of 11	Rank Required dedicated hardware that we could not accommodate as 10 out of 11	Rank Required dedicated hardware that we could not accommodate as 11 out of 11
We have never abandoned a piece of software	Rank We have never abandoned a piece of software as 1 out of 11	Rank We have never abandoned a piece of software as 2 out of 11	Rank We have never abandoned a piece of software as 3 out of 11	Rank We have never abandoned a piece of software as 4 out of 11	Rank We have never abandoned a piece of software as 5 out of 11	Rank We have never abandoned a piece of software as 6 out of 11	Rank We have never abandoned a piece of software as 7 out of 11	Rank We have never abandoned a piece of software as 8 out of 11	Rank We have never abandoned a piece of software as 9 out of 11	Rank We have never abandoned a piece of software as 10 out of 11	Rank We have never abandoned a piece of software as 11 out of 11
Lack of time to dedicate to appropriately onboard	Rank Lack of time to dedicate to appropriately onboard as 1 out of 11	Rank Lack of time to dedicate to appropriately onboard as 2 out of 11	Rank Lack of time to dedicate to appropriately onboard as 3 out of 11	Rank Lack of time to dedicate to appropriately onboard as 4 out of 11	Rank Lack of time to dedicate to appropriately onboard as 5 out of 11	Rank Lack of time to dedicate to appropriately onboard as 6 out of 11	Rank Lack of time to dedicate to appropriately onboard as 7 out of 11	Rank Lack of time to dedicate to appropriately onboard as 8 out of 11	Rank Lack of time to dedicate to appropriately onboard as 9 out of 11	Rank Lack of time to dedicate to appropriately onboard as 10 out of 11	Rank Lack of time to dedicate to appropriately onboard as 11 out of 11
Lack of company buy-in	Rank Lack of company buy-in as 1 out of 11	Rank Lack of company buy-in as 2 out of 11	Rank Lack of company buy-in as 3 out of 11	Rank Lack of company buy-in as 4 out of 11	Rank Lack of company buy-in as 5 out of 11	Rank Lack of company buy-in as 6 out of 11	Rank Lack of company buy-in as 7 out of 11	Rank Lack of company buy-in as 8 out of 11	Rank Lack of company buy-in as 9 out of 11	Rank Lack of company buy-in as 10 out of 11	Rank Lack of company buy-in as 11 out of 11
Other	Rank Other as 1 out of 11	Rank Other as 2 out of 11	Rank Other as 3 out of 11	Rank Other as 4 out of 11	Rank Other as 5 out of 11	Rank Other as 6 out of 11	Rank Other as 7 out of 11	Rank Other as 8 out of 11	Rank Other as 9 out of 11	Rank Other as 10 out of 11	Rank Other as 11 out of 11

4. In general, does your company prefer to use single-purpose-built software or end-to-end/turnkey software?

• We prefer multiple individual purpose-built software
• We prefer to use a single, end-to-end software solutions
• No opinion
• It depends on the software

