Patterson Electrical Systems is a locally owned electrical contracting business based in Cooma, NSW, run by husband and wife team George and Julieann Patterson. Their business provides electrical maintenance, new installations, commercial work, rural electrical services, and communications and data services across the Snowy Mountains region.
As the business grew, George found himself spending more and more time on paperwork after hours while Julieann wanted to become more involved in the administration side of the business. They knew they needed to replace their manual processes with a simpler system that would save time, reduce paperwork and allow them to share the workload more effectively.
I'd say 10. I've already suggested to a few people if they needed to look for a different software or they needed help to set it up to call TradiePad. Because I had tried Tradify before this, a few years ago, and I was like, 'Oh, this is sh*t, It's clunky.' and I'd say it was just I hadn't set it up properly. Definitely helped having a bit of training on how you should use it and different ways to set things up or operate.
The Challenge
Spending More Time on Paperwork Than Customers
Like many sole operators, George was relying on paper diaries, handwritten job cards and manual processes to keep track of his work. Every week he was spending between one and three hours a night completing paperwork, manually checking supplier invoices, adding materials, and searching back through diaries to make sure every job had been invoiced.
The paperwork wasn’t just slowing George down. It also made it difficult for Julieann to step in and help with the administration, despite having more than 12 years’ experience in business administration. They wanted to streamline the business so George could spend less time behind a desk and more time with his family.
George had even trialled Tradify several years earlier but walked away believing it wasn’t the right fit. After reviewing the way Patterson Electrical Systems operated, TradiePad identified that the software wasn’t the problem. The system simply hadn’t been configured or used in a way that suited the business.
There's less double handling now with invoicing and job sheets and stuff like that.
The Solution
The Right Software Is Only Part of the Solution
Before recommending any software, TradiePad took the time to understand how Patterson Electrical Systems operated, where time was being lost, and what George and Julieann wanted to achieve over the next stage of the business.
Rather than recommending the software with the most features, TradiePad recommended Tradify because it matched the way George worked, integrated seamlessly with QuickBooks, and could simplify the business without adding unnecessary complexity.
TradiePad then delivered a complete implementation project, including system setup, workflow design, QuickBooks integration, mobile app configuration and personalised training. Every stage followed a structured implementation plan, ensuring George and Julieann built their knowledge progressively while getting the business up and running as quickly as possible.
Rather than simply teaching them how to use software, TradiePad helped redesign the way the business operated. Jobs, notes, photos, materials, timesheets and invoices were brought together into one digital job record, allowing George to manage work more efficiently from the road while giving Julieann everything she needed to confidently assist with invoicing and administration.
George also discovered that his first impression of Tradify had been wrong. With the system properly configured and supported by expert training, it became exactly the solution the business had been looking for.
Our trainer had everything outlined and things moved seamlessly. He'd run through it all and I think we've got up and running pretty quick.
The Result
Less Double Handling. Better Workflows. More Time Together.
The impact of the project went well beyond replacing paper job sheets. Today, Patterson Electrical Systems has a much more streamlined way of managing jobs. Job information, photos, notes and invoices are all stored together in one place, making it faster to find information, easier to complete invoicing, and reducing the amount of double handling that previously happened between paper diaries and QuickBooks.
Definitely 100%. It's all there. I can go to the job and just go 'create invoice' and then either do it from the quote or from the time and materials or if it needs to be miscellaneous. So, 100% that's much better as long as I've put all the information in there. It's a massive improvement.
The new workflows have also made it much easier for Julieann to support the business. Because everything is captured within Tradify, she can confidently complete invoicing whenever she has time, without relying on George to explain every job. This has helped reduce administration, simplify the invoicing process, and create a stronger foundation for the future of the business.
George has also changed the way he manages information in the field, making sure photos and job information are stored against each job rather than spread across notebooks and his phone. The result is a business that is better organised, easier to manage, and less reliant on one person remembering where everything is.
It's definitely more streamlined. Everything's in the one platform. Jobs are marked to invoice for Julieann when she has time. It's definitely improved the admin side of the business.
Thinking About New Software?
Choosing software is only half the battle. The real difference comes from choosing the right software for your business, setting it up properly, and learning how to use it to its full potential.
If you’ve tried software before and walked away thinking it wasn’t right for you, it might not have been the software at all. Like George and Julieann, you may simply need the right advice, setup and training to unlock its full potential.
At TradiePad, we help tradies choose the right technology, build practical workflows, and implement systems that save time, reduce paperwork and make running a business easier.
Ready to simplify your business?
Book a free call with our team to discuss your goals and find the best solution for the way you work.
It definitely helped having a bit of training on how you should use it and different ways to set things up or operate.
