Transforming Financial Planning at Turnpoint Services: A Digital Evolution
Executive Summary
When Turnpoint Services approached Solid Giant, they were grappling with the growing pains of rapid expansion. What began as a solution to replace cumbersome Excel spreadsheets evolved into a comprehensive business planning platform that would transform their operations. This case study explores how a custom web application helped a leading home services company streamline its financial planning processes and support exponential growth.
The Client
Turnpoint Services stands as a testament to rapid growth in the home services industry. Starting with just four brands six years ago, they’ve expanded to manage approximately 60 different brands across the United States. Their portfolio spans residential and commercial services, including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work. As VP of Finance Chad explains, “We’re a home services company, effectively an aggregator of many home services companies across the US.”
The Challenge
Turnpoint’s remarkable growth brought with it increasing complexity in financial planning and data management. Their initial Excel-based system, while adequate for a smaller operation, began showing its limitations as the company expanded. “When we first started, we had just four brands, and it was pretty easy to aggregate data in Excel,” Chad recalls. “As we grew and brought more brands on, aggregating that data was becoming more and more of a hassle.”
The company faced challenges with version control, data consistency, and the time-consuming process of emailing spreadsheets back and forth. The need for a more sophisticated solution became increasingly apparent as their operations scaled.
The Solution Journey
The partnership between Turnpoint Services and Solid Giant began with a vision for modernization. Rather than opting for off-the-shelf solutions, Turnpoint chose a custom approach that would precisely match their unique needs. “To be able to have something that we own, something that we designed, something that’s specifically for us, it really made a lot more sense,” Chad explains.
The development process embraced an agile, sprint-based approach, utilizing Basecamp for project management. Weekly check-ins between the teams ensured continuous alignment and quick problem-solving. This collaborative approach proved invaluable as the project evolved from a simple budgeting tool into a comprehensive business planning platform.
The Solution in Action
The resulting web application transformed Turnpoint’s financial planning processes. The platform seamlessly integrates with their existing systems, including their data lake and Power BI dashboards. It maintains the familiar feel of Excel while adding powerful new capabilities for data management and analysis.
One of the most significant improvements came in employee data management. As Chad describes, “In prior seasons, we would basically just look at the account and try to figure out what names are associated with these figures. Now, they just verify and update and hit post, and it falls into the accounts and months where they belong.”
Impact and Results
The impact of the new platform extends far beyond improved efficiency. It has become a strategic asset for Turnpoint, particularly in their acquisition strategy. “We can leverage this when we’re acquiring new businesses,” Chad explains. “It’s one of those things we can tuck in our back pocket as a leverage point to demonstrate the value of joining our family.”
The platform has dramatically improved visibility across the organization. Leaders can now access real-time performance metrics, comparing actual results against budgets and forecasts at any time. This enhanced visibility has improved decision-making capabilities across all levels of the organization.
Looking Forward
As Turnpoint and Solid Giant prepare for the third version of the platform, the focus is expanding to include operational KPIs and enhanced business planning tools. The platform continues to evolve, with each iteration bringing new capabilities that support Turnpoint’s growth and operational excellence.
Key Takeaways
The success of this digital transformation highlights several crucial factors for custom software development. First, the importance of thinking broadly about future needs while starting with a focused minimum viable product. Second, the value of regular communication and collaborative problem-solving between development and business teams. Finally, the benefits of an iterative development approach that allows for continuous improvement and adaptation to changing business needs.
“I would give you guys a 10 out of 10,” Chad reflects on the partnership with Solid Giant. “Beyond just the general ROI that we are receiving through this investment, we also are seeing potential value that we can leverage in multiple aspects of our business.”
Conclusion
The partnership between Turnpoint Services and Solid Giant demonstrates how custom software can transform business operations while supporting rapid growth. What started as a solution to a specific problem has evolved into a comprehensive platform that supports Turnpoint’s continued expansion and operational excellence. As they move forward with Version 3, both companies remain committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in business planning technology.