5. Please rank the following ways in which software helps for your business? (1 = most important; 8 = least important) Note: for the following table each column is restricted to a single answer across all rows.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Ability to install projects faster	Rank Ability to install projects faster as 1 out of 8	Rank Ability to install projects faster as 2 out of 8	Rank Ability to install projects faster as 3 out of 8	Rank Ability to install projects faster as 4 out of 8	Rank Ability to install projects faster as 5 out of 8	Rank Ability to install projects faster as 6 out of 8	Rank Ability to install projects faster as 7 out of 8	Rank Ability to install projects faster as 8 out of 8
Less general waste in the field/reduced errors	Rank Less general waste in the field/reduced errors as 1 out of 8	Rank Less general waste in the field/reduced errors as 2 out of 8	Rank Less general waste in the field/reduced errors as 3 out of 8	Rank Less general waste in the field/reduced errors as 4 out of 8	Rank Less general waste in the field/reduced errors as 5 out of 8	Rank Less general waste in the field/reduced errors as 6 out of 8	Rank Less general waste in the field/reduced errors as 7 out of 8	Rank Less general waste in the field/reduced errors as 8 out of 8
Ability to close more sales	Rank Ability to close more sales as 1 out of 8	Rank Ability to close more sales as 2 out of 8	Rank Ability to close more sales as 3 out of 8	Rank Ability to close more sales as 4 out of 8	Rank Ability to close more sales as 5 out of 8	Rank Ability to close more sales as 6 out of 8	Rank Ability to close more sales as 7 out of 8	Rank Ability to close more sales as 8 out of 8
Ability to stay in touch with clients more effectively	Rank Ability to stay in touch with clients more effectively as 1 out of 8	Rank Ability to stay in touch with clients more effectively as 2 out of 8	Rank Ability to stay in touch with clients more effectively as 3 out of 8	Rank Ability to stay in touch with clients more effectively as 4 out of 8	Rank Ability to stay in touch with clients more effectively as 5 out of 8	Rank Ability to stay in touch with clients more effectively as 6 out of 8	Rank Ability to stay in touch with clients more effectively as 7 out of 8	Rank Ability to stay in touch with clients more effectively as 8 out of 8
Improved documentation	Rank Improved documentation as 1 out of 8	Rank Improved documentation as 2 out of 8	Rank Improved documentation as 3 out of 8	Rank Improved documentation as 4 out of 8	Rank Improved documentation as 5 out of 8	Rank Improved documentation as 6 out of 8	Rank Improved documentation as 7 out of 8	Rank Improved documentation as 8 out of 8
More efficient billing	Rank More efficient billing as 1 out of 8	Rank More efficient billing as 2 out of 8	Rank More efficient billing as 3 out of 8	Rank More efficient billing as 4 out of 8	Rank More efficient billing as 5 out of 8	Rank More efficient billing as 6 out of 8	Rank More efficient billing as 7 out of 8	Rank More efficient billing as 8 out of 8
Track leads	Rank Track leads as 1 out of 8	Rank Track leads as 2 out of 8	Rank Track leads as 3 out of 8	Rank Track leads as 4 out of 8	Rank Track leads as 5 out of 8	Rank Track leads as 6 out of 8	Rank Track leads as 7 out of 8	Rank Track leads as 8 out of 8
Ability to improve/define your business process	Rank Ability to improve/define your business process as 1 out of 8	Rank Ability to improve/define your business process as 2 out of 8	Rank Ability to improve/define your business process as 3 out of 8	Rank Ability to improve/define your business process as 4 out of 8	Rank Ability to improve/define your business process as 5 out of 8	Rank Ability to improve/define your business process as 6 out of 8	Rank Ability to improve/define your business process as 7 out of 8	Rank Ability to improve/define your business process as 8 out of 8

6. Which of the following types of software has your integration company installed at a customer's site? (multiple responses permitted)

• Accounting / billing software (i.e., QuickBooks, Xero, AlarmBiller, Sedona Office)
• Design / CAD software (i.e., AutoCAD, Visio)
• Proposal software (i.e., D-Tools Cloud, Portal.io, JetBuilt, SRS)
• CRM/marketing automation software (i.e., WeSuite, Salesforce, Pipedrive, Zoho)
• Spreadsheet software (i.e., Excel)
• Internal communications software (i.e., Slack, MS Teams)
• Project management software (i.e., Trello, Basecamp, MS Projects, TigerPaw)
• End-to-end/turnkey business operations software (i.e., D-Tools SI, TigerPaw, iPoint, ProjX360, simPRO)
• Remote monitoring software (i.e., BOLD Group, OvrC, Domotz)
• Cybersecurity software
• Vehicle tracking / GPS software
• In-the-field labor/technician check-in software
• Scheduling software
• Inventory management software
• None (we don't use software)
• Other - Write In Please enter an 'other' value for this selection.
• Takeoff Tool (i.e., System Surveyor)
• Timekeeping Software (i.e., T-Sheets)

7. Does your integration company offer ongoing service contracts for software being provided to customers?

• Yes
• No

8. Over the past year, how much would you estimate your company has earned per month through ongoing, service-related contracts with customers in which you provide software to the customer (i.e. recurring revenue through software offerings)?

• Less than $500
• $501-$1000
• $1,000-$3,000
• $3,001-$5,000
• $5001-$10,000
• $10,001-$20,000
• $20,001-$30,000
• $30,001-$50,000
• $50,001 - $100,000
• $100,001-$500,000
• $500,001 - $1,000,000
• More than $1,000,000

9. How many different pieces of software does your company offer to customers?

• 0
• 1-3
• 4-5
• 6-8
• 9-10
• 11-15
• 16-20
• 21+

10. How much would you estimate software has helped improve your integration company's bottom line profits?

• None -- It has not helped our profit
• 1% to 5%
• 6% to 10%
• 11% to 15%
• 16% to 20%
• 21% to 30%
• 31% to 50%
• 51% or more

11. In general, which type of software do you prefer?

• Cloud-based, off-the-shelf software
• Local-based, off-the-shelf software
• Custom-built, proprietary
• No opinion

12. Has your company ever tried to develop its own custom proprietary software? 

• Yes
• No

13. Please rank the importance of the following in your company's software selection criteria? (1 = most important; 7 = least important) Note: for the following table each column is restricted to a single answer across all rows.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Price	Rank Price as 1 out of 7	Rank Price as 2 out of 7	Rank Price as 3 out of 7	Rank Price as 4 out of 7	Rank Price as 5 out of 7	Rank Price as 6 out of 7	Rank Price as 7 out of 7
Speed	Rank Speed as 1 out of 7	Rank Speed as 2 out of 7	Rank Speed as 3 out of 7	Rank Speed as 4 out of 7	Rank Speed as 5 out of 7	Rank Speed as 6 out of 7	Rank Speed as 7 out of 7
Support/customer service	Rank Support/customer service as 1 out of 7	Rank Support/customer service as 2 out of 7	Rank Support/customer service as 3 out of 7	Rank Support/customer service as 4 out of 7	Rank Support/customer service as 5 out of 7	Rank Support/customer service as 6 out of 7	Rank Support/customer service as 7 out of 7
Compatibility with other software	Rank Compatibility with other software as 1 out of 7	Rank Compatibility with other software as 2 out of 7	Rank Compatibility with other software as 3 out of 7	Rank Compatibility with other software as 4 out of 7	Rank Compatibility with other software as 5 out of 7	Rank Compatibility with other software as 6 out of 7	Rank Compatibility with other software as 7 out of 7
Mobile device accessibility	Rank Mobile device accessibility as 1 out of 7	Rank Mobile device accessibility as 2 out of 7	Rank Mobile device accessibility as 3 out of 7	Rank Mobile device accessibility as 4 out of 7	Rank Mobile device accessibility as 5 out of 7	Rank Mobile device accessibility as 6 out of 7	Rank Mobile device accessibility as 7 out of 7
Reputation	Rank Reputation as 1 out of 7	Rank Reputation as 2 out of 7	Rank Reputation as 3 out of 7	Rank Reputation as 4 out of 7	Rank Reputation as 5 out of 7	Rank Reputation as 6 out of 7	Rank Reputation as 7 out of 7
Secureness of data	Rank Secureness of data as 1 out of 7	Rank Secureness of data as 2 out of 7	Rank Secureness of data as 3 out of 7	Rank Secureness of data as 4 out of 7	Rank Secureness of data as 5 out of 7	Rank Secureness of data as 6 out of 7	Rank Secureness of data as 7 out of 7

14. How do you look for or research new business software? (rank importance from 1 = most important; 7 = being least important)
  Note: for the following table each column is restricted to a single answer across all rows.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Trade shows	Rank Trade shows as 1 out of 7	Rank Trade shows as 2 out of 7	Rank Trade shows as 3 out of 7	Rank Trade shows as 4 out of 7	Rank Trade shows as 5 out of 7	Rank Trade shows as 6 out of 7	Rank Trade shows as 7 out of 7
Referrals	Rank Referrals as 1 out of 7	Rank Referrals as 2 out of 7	Rank Referrals as 3 out of 7	Rank Referrals as 4 out of 7	Rank Referrals as 5 out of 7	Rank Referrals as 6 out of 7	Rank Referrals as 7 out of 7
Internet search	Rank Internet search as 1 out of 7	Rank Internet search as 2 out of 7	Rank Internet search as 3 out of 7	Rank Internet search as 4 out of 7	Rank Internet search as 5 out of 7	Rank Internet search as 6 out of 7	Rank Internet search as 7 out of 7
Trade magazines/websites	Rank Trade magazines/websites as 1 out of 7	Rank Trade magazines/websites as 2 out of 7	Rank Trade magazines/websites as 3 out of 7	Rank Trade magazines/websites as 4 out of 7	Rank Trade magazines/websites as 5 out of 7	Rank Trade magazines/websites as 6 out of 7	Rank Trade magazines/websites as 7 out of 7
Buying groups	Rank Buying groups as 1 out of 7	Rank Buying groups as 2 out of 7	Rank Buying groups as 3 out of 7	Rank Buying groups as 4 out of 7	Rank Buying groups as 5 out of 7	Rank Buying groups as 6 out of 7	Rank Buying groups as 7 out of 7
Trade organizations (i.e., CEDIA, AVIXA)	Rank Trade organizations (i.e., CEDIA, AVIXA) as 1 out of 7	Rank Trade organizations (i.e., CEDIA, AVIXA) as 2 out of 7	Rank Trade organizations (i.e., CEDIA, AVIXA) as 3 out of 7	Rank Trade organizations (i.e., CEDIA, AVIXA) as 4 out of 7	Rank Trade organizations (i.e., CEDIA, AVIXA) as 5 out of 7	Rank Trade organizations (i.e., CEDIA, AVIXA) as 6 out of 7	Rank Trade organizations (i.e., CEDIA, AVIXA) as 7 out of 7
Other	Rank Other as 1 out of 7	Rank Other as 2 out of 7	Rank Other as 3 out of 7	Rank Other as 4 out of 7	Rank Other as 5 out of 7	Rank Other as 6 out of 7	Rank Other as 7 out of 7

15. How many pieces of software do you use currently to run your company? 

• 0
• 1 to 3
• 4 to 5
• 6 to 8
• 9 to 12
• 13